Radio One's Big Weekend ~ Part Three

Welcome to part three of our special posts about Radio One's Big Weekend. If you haven't read part one or two yet, follow the links! I hear they're very interesting reads! 

You might be wondering what else there is to report, as we've already covered the loaned in buses, the extra routes and the night time happenings. Well as part of the vehicle movements for the weekend, some Norwich buses ended up operating in Yarmouth which seeing as we've now learned they're going to be repainted imminently, it gave probably gave us the final chance to capture them in Yarmouth in their current guise.

In hope of capturing them in service, I took the trip up to Yarmouth on Anglian's number 7 service and after buying lunch, I headed up to FirstGreat Yarmouth's depot to see if I could spy any of the loaned vehicles.

Norwich's Blue Line branded 36176 BD11CGE and 36179 BD11CDY outside Caister Road's bus depot

As you can see from the above photo, my walk from the town centre was rewarded with two Gemini's out on the forecourt awaiting their next duty. This made me a bit more hopeful about catching them out in service later on during the day, but at least I'd got a shot of them in Great Yarmouth and that was my original goal when I set out that morning. 

So I started walking back to the town, this time down Northgate Street rather than through the cemetries just in case a bus went past, and after photographing 32058 W218XBD in her new livery for the first time I rounded the corner onto Priory Plain. Luckily, I just happened to check my shoulder at the right minute because as I did so, I glimpsed 36178 BD11CDX making her way from Vauxhall Holiday Park on the first day of the summer service 3 to Hemsby Beach. For more on that, click here.

So that got me very excited, so it was a bit of a disappointment when after an hour of standing on my favourite spot just opposite Sainsbury's that the only other shot I got was this:

36170 BD11CFP

I wasn't quite sure where it was going or what it had been doing, but fortunately, Steve W was on hand later in the day to capture the same vehicle working the Eastern side of the X1 between Norwich and Lowestoft.

Norwich's 36170 working the X1 in Acle
© SteveW (Steve's Bus & Train Page)

He also seemed to manage what I couldn't and photographed a couple in normal service.

36179 BD11CDY at James Paget Hospital on the 1 to Martham
© SteveW (Steve's Bus & Train Page)

and finally, 36176 BD11CGE operating to James Paget Hospital on the 8,
just infront of Volvo Olympian 34108 W435CWX
© SteveW (Steve's Bus & Train Page)

So thanks to Steve for allowing me to reproduce those here, and that brings our special post to an end. As far as I'm aware, all displaced buses are now back where they should be, after one of the biggest weekends in the region in terms of bus operations with the successful trip to Wembley adding to the masses of photographs taken.

To see photos of buses operating to and from Radio One's Big Weekend, see our flickr album here.

And to see photos of vehicles at Wembley last week, see the album here. This one's only got one photo in it at the moment but more will be uploaded very shortly!

Fleet Update ~ FirstNorwich: UPDATED

Steve's Bus & Train Page reports EIGHT new buses for Norwich.

Dan High got in touch this afternoon with this rather interesting photograph taken on Castle Meadow.

© Dan High

The picture depicts Ipswich's 66977 KX05MHA which is a Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse-Urban and it has later transpired that it is a permanent transfer from the Suffolk Town. As another blog has already posted the information, I'll send you over to Kieran's NBB for more details, including those of Norwich's repaint scheme kicking back into action with a bang.

Fleet Update ~ FirstGreat Yarmouth

East Norfolk Bus Blog reports that Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TL 32202 LT52WTG and 32211 LT52WTU are both on loan to the Great Yarmouth, from Norwich. These loans are to assist with route 3 which requires two buses at present and will need four from the Summer Holidays when the frequency of the route increases to every half hour. It's assumed these Presidents will both return to FirstNorwich as soon as their work is done, in approximately September.

32202 shortly after transferral to Norwich from Great Yarmouth last year

Radio One's Big Weekend ~ Part Two

Continuing on from Part One, which focused on buses operating during the day, we now move on to Part Two which will focus the evening routes. I was unable to witness first hand the large scale operations but fortunately contributor Dan High was out and about with his camera well into the night.

Frequent shuttle services, including extra buses on Blue Line services 25 and 26 operated from Earlham Park direct to the bus station until 1am, where passengers could make use of a number of extra late night services on the X1 and X2 towards the coast or as far as King's Lynn on the west side of the route. 

an X1 Enviro400 working a late night 26 back to the City Centre
© DanHigh

First also laid on two extra services, numbered E1 and W1 which operated around greater Norwich throughout the evening. Service E1 operated around the East side, whilst W1 worked the West.

