tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86620253050665701992024-03-14T00:38:29.345+00:00The XL BlogThis is the unofficial blog for the Peterborough - Norwich XL bus service operated by First Group.
Originally reporting the
introduction of the 'Gemini' double deckers and the phasing out of coaches, the blog is now incredibly in its twelfth year and in 2021 the new fleet of state of the art double deckers enter their second year in traffic.
To contact me with your observations/experiences on the XL, email gerardtcc@gmail.com . Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.comBlogger1447125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-35194065204672690022021-08-20T21:02:00.002+01:002021-08-20T21:02:46.296+01:00August 2021 Update<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6MbDJqAbfiPy7GcqJJ6uJagVc6KUp1aty4sJOX6h3sTp17CPxnPJES0AG661Zb2Mfv8c5AEb_Yo-SN-GF9nOOp6mDa7E48S3HSTghyQ46iiu9pTpH7TpWbAZ-uXtSywVJOmSbpQMKFq_/s4864/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="4864" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6MbDJqAbfiPy7GcqJJ6uJagVc6KUp1aty4sJOX6h3sTp17CPxnPJES0AG661Zb2Mfv8c5AEb_Yo-SN-GF9nOOp6mDa7E48S3HSTghyQ46iiu9pTpH7TpWbAZ-uXtSywVJOmSbpQMKFq_/w640-h480/042.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Well a year has passed since I last wrote an entry here. The fleet of Scanias continue to provide a comfortable and reliable service through the XL corridor and you would struggle to find a breakdown which is good news for consumers. Timetable alterations because of the pandemic meant a slightly reduced service operating at various times, notably between 1st February and 12th April when one of the Norwich - Dereham short turns was dropped from the schedule due to lower passenger numbers. Thankfully since the full service resumed, loadings have recovered greatly. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62VONSL9n02VBSaeRoG2L2jNaN-ob0NODlywTK3sI2LRFq-NYc3q1GRGfcXVFDMCp_lkd9vCwIeIkJLcKlUrVo401z4z0eBcLreyw4ct1mxBLYnUfkp3FlJU5FJ42_0E7sNg2MxUbOZ4d/s4864/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="4864" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62VONSL9n02VBSaeRoG2L2jNaN-ob0NODlywTK3sI2LRFq-NYc3q1GRGfcXVFDMCp_lkd9vCwIeIkJLcKlUrVo401z4z0eBcLreyw4ct1mxBLYnUfkp3FlJU5FJ42_0E7sNg2MxUbOZ4d/s320/027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The Scanias have generally performed excellently (no pun intended). Geminis have made occasional appearances on the Dereham shorts. The remainder of 2020 saw 36168 on September 7th, 36171 on October 3rd, 36184 on 24th and 37571 on 26th & 27th, on the former date it actually operated a Peterborough service. November was a completely substitute free month and the last appearance of a Gemini in 2020 was on 5th December when 36269 finished a three day stint on the Derehams.</p><p>Before the temporary cancellation of one of the short diagrams, a few Geminis appeared during January : 36272 on 18th, 36270 & 36167 on 19th and 36171 on 25th. Between 26th January and 15th April the XL service was 100% Scania operated. Late April saw Geminis 36172 & 36267 helping out and also notably Wright StreetDecks 35150 on 24th April and 35200 on 26th. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnn7HzumyzeeRqhcYTTgSNNBi_nWczQX_M-wkQSpxaAQVSsegvTCPpz80YnM2OfY5LaxfKx46NWlfh_6G9fdQFQf3bLfINsixarA6V7L0M2QGrN44XOYw0QaomxDD0270JS3gmhIhUtNA1/s4864/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="4864" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnn7HzumyzeeRqhcYTTgSNNBi_nWczQX_M-wkQSpxaAQVSsegvTCPpz80YnM2OfY5LaxfKx46NWlfh_6G9fdQFQf3bLfINsixarA6V7L0M2QGrN44XOYw0QaomxDD0270JS3gmhIhUtNA1/s320/028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Since May 21st, one of the Dereham turns has often been a Gemini. This is a reaction to 36902 being involved in a collision on the evening of 19th May which will see it off the road quite probably until at least November. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEVostxEliPU1taqkNNPziAj0SfTAbgGZXzhdP2HGp5drH-EDYiXlzNKqnWMPe_eBC-_4LBCdVlv1ACww0luMlvdgenu3j5nJjVViPCGxaTFxmWokDOe0g9COoCo7f10SSIq-c4V8vvaS/s5184/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEVostxEliPU1taqkNNPziAj0SfTAbgGZXzhdP2HGp5drH-EDYiXlzNKqnWMPe_eBC-_4LBCdVlv1ACww0luMlvdgenu3j5nJjVViPCGxaTFxmWokDOe0g9COoCo7f10SSIq-c4V8vvaS/w640-h480/028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Since June 9th, a replacement vehicle has been sourced from Ensignbus and this has done much useful work on the Dereham services. It is an Alexander Dennis Enviro 400MMC and has been given fleet number 34432. More often than not, it can be found on diagram 23 which commences with the 07.30 Dereham - Norwich, finishing the day as the 17.20 Norwich - Dereham. With MOTs now taking place on the XL fleet, it is not uncommon for only one Scania to be available for the three 'D' diagrams and Geminis continue to deputise. Most interesting example noted has been Yarmouth's 37150 which briefly replaced 36168 on 15th June. as I write the loan Enviro has come over to King's Lynn for its own MOT, so a Gemini will now be deputising again.</p>Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-84253200982611393702020-08-18T00:14:00.004+01:002020-08-18T00:19:40.352+01:00Monday 17th August 2020 ~ Overdue Update !<p> </p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Many moons ago, I wrote one of my very
occasional blog entries about the new red Scania buses brought in to
operate the XL service from Norwich to Peterborough. That's all a
very long time ago now, in fact almost 6 months and hasn't a lot
happened since ? Or to be more accurate, not a lot has happened since
!
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Going back to March 27th then and a
much reduced service was introduced in response to the pandemic
situation. From Sunday 5th April, King's Lynn depot temporarily
closed and staff were furloughed while a skeleton service was
operated by Norwich. This prevailed until 30th May after which King's
Lynn resumed their role in running the service. From 7th June the
full timetable was restored. Initially only 18 seats were available
on each service to allow for social distancing, but this has been
relaxed slightly recently.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Despite the situation, there have been
some unusual sights on the route which I will briefly summarise here.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5-K1EYd2aJreYT6Z4OFEhF9M40iUytaQ6Khxwd2shXgJhdnCbKqVxeRE1iaEMyrUg7M3RRDx4FRBWvo84eCdbe7-fdt0oUH_cZrdo3e1JCRlzzHKuWQuWBgWC61FV8D6dE-NgLVdLlt_/s960/89948550_659285298173042_2667575857941315584_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5-K1EYd2aJreYT6Z4OFEhF9M40iUytaQ6Khxwd2shXgJhdnCbKqVxeRE1iaEMyrUg7M3RRDx4FRBWvo84eCdbe7-fdt0oUH_cZrdo3e1JCRlzzHKuWQuWBgWC61FV8D6dE-NgLVdLlt_/w600-h800/89948550_659285298173042_2667575857941315584_o.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>33817 on its final journey to Peterborough on 10th March. Photo : Dan High</b></div><p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Back on 10th March, 33817 became the
final (at least for the moment) blue liveried Enviro 400 to reach
Peterborough. Things then settled down until April 7th when yellow
line 36269 worked diagram 4 - there were only 8 turns at this time,
so this was something of a shock.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">On April 5th, King's Lynn's allocation
were moved to Norwich and Great Yarmouth and during the lockdown
timetables, the Scanias put in much useful work on both the X1 and X2
routes east of Norwich. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrh9EBMg4s0CIaP7ELzzWKFGemwk40eO_WXucwh_zOiNIOi8ji9ejKRteoK_UWHkJcpkzeXHzzrcPLn_BCgKtFZlvQyNaq-c71MJbz9CgSG5wjvouiE9Y_AR2ZMJWmlZlkd3FzjrbDMhhH/s2048/FEC+36918+YN69XZY+High+Street+Gorleston+2020_05_01.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrh9EBMg4s0CIaP7ELzzWKFGemwk40eO_WXucwh_zOiNIOi8ji9ejKRteoK_UWHkJcpkzeXHzzrcPLn_BCgKtFZlvQyNaq-c71MJbz9CgSG5wjvouiE9Y_AR2ZMJWmlZlkd3FzjrbDMhhH/s640/FEC+36918+YN69XZY+High+Street+Gorleston+2020_05_01.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZwIcRtsJTK-c2zUiEHUb5M-uVD3AU5ekfsSi2b2Mq2kbJrFBeA4vjpiD_7jCy_9ZHwOlrPSLMzTfFiLq6SJyt_geaP9PvmEvgIvNpNnWs5CkjXul-AAsZSD0vAQgoRQ6PLUaY-U52eKt/s2048/FEC+36913+YN69XZT+offside+Gordon+Road+Lowestoft+2020_05_19.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZwIcRtsJTK-c2zUiEHUb5M-uVD3AU5ekfsSi2b2Mq2kbJrFBeA4vjpiD_7jCy_9ZHwOlrPSLMzTfFiLq6SJyt_geaP9PvmEvgIvNpNnWs5CkjXul-AAsZSD0vAQgoRQ6PLUaY-U52eKt/s640/FEC+36913+YN69XZT+offside+Gordon+Road+Lowestoft+2020_05_19.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><b>36918 (top) in High Street, Gorleston on the X1 on May 1st and (above) 36913 on an X21 in Gordon Road, Lowestoft on May 19th. Photos : Roy Northcott / East Norfolk Bus Blog</b><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4lQAdzfN0800tRVFRvqvK7TfMVeL8_t4FPIxmgs3Jy5cWULiswSJI_IS2pTGe34-tqCyXfOwiP8xAgBcMkIt8Tg9s5JLq_zTh39UiM7EvetiTO_6Phs1BOf48KAkmaIqjV6b4fDScCTf/s2048/20.05+Matthew+Holland.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4lQAdzfN0800tRVFRvqvK7TfMVeL8_t4FPIxmgs3Jy5cWULiswSJI_IS2pTGe34-tqCyXfOwiP8xAgBcMkIt8Tg9s5JLq_zTh39UiM7EvetiTO_6Phs1BOf48KAkmaIqjV6b4fDScCTf/s640/20.05+Matthew+Holland.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>36914 passes 36912 in Yarmouth Road, Lowestoft on May 20th. Photo : Matthew Holland</b></div></b><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The Peterborough service was operated by
Scanias 36901 - 36909 & 36911. 36910 had suffered an unfortunate
accident near King's Lynn on March 25th and was at Full Circle being
repaired, hence its omission.
