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| New arrival Scania bendibus YN03 WRV. Pic from Beestons |
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| And from the rear. Can;t wait to see these reversing out of OCM! |
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| Volvo B12 Jonkheere NSV 372 after repaint at Beestons. Pic by Beestons |
Thursday, 7 August 2014
Beestons Addendum
Dave from Beestons has been in touch as promised with details of two more ex Menzies Scania Bendibuses that arrived at Hadliegh Road today. YN03 WRU/V have joined the 4 already there and Dave has supplied pics of one of them.
Dave has also posted on twitter a pic of this spectacular Volvo B12 Jonkheere that has just been repainted at Beestons. Thanks for the update, Dave.
Wednesday, 6 August 2014
Beestons Special
Yesterday I was lucky enough to be invited up to Beeston's depot on Hadliegh Road. Beestons are pretty unique in that their depot actually lies on a bus route operated by them - Caister Road is the only other one I can think of off hand (IB don't count as that is a free Council bus), so I hopped on one of their glorious Scania Omnidekkas at Ipswich and took the 20 min journey to just the other side of Hintlesham.
On arrival I was met by the extremely likeable and friendly Dave Burrows and immediately discovered we were on Kentish Bus at the same time, only different depots! He then gave me a guided tour of the depot, and in particular the ex Menzies Scania bendibuses I had gone to see. At the moment there are 4 of them - YN53 GHA/B/K/V with 2 more due today and another 5 to follow.
Now he had warned me in advance they were photographically inaccessible and so that proved to be the case. However I did get a couple of interior shots of one, and even by Scania hard seat standards these have the hardest, most revolting seats I have ever seen. I was assured they would probably not remain.
Despite 11 of them coming Beestons have absolutely no idea what they are going to do with them. However, as they have been Scania maintained from new they are in excellent condition, and the one I looked at had only done 350k miles, which is nothing for a 12yo bus. It seems likely that a couple of them will be prepared for seevice, and then trialed on different routes so a decent assessment of their suitibilty can be made. I think that will determine if they are then kept and used, or sold on. It will be interesting to see how it develops and I have been promised updates as and when they occur.
My grateful thanks to Dave for giving me his time, and really great to talk about past KB times! I hope to be a fairly regular visitor in the future. I'll leave you with not a bus but a Scamell truck, now believed to be owned by one of Billy Smart's Circuses. not a bus or train but too eye catching to not publish.
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| Beestons Scania Omnidekka MX04 MYW sits at OCM Ipswich |
Now he had warned me in advance they were photographically inaccessible and so that proved to be the case. However I did get a couple of interior shots of one, and even by Scania hard seat standards these have the hardest, most revolting seats I have ever seen. I was assured they would probably not remain.
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| Interior of Beestons ex Menzies Scania bendibus YN53 GHB |
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| Yuck! Bring your own cushion! |
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| A varied mix of vehicles at Beestons yard yesterday - just wish they wee parked facing forward. The bendibuses are behind that lot against a fence! |
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| Now privately owned ex IB Leyland Olympian D138 FYM resides at Hadliegh Rd. Ex Arriva Mercedes bendibus in background |
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| If it has more than 4 wheels and looks good then it fits on the blog! |
Tuesday, 5 August 2014
VA479 Special and Ipswich Update
As promised I went back to Ipswich today on several missions. First was a visit to Beeston's depot in Hadleigh Rd and there will be a special post on that tomorrow. Secondly was to photograph and ride on the newly heritage painted 32479, now VA479. I was not disappointed on either count.
The bus Gods were smiling on me today as I had calculated when VA479 would be at Ipswich Station. It wasn't, and even more worryingly the driver of the 66 that was there looked completely puzzled when I asked him if he was in front or behind the red one. "What red bus?", he asked and he genuinely did not know about VA479's existence. Anyway I decided to wait and was rewarded 10 mins later when VA479 arrived at the station out of service and sat there in glorious sunshine for 5 mins enabling me to not only get exterior shots but also pics of the inside. I then rode on her to town and the seats are good, the interior looks great and like all Ipswich B7tl's she gives a smooth comfortable ride. Enjoy.
Other News
I am indebted to Barry at Ipswich depot for imparting the following information, and before anyone gets all indignant on me I cleared everything you are about to see for publication before leaving the depot.
First of all ex Norwich (ty, Sam) Volvo B7rle 66950 is due back from Rotherham roughly as I type and I guess the usual welcoming committee will be there to greet her. E200's 44517/8 and B7tl 32490 are still up there and were joined today by B7tl 32487.
Vehicles still due to arrive at Ipswich are from Norwich 69006 and 66957. From Colchester 66985/6 and in the future 5 as yet unidentified further vehicles. The final E200, 44516 is still to arrive due to a rather long chain of movements being broken by a Lowestoft Dart at the weekend! However it is not all good news. Ex Transdev B7rle's 69532/3, originally going to Clacton are now going to Chelmsford, and towards the end of the refurbishment project 3 further ex P&R B7rle's will be going to Colchester. Early plans are for those 3 to be 69431/2/3 but that obviously is subject to change. The refurbishment project is now expected to be completed by the end of November, not September as originally hoped, due to hand painting taking longer than first thought. Incidentally we think we have identified where that opinion dividing dark green front colour has come from. If you look at the First Platinum buses elsewhere in the country that dark green appears to be used for the skirting on those vehicles. Not a stab in the dark after all!