E1 operated from Earlham Park to Vulacn Road bus depot via Yarmouth Road, St Williams Way, Heartsease Lane, Mousehold Lane, Wroxham Road, Sprowston Church Lane, Barkers Lane, White Woman Lane, Lodge Lane, St Faiths Road and Mile Cross Lane and were expected to depart every fifteen minutes from 0015 until 0115.

Norwich's 36172 BD11CFV at Norwich Bus Station working the E1
© DanHigh

W1 had the same timetable but operated to Vulcan Road via Dereheam Road, Bowthorpe Road, Earlham Green Lane, Clover Hill, Wendene, Sweet Briar Road, Drayton High Road, Windsor Chase, Kingswood Avenue, Pendlesham Rise, Felsham Way, Long Dale, Reepham Road, Hellesdon, The Boundary and Mile Cross Lane.

Blue Line branded 36167 BD11CFM also at Norwich Bus Station, working the W1
© DanHigh

Witnesses there exclaimed that buses were leaving Earlham Park, rammed full of passengers approximately ever thirty seconds. This high demand warranted even more buses being hired in, so First opted to use ten of Norse's Plaxton Presidents, usually used on Park & Ride duties, to assist them.

a Norse president sits between two of her sisters outside Earlham Park awaiting duty
© DanHigh

Many thanks to Dan for the photos, and remember Konectbus will take over the sites operated by Norse in September, and it is expected that Norse will be selling all of their service buses following the expiry of their contract. So photograph them whilst you can! Of course there's no official news about where they will be going yet, so they could end up somewhere nearby...

In part three, I'll be bringing you photos from Yarmouth as the vehicle movements caused a few rare workings at the seaside town, one of which you've already seen as part of our Summer Service 3 post.

Market Gates Closure

Part of a road in Great Yarmouth is closed today due to roadworks to fix a piece of subsidence. But as a through road, this effected Great Yarmouth Market Gates Bus Interchange, as it's now called on the bus stands. Until the road reopens, buses cannot serve Market Gates main stops.

Jamie was at the scene not too long ago, aiming to get a few photos for us!

Yesterday, when I passed the hole was just covered by a few cones and a sign, but seems to have spread! (C) Jamie Skinner

As you can see here, buses bound for Gorelston, Lowestoft and Southtown stopped at the Troll Cart, the usual stop for National Express Services and the 2/4 to Barrack Estate. There isn't really much room for the buses, so I feel the drivers are doing well!

AU58EDJ en-route to Lowestoft. Thanks Jamie S (C)

I've never seen Market Gates so quiet during the holidays! 

Jamie Skinner - Copyright

Caister-on-sea & Northgate Street bound Sanders 6, First 1/3/4/8 and Norwich bound First X1, Anglian7 and Konect 72 will depart from Howard Street Yarmouth Police Station. Thankfully, there's a few bus stops here, but will still get busy!

Thanks Jamie for the photos. Copyrighted to him. The road is scheduled to open on, or before, this weekend.

Stagecoach in Norfolk

Five months after being bought by the Stagecoach Group, Norfolk Green has now become Stagecoach Norfolk; as reported on the blog previously. The first few steps from 1st May were very slow, with no visual changes at all... until now!

The website's header image now makes it clear to viewers that the company is now Stagecoach in Norfolk.

The next stage I assume is the fleet repaint. The fleet will all be repainted into the corporate beachball identity as and when repaints are due. Other buses have also been transferred in from depots elsewhere in the country to try and speed up the process. For an up to date Fleets refer back to the 1st June. 

Wembley ~ Photo Special

We'll break up our Radio One post with a special report from Wembley Stadium. Norwich had earned a place against Middlesbrough at the home of English football after seeing off local rivals Ipswich town 4-2 over two legs. Sanders Coaches are the official coach travel provider for the club, but the 40,000 strong crowd of supporters meant that hundres of other coaches were drafted in. There were reportedly over one hundred and twenty official coaches, all displaying "On hire to Sanders Coaches" in their windscreen but after observing photographs of the impressive line up outside the stadium, there seemed to be at least three hundred; numbers being made up by coaches privately hired by supporters groups from across the country.

Sanders 801 YJ07JNO infront of the infamous Wembley arch

After taking my position amongst the other spotters, of which there must have been about seventy, I sat back and watched in amazement at the sheer volume of vehicles appearing in the dedicated coach park. Let me show you a photograph I took from the concourse, more than four hours before kick off.

