Open Topper Arrives

A number of updates to bring you today, including one we've all been waiting for! Firstly though, I can report that five more ex-Leeds Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse-Gemini 2s have arrived in Norfolk with three heading to Great Yarmouth to complete their set, and two heading to Norwich. In Great Yarmouth, 36186 BN12JYJ 36187 BN12JYK and 36188 BN12JYL join 36181-36185, whilst at Norwich 36189 BN12JYO and 36190 BN12JYP are the first two to arrive out of an expected fourteen.

At Roundtree Way depot in Norwich, both buses were being prepared for service. They arrived with their Leeds fleetnames removed but were still retaining their Pulse branding and West Yorkshire legal lettering (see above right). I was involved in the process of removing this branding and cleaning up all the sticky residue that was left; before adding Eastern Counties lettering alongside Norwich 'speech bubbles' and name above the door (see below left). Both 36189 and 36190 were completed today.

Now to the exciting bit. As you're most likely aware, FirstGreat Yarmouth have been expecting an open top bus to operate their summer-only service 3 this year. The route itself started at the end of May and will run until the 24th September and has seen a variety of vehicles operating it so far; but from next week that should change as ex-Essex Dennis Trident Plaxton President 32905 W905VLN returned from Midland Road depot in Rotherham in the early hours this morning, where it has undergone extensive refurbishment and conversion into an open topper. The bus also features a special "Seasider 3" livery which is set to be complete over the weekend with special branding to compliment the blue and cream colours.

Fortunately for me, my work situation allowed me to manouvre the bus into the sunshine (once it came out) so I was able to take the following photo.

32905 looking absolutely splendid in the sunshine!

32905 is expected to move down to Yarmouth early next week after having her branding applied and final pre-service checks completed in Norwich.