Ex Lowestoft B7tl 32656 AU05 MVA is undergoing an £8,000 engine rebuild so I look forward to riding her on her return. 30888 is scheduled to return to Yarmouth at the end of the month when the 66's pull out of Halifax.
There has been much speculation about one of the Routemasters coming to Ipswich. I can reveal it will operate ONE journey on the 75 to Felixstowe on Sunday 17th August. As there is a high demand expected the back up vehicle will be VA479 so those not Sunday prisoners that's a heads up for you to get a decent pic or three.
OK long but informative post finished, and Beestons special up tomorrow.
The bus Gods were smiling on me today as I had calculated when VA479 would be at Ipswich Station. It wasn't, and even more worryingly the driver of the 66 that was there looked completely puzzled when I asked him if he was in front or behind the red one. "What red bus?", he asked and he genuinely did not know about VA479's existence. Anyway I decided to wait and was rewarded 10 mins later when VA479 arrived at the station out of service and sat there in glorious sunshine for 5 mins enabling me to not only get exterior shots but also pics of the inside. I then rode on her to town and the seats are good, the interior looks great and like all Ipswich B7tl's she gives a smooth comfortable ride. Enjoy.
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| Looking pretty darn good VA479 at Ipswich Station |
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| Even with the bush in the way still looks good |
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| I think she actually looks longer in those colours |
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| I think she will need to be kept extremely clean to maintain that look |
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| Lower deck interior of VA479 |
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| A very smart upper deck - ling may it stay that way |
I am indebted to Barry at Ipswich depot for imparting the following information, and before anyone gets all indignant on me I cleared everything you are about to see for publication before leaving the depot.
First of all ex Norwich (ty, Sam) Volvo B7rle 66950 is due back from Rotherham roughly as I type and I guess the usual welcoming committee will be there to greet her. E200's 44517/8 and B7tl 32490 are still up there and were joined today by B7tl 32487.
Vehicles still due to arrive at Ipswich are from Norwich 69006 and 66957. From Colchester 66985/6 and in the future 5 as yet unidentified further vehicles. The final E200, 44516 is still to arrive due to a rather long chain of movements being broken by a Lowestoft Dart at the weekend! However it is not all good news. Ex Transdev B7rle's 69532/3, originally going to Clacton are now going to Chelmsford, and towards the end of the refurbishment project 3 further ex P&R B7rle's will be going to Colchester. Early plans are for those 3 to be 69431/2/3 but that obviously is subject to change. The refurbishment project is now expected to be completed by the end of November, not September as originally hoped, due to hand painting taking longer than first thought. Incidentally we think we have identified where that opinion dividing dark green front colour has come from. If you look at the First Platinum buses elsewhere in the country that dark green appears to be used for the skirting on those vehicles. Not a stab in the dark after all!
Ex Lowestoft B7tl 32656 AU05 MVA is undergoing an £8,000 engine rebuild so I look forward to riding her on her return. 30888 is scheduled to return to Yarmouth at the end of the month when the 66's pull out of Halifax.
There has been much speculation about one of the Routemasters coming to Ipswich. I can reveal it will operate ONE journey on the 75 to Felixstowe on Sunday 17th August. As there is a high demand expected the back up vehicle will be VA479 so those not Sunday prisoners that's a heads up for you to get a decent pic or three.
OK long but informative post finished, and Beestons special up tomorrow.
Sunday, 3 August 2014
Weekly News Round Up 3/8/14
Another week has past and so it is time for a round up of the news from around the region this week.
FIRST
Pride of place this week has to be the return of 32479 Volvo B7tl ALX400 AU53 HJV to Ipswich sporting the Eastern Counties Post Office Red livery. Unfortunately I was in Ipswich 24 hours early and so no pic on this blog yet but I can assure by the end of the week I will have photographed AND ridden her so you will get a truly all round review. After all there is more to a book than its cover.
With the exception of sister B7tl 32490 if my calculations are correct there are no Ipswich vehicles actually undergoing refurbishment. Ex Norwich B7rles 69011, and I believe 66959 are up in Rotherham, along with ex Clacton E200s 44517/8. The other arrival this week was E200 44519, which entered service on Thursday. The last of the quartet, 44516 was expected to arrive at Ipswich this weekend.
Moving North and the main focus this week was the split of the X1. Initially it was thought it would be splitting into 2 parts meeting at Norwich. However it transpired that due to the Eastern section no longer being tacho operated the distance between Lowestoft - Norwich is too great to be displayed as such, so both timetables en route and destinations show the route terminating at Great Yarmouth. Totally confusing, totally unnecessary and totally shambolic. As it happens the majority of the delays this week have been on the Western part of the route.