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBbv-GSZy5H3z1GSbR3RbioapSgeDdIg4IQfOwSkWqAFabej9e4lYZRfKoYuGSGUdAUNHf9vkKZM9FPU0JO5Q8RAjPB5KsgutMzVfhn_bk7rQ5ZJEe7g1AG3qLEa43oI2CTUV_xXrq4sK/s2048/IMG_9327.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBbv-GSZy5H3z1GSbR3RbioapSgeDdIg4IQfOwSkWqAFabej9e4lYZRfKoYuGSGUdAUNHf9vkKZM9FPU0JO5Q8RAjPB5KsgutMzVfhn_bk7rQ5ZJEe7g1AG3qLEa43oI2CTUV_xXrq4sK/s640/IMG_9327.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b>Right at the end of the emergency timetable on 29th May, the blue skies of lockdown find 36906 heading east near Walpole Highway</b></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GgjpFPHcpOaAV0rqhyVNFKB03Yepvc34_RoirpdrZJ9GBVpU2iGNBMmgc2_wJcbuosEWVoiuIjDUKPj41XowSipmgTCeEi0dw6UqXN8tM-RfX66ECxkM7eXJ0Kl3DskVjP08YlVL9Hr-/s2048/IMG_9336.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1286" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GgjpFPHcpOaAV0rqhyVNFKB03Yepvc34_RoirpdrZJ9GBVpU2iGNBMmgc2_wJcbuosEWVoiuIjDUKPj41XowSipmgTCeEi0dw6UqXN8tM-RfX66ECxkM7eXJ0Kl3DskVjP08YlVL9Hr-/s640/IMG_9336.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>On the same day, 29th May, 36908 is on a Peterborough bound XL passing Boskoop Farm </b></div></b><p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">On Wednesday 22nd April, Gemini 36266 appeared
on the aforementioned diagram 4 and then 36184 worked diagram 6 on
Monday 27th. From Monday 4th May, 36904 was replaced by 36917, also
that day 36184 again did diagram 6 and a yellow line Gemini (possibly
36266 or 36270) worked the first part of diagram 4 before being
replaced by 36901. Diagram 6 again dropped on May 7th (36184) and May
11th (36270). Most of these substitutions were down to 36907 being
temporarily out of traffic.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Once the full timetable returned at the
beginning of June, all the Scanias loaned to Great Yarmouth returned
to King's Lynn and any shortfall was met by using a Gemini on one of
the three Dereham 'D' turns. 36904 which had also been at Full
Circle for repairs returned on June 4th just after the return of
36910.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">16th June saw possibly the most
outrageous working of the last decade when the bus scheduled to work
the 19.40 Norwich - Peterborough had to be taken out of traffic at
the last minute. In order to provide the service, Volvo B7 Plaxton
President of 2002 vintage 32214 was commandeered to work in the place
of 36916. It got as far as King's Lynn where 36914 relieved it and
the old timer promptly returned empty to Norwich.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CpuGCQfTEw8ncQUkNTMdYo-OpOYhZWG94Ts6-Ouv7iTQyv6xIv5sSk_ZUmveKbgIwIsl5314r_izCG3W3yNLrTd9nDJOIPYxesEvSa8XMFcKWWH8ygG_-b72boItaSBgTHLWQxhIc6Qt/s1276/ScreenHunter_6079+Aug.+17+23.56.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CpuGCQfTEw8ncQUkNTMdYo-OpOYhZWG94Ts6-Ouv7iTQyv6xIv5sSk_ZUmveKbgIwIsl5314r_izCG3W3yNLrTd9nDJOIPYxesEvSa8XMFcKWWH8ygG_-b72boItaSBgTHLWQxhIc6Qt/s640/ScreenHunter_6079+Aug.+17+23.56.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>32214 photographed on a less auspicious occasion, but looking very smart on Charcoal Line service 41 at Woodton en route to Norwich via Poringland, 5/2/19. Photo : Zak Nelson</b></div><p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">In the last fortnight of July, Gemini
substitutions on The Dereham 'D' services once again became
commonplace.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">August though has been a better month
so far, however, it was a case of deja vu today (Monday 17th) when
Gemini 37579 put in an unexpected appearance working turn 6022 which
involves two round trips from Norwich to Peterborough and the 21.40
Norwich - Dereham. For the record, the last time 37579 worked to
Peterborough was almost 7 years ago when it was in white X1 livery on
5th October 2013 !</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZujl5sooXADdUHmx5AfMiOoQwrZWDAkOKwefT_PiVJ_yfxDEvlxfiFNjqjr5U7c7gc2ZhSueAPUFomIBkZb1JxILskLNmCnlz5sBiPra1nyoKz5KU4qFVdDC5enhzXidMwxr0byaU1Ox/s2048/IMG_2855.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="2048" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZujl5sooXADdUHmx5AfMiOoQwrZWDAkOKwefT_PiVJ_yfxDEvlxfiFNjqjr5U7c7gc2ZhSueAPUFomIBkZb1JxILskLNmCnlz5sBiPra1nyoKz5KU4qFVdDC5enhzXidMwxr0byaU1Ox/w640-h398/IMG_2855.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b>37579 returned to its old stamping ground today after a 7 year absence. Seen here working the 10.10 Peterborough - Norwich at Wisbech Nene Quay.</b></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Overall the new Scanias have given very little cause for concern. Main hiccups have revolved around faulty destination displays and windscreen replacements taking longer to bond than on the previous fleet. Timekeeping has been excellent, although the current timetable is certainly generous in its allowances. Hopefully I will provide a further update in less than six months. Thanks to all who have continued to supply me with pictures and information. Special thanks as always to Bruce Billingham for keeping an eye on things.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><br /></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-9678197816933525912020-02-23T23:54:00.003+00:002020-08-17T23:31:17.828+01:00Sunday 23rd February 2020 ~ The First Week<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVWoQksoaDH9a0dYX24eyK6Kio7X1sMfBZwBR8o3qK0-hMNgzLNOnK9ICX-r-KubrSDkMuyRsa8Jj2A4hUU8um9nqPLbhXFdlSVMFA8SF7pnApwYyzfQfBtBaazPVyXjbKg-Kuw2PNNXP/s1600/85201596_10217039823842468_8278288350503239680_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVWoQksoaDH9a0dYX24eyK6Kio7X1sMfBZwBR8o3qK0-hMNgzLNOnK9ICX-r-KubrSDkMuyRsa8Jj2A4hUU8um9nqPLbhXFdlSVMFA8SF7pnApwYyzfQfBtBaazPVyXjbKg-Kuw2PNNXP/s640/85201596_10217039823842468_8278288350503239680_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">36917 near Hockering on Friday. Photo : Zak Nelson</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">So the first week of operation using the new fleet of Excel Scanias has passed relatively uneventfully. From what I can gather, Saturday was the first day where there were no Enviro substitutions. During the week 33805/811/817/818 were all used at various points. Of the new vehicles, all have been used on the route apart from 36901 which has had a few minor issues. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiuig5FQ3d6T6zO0CofmXaaTJ0fasVA-S9G8QTwQ1zg1GVR2gruYWM6Llq3kILsG057UkX3eouXGIiXHAhQ0Dm7JuYuwZWDgN76_dAsxyeq3ICXfIcbJL2eDUZMWo1Ceo2jCsEu2menul/s1600/87095341_10217039824362481_8616597809103110144_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiuig5FQ3d6T6zO0CofmXaaTJ0fasVA-S9G8QTwQ1zg1GVR2gruYWM6Llq3kILsG057UkX3eouXGIiXHAhQ0Dm7JuYuwZWDgN76_dAsxyeq3ICXfIcbJL2eDUZMWo1Ceo2jCsEu2menul/s640/87095341_10217039824362481_8616597809103110144_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">36908 on a Dereham - Norwich service near Hockering. <br />Photo : Zak Nelson</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the main route on Mondays to Fridays, King's Lynn send out ten buses and Norwich seven. Three of the latter are used purely between Norwich and Dereham, meaning in total 14 are used on the Peterborough service.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsC4Yzm5YYxthPFCX3TIBujvWR3eGdHPh6Paov_erva0vr7kNW3QGW7H5FWw8hARO_eEDf_oI4f8I4MRAVIrAlLlyg9FA85zJjZjiv8uEuhHxKsYh-yTmzQeQjc7fDkDWEc_5S1IbGWWT/s1600/85229009_10217039825242503_1660306967903600640_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsC4Yzm5YYxthPFCX3TIBujvWR3eGdHPh6Paov_erva0vr7kNW3QGW7H5FWw8hARO_eEDf_oI4f8I4MRAVIrAlLlyg9FA85zJjZjiv8uEuhHxKsYh-yTmzQeQjc7fDkDWEc_5S1IbGWWT/s640/85229009_10217039825242503_1660306967903600640_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">33818 deputising for a Scania on a Dereham short. <br />Photo : Zak Nelson</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There has also been great interest in the fate of the superseded Enviro 400s. 33803/07/08/09/10/13/14/15 have been transferred to Great Yarmouth with all except 33815 having been seen on the X1 group of services. 33811 has also appeared today although apparently still on King's Lynn's books. Biggest news was probably the appearance of 33814 on the X2 as well as 33821 and 33822 this week.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XqSRMPkK-MC0WZs9lVYSS9AV27Dl8cHOHUsInt1E5Wvo1MI2gIA92QcuphDxmdUw4CZAbWjTvqFOrSxbJv6iEbse2erdHZPvv8X16Teh40LPN_PpJEwVFyKcpjkxp-5qroCz2VU6EjCv/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XqSRMPkK-MC0WZs9lVYSS9AV27Dl8cHOHUsInt1E5Wvo1MI2gIA92QcuphDxmdUw4CZAbWjTvqFOrSxbJv6iEbse2erdHZPvv8X16Teh40LPN_PpJEwVFyKcpjkxp-5qroCz2VU6EjCv/s640/DSC_0007.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">A change of scenery for 33814 seen here on the A146 near Stockton working an X2 service. Photo : Zak Nelson</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARZKL1XvsUivFytlgVhS2yhuFRhfFonP1JhjK0f6UxeEXyxH8tzHdl-0kDEctriwU3fAtphe4BIy6YB5TkQJBwPaRpZvfH-OFcYPlXCvAzcioJu7phuAVTPnL7Xgrue2kLvGQZeLxwihm/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARZKL1XvsUivFytlgVhS2yhuFRhfFonP1JhjK0f6UxeEXyxH8tzHdl-0kDEctriwU3fAtphe4BIy6YB5TkQJBwPaRpZvfH-OFcYPlXCvAzcioJu7phuAVTPnL7Xgrue2kLvGQZeLxwihm/s640/DSC_0026.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">33821 on the X2 near Stockton on Friday February 21st. Photo : Zak Nelson</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Timekeeping with the new Excel vehicles has been variable, most have been seen within 5 minutes of time. Drivers have been asked some interesting questions on the new buses, my favourite is the passenger who boarded one asking the driver "Is this red bus a blue bus ?" !</span><br />