Reader Chris Mugglestone sent in this photo he took from the top of the stadium, which really shows the sheer
amount of coaches needed for the operation to run smoothly and successfully. Many thanks Chris.

Vehicles from Ambassador Travel, Spratts, Reynold's of Caister, Beestons, Simonds, Richards Coaches, Belle and Eastons were present, with smaller companies like Meadway Travel, Marett's Chariots, Dereham Coachways, Dolphin and Sunbeam all making an appearence. Even King's Ferry sent a few coaches, one of which, ironicly, was used as Ipswich's team coach last week. I thought about walking inbetween every single row of vehicles and noting each one, but I had completely forgot my notepad and pen, and I would probably still be writing registrations by the time the game was over!

One of the most publicised operators to provide transport to the match was First. Vehicles from Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn all made the journey with the X1 Enviros having a series of special destination screens programmed in for the trip.

King's Lynn's 33803 YX63LJF and 33804 YX63LJJ  showing off their destination screens

The second of three special destination screens

In this shot, four Lowestoft based deckers in convoy, also show the special destination screen

Other deckers sent from first included the B9 Geminis, which used to operate the X1, although these just displayed "Private Hire".

As this is a 'Photo Special', here's a selection of interesting shots from the day.

One of Beestons' coaches was this double deck 523FN

Stafford Coaches CNZ3828

One of many minibuses which turned up was Dolphin's FX51BOV. A Mercedes 413CDI Sprinter

Diamond Limousines YN54LLE is an Optare Alero and has only sixteen seats

Many spotters took the time and effort to walk up and down each of these narrow aisles, noting down each and every vehicle

Rather fittingly, Dolphin sent this yellow and green themed coach which still carries the club logo after being used
 to shuttle the academy players and staff to matches

Sanders' latest edition to their coaching fleet is this rather beautiful Volvo B9R Plaxton Elite. I confess
 I decided to move a few cones so I get a less impeded photograph

Suffolk Norse sent a couple of their new Leopards. This one is YX14RZU and is coach number 106 on the day

On the other side of the fence was the Middlesbrough fans. Nice to see the co-driver giving me the thumbs up,
despite my yellow and green attire!

A pretty good day for coach and bus enthusiasts, followed by Norwich winning the game 2-0 and getting promoted back to the top tier of English football means I'm a very happy blogger at the moment. I must say a thanks to the FirstKing's Lynn drivers for the breif chat we had and for putting the special display back on the screens, and as a final note, Sheldon Rees has kindly allowed me to reproduce his photo of their third destination screen which was to be revealed only if Norwich emerged victorious.

© Sheldon Rees

Radio One's Big Weekend Photo Special ~ Part One

So whilst 'normal' teenagers were out getting drunk selfies with their favourite artists, I drove to the outskirts of the city and cycled the rest of the way in an attempt to beat the extra traffic in order to take photos of all the buses. 

Quite a few short-time movements took place over the weekend to assist Norwich's fleet which on it's own would struggle to deal with the shear amount of visitors to the city. Ipswich sent ALX400s 32655 AU05MUY 32656 AU05MVA and 32479 AU53HJV, whilst Lowestoft loaned Gemini 37571 AU58ECV and ALX400 30889 W744DWX. Great Yarmouth also gave a helping hand in the form of 37574 AU58ECY, 37575 AU58ECZ and 37576 AU58EDC. In return, Norwich sent a few of their deckers to the coast. After I breif chat with Chris Speed who was overseeing the operation, I learned that this was due to the '58 reg Geminis having larger fuel tanks and a slightly faster top speed than Norwich's second generation versions and those attributes will come in handy when transporting thousands of Norwich City fans to Wembley on Monday.

When I first arrived at the bus station, I was greeted with the sight of two of Ipswich's ALX400s, trying to be boarded by a line of flourescently dressed youngsters and party goers. The buses in question were ex-Lowestoft based 32655 and 32656, both of which are Volvo B7TLs. After serving a couple of years working the X2 between Norwich and the Lowie, they were transferred to Ipswich and repainted as part of a massive fleet overhaul which only recently finished. 

32655 exiting the bus station onto Queen's Road on First's Blue Line 26 service which took festival-goers right to the party.

32656 was crammed so full that the driver couldn't physically fit anymore passengers on board.

Ipswich's third ALX400 is a Transbus version but still sits on a Volvo B7TL chassis. 32479 was selected to be painted into an Eastern Counties heritage livery and is usually seen operating the 66 between Martlesham Heath and Ipswich Rail Station. So I was quite pleased that I only waited nine or ten minutes before I took this shot of her operating one of the relief journeys on the 26.

