Reader Reports: Sanders Coaches

Regular contributor return2layerroad (on Flickr) to NBP has sent in this report (including photos) from his visit to Sanders Coaches today. In it include details of new arrivals, latest withdrawals and repaints.

one of the new Berkhofs ©return2layerroad

"The two Berkhof Axial bodied VDL SB4000 types which arrived last week are YJ12CHK new to Golden Tours of Victoria London in August 2012, (last recorded as far as I know with Edinburgh Coach Lines) and YJ12CHX new to Reays of Wigton in March 2012.  Currently in dealer white, they are to be repainted in full Sanders coach livery and will be numbered 806 and 807 respectively.  It is likely that one or both will be used prior to repaint on an NCFC away match travel. 

Recently acquired VDL Bova Futura type 805 YVJ677 (BT08LCT) is now in full Sanders coach livery.

YVJ677 resplendant in her new guise ©return2layerroad

On the bus side former Arriva South London Wright Gemini bodied DAF DB250LF type 104 LJ53NHP was in the Holt workshops having destination displays fitted etc prior to entry into service.  Vehicle 103 LJ53NHN should arrive next week.

Former Johnson Brothers of Henley in Arden Optare Olympus Scania N230UD type 120 PN09ELJ has gone for repaint into fleet livery.

Of the once numerous Wright Cadet bodied DAF SB120 types only 216 HE51BUS remains in active service.  Thus the 200 class consists of Optare Solos - 204/5/15, VDL SB120/Plaxton - 206-9 and DAF SB120/Wright - 216.

the refurbished interior of OmniCity 303 ©return2layerroad

Scania Omnicity type 303 YN53GFX has been fully refurbished inside and out in similar fashion to vehicle 301 YS03ZKR  

However, Scania Omnicity 304 YN03UWF becomes the first of the type to be withdrawn from active service and it is currently being stripped for spares.  Other vehicles noted in the withdrawn/stripping row at Holt were Wright bodied Scania L94UB type 310, plus Wright bodied DAF SB120 types 201/213/219 and 225. 

On demonstration loan to Sanders from Moseley (dealer) for evaluation is Sitcar bodied Iveco Daily type mini coach YD65DMF, which has been tried by a number of East Anglian independents.  

On the service front, a new timetable book will be issued from the Easter weekend and as noted in the latest online edition of N&P a new Monday to Friday service 15 North Walsham to Norwich via Smallburgh, Hoveton and Wroxham will commence.

The foggy and icy conditions on the morning of Tuesday 16^th February saw the A140 at Roughton blocked for several hours due to a series of accidents.  As a result service X44 was forced to take a lengthy diversion by using the service 6A route from Roughton to North Walsham (Greens Road) via Thorpe Market and the service 18 route from North Walsham to Aylsham via Felmingham and Colby."

I always welcome reader reports, so if you'd like to get in touch contact me on zak.nbp@gmail.com

Thanks to return2layerroad for the details.