<br />Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-34721909507972795412020-02-17T22:53:00.000+00:002020-02-17T22:53:02.357+00:00Monday 17th February 2020 ~ A New Era<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today saw the introduction of the new XL fleet, which by and large was carried out successfully. The eye catching red liveried buses have brought new standards of comfort and facilities to the route.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Drivers seemed to be taking it very steady with the new charges today and most I saw were a few minutes late, however, 36907 working the 15.40 Peterborough - Norwich was seen entering Wisbech spot on time. The 08.10 Peterborough - Norwich started at Thorney with 33805 after an issue with one of the new buses and 33816 was also out during the day, but small teething troubles are always part of the introduction of any new fleet. A couple of buses were seen in service without working destination screens, something which has been immediately rectified, but having a code letter instead of XL is something which will take a little getting used to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are some pictures from our photographers on the inaugural day. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5UPqGPw-Epdd4Qc0EtQLS8eqUhyphenhyphen6gTlGweiI43XLberQlQH4WbihuehxtS0APXOBpHbEGN-5yjpnVCHoKkWKvllcIaVPjDt02Ar6PUIR97SCjhRrHskTTJwbJm2zeKrHqhVZibQYB8Jn/s1600/86708024_2532785036994299_6318409479582908416_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5UPqGPw-Epdd4Qc0EtQLS8eqUhyphenhyphen6gTlGweiI43XLberQlQH4WbihuehxtS0APXOBpHbEGN-5yjpnVCHoKkWKvllcIaVPjDt02Ar6PUIR97SCjhRrHskTTJwbJm2zeKrHqhVZibQYB8Jn/s640/86708024_2532785036994299_6318409479582908416_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Photo : Sam Larke</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99j3RRu1aHZnmR7t24CsAJzsiCWUfNta1A9y2XELFTqkJY17feoO_emKtlOHJRKKUA8QLXJmbK88Mr9cfp8cqDiO19Zj-3TRf1WbM2hewJ-NGqKC6bVTXuX_GthGKJK-S7_jRh9Fliyrr/s1600/86697893_208590616952326_8416912216732729344_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99j3RRu1aHZnmR7t24CsAJzsiCWUfNta1A9y2XELFTqkJY17feoO_emKtlOHJRKKUA8QLXJmbK88Mr9cfp8cqDiO19Zj-3TRf1WbM2hewJ-NGqKC6bVTXuX_GthGKJK-S7_jRh9Fliyrr/s640/86697893_208590616952326_8416912216732729344_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Photo : Sam Larke</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7bi8sQwz98gK3MlrNE0y6cu2TMS0scS554ZbJjvoyFL0cAepmXgi4gYBqoeXyDzKMlvl1d1d-o4dkF5cDQtW4gdVozJOth2zZfPdQUHX5o4kIwH_PI0cvUVf9kPItVO60G5aLEFHjSoW/s1600/kl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7bi8sQwz98gK3MlrNE0y6cu2TMS0scS554ZbJjvoyFL0cAepmXgi4gYBqoeXyDzKMlvl1d1d-o4dkF5cDQtW4gdVozJOth2zZfPdQUHX5o4kIwH_PI0cvUVf9kPItVO60G5aLEFHjSoW/s640/kl.jpg" width="640" /></span></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">36906 departing King's Lynn as the 13.10 to Norwich. Photo : Mark Pitman</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MHQ-8sidym7DO_2c7qIG57Vrq_zMd2pfU23Zf3dC3Y5tlkCrUmfSatFdmNi8GwxapQkELExqn3xJtssrHQStFL__HTd9gecDUV9U_KXbCMF168h-4sCqN0-ryK6IwSGUwz6M0VGOC3UA/s1600/86633704_10157995970819493_3632139480133009408_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MHQ-8sidym7DO_2c7qIG57Vrq_zMd2pfU23Zf3dC3Y5tlkCrUmfSatFdmNi8GwxapQkELExqn3xJtssrHQStFL__HTd9gecDUV9U_KXbCMF168h-4sCqN0-ryK6IwSGUwz6M0VGOC3UA/s640/86633704_10157995970819493_3632139480133009408_o.jpg" width="480" /></span></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">36905 heads east from Thorney as the 10.10 Peterborough - Norwich. Photo : Cheryl Cleary</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlWDMFEJEr7jMO9T0-BfEZuew3-kj_M6o9-ZHn3YYiJirxj-M6fW8XLtLVaa6Vsh2n0UkKbMFji9t0H2AKvg8nmyIjFl6MNvs-e9QoA4-yj8q_Ca0isI-h479mdaXtrZJIsTvvxDyJAUV/s1600/86696653_204461280743103_1323942876085747712_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlWDMFEJEr7jMO9T0-BfEZuew3-kj_M6o9-ZHn3YYiJirxj-M6fW8XLtLVaa6Vsh2n0UkKbMFji9t0H2AKvg8nmyIjFl6MNvs-e9QoA4-yj8q_Ca0isI-h479mdaXtrZJIsTvvxDyJAUV/s640/86696653_204461280743103_1323942876085747712_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Interior of 36919 at Peterborough Bus Station : Photo : Sam Larke</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hFQPGHRZUir4rRADEuh0_DVWcGoPcg4Ww49th98s2FXgHDRdgftda675ztfmigkDe3gQ4kzH7F_9hzVoYZYzobkecHhIUNJKMhs8_-MCYUBN8vlxWlLUSMEnki3ld7n5-DulRAYUTg8z/s1600/86725270_209216187143728_7284065342022746112_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hFQPGHRZUir4rRADEuh0_DVWcGoPcg4Ww49th98s2FXgHDRdgftda675ztfmigkDe3gQ4kzH7F_9hzVoYZYzobkecHhIUNJKMhs8_-MCYUBN8vlxWlLUSMEnki3ld7n5-DulRAYUTg8z/s640/86725270_209216187143728_7284065342022746112_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Red passing red near East Winch. Photo : Sam Larke</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRQBXJ_XfpjzUlsPFlRGwJCwA004yrj5FO5kpjavRbBkvWuR-igNPPjn_NWzOa3KWYpGM0a1Dw5HICfDtTeD1G_GV1e48SvYIyeCM5Ik3kuKqjZXTfwNa28u0mc2aB0IvHfngh_9SEtuV/s1600/86842029_1529659677190391_2505987596149063680_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRQBXJ_XfpjzUlsPFlRGwJCwA004yrj5FO5kpjavRbBkvWuR-igNPPjn_NWzOa3KWYpGM0a1Dw5HICfDtTeD1G_GV1e48SvYIyeCM5Ik3kuKqjZXTfwNa28u0mc2aB0IvHfngh_9SEtuV/s640/86842029_1529659677190391_2505987596149063680_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">This picture depicts the spacious seating in the upper saloon. Photo : Sam Larke</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_ON3x0ijsr5nAN3M3-UU40BBvifwCqzdhyphenhyphen2Wxp5DzkBEgzG8u7yb_XnHZ_9ADnSQdQ3jcZGzFhkdhkLyNH-PiM1euESne2-jGf708FOPVMWcrSy8aWVyoYWqE9gzTATpCmFvHVwNEs5N/s1600/86848846_660239878053011_5779757440350289920_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_ON3x0ijsr5nAN3M3-UU40BBvifwCqzdhyphenhyphen2Wxp5DzkBEgzG8u7yb_XnHZ_9ADnSQdQ3jcZGzFhkdhkLyNH-PiM1euESne2-jGf708FOPVMWcrSy8aWVyoYWqE9gzTATpCmFvHVwNEs5N/s640/86848846_660239878053011_5779757440350289920_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Photo : Sam Larke</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbIznMgu72vR4H2DdEnM_BPnWZGlq_0ZI5FrBdJQ3wPNnjnuTY9SUTNNRBV2hjH1FBtQ1GhmwFHkKfYA3FMramEBxITyaozPBUOO_SKzv_zINrrnUBl7GodxJRBLlgQ9LVw7VDCA0XkmP/s1600/DSC_5038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbIznMgu72vR4H2DdEnM_BPnWZGlq_0ZI5FrBdJQ3wPNnjnuTY9SUTNNRBV2hjH1FBtQ1GhmwFHkKfYA3FMramEBxITyaozPBUOO_SKzv_zINrrnUBl7GodxJRBLlgQ9LVw7VDCA0XkmP/s640/DSC_5038.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">36904 leaving King's Lynn Bus Station as the 08.40 Norwich - Peterborough Photo : Mark Pitman</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjL3-RWDJNKYv47cnFiyjFiUOalFdQpisdCh3PaKCxCVRL1olbq36DNMmPnjeE525e9bfP-LVZz-qeLrRCo2ri08xFZadTK-oxK4RXFVBukDFemlBgieG37z_USZ2WcmcbL6ME0ETEqCI/s1600/DSC_5539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjL3-RWDJNKYv47cnFiyjFiUOalFdQpisdCh3PaKCxCVRL1olbq36DNMmPnjeE525e9bfP-LVZz-qeLrRCo2ri08xFZadTK-oxK4RXFVBukDFemlBgieG37z_USZ2WcmcbL6ME0ETEqCI/s640/DSC_5539.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The 11.40 Norwich - Peterborough with 33805 which had replaced 36908 earlier. Photo : Mark Pitman</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01VM2XUGogrbN6du0q9sRsdKU9QGDzHaQA-labYas29kxOYhVTG6P293JJZfEBAuawFuHy6Yie5_gXSEDfHTpK6a1L1noQzh9h5CyjobotRL134-DH0H0Ew8Afl7YOg7Of9nKoTXLFo0e/s1600/DSC_5156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01VM2XUGogrbN6du0q9sRsdKU9QGDzHaQA-labYas29kxOYhVTG6P293JJZfEBAuawFuHy6Yie5_gXSEDfHTpK6a1L1noQzh9h5CyjobotRL134-DH0H0Ew8Afl7YOg7Of9nKoTXLFo0e/s640/DSC_5156.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>36915 running as the 09.00 Norwich - Peterborough pulls in to King's Lynn rail station. Photo : Mark Pitman</b><br /><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRjRok-VXkOaPyfe6SiyXlOi1R-VjJLlaUZ-iCYA1ABPZe9i4UdtAWDuQY2j5DnPnhSXNYoZadB4XJT6KRmtzZ-nfQGo7C7jC8h-lqd0g0ByzhHI4YCXk6ocUC8M6ybVyF5IlPyfZlu6c/s1600/86937737_128101398536466_1911278554302119936_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRjRok-VXkOaPyfe6SiyXlOi1R-VjJLlaUZ-iCYA1ABPZe9i4UdtAWDuQY2j5DnPnhSXNYoZadB4XJT6KRmtzZ-nfQGo7C7jC8h-lqd0g0ByzhHI4YCXk6ocUC8M6ybVyF5IlPyfZlu6c/s640/86937737_128101398536466_1911278554302119936_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Photo : Sam Larke</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLzvBvMmrfrV79T93K-SEzU5dygdlyYs8HEX53q0gWXHzW41WAPp-GBkJKFExUYzX5xcu6cxDwmEAk0R6gz7d9XtG9k8UTsnBEEWZzjvBRmGgxEupbvZeOBmsloyy43RXTO8CnyR4GR-i/s1600/87006623_128126551870535_6770742314072539136_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLzvBvMmrfrV79T93K-SEzU5dygdlyYs8HEX53q0gWXHzW41WAPp-GBkJKFExUYzX5xcu6cxDwmEAk0R6gz7d9XtG9k8UTsnBEEWZzjvBRmGgxEupbvZeOBmsloyy43RXTO8CnyR4GR-i/s640/87006623_128126551870535_6770742314072539136_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Photo : Sam Larke</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjMjIFK2A29yIa_fdYAnAB607_M2ivmEozuxElRPA74X6kq6_C6GBVr-xKfDOx8HVu3xd5M2ejU7J2h-NpmULa9PA8KljrYLAfg0oPd-uNxB58E5eiWMlN9zA_E5tA1BRrAtAve_Zo-Vy/s1600/39608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjMjIFK2A29yIa_fdYAnAB607_M2ivmEozuxElRPA74X6kq6_C6GBVr-xKfDOx8HVu3xd5M2ejU7J2h-NpmULa9PA8KljrYLAfg0oPd-uNxB58E5eiWMlN9zA_E5tA1BRrAtAve_Zo-Vy/s640/39608.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">36908 departs King's Lynn for Wisbech. Photo : Mark Pitman</span></b></td></tr>