See what I mean about the long queue?!

Lowestoft's 30889 showing off a special destination screen specifically for the Big Weekend.

After an hour or so, I decided to get back on my bike and head down the Earlham Park, where the Big Weekend was being hosted to see if I was missing out on anything bus related. After a brief but hard cycle ride, I arrived and was pointed in the direction of the buses by the helpful stewards. I parked my bike and immediately walked over to the bus stop to photograph one of Konect's special park and ride services. The Yellow route ran from County Hall whilst the Blue route operated from Costessey Park & Ride.

503 YJ05PXD dropping passengers off from County Hall

I'm so glad this driver is still around! I'd heard a rumour he'd left but alas. He he is driving 803 BL57OXM back to Costessey Park & Ride, after stopping for his trademark pose.

Enviro400 604 SN10CEX also made an appearence on the Yellow route.

From my observations, the bendy Citaros were being used on the Blue route, just as they would operate on the 604 to Costessey Park & Ride if it were a normal day, whereas anything seemed to be being used on the Yellow route, from Geminis to plain Enviros, and even the odd one or two branded for route's 3 and 6.

3 and 6 branded 613 SN62AVY makes an appearence on the prodominantly Citaro operated Blue route.

After spending an hour or so hanging around the entrance to Earlham Park, my tummy decided I should head back to the city as it was now nearly three o'clock and I still hadn't had any lunch. Due to my obsession with the Eurovision Song Contest, I was unable to observe the night happenings, but contributor Dan High has sent in a selection of photographs which I shall be bringing you in Part Two over the next couple of days.

First's 3 Recommences

Evening ladies and gents, I'm back!

Today saw the reintroduction of FirstGreat Yarmouth's summer route 3! With a frequency of one bus an hour until July (which increases to every thirty minutes until August before going back to hourly), the service connects Great Yarmouth train station and Hemsby beach via Vauxhall Holiday Park, Market Gates, HollyWood Cinema, Seashore Haven, Caister-on-Sea, Scratby, and Newport. Previously, this route has seen the likes of anything from Darts (now withdrawn or in Essex) & Postwick Park & Ride liveried Volvo B7s (now at Ipswich) to Presidents, Routemasters, ALX400s and even the beloved Enviro400 33423 SN60CAA. 

Unfortunately, I had other 'duties' to attend today, so I wasn't able to take any photos. However, unknown to me, fellow admin Zak was in Great Yarmouth today and he's informed me that he managed to photograph both buses which operated the route on it's first day back.

FirstNorwich 36178 BD11CDX is on loan to Yarmouth at the moment, due to Radio 1 Big Weekend duties 

a nearside shot of 37577 AU58EDF on her way back to Vauxhall Holiday Park from Hemsby

Keep an eye on the blog for part one of our special Big Weekend post.

Fleet Update ~ Sanders Coaches

Whilst spotting for part one of our upcoming Big Weekend Special, I noted a Sanders decker approaching the bus station which looked suspiciously shiny. Upon closer inspection I noticed it's a new acquisition. YN06JWC is a Scania N94UD East Lancs OmniDekka, similar to those recently acquired by Anglian but Sander's addition comes from Reading Buses. I was unable to see the fleet number, as you'll be able to see from the only photo I managed to get!

the registration is just visible through the plants. I was on the other side of the road photographing 26s leaving the bus station.

Radio One's Big Weekend ~ Buses Preview

As all us spotters who haven't got tickets gather our equipment for a big day out today, I thought I'd let you know what we might be in store for us today. Whether you are heading to Norwich further east to the coast you're in for a treat as buses have been drafted in and transferred elsewhere to accomodate the extra services for the weekend, followed by the trip to Wembley on Monday.

Norwich have gained four Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse-Geminis; one from Lowestoft; 37571 AU58ECV, and three from Great Yarmouth: 37574 AU58ECY, 37575 AU58ECZ and 37576 AU58EDC. Going the other way are Gemini 2s 36170 BD11CFP, 36177 BD11CGF, 36179 BD11CDY and 36180 BD11CDZ. It is thought that the main reason for the transfer is the Wembley trip on Monday as the coastal Geminis have a higher top speed and can accomadate tachographs when needed.

Similar scenes to this, taken back in 2012, may be seen over the weekend. Norwich's 36166 BD11CFK on loan to Lowestoft

If you're heading up to Yarmouth, be on the look out for an increased amount of Olympians in service to cover for their buses which have been sent to Norwich, it  may be one of the last chances you get to see them all in one day!

