The Big Bus Show

Yesterday saw the Big Bus Show staged at Stonham Barns near Stowmarket with more than 100 vehicles registered to attend. I planned to visit the event but a last minute family issue precluded that - but I know a man who did, fortunately! That person was Dan High, who provided many photos of the vehicles that made the trip there and, again, I had the difficult problem in deciding what to publish and what not to publish.



As expected the First Eastern Counties and First Essex fleets were well represented but I choose to publish a picture of ex Norwich Alexander Dennis Enviro 400MMC 34424 SN17 MTX to cover both operators. It is now with First Essex in their @essex airlink' livery. First Great Yarmouth heritage branded Volvo B9 37562 FJ08 FYN also made an appearance.



Other major operators were represented too including a Dew Coaches' trio. They were Volvo B7RLE BV73 MPO, Bedford YMQ JFT 412X and more recent arrival Volvo B8RLE/MCV eVoRa BL24 GYP.



Suffolk-based Beestons secured first prize for a company double decker with its Volvo B8L/MCV EvoSeti triaxle MUN 56N. It is shown operating the 210 service connecting Stowmarket Rail Station to the venue.



Mulleys Motorways exhibited three vehicles with Volvo B8R YX69 LCM and Switch Metrodecker YJ23 EKN both shown here. The third was Volvo B13R YY63 WCK.

Local preservationists also proudly displayed their vehicles including at least three from the Eastern Counties Bus Preservation Group. These were ex -Great Yarmouth Corporation AEC Swift WEX685M, Eastern Counties Scania S574TPW in First Blue Bus livery and Eastern Counties Mercedes-Benz 609D / Frank Guy N619 GAH



Suffolk-based J&M Preservations had three of their buses on show including former Abellio London Alexander Dennis Dart KP02 PVU and ex London United Volvo B7TL GIG 9134. Despite issues with their Optare Solo MX06 ABO, it also made it to the event.



Our final photo shows preserved Whippet Coaches Scania L94UB / Wright Solar AF52 VMD, new to them in September 2002

Other Norfolk operators attending were Sanders Coaches, Jubilee Coaches and Wrights Coaches

My special thanks to Dan High for supplying all the photos and to the Eastern Counties Bus Preservation Group who were hosting the event.

I can also recommend Graham Sleath's YouTube video of the event which can be viewed by clicking on the link: The Big Bus Show 2024 Stonham Barns Suffolk (youtube.com)

Roy

Former Norwich Geminis In Cornwall

Dave King has contacted us to advise that 'all ten examples of the former First Norwich Geminis are now in Cornwall with several in service, although it's not all good news!'



He continues '36168 BD11 CFN was the latest to enter service last week and I enclose a couple of photo's of it on Thursday 8th August which was it's second day in use. Firstly it is seen in a wet Newquay on a U1A service to Falmouth and later the same day in Falmouth heading back to Newquay!


Number 36166 BD11 CFK unfortunately suffered a serious engine issue in mid-July and is still out of use, hopefully it will be repaired and back in traffic soon.

Volvo B9s 36171 to 36174 were the last batch delivered to Cornwall but have not yet entered service.'

My special thanks to Dave for the information and photos.

Roy

Surprise Saturday Sighting

There are the usual haunts around Great Yarmouth to find visiting Bus and Coaches but today a very odd place to spot one was Northgate Street, normally plenty of cars and vans from local businesses in the area but to my surprise whilst driving in to town this morning i was greeted by something very shiny and very new!

YY24GZL is a brand new ADL E40D operated by Goldline Executive Travel of Leytonstone.

Grahame.

Two From Norwich

Today, Dan High has kindly provided a couple of images of buses taken at Norwich Bus Station.



Featured is First Eastern Counties Scania N250UD / Enviro400 City double-decker 36911 YN69 XZR on the Excel C route to Peterborough.



Although the final photo was snapped quickly (and despite the unfortunate placement of the ruddy lamppost!) it confirms that the BorderBus Scania OmniCity saloon YT11 LUP has been assigned fleet number 114.

Thanks to Dan for sharing the pictures.

Roy

BorderBus Further Update

After reading our recent BorderBus post about the operator's comings and goings, Steve Blackburn thought he would pay a visit to Moor Business Park yesterday afternoon on his way in to Beccles.

He found Scania Omnicity decker LX 08 ECD on site in its previous livery with no fleet number visible. The anticipated arrival was also in the yard and identified as ADL Enviro400 MMC YX22 OJB in all over white.



Regarding the Newport Transport Scania saloons he observed YT11 LUP now bearing fleet number 114, previously shown in Andrew' Watts' photo (above) as 112. - the number carried when at Newport. YT11 LUH was also present in the yard bearing fleet number 116 whilst there was no sign of YT11 LUF (possibly 115?) and was presumably the one referred to by Andrew Pursey as being repainted

My thanks to Steve for the information.

Roy

Brylaine Update

Following the recent sale of four Volvo B9 buses by BorderBus to Lincolnshire's Brylaine, Mark Doggett has reported on their acquisition of three First Bus vehicles.



Two of them, formerly based in Great Yarmouth (37021 YJ06 XKK) and Lowestoft (37060 YJ06 XMM), currently sport the Coastal Reds livery. The third bus, previously Great Yarmouth's 37174 SF07 FDE, has been re-registered as X33 XBT and repainted red with a blue skirt. None of the three buses have entered service yet.

Thanks for the info Mark

Roy

Ex Great Yarmouth Bus Now A Trainer

Regular contributor Mark Doggett paid a visit to Road Train, an HGV/LGV training centre at their DVSA test site in West Thurrock today.



The training centre recently acquired former First Great Yarmouth Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 37023 YJ06 XKM, which has been re-registered as R10 PSV. The Road Train's representative kindly assisted in positioning the vehicle for photographs.



Special thanks to Nick at Road Train and to Mark for providing the photos.

Roy