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Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-3801752152533565662020-02-16T21:55:00.000+00:002020-02-16T21:55:07.077+00:00Sunday February 16th 2020 ~ One Chapter Ends, Another Begins<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Today was the last day of the 63 Reg Enviro 400s on the XL route. Preparations are complete for the first day of the new Scania vehicles tomorrow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">High winds did see a substitution late last night and for a time today when single decker 63325 was used. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIQU9ipR_1gqBnSSWZv5IizsQ_ZSlAPpMC5vuo88h38FCt9nx7AzZ7ZnarMbMZPO6SxEUI2bpocRkUfrJrxq8-cs0e8Zb70dYka2QdjObgdK1aKLCGOsA5TaO0l1RREZv_lsjLyOIa-Mm/s1600/85185121_604713970375836_8085636926721228800_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIQU9ipR_1gqBnSSWZv5IizsQ_ZSlAPpMC5vuo88h38FCt9nx7AzZ7ZnarMbMZPO6SxEUI2bpocRkUfrJrxq8-cs0e8Zb70dYka2QdjObgdK1aKLCGOsA5TaO0l1RREZv_lsjLyOIa-Mm/s640/85185121_604713970375836_8085636926721228800_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">63325 at King's Lynn South Gates with 33811 about to take eastbound passengers forward today . Photo : Zak Nelson</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Enviros performed well on their last day on the route, although 33805, 33811 and 33817 are to be kept at King's Lynn for a few days on standby in the event of any problems with the new boys.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Y6TJ4jY-iBtrsCSPrfss9wqGi-QqeAEP2_f3Iga1nvllCH7qTAUj9BGEbV_PnCCBazUz6Odq1dZLxlPt0sMA5hFvo0BKSD-PoW6z3Dg0H1gSRlXVQlPHHHHQNYgEiVSuc1RNQUB-swmq/s1600/86496513_512988756261652_4251879071689998336_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Y6TJ4jY-iBtrsCSPrfss9wqGi-QqeAEP2_f3Iga1nvllCH7qTAUj9BGEbV_PnCCBazUz6Odq1dZLxlPt0sMA5hFvo0BKSD-PoW6z3Dg0H1gSRlXVQlPHHHHQNYgEiVSuc1RNQUB-swmq/s640/86496513_512988756261652_4251879071689998336_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>33819 never received full route branding for the XL route. It is seen departing King's Lynn Bus Station for Peterborough at 16.20 today. Photo : Sam Larke</b><b><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuBgnUbYUwTRcXKzShYV8K8I3ffqa4AOEFCkLQLtIx1NPy5qIkyfIcl9tvLRFuxhzrNa5l6lpG_UWHhj7Gvsw_G5Mnq30MhPDG-ic2WWi3eoKMRF3H7GuMd161va2bPnfSEjPkQBTuAbK/s1600/86766445_246912709645124_4737565045947367424_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuBgnUbYUwTRcXKzShYV8K8I3ffqa4AOEFCkLQLtIx1NPy5qIkyfIcl9tvLRFuxhzrNa5l6lpG_UWHhj7Gvsw_G5Mnq30MhPDG-ic2WWi3eoKMRF3H7GuMd161va2bPnfSEjPkQBTuAbK/s640/86766445_246912709645124_4737565045947367424_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: large;">It made it to the final day ! 33803 calls at King's Lynn South Gates with a westbound service today.<br /> Photo : Zak Nelson<br /></span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUy5N82Cte52zmg9Ff5p_yVjC4K6YAlRoVde8o95_c7RORHDKEeoplAr3K7Hqv1TzlzMQgaHzsYHZ6fsNCK9343_e8HS-lKtu_l-56bZEXhUVnqvMpI8umXbZ9ZA5pIug1vLcF0GyDQLdZ/s1600/86489935_1532969220201791_84569353462218752_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUy5N82Cte52zmg9Ff5p_yVjC4K6YAlRoVde8o95_c7RORHDKEeoplAr3K7Hqv1TzlzMQgaHzsYHZ6fsNCK9343_e8HS-lKtu_l-56bZEXhUVnqvMpI8umXbZ9ZA5pIug1vLcF0GyDQLdZ/s640/86489935_1532969220201791_84569353462218752_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">3<b>3817 has finished work for the day on XL, maybe for the last time and the new fleet are lined up ready for entry into service. Photo : Sam Larke</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienVDAFCHwdBOySBxWMSqNnOkdROG3y7ZWRba1eAhK53IC-TBjenbf2mLqbAbkFigKIN6tzL7thX6JcUhBplpHR7g9dc-u3S8GedoGy9CnXrMQQtoEp29gr4Abt5A4oF_hOqvJoFoXHnNF/s1600/86706845_206961967160485_7441405232619192320_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienVDAFCHwdBOySBxWMSqNnOkdROG3y7ZWRba1eAhK53IC-TBjenbf2mLqbAbkFigKIN6tzL7thX6JcUhBplpHR7g9dc-u3S8GedoGy9CnXrMQQtoEp29gr4Abt5A4oF_hOqvJoFoXHnNF/s640/86706845_206961967160485_7441405232619192320_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">33805 is one of the buses on standby at King's Lynn in the next few days Photo : Zak Nelson</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fKqUfqkt0diPoxZDnoTJu-E3abavx2kRu4vz9l9FgFIT9-If0ea0WYeRXifXjpMuNjrRxqvC11iFKt1MXyuM1QpjtDf2-RUbtKABeQJJUTd_7DcA-XaQGO0OpW2fXB5-Ub3hveLhtEeH/s1600/86933485_1275683066155133_3304223760785080320_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fKqUfqkt0diPoxZDnoTJu-E3abavx2kRu4vz9l9FgFIT9-If0ea0WYeRXifXjpMuNjrRxqvC11iFKt1MXyuM1QpjtDf2-RUbtKABeQJJUTd_7DcA-XaQGO0OpW2fXB5-Ub3hveLhtEeH/s640/86933485_1275683066155133_3304223760785080320_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The old and the new, 33818 alongside 36911 at Vancouver Avenue this evening. Photo : Sam Larke<br /><br /></span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-EDFUOi95_dBDBgL3Ag8inClf8ytArowx1vC0gs_91TfNSpCmbo766pzHXvljVKEmi-TOWM5yZavk8p6GUULDblrUoi9jAGKWPiCBiYe-8eEOUhJPaTzQhKG8I6O_MtiHphaLJq5cDl5/s1600/85192134_2495451547344555_7001901448262844416_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1600" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-EDFUOi95_dBDBgL3Ag8inClf8ytArowx1vC0gs_91TfNSpCmbo766pzHXvljVKEmi-TOWM5yZavk8p6GUULDblrUoi9jAGKWPiCBiYe-8eEOUhJPaTzQhKG8I6O_MtiHphaLJq5cDl5/s640/85192134_2495451547344555_7001901448262844416_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The new fleet ready for entry into service at King's Lynn. Photo : Simon Barker</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKzWP5zaggwhySEWn2vkRwIaYwbaq801yH8494ARd00Sr2HiCczXDYheYaaGZsVWDbiy4DIUV8YGK8xzNEZ73K3Mxt5uEWmbonuzkdSx6L-VJlxyWgVqaOrvQLgiNNNtVkt_YkyGoUhua/s1600/86464310_656061868479878_6276816904619294720_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKzWP5zaggwhySEWn2vkRwIaYwbaq801yH8494ARd00Sr2HiCczXDYheYaaGZsVWDbiy4DIUV8YGK8xzNEZ73K3Mxt5uEWmbonuzkdSx6L-VJlxyWgVqaOrvQLgiNNNtVkt_YkyGoUhua/s640/86464310_656061868479878_6276816904619294720_n.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Photo : Sam Larke</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWROrW8quYY7UJlij9o1jgr4-c0nhrixuf5-hkDq0dR-29dnXkYNoMVLy_GPmJXSmGkRKGmWcF5JJ7qiu1vSOhAi0n3hKrQefxbPPmx2Z_Rc5Zgk1K-a5rSXI8RP6zzzbPsEIKWF26FcJ/s1600/86668822_678256656243758_1000277671122305024_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWROrW8quYY7UJlij9o1jgr4-c0nhrixuf5-hkDq0dR-29dnXkYNoMVLy_GPmJXSmGkRKGmWcF5JJ7qiu1vSOhAi0n3hKrQefxbPPmx2Z_Rc5Zgk1K-a5rSXI8RP6zzzbPsEIKWF26FcJ/s640/86668822_678256656243758_1000277671122305024_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">New timetable information at Norwich Bus Station. <br />Photo : Zak Nelson</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCb0hVMv7lHRHLoB-AXZbeBB67WgMzKfhvQir2NkE6dyJXgLagpdlWCMKEZpcE-C29UTNg9lY9ozmrk_ZizZquSCuOkz3lcKEWN0Vyg_6GrqVoc46rrVQ1-dpA_fjaVNwfZ2fFWGvG4yRf/s1600/86494520_540995906530366_8743705515097325568_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCb0hVMv7lHRHLoB-AXZbeBB67WgMzKfhvQir2NkE6dyJXgLagpdlWCMKEZpcE-C29UTNg9lY9ozmrk_ZizZquSCuOkz3lcKEWN0Vyg_6GrqVoc46rrVQ1-dpA_fjaVNwfZ2fFWGvG4yRf/s640/86494520_540995906530366_8743705515097325568_n.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The new fleet will operate an intensive service between Norwich and Dereham as well as the Peterborough services. Photo : Zak Nelson : </span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oGEGGqAiopyKtM01mLztpnyySOtXpGtacK_rpC76zX8jAJBpVy5BRVvgE_p1VH1AvXMvm-BA3Lm4Okkil1kXz8N8ls6lndnDU7E8tTSPcanAJcHPhUvqlzW0XwJaRm28nBDC_6IabsOd/s1600/86969534_477456142925650_5297483156184629248_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oGEGGqAiopyKtM01mLztpnyySOtXpGtacK_rpC76zX8jAJBpVy5BRVvgE_p1VH1AvXMvm-BA3Lm4Okkil1kXz8N8ls6lndnDU7E8tTSPcanAJcHPhUvqlzW0XwJaRm28nBDC_6IabsOd/s640/86969534_477456142925650_5297483156184629248_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">A new stop for Dereham Town FC. Photo : Zak Nelson</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnv4rXpXyY2v2i2GCt1s4vS6V129BMOn1YjJbPAvWeCUSyhP2pjg3vAByJMZgMckE2pAv5uBR4udES5uhGXKDyIJr9AsA1IvmugkH5R8hd-t_sGmGgDQ7865dFZgM1YPR8nhSFBhrVdwCn/s1600/87090109_214741399666488_8730704743581614080_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnv4rXpXyY2v2i2GCt1s4vS6V129BMOn1YjJbPAvWeCUSyhP2pjg3vAByJMZgMckE2pAv5uBR4udES5uhGXKDyIJr9AsA1IvmugkH5R8hd-t_sGmGgDQ7865dFZgM1YPR8nhSFBhrVdwCn/s640/87090109_214741399666488_8730704743581614080_n.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The new timetables in new display cases at the South Gates . Photo : Zak Nelson</span></b></td></tr>