Beestons
Something that has largely slipped under the radar is the acquisition of 10 Scania bendibuses by Beestons of Hadliegh. Formerly operated at Heathrow Airport by the distribution company Menzies it is currently unknown why they have been bought or what they are going to be used on. I have written to Beestons hoping for information and will pass on anything I hear. Could be bendibuses in Ipswich after all.
Timetables
A few timetable adjustments have been announced, as is always the case this time of year with the new School Year approaching. Most notably First Lowestoft have closed some gaps in the timetables affecting the X2 and 99. The afternoon X2 from Norwich that currently terminates at Worlingham will now continue to Lowestoft, and one of the afternoon 99's that currently doesn't return to Lowestoft from Kessingland now will.
Most annoying from my point of view, though is that Anglian have withdrawn the 1555 relief service 88 from Norwich to Bungay. This service ran together with the 1600 to Halesworth and took a large proprotion of the school passengers, and ensured the 1600 operated along the fast route to Halesworth. Now not only will the 1600 be full to overloading but it now goes everywhere, arriving in Halesworth over 10 mins later. Cheers guys. No fast Halesworth services between the 1530 and 1700? Don't your Halesworth passengers matter?
And Finally
I hope most of you will have read my rather scathing post regarding Victoria Coach Station. Well I can happily reveal I have been contacted by the General Manager of Victoria Coach Station, who has kindly invited me down for a meeting and tour of the Coach Station, so I can be informed of the plans for future development and improvement. Now THAT is the way to respond to criticism, and a few local managers could take note of that, rather than shutting up shop and refusing to communicate. I am really looking forward to my meeting and hope to publish a much more optimistic post about the future of VCS after my meeting in a few weeks time.
FIRST
Pride of place this week has to be the return of 32479 Volvo B7tl ALX400 AU53 HJV to Ipswich sporting the Eastern Counties Post Office Red livery. Unfortunately I was in Ipswich 24 hours early and so no pic on this blog yet but I can assure by the end of the week I will have photographed AND ridden her so you will get a truly all round review. After all there is more to a book than its cover.
With the exception of sister B7tl 32490 if my calculations are correct there are no Ipswich vehicles actually undergoing refurbishment. Ex Norwich B7rles 69011, and I believe 66959 are up in Rotherham, along with ex Clacton E200s 44517/8. The other arrival this week was E200 44519, which entered service on Thursday. The last of the quartet, 44516 was expected to arrive at Ipswich this weekend.
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| E200 44519 on driver change on its first day out in its new colours, on the 53's opposite OCM in Ipswich |
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| How do I get to Kings Lynn anyone? 33824 shows very confusing information on a very dark Lowestoft morning |
Beestons
Something that has largely slipped under the radar is the acquisition of 10 Scania bendibuses by Beestons of Hadliegh. Formerly operated at Heathrow Airport by the distribution company Menzies it is currently unknown why they have been bought or what they are going to be used on. I have written to Beestons hoping for information and will pass on anything I hear. Could be bendibuses in Ipswich after all.
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| Scania bendibus YT10 OBG now with Beestons. Pic by Solenteer reproduced on CCL. |
Timetables
A few timetable adjustments have been announced, as is always the case this time of year with the new School Year approaching. Most notably First Lowestoft have closed some gaps in the timetables affecting the X2 and 99. The afternoon X2 from Norwich that currently terminates at Worlingham will now continue to Lowestoft, and one of the afternoon 99's that currently doesn't return to Lowestoft from Kessingland now will.
Most annoying from my point of view, though is that Anglian have withdrawn the 1555 relief service 88 from Norwich to Bungay. This service ran together with the 1600 to Halesworth and took a large proprotion of the school passengers, and ensured the 1600 operated along the fast route to Halesworth. Now not only will the 1600 be full to overloading but it now goes everywhere, arriving in Halesworth over 10 mins later. Cheers guys. No fast Halesworth services between the 1530 and 1700? Don't your Halesworth passengers matter?
And Finally
I hope most of you will have read my rather scathing post regarding Victoria Coach Station. Well I can happily reveal I have been contacted by the General Manager of Victoria Coach Station, who has kindly invited me down for a meeting and tour of the Coach Station, so I can be informed of the plans for future development and improvement. Now THAT is the way to respond to criticism, and a few local managers could take note of that, rather than shutting up shop and refusing to communicate. I am really looking forward to my meeting and hope to publish a much more optimistic post about the future of VCS after my meeting in a few weeks time.
Friday, 1 August 2014
Ipswich Update
It appears I misunderstood what I was told yesterday and freshly repainted and I presume refurbished Volvo B7tl ALX400 32479, or VA479 as she is now AU53 HJV returned last night looking good in her Eastern Counties Post Box Red livery. It would also appear the safety checks were carried out last night as she was on the road on the 66's this morning. I hope to get to Ipswich in the near future to see her personally but in the meantime please head over to Roy's East Norfolk Bus Blog for before/after pics and a report by clicking here.
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