Maretts Chariots Nominated for Award

Norfolk based Maretts Chariots has scooped two nominations at 2015s RouteOne Operator Excellence Awards. Anthony Maretts, Director of Operations has been nominated for the Manager of the Year for a small or medium operator (up to 150 vehicles) whilst the company as a whole is hoping to clinch Medium Coach Operator of the Year.

Whilst speaking to Fountain Partnership, Anthony Marett commented "It is an honour to even be contemplated for an award like this, the RouteOne Operator Excellence Awards are the most prestigious in the field in the UK"

The annual event will take place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel and is scheduled to coincide with the PSV Industry Show on the 30th September.

Now in it's eleventh year, this event is specifically designed to reward the coach operator. The awards are structured into sixteen categories with ten operator awards, and five further awards given to those individuals working in the industry.

The judging panel consists of five established figures in the industry; Steve Dewhurst, Chris Heaps, Tony Kennan, and Peter Nash whilst the panel is chaired by former RouteOne Editor Mike Morgan.

The night is predicted to be a sell-out event

My thanks to Fountain Partnership for making us aware of the nomination, and good luck to Marett's Chariots, whose website can be viewed here.

On The Ball City

As mentioned before, First are sending a number of their X1 Enviro400s down to Wembley on Monday to help transport Norwich City supporters to the capital and Sheldon Rees has kindly allowed me to reproduce his photographs of some specially programmed destinations as a finishing touch for the occasion.

#OTBC - On the ball city! A nice touch on the side destination

Wembley is the proud name to take up the main display on the front of the vehicle

Sheldon revealed a third destination will also make an appearence, but you'll have to wait until Monday to find out what it says! Thanks to Sheldon for the use of his images, which remain copyright to him.

Also a quick reminder about our free downloadable calendar for 2016. We're asking you guys to send us your best shots of local buses from each month this year to feature on a .pdf calendar for you to download towards the end of the year. Please email your contributions to harry.nbp@gmail.com.

Blue Line turns Pink

Dan High got in contact with me yesterday with a photograph of Pink Line branded Volvo B7TL Plaxton President 32103 LT02ZCN on castle meadow working the Blue Line service to the UEA. Dan informs me that it replaced a non-branded President 33248 LT52WVA which suffered damage to the nearside windscreen panel after a minor accident during the day.

© Dan High

Play-off Semi Final Derby Special ~ Part Two

Part two of this special post was meant to be focusing on the fleet of coaches Galloway used to bring Town supporters across the border. Unfortunately no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't find where they were parked! I was also warned that if I do find them I probably won't be able to photograph them as they keep opposition fans well away from home fans for safety reasons.

So instead, I bring a couple of photographs I took during the day.

First up is Panther Travel's AB53PAN. Previously registered LK53KXB, the Volvo B12B Plaxton Panther is a suitable for the vehicle's namesake! She was awaiting rail replacement duties on hire to National Express to help deal with the extended amount of passengers due to the two thousand odd Ipswich fans.

After a brief encounter with comedian Stephen Fry outside Carrow Road, I noted Peelings JJZ9130 pulling up. The Dennis R chassis coach carries a Plaxton Panther body and was delivering a load of Norwich fans from the Fakenham area, with scheduled picks up from Tittleshall, Litcham, Mileham, Bristley and North Elmham.

It was at this point that I spoke to a steward who informed me that I most likely not be able to photograph the Galloway coaches, even if I did walk about two miles to where they were parked, but sensing my disappointment he pointed me in the direction of the player's entrance and suggested I wait for the Ipswich team coach which would be arriving shortly. 

There were surprisingly few fans waiting, with a handful of Ipswich hopefuls shying away in the corner hoping to catch a glimpse of their team. I also noted a couple of other bus enthusiasts perched on the other side of the road with their cameras at the ready.

Then, with a Police escort, King's Verry VIP coach V1PKF emerged from around the corner. V1PKF is a Scania K380EB6 Irizar PB and is thought to have previously carried the registration GN57VWR. A similar vehicle is used by Norwich City for their games, YT11LPX, but they had already arrived by the time I got to the stadium. 

For those who don't know, Norwich City ran out 3-1 victors in this tie and will now face Middlesbrough at Wembley on the 25th of this month for a place in the Premier League. More than 120 buses and coaches have already been filled by the club, and many more are being privately hired by supporters groups, churches, and other organisations. I will be driving down and parking on the outskirts of London before tubing to the stadium where I will endeavour to photograph Norwich's and Middlesbrough's vehicles arriving in preperation for a Play-off Final Special post next week.