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Many thanks to Zak, Sam and Simon for helping me out with photos and the stories from today. </div>
Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-75715593676642046222020-02-09T18:06:00.004+00:002020-02-09T18:06:39.285+00:00Sunday February 9th 2020 ~ It's all happening<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"> After what seems to be a long while with little to report, it's nice to produce a blog which is a little different.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Preparations for the entry into service of the new fleet are proceeding apace. The first one to pass through Wisbech to my knowledge was on Thursday afternoon when 36910 was used for tests on the public address system. It is seen below on its way back to Norwich and I'm sure that guy on the top deck is waving !!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwCzxs0IqPmO83uesGJ1-B_0yK5wmIAxoSa5cAQ05fkgBOx5pt0PHZ0k6YzE4Yy0lsMwVHbwrLjyqgC1g0fGXPM8VpZXeFJqYHgIJwbZOQ-xeXUjC2yvMQafjYy_QpJAeP8hQmf7zQsyc/s1600/IMG_5977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="1600" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwCzxs0IqPmO83uesGJ1-B_0yK5wmIAxoSa5cAQ05fkgBOx5pt0PHZ0k6YzE4Yy0lsMwVHbwrLjyqgC1g0fGXPM8VpZXeFJqYHgIJwbZOQ-xeXUjC2yvMQafjYy_QpJAeP8hQmf7zQsyc/s640/IMG_5977.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since it was announced recently that First have cancelled the sale of their bus division - this was originally announced in May 2019, it is not surprising that their branding will after all be applied to the new fleet as seen here :</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysyoaH5ygSNxDVUkhbHu_xR4dwfpxeo02MSr3EjkgoDHzn5WyVFaMcSfs3dVdoRau1eryBtwswfDi7BYUuRXyYIYsIMl-MM03UU0GWcvVCt96YYbXxT6zXU1h_0as-pZO523lV7b0HObZ/s1600/84241919_2732013963500527_7320752192455966720_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysyoaH5ygSNxDVUkhbHu_xR4dwfpxeo02MSr3EjkgoDHzn5WyVFaMcSfs3dVdoRau1eryBtwswfDi7BYUuRXyYIYsIMl-MM03UU0GWcvVCt96YYbXxT6zXU1h_0as-pZO523lV7b0HObZ/s640/84241919_2732013963500527_7320752192455966720_n.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The entry into service, together with a new timetable will come into effect on Monday 17th February</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile, a rather unexpected event happened today (Sunday 9th). High winds and torrential rain hit the route courtesy of Storm Ciara which has caused havoc throughout the UK. A decision was made to replace the Enviro 400s on the route with single deck vehicles while the storm was at its height.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here are a few pictures of the unexpected visitors performing on the Excel service - all didn't go well though as one had to have panels drilled and riveted after being ripped by the winds and 63321 suffered a coolant leak at King's Lynn on return from Peterborough, so the 16.10 to Norwich left with 33816. By this time the worst of the storm had passed fortunately. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4jWT4lkmrOHmjaROTUCLqZ12yRqFN23z7hXqHe20Wuryz7DQvQZrqBaR84inkJdy_PF-cKbmF-OXuiAwa7YkotQ46yWXNo3bN12Z7lMvhRUMsMrW_GKoDfK2phy__aXoHERdXzGz-wip/s1600/IMG_6031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="1600" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4jWT4lkmrOHmjaROTUCLqZ12yRqFN23z7hXqHe20Wuryz7DQvQZrqBaR84inkJdy_PF-cKbmF-OXuiAwa7YkotQ46yWXNo3bN12Z7lMvhRUMsMrW_GKoDfK2phy__aXoHERdXzGz-wip/s640/IMG_6031.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Spot on time at Walpole Highway, the 11.10 Norwich - Peterborough passes with Wright Street Lite 63321, normally employed on the green line services 14, 15 and 15a from Dussindale, Acle and Lingwood to Wymondham. <br />Photo : Bruce Billingham</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcs1pnFRL8YunhUb3Mli4SWFIVXOzp5Aai6tXfU-YPm-S_m4zVg4vpwRrw9XdaPU190oNXpNHm1Cai1n62VQIlmcciuwnfjooBHJOTC0Q8azj5WlJrP1kgOHveu9ixHn92eE7LIviyDtrR/s1600/84713224_2571993633070967_7691519960157257728_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcs1pnFRL8YunhUb3Mli4SWFIVXOzp5Aai6tXfU-YPm-S_m4zVg4vpwRrw9XdaPU190oNXpNHm1Cai1n62VQIlmcciuwnfjooBHJOTC0Q8azj5WlJrP1kgOHveu9ixHn92eE7LIviyDtrR/s640/84713224_2571993633070967_7691519960157257728_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">63321 and 63323 seen at King's Lynn bus station. Photo : Sam Larke</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIHHCpEJFA9iuJFb7m6NNNoMqqwyNCl5DWE6lljUoCtL6cuHahFNyAjO2hgO15MdD2Xiyv6V0I6jkFrRfi1h1XhnMfvpARwazhdXhp1HG2dtm_cjbDdluooyB_mLcZpgGbGILcKeNpaVK/s1600/86185905_575399679855758_6451854268088451072_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIHHCpEJFA9iuJFb7m6NNNoMqqwyNCl5DWE6lljUoCtL6cuHahFNyAjO2hgO15MdD2Xiyv6V0I6jkFrRfi1h1XhnMfvpARwazhdXhp1HG2dtm_cjbDdluooyB_mLcZpgGbGILcKeNpaVK/s640/86185905_575399679855758_6451854268088451072_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">63323 leaves King's Lynn westbound. Photo : Sam Larke</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4itMpyys8ZVTlz1a_tbJt_9zeFqZwmcPHxdPSNeWmLfvjHczD1TMG2xD-LTasr-4-LYx2Iqm-6OzTIS9WaOn5YtwZjrxyDe0XchUs1-R4CTSnohtLrF01fZtX3K3S4HZ2t0PD6w5q9OEx/s1600/84332623_547443052530062_1176610791864926208_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4itMpyys8ZVTlz1a_tbJt_9zeFqZwmcPHxdPSNeWmLfvjHczD1TMG2xD-LTasr-4-LYx2Iqm-6OzTIS9WaOn5YtwZjrxyDe0XchUs1-R4CTSnohtLrF01fZtX3K3S4HZ2t0PD6w5q9OEx/s640/84332623_547443052530062_1176610791864926208_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">The penultimate single decker utilised by Norwich was 47510, a smaller capacity, shorter wheelbase example in standard First livery. It is seen here arriving at King's Lynn as dusk begins to fall. Photo : Sam Larke</span><br /></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lG7TIuc2H6pdyXI2xphaSiHLGm3xDtKitsfDFG2HJgJRNGFwACjNfUttVcbGh-14-5JdzAvJcFSKcZdCaDP0M77YdEj030u7pbh8uXbaH3RPLsrEVd1j3gUailWDoYYK6Xgq3m-Bue4s/s1600/86173577_593178381528686_3731041951210799104_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lG7TIuc2H6pdyXI2xphaSiHLGm3xDtKitsfDFG2HJgJRNGFwACjNfUttVcbGh-14-5JdzAvJcFSKcZdCaDP0M77YdEj030u7pbh8uXbaH3RPLsrEVd1j3gUailWDoYYK6Xgq3m-Bue4s/s640/86173577_593178381528686_3731041951210799104_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">The 16.10 from Norwich on arrival at King's Lynn with 47509. Photo : Sam Larke</span></b></td></tr>
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<br />Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-82907303681271825932020-02-05T00:30:00.000+00:002020-02-06T12:38:53.322+00:00Tuesday 4th February 2020 ~ Training in Progress<span style="font-size: large;">The fleet numbers for the new buses are 36901 - 36919 inclusive. They have started to appear in Norwich and King's Lynn for driver training purposes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsU9y84w6S0C5RbTrl_-uC1u9_xEY3wqy6hyzRSjqAQAerfmlHelO_HFweuZB9Ug9wI303SCCSCeZ9jVuV1g5_sdZ1G23T15bUx6v9x6EUvlDGMPMzl4MbH6BDLPVgzQ0u_NvKqZ7ft1_/s1600/IMG_0592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsU9y84w6S0C5RbTrl_-uC1u9_xEY3wqy6hyzRSjqAQAerfmlHelO_HFweuZB9Ug9wI303SCCSCeZ9jVuV1g5_sdZ1G23T15bUx6v9x6EUvlDGMPMzl4MbH6BDLPVgzQ0u_NvKqZ7ft1_/s640/IMG_0592.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
36912 was photographed outside King's Lynn railway station this morning by our man on the spot<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's not just drivers who are familiarising themselves with the new charges, the maintenance teams are also getting to know all about those important details which keep the fleet on the road. At last week's press launch, the team at King's Lynn came in for special praise because of their dedication in keeping everything moving with the minimum of fuss.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90a3xP6saxo6aT0mxzjlFu8s35JIRC7ezcw623sj7XN7oDHj4FG7bcN6SXwYYBnKINWB-5feT7lWvPbFjtkqNfg7ZUWOqW5PzIItsjH4aUH65Gj0WIFYWs5BoIFdvLWjQly-NShHPd-Kq/s1600/IMG-20200128-WA0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1328" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90a3xP6saxo6aT0mxzjlFu8s35JIRC7ezcw623sj7XN7oDHj4FG7bcN6SXwYYBnKINWB-5feT7lWvPbFjtkqNfg7ZUWOqW5PzIItsjH4aUH65Gj0WIFYWs5BoIFdvLWjQly-NShHPd-Kq/s640/IMG-20200128-WA0001.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jason, Tim and Calvin are responsible for the day to day maintenance at King's Lynn and are seen here in front of a trio of the new vehicles. Photo : First Group</span></td></tr>
