Rare Spots ~ March '14

The third post in our new series, features buses from Konectbus and First. Remember if you see and photograph any buses you consider to be an odd allocation, please do contact me at zak.nbp@gmail.com so your images can be used.

First up (if you'll pardon the pun), is FirstGreat Yarmouth's 33423 SN60CAA. I was waiting outside East Norfolk Sixth Form College in Gorleston observing the early morning workings when I noticed 33423 turn up on the 1A. She is usually only operated on the X1 shorts and so I boarded her to JPH to take a photograph.

33423 has also operated the 881 college service before being repainted.

The second First bus to make it onto the rare spots post is 60807 S658RNA. This Great Yarmouth based Wright Renown is one of six to operate in the town. Although a Renown on the X1 short was a regular occurrence before the new Enviro400s were delivered, they now see most of their service on the town routes 2, 5, 6 and 7. Currently, First operate a batch of nine Geminis with many seeing regular service on the route along with two Plaxton Paragon coaches and 33423, as seen above.

The third and final First bus to feature is Norwich's own 36180 BD11CDZ. This is an interesting bus and seems to be the bus of choice when other depots in the Eastern Counties network need a spare. 36180 saw a spell of regular service on the full X1 route last year on more than one occasion and has been spotted working an early morning relief X1 from Acle more recently. During March though, Lowestoft's service X2 was subject to severe delays due to a tragic helicopter crash in a field next to the regular route. This road and surrounding roads were shut for the majority of the day and people struggled to get where they were going. To help out, Norwich kindly sent 36180 out to help which ran a relief service to and from Loddon throughout the day.

Konectbus operate two 'express' services. The 2 operates between Norwich and Sheringham whilst the 8 runs every half an hour between the city and the market town of Dereham. To operate the latter, Konect have five 61 reg' Enviro400s branded for the service. Although it has been known for single deckers to appear on the route, I was rather surprised when I was waiting in Dereham for my bus when Optare Tempo 409 YJ57EGY arrived at the Market Place. The main cause of my surprise was because Norwich City FC were playing at home just a few hours later, so surely maximum capacity was needed?! Even-so, I boarded a very cramped 409 and distracted myself from the crowd by listening to my music (which was quiet enough not to be heard by other passengers...a pet hate of mine).

Now. A bus spotter should always venture out during the early morning at least once during the year, as there are many one off college and school services that can create some rather interesting workings. Konectbus operate a service 13B to Easton College that departs the bus station at 0825, which is usually operated by an Enviro400. Despite this, I managed to photograph this Citaro bodied MB O350G on the last day of the month.

I hope you've enjoyed looking through my rare working photographs, and remember to submit yours for the April 'episode'!