Last B9 Arrives

This weekend saw the arrival of the last of the eight ex Go Ahead London Volvo B9TL / Gemini 2s at First Great Yarmouth's depot. 36282 LX59 DAO arrived at Caister Road yesterday completing the batch.

Details of the acquired octet are as follows:-

36281 LX59 DAA
36282 LX59 DAO
36283 LX59 DAU
36284 LX59 DBO
36285 LX59 DBU
36286 LX59 DBV
36287 LX59 DBY
36288 LX59 DBZ

My thanks to Simon Taylor for the information and photo.

Roy

NCFC Private Hire

Late yesterday afternoon I observed one of Belle Coaches vehicles operating a private hire on behalf of Norwich City Football Club members to Carrow Road. Kassbohrer Setra LIL 9456 was employed on the 7 route from Hollow Grove Way in Lowestoft to the city travelling via Gorleston, Bradwell, Belton, St Olaves, Haddiscoe and Loddon.

It didn’t appear to be well supported and neither were the team who lost to promotion rivals Blackburn Rovers.

Roy

First Great Yarmouth Update

Recent addition to the First Great Yarmouth fleet, Volvo B9TL/ Wright Gemini 36284 LX59 DBO had its first day in service yesterday working the 8’s between Gorleston’s James Paget Hospital and Marram Drive in Caister.

In the workshop is Volvo B7TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 37150 YN06 URD which is undergoing an engine rebuild.

All of the cabriolet open toppers have recently passed their MOTs with the exception of Dennis Trident 32905 CRZ 166 which worked its last open top service this year. It is hoped that the former W905 VLN will be replaced by a more modern vehicle.

My thanks to First Great Yarmouth for the information.

Roy

Orange Line Upgrades

First Norwich have begun to roll out the first of their vehicle upgrades for the Orange Line 21/22 group of services in the city.

Former West Of England Wright Streetdecks are being repainted and will replace existing Dennis Trident/Plaxton Presidents on the routes.

First to receive its new look is 35163 SN65PWF, seen above after completion of its transformation.

Other vehicles to gain Orange Line livery will be 35113,35114,35140 and 35141. All of which are recent Streetdeck arrivals from West Of England operations.

Many thanks to First for the info and Zak for the photos.

Service Alterations Registered ~ 14th December 2022

For the second consecutive week there are no items of local interest in the East of England Traffic Commissioner's Notices and Proceedings Report. However, the full Notices and Proceedings Report can be viewed here soon.

Roy

Lowestoft ~ Brief Visit

A flying visit to Lowestoft this lunchtime which saw me view activity at First's Bus Station and to Angie's Coaches site off Norwich Road.



The twenty minutes there saw me gain photos of two of the five former London United Alexander Dennis Enviro200's and a picture of ex First West Yorkshire Volvo B7/Wright Gemini 37044 YJ06 XLU awaiting its next duty on Gordon Road.



One of the Enviro200s sighted was 44454 YX09 HKO about to leave on the 1210 99 Coastal Clipper service to Southwold. The other was 44451 YX09 HKK working the 109 to Hollow Grove.



Looking in at Angie's Coaches' Norwich Road Industrial Estate site there were three vehicles present and one was the recently acquired Scania YN57 FZL from Coach Services of Thetford. The second was King Long WJI 5242 being warmed up; whereas I was unable identify the third vehicle being devoid of its registration plates.

Roy

Coach On Simonds Bus Service

One of this afternoon's Simond's service 2 Norwich to Diss workings had the luxury of a coach on the route with Mercedes-Benz Tourismo BN17 JJY being employed. The coach, normally on tour work, is pictured on Norwich's Castle Meadow by Dan High.



Thanks Dan for the photo

Roy