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<br />Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-63515398891912487392020-01-29T18:22:00.000+00:002020-01-29T18:43:13.075+00:00January 29th 2020 - All is Revealed !<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Today, myself and Roy Northcott who does the East Norfolk Bus Blog were invited to attend the press launch of the new Excel fleet. Representatives from several of the manufacturers who have contributed to the project as well as the bus industry hierarchy and various other interested parties were also in attendance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After our arrival at Davey House in Norwich, First Eastern Counties Steve Wickers (Managing Director), David Jordan (Marketing Manager) and Paul Martin (Commercial Manager) gave us an explanation of the host of features offered by the new buses. We were then addressed by Giles Fearnley MD of First Bus UK.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was soon time to sample one of the new fleet for ourselves and we boarded bus number 36913 which along with 36910 arrived in Castle Meadow to take us to our lunch venue in Dereham at the Mid Norfolk Railway. Here guests were invited to examine the new vehicles and were issued with a commemorative booklet to mark the forthcoming launch into public service on February 17th. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After lunch we headed back to the city, this time on 36910. The buses are certainly most impressive with a return to a 9 litre engine, Lazzerini leather seating throughout, table or airline seating upstairs, USB and wireless charging points, phone holders and bell pushes at every seat and a generous amount of legroom. The area masking the stairs has a mural on each bus, each depicting different landmarks to be found on the route.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The mechanical design of the buses was completely bespoke, with a great deal of engineering and ingenuity to marry the Alexander Dennis E400City body with the Scania N250UD Euro VI diesel chassis. The first time this combination has been achieved. The red and burgundy livery with gold highlights was chosen as it respected the historical colour associated with 'Eastern Counties'. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Interior design also includes wood effect flooring and a host of other features from 'Best Impressions'. The 19 new buses represent a £5.3M investment and are sure to be a huge success, in the process turning heads along the Norwich to Peterborough corridor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I'd like to thank everyone at First Eastern Counties for welcoming us to the event and it was great to catch up with some familiar faces as well as several new ones. It was also great to meet Giles Fearnley who was familiar with this blog and said to me "So you really do exist" !! A very nice man indeed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My personal thanks go to David Jordan for inviting me and also to fellow enthusiast Zak Nelson who I caught up with at Dereham. There will be more news in future days including a look at the forthcoming new timetable, but in the meantime, h</span><span style="font-size: large;">ere are a few photographs from the event .....</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">First Eastern Counties MD, Steve Wickers introduces the event</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul Martin and David Jordan explain how the new Excel project finally came to fruition</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYM3NLdU6Ni9P9Pa0TQN58UtavluIbsFFF4olPc0iyS0bSOOGWIpODNruUdkuxKQ1RhzJNd_W5EO17Aml61N5Z_i1ZmzjiN5ahcuETP5v-FfcHsp_C34oC8KcrMBUwR0BPFhMLDADqnjL/s1600/IMG_5666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYM3NLdU6Ni9P9Pa0TQN58UtavluIbsFFF4olPc0iyS0bSOOGWIpODNruUdkuxKQ1RhzJNd_W5EO17Aml61N5Z_i1ZmzjiN5ahcuETP5v-FfcHsp_C34oC8KcrMBUwR0BPFhMLDADqnjL/s640/IMG_5666.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Giles Fearnley, MD of First Bus UK pays tribute to the First Eastern team</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bfmiIg1UrKuk32b0gfxy_N06cg1wxRyEf_lhjioLJ5n0CvlU_r9P-wWRBpv43fi3EwuYrQtrpHD7fbXPgt5ntCtb-nbVmGs5_Iejj7-D7pdTRX-fbceCOogsQKDZ9x6Fzaclrn-typR9/s1600/IMG_5668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bfmiIg1UrKuk32b0gfxy_N06cg1wxRyEf_lhjioLJ5n0CvlU_r9P-wWRBpv43fi3EwuYrQtrpHD7fbXPgt5ntCtb-nbVmGs5_Iejj7-D7pdTRX-fbceCOogsQKDZ9x6Fzaclrn-typR9/s640/IMG_5668.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The attractive upper deck interior of 36913</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sM9h4-It7EIvDI3SVdzg43P-G9iT_T1qO3_OLWZNDRWHc9JifSqx3AY-wpdXUw8SATejZlrE0G9ZzvReOrHJTmTGPikVwN_J2j_Xsc2_iplqzU71J8IFooIlgWbGLi2UQy_hJsSqRl52/s1600/IMG_5670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sM9h4-It7EIvDI3SVdzg43P-G9iT_T1qO3_OLWZNDRWHc9JifSqx3AY-wpdXUw8SATejZlrE0G9ZzvReOrHJTmTGPikVwN_J2j_Xsc2_iplqzU71J8IFooIlgWbGLi2UQy_hJsSqRl52/s640/IMG_5670.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Two old bloggers (!) Myself and Roy Northcott enjoying the ambience</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfCyNbZbPdmMb-H1QLwhZlX20LAiDTO1ws_1BaMimaKO3bZwLpLCSI2sOzKcV54DtQ8T3nrkk88nVT41tGj8G4Gbu3rXXn4QczOD7XnbVi76BpAhPe-r5l4PSLK-6TKqHxzz92mH07Hb-/s1600/IMG_5672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfCyNbZbPdmMb-H1QLwhZlX20LAiDTO1ws_1BaMimaKO3bZwLpLCSI2sOzKcV54DtQ8T3nrkk88nVT41tGj8G4Gbu3rXXn4QczOD7XnbVi76BpAhPe-r5l4PSLK-6TKqHxzz92mH07Hb-/s640/IMG_5672.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stair area detail, upper deck</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfopXTm8Q3EpbCo_7Ylfzl7G0vGHS8N5CKrCz8wi_mcBKCMvqHu4v0q6tSqVwqLpa6VdZ60SEdHKM8qbY2abFmpSPB2hrYbfHjT5wocOMXyTzI4hhAbOsOTJZllpAIl7Z5ZJrJi_6Tz454/s1600/IMG_5674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfopXTm8Q3EpbCo_7Ylfzl7G0vGHS8N5CKrCz8wi_mcBKCMvqHu4v0q6tSqVwqLpa6VdZ60SEdHKM8qbY2abFmpSPB2hrYbfHjT5wocOMXyTzI4hhAbOsOTJZllpAIl7Z5ZJrJi_6Tz454/s640/IMG_5674.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Upper deck information display </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLkyIfTrNNPxTdwjslxMlGE8EXgYiWzXiAhxlXXJXQpqJQJGCDHPi1FPCxwaOaTA-MajntdS0jNBeFabDx37nRKFnomaBEdV6MUEQn__y6w-d8WGbd_u45nHWwApl6HiOGHvvBKoJVJ-2/s1600/IMG_5678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="1600" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLkyIfTrNNPxTdwjslxMlGE8EXgYiWzXiAhxlXXJXQpqJQJGCDHPi1FPCxwaOaTA-MajntdS0jNBeFabDx37nRKFnomaBEdV6MUEQn__y6w-d8WGbd_u45nHWwApl6HiOGHvvBKoJVJ-2/s640/IMG_5678.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The new buses on arrival at Dereham MNR</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFg0xbCadmUbk2ueoyQRuLFIrIM-UVGurfNdZhEQrJY6ue4_dqJoOlE4tYKoapPvG3o3RX8FEg_PyKWvNDUgAYoqIY2PNLyL4LY-vCtyzv7XUAVLAJVb9_5aWcrDSaPwcyWz3lSM9YxXQ/s1600/IMG_5681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFg0xbCadmUbk2ueoyQRuLFIrIM-UVGurfNdZhEQrJY6ue4_dqJoOlE4tYKoapPvG3o3RX8FEg_PyKWvNDUgAYoqIY2PNLyL4LY-vCtyzv7XUAVLAJVb9_5aWcrDSaPwcyWz3lSM9YxXQ/s640/IMG_5681.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Giles Fearnley inspects 36913</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-eOal_pO0Dss-dl8i_2HMykmPmfY-VcSVYr3dWDN2peLnct-crfpcar01rkNZQoujxbLUtyyMe0TtrjXei0aEvQlherHdiCwIg5Asm2awP3Qe-1FN32-Dr6FVXvdBSvje5f7zMdgz5Wq/s1600/IMG_5687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-eOal_pO0Dss-dl8i_2HMykmPmfY-VcSVYr3dWDN2peLnct-crfpcar01rkNZQoujxbLUtyyMe0TtrjXei0aEvQlherHdiCwIg5Asm2awP3Qe-1FN32-Dr6FVXvdBSvje5f7zMdgz5Wq/s640/IMG_5687.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Giles Fearnley stands proudly in front of the state of the art buses</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9sIx0Nx7vW5JvFcHhVo4ZduatMKzPqCEXnPWqUsFKvTaJMKNJivG2MOuWqkhuUY3vIwgz4dUoHvjbuJ9I_wU1e9N6cysAjp7Q9jVmm5fpXrhRH9vEPqIfRcHyO8u2iMGwnCQ1RiZ80lN/s1600/IMG_5691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="1600" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9sIx0Nx7vW5JvFcHhVo4ZduatMKzPqCEXnPWqUsFKvTaJMKNJivG2MOuWqkhuUY3vIwgz4dUoHvjbuJ9I_wU1e9N6cysAjp7Q9jVmm5fpXrhRH9vEPqIfRcHyO8u2iMGwnCQ1RiZ80lN/s640/IMG_5691.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Best thing was, the weather was super for January !</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3s5Tg2mqU7UJXcZ4toY-d5UBe9hltzwqqPGGwxlhKErf6RKJfaon1Gq1PIPV8u1Vpucnm17wVi3AhOCXNyDmbCEqUieUuQd2h1TmGkfojxkXcXrCjCAFkM9TeiyWcEQhGgkX47ZxnuYY0/s1600/IMG_5693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1600" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3s5Tg2mqU7UJXcZ4toY-d5UBe9hltzwqqPGGwxlhKErf6RKJfaon1Gq1PIPV8u1Vpucnm17wVi3AhOCXNyDmbCEqUieUuQd2h1TmGkfojxkXcXrCjCAFkM9TeiyWcEQhGgkX47ZxnuYY0/s640/IMG_5693.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Side detail of 36910, the new buses will only carry advertising on this side.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_ApDGXYkuOR3pBuaZcDcxBwkMqTSw8RNmHM24sSFn9mXO6uNqHwaBQgrtAmZq6U45OgyGULrrgzFJKea6fhRP6pgpmu7DBYni4fn9fO4GDCKm66Kw0OcCw1_PvdZjMn1PXQDBXUuWVuN/s1600/IMG_5698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="1600" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_ApDGXYkuOR3pBuaZcDcxBwkMqTSw8RNmHM24sSFn9mXO6uNqHwaBQgrtAmZq6U45OgyGULrrgzFJKea6fhRP6pgpmu7DBYni4fn9fO4GDCKm66Kw0OcCw1_PvdZjMn1PXQDBXUuWVuN/s640/IMG_5698.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The new fleet have a variety of messages on the back designed to attract the disgruntled motorist !</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOlE4fldnjumMvrAAo4fABagVfiC9JL1celWn1ruY2H_KaBP_A4J8qmvj-Q7rnyMtzbMxU5JILWLW8Ppz_VB95_6gvl6xi0F0VVGPyPsgo3g-tASJShaFt4uIYsliFGXVDwyUxPElfm6o/s1600/IMG_5699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1191" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOlE4fldnjumMvrAAo4fABagVfiC9JL1celWn1ruY2H_KaBP_A4J8qmvj-Q7rnyMtzbMxU5JILWLW8Ppz_VB95_6gvl6xi0F0VVGPyPsgo3g-tASJShaFt4uIYsliFGXVDwyUxPElfm6o/s640/IMG_5699.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">36913 advertises its 'at seat' entertainment</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RncF8C1Nt0j70VisLsfwdBUkxsz93JN0PyhojLs7Fxb2afSl4ZczdgKvtqJ-nnAsDGEDpdU6qCAV3mREiVCkFhbA7mvv7riRrKCfII4Qms0z6wLZFaCqJDEbvQKu6MiDvZhAReiciCM3/s1600/IMG_5709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="1600" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RncF8C1Nt0j70VisLsfwdBUkxsz93JN0PyhojLs7Fxb2afSl4ZczdgKvtqJ-nnAsDGEDpdU6qCAV3mREiVCkFhbA7mvv7riRrKCfII4Qms0z6wLZFaCqJDEbvQKu6MiDvZhAReiciCM3/s640/IMG_5709.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fast frequent and direct, these new buses certainly catch the eye as we witnessed from passers by</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn71aBoRs13pOJtZpfF8_RQq7NUVsVnNRkmuLfmM5HbL4W7hSq2-y2EaOkmOZ1yagZu9gL89yp5y4aKC6597hYP7vgSw0YLEYEVXKtzRRS5VveAJf6vCM11eg6bHs6jWj7KMC4Aao7CuWo/s1600/IMG_5710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1600" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn71aBoRs13pOJtZpfF8_RQq7NUVsVnNRkmuLfmM5HbL4W7hSq2-y2EaOkmOZ1yagZu9gL89yp5y4aKC6597hYP7vgSw0YLEYEVXKtzRRS5VveAJf6vCM11eg6bHs6jWj7KMC4Aao7CuWo/s640/IMG_5710.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The new vehicles are slightly longer than the existing fleet </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_q5FUBi7vl4x4fQmVUmvPAnkzEoMvPOkr2C7hgtKYf39rfLeOzh0RkRrbPJvgOQXpYkCVeRSzXIYKjCZhJD-fP3heVfs-Odpf5K59eUHt-5sl8wrqy1rcQzeW7b_I3VYaqWeE4h3JI3W/s1600/IMG_5724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="1600" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_q5FUBi7vl4x4fQmVUmvPAnkzEoMvPOkr2C7hgtKYf39rfLeOzh0RkRrbPJvgOQXpYkCVeRSzXIYKjCZhJD-fP3heVfs-Odpf5K59eUHt-5sl8wrqy1rcQzeW7b_I3VYaqWeE4h3JI3W/s640/IMG_5724.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some of the fittings, equipment and design team with Giles Fearnley and Steve Wickers</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcg46s8rH8uLkfL6bHCfjUxKnbiDPtzAwRjPXTb1iXMAyBC2-tHstvdcPn_RZ0AeTSiUahlYwYEMWplECQQHV9_gYmlAUAXU5xb5ue3Y0qwst5s9AknIwkrkFYxPCa9r0o8PkLAI0dOSX/s1600/IMG_5730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcg46s8rH8uLkfL6bHCfjUxKnbiDPtzAwRjPXTb1iXMAyBC2-tHstvdcPn_RZ0AeTSiUahlYwYEMWplECQQHV9_gYmlAUAXU5xb5ue3Y0qwst5s9AknIwkrkFYxPCa9r0o8PkLAI0dOSX/s640/IMG_5730.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAYqZyvgVo5kRxZ7ksNMtXky2Y3UWy9vOifmB-vyScZf3fS0gWwv1nF_W6iW1LePaUaubAjOlypDbuJjwSU_TI1CjVdBLgI-og8uxyYMoKKE_BWRSa_73wSutaRSPM17AIHSWklhhEOLx/s1600/IMG_5735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAYqZyvgVo5kRxZ7ksNMtXky2Y3UWy9vOifmB-vyScZf3fS0gWwv1nF_W6iW1LePaUaubAjOlypDbuJjwSU_TI1CjVdBLgI-og8uxyYMoKKE_BWRSa_73wSutaRSPM17AIHSWklhhEOLx/s640/IMG_5735.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8upwX9i6EZuTk93uJrpWtDvATPD7sLzZMgEhOQ7Gl0Yoqxx0tbIpFMS7GzcSso7Y4SEI_1P0PWjW9S1-7qz5q00r3P8BDqgQBkoNpbsuDTZvG-9REhswSrDDsD1HQB7fNQt6TDnKwO7p/s1600/IMG_5738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8upwX9i6EZuTk93uJrpWtDvATPD7sLzZMgEhOQ7Gl0Yoqxx0tbIpFMS7GzcSso7Y4SEI_1P0PWjW9S1-7qz5q00r3P8BDqgQBkoNpbsuDTZvG-9REhswSrDDsD1HQB7fNQt6TDnKwO7p/s640/IMG_5738.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Back at Castle Meadow after a perfect demonstration of the new buses capabilities</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoY9H3FzrTasZXzThzNOEe30P8tx9uEhvcTN2fTGUNGaLR6DVj7yTAVkKmFYZs8NIqeBF6X_mBxjPsPN7FkrkvPZziftxqpB8MpcL9-UjZtJkoJ4dIP_e3T8yBag57aoOe2zTxROw0zBI/s1600/IMG_5741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoY9H3FzrTasZXzThzNOEe30P8tx9uEhvcTN2fTGUNGaLR6DVj7yTAVkKmFYZs8NIqeBF6X_mBxjPsPN7FkrkvPZziftxqpB8MpcL9-UjZtJkoJ4dIP_e3T8yBag57aoOe2zTxROw0zBI/s640/IMG_5741.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of course the new buses will mean a cascading programme which will see some of these fine old Tridents retired from work in the city</span></td></tr>
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<br />Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-19651400447055088822020-01-28T23:34:00.000+00:002020-01-28T23:34:44.607+00:00It's Official !<a href="https://www.firstgroup.com/norfolk-suffolk/news-and-service-updates/excel-new-standard-travel-comfort-arriving-spring-2020?fbclid=IwAR3yN1mmPx3-thTiNbdzk1IT-wTqf2VZWW0PSULyZyYzToDmZJ1dXrhtU1s">https://www.firstgroup.com/norfolk-suffolk/news-and-service-updates/excel-new-standard-travel-comfort-arriving-spring-2020?fbclid=IwAR3yN1mmPx3-thTiNbdzk1IT-wTqf2VZWW0PSULyZyYzToDmZJ1dXrhtU1s</a><br />
<br />
and the new timetable from February 16th here :<br />
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<a href="https://www.firstgroup.com/uploads/node_images/norfolk-suffolk/FEC-XL-XL%20Web%20TT%2002-20.pdf">https://www.firstgroup.com/uploads/node_images/norfolk-suffolk/FEC-XL-XL%20Web%20TT%2002-20.pdf</a><br />
<br />
A further update tomorrow night<br />
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<br />Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-30651852111084924642019-12-25T11:33:00.001+00:002019-12-25T11:33:15.580+00:00Christmas 2019<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUw2OWCodvJ1CPUpax3pGk2ELmt1GYLvjtbJym419_gFkoR2IlVXmwLpJZx4BfgSWXyZexl9kSMDR4g3kMJPBJLpQGhZik2JUUOcNOq_GqH8IFPg7EDVHv1W3zHXVHLF29dPBytNASRdN4/s1600/IMG_4767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUw2OWCodvJ1CPUpax3pGk2ELmt1GYLvjtbJym419_gFkoR2IlVXmwLpJZx4BfgSWXyZexl9kSMDR4g3kMJPBJLpQGhZik2JUUOcNOq_GqH8IFPg7EDVHv1W3zHXVHLF29dPBytNASRdN4/s640/IMG_4767.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The sun is setting on the reign of the 2013 Scarborough built Enviro 400s on the XL route. 33803 which was the first of the fleet is seen at Walton Highway on Christmas Eve</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well where are the new buses they cried ? First are going to great lengths to keep them under wraps. At least one has paid a visit to King's Lynn depot and has the appropriate vinyls fitted, but the shutters have been down when these visits have occurred up to now. You can learn a little more about them here :</span><br />
<a href="https://www.firstgroup.com/norfolk-suffolk/news-and-service-updates/excel-new-standard-travel-comfort-arriving-spring-2020"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.firstgroup.com/norfolk-suffolk/news-and-service-updates/excel-new-standard-travel-comfort-arriving-spring-2020</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">.... but that's not all, some of the features of the new fleet are a closely guarded secret and will be - well let's just say different !</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A new timetable is planned for February with a non-public launch at the end of January.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In the meantime, I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and all the best for 2020.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstTXEmJngEOLQU4waF0spKWoT-oYB3EGrLN085LFRWFoT6ZICdeBXqcxIfLlBmRxXijZyyUnJk9wumOwyltRhfY2uu-DVqFzlpJT5zwMrbtaAYRWbnEda7oFpr-qQMBB_0J7kTfVi3K3U/s1600/IMG_4703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstTXEmJngEOLQU4waF0spKWoT-oYB3EGrLN085LFRWFoT6ZICdeBXqcxIfLlBmRxXijZyyUnJk9wumOwyltRhfY2uu-DVqFzlpJT5zwMrbtaAYRWbnEda7oFpr-qQMBB_0J7kTfVi3K3U/s640/IMG_4703.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">33803 departs from King's Lynn working the 11.10 to Norwich on Saturday 21st December</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-47321483412153800782019-12-06T18:18:00.002+00:002019-12-07T00:19:34.960+00:00December 6th 2019 ~ Update<span style="font-size: large;">As things stand, the first three new buses are undergoing commisioning locally, with buses expected to arrive at First from around 15th December. A launch at the East of England Showground is pencilled in for late January and then the new fleet should be all ready for a new timetable in February.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The existing fleet will be phased out of service as new buses arrive. Since the last report there have been occasional appearances by Geminis from the Norwich end when Enviros were not available. I hope to give a more detailed report on the last few months before Christmas, time permitting. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJShsnXMPyz7hKxbQxqVZfTsK-dObDBjHb4Pgqtyg7lxntRdLQIWsNsThuQfdNiUDbABX_N5tr53SjHqqeq-A-nc9hVbIl513bh_wyxi5udqTy1FWEXCVUR_6T7gpCkuZxKTpC3ZFLqiF/s1600/78620406_1292272214279546_735722859808161792_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJShsnXMPyz7hKxbQxqVZfTsK-dObDBjHb4Pgqtyg7lxntRdLQIWsNsThuQfdNiUDbABX_N5tr53SjHqqeq-A-nc9hVbIl513bh_wyxi5udqTy1FWEXCVUR_6T7gpCkuZxKTpC3ZFLqiF/s640/78620406_1292272214279546_735722859808161792_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">33822 at Lowestoft on November 28th. Photo copyright Matthew Holland</span></b></td></tr>
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Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-56681283264350210292019-08-04T22:02:00.000+01:002019-08-04T22:08:17.394+01:00August 2019 Update<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7oX8tBA5BPt_8q9YNLIuSXgzaQtBV0nw9NSFfFf-GBANZNDRN7S4qli8tiILuBmdp2ok3SpIbUiHTxFTpGuavjPs5GFFygbBCR6ybJEXHeo_ej3QFu55f8qIHRZIERfrhVVLTxcMG7WQ/s1600/ScreenHunter_5251+Aug.+04+21.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1276" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7oX8tBA5BPt_8q9YNLIuSXgzaQtBV0nw9NSFfFf-GBANZNDRN7S4qli8tiILuBmdp2ok3SpIbUiHTxFTpGuavjPs5GFFygbBCR6ybJEXHeo_ej3QFu55f8qIHRZIERfrhVVLTxcMG7WQ/s640/ScreenHunter_5251+Aug.+04+21.28.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">33810 gets away from Peterborough Rail Station on 1st May on the 09.40 Peterborough - Norwich. Photo : Ash Hammond</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">At last an update for you, things
having been a little busy here so far this Summer. The new buses are
now expected to arrive in November and various rumours are
circulating about them. Livery options considered appear to have
initially been white, but more recently green has been suggested.
Following the announcement that First are to progressively sell off
their bus division, rumours also suggest that the new arrivals will
be simply branded 'Eastern Counties' - now there's a blast from the
past. I am told that buses of this type are currently being used on
the route to Glasgow Airport, but that these are rather sumptuous
inside with tables upstairs, something we don't expect on the XL
batch. Air conditioning, rather than air chill - I'm not sure what
the difference is - will be fitted however, but a change of plan means that once again seatbelts will not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On the road, the existing fleet have
coped very well with the very hot conditions of late July which is a
blessing, as spare buses have been few and far between. The MOT
programme is now almost completed with just 33819 left to be done.
</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNd3gRwUth9gG5zA1GVBjoyY06d1tOV4ltsjezOigq2GN3o98GtQwhYxkr0Fem4dfuqBKXRWbUXeT0chpY095zUcXt_-VhbOKC_uldBtyNdc9ByILfSV0jPk8tMur656a0fIg9dyKAXQmp/s1600/2019-06-09+15.47.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="1600" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNd3gRwUth9gG5zA1GVBjoyY06d1tOV4ltsjezOigq2GN3o98GtQwhYxkr0Fem4dfuqBKXRWbUXeT0chpY095zUcXt_-VhbOKC_uldBtyNdc9ByILfSV0jPk8tMur656a0fIg9dyKAXQmp/s640/2019-06-09+15.47.12.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">On Sunday 9th June, the hourly XL services pass near Walton Highway with 33813 bound for Norwich and 33818 heading to Peterborough.</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The main vehicle news in the period
under review involves 33812 which was involved in a collision on the
A47 at Necton on Thursday 23rd May. Damage to the front of the bus
was quite severe and once repaired spent a further period out of
action while its MOT was completed. Eventually it returned to traffic
on the afternoon of July 22nd. Coincidentally, 33815 was taken out of
traffic on 22nd requiring a new back axle and it has been undergoing
this at Great Yarmouth, while 33803 seems to have become excessively
noisy in recent weeks and was the only failure in traffic noted
during the period on the evening of July 7th.
</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2y4gg36nKjx_ITDZgNhY6C8Xv4sOprTrPSeEchu4mFove1s4CXfZv-tl4101WuVNlE3aNyRjoHNN78UZR4joZKTBdi89uCYYlSVccLovAaN32i2GYuGibfT-YZqP37uiRCqWfsZnhrHJ/s1600/2019-06-01+15.34.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2y4gg36nKjx_ITDZgNhY6C8Xv4sOprTrPSeEchu4mFove1s4CXfZv-tl4101WuVNlE3aNyRjoHNN78UZR4joZKTBdi89uCYYlSVccLovAaN32i2GYuGibfT-YZqP37uiRCqWfsZnhrHJ/s640/2019-06-01+15.34.37.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Gemini 36199 standing in for an Enviro on Saturday 1st June working the 14.10 Norwich - Peterborough on the A47 Terrington bypass.</span></b></td></tr>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the interim, there was assistance
provided by Norwich Gemini's, firstly 36199 on 1st & 3rd June,
then 36172 which arrived on the evening of June 7th and performed
faultlessly until June 22nd. After a brief return to Norwich, 36172
again deputised from 28th June to 4th July.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5Sv-4LDd2chaNiw5d0GzIDo3DO2xfIVHiYzzpT4BepeaomPsiy8Arj4MskYlGvhXpIPo85JLNpsHR0-WsSl-B5GgZDlkA0PybiMZDjnpNh1TqvRy6GGufyblZE6peHX2KrxJLs_NoVjH/s1600/2019-06-28+10.30.15-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5Sv-4LDd2chaNiw5d0GzIDo3DO2xfIVHiYzzpT4BepeaomPsiy8Arj4MskYlGvhXpIPo85JLNpsHR0-WsSl-B5GgZDlkA0PybiMZDjnpNh1TqvRy6GGufyblZE6peHX2KrxJLs_NoVjH/s640/2019-06-28+10.30.15-1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">36172 was a regular sight from my window at work during June, here it is on 28th working the 08.40 Norwich - Peterborough on which it had replaced 33814 at King's Lynn.</span></b></td></tr>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> For the remaining dates,
King's Lynn was left with a single spare Enviro and multiple
changeovers were necessary to keep up with servicing requirements.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was nice to here from Jamie Vendy
that he has taken former X1 coach 20120 into preservation having
purchased it from Lynx where until recently it had been used for
schools work. It certainly looks splendid.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQzr8RxwUf-_h7cUo9xUSJddbAKMi_dkET96DrgTw0yWzVNWFLhim_XQzzyQulBLOqM1GX3dzbckypvxFMenoActg6K98Nx5JyJrqscVxUsN7n-YTwqg71bQMhubha71VqkdrFJVNYKPD/s1600/67600364_2897724710301815_2701366672056385536_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQzr8RxwUf-_h7cUo9xUSJddbAKMi_dkET96DrgTw0yWzVNWFLhim_XQzzyQulBLOqM1GX3dzbckypvxFMenoActg6K98Nx5JyJrqscVxUsN7n-YTwqg71bQMhubha71VqkdrFJVNYKPD/s640/67600364_2897724710301815_2701366672056385536_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>20120 looking very smart. Photo : Jamie Vendy</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic84JTg6IW0lQhocx4b0XrW_MYnVI2uP8MkwYS-Tp19LR0VaQf8cTQsvmpqcowH-txpam5UpZtASn5VOeJaX7vSix98SqGZObnySqC5wEPLgiA6LV-vn_BkBvrjv00mJ6CYhSYUOdvoqbf/s1600/3247747343_edeb7bbf13_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic84JTg6IW0lQhocx4b0XrW_MYnVI2uP8MkwYS-Tp19LR0VaQf8cTQsvmpqcowH-txpam5UpZtASn5VOeJaX7vSix98SqGZObnySqC5wEPLgiA6LV-vn_BkBvrjv00mJ6CYhSYUOdvoqbf/s640/3247747343_edeb7bbf13_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Back on 1st March 2008, 20120 was in its last days working on the X1, seen here heading eastbound away from the Hardwick Roundabout.</span></b></td></tr>
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Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-57460000804754388612019-05-08T23:58:00.000+01:002019-05-09T00:05:35.797+01:00APRIL 2019 REPORT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IhJGX3Fy-cvgvzf3XZ1-XazzuIbiqR0MH6ZE87GzqMHEyfaw_f7LvWPzuGYXEpvwdz2k_cKniou9I7BeEYiYafqEF_YrTJ8IMGPPvRJo7D2kaLdy9Ekisc1mkC7lSwzS5-Kn50-dhoQg/s1600/2019-04-21+15.44.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1263" data-original-width="1600" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IhJGX3Fy-cvgvzf3XZ1-XazzuIbiqR0MH6ZE87GzqMHEyfaw_f7LvWPzuGYXEpvwdz2k_cKniou9I7BeEYiYafqEF_YrTJ8IMGPPvRJo7D2kaLdy9Ekisc1mkC7lSwzS5-Kn50-dhoQg/s640/2019-04-21+15.44.31.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A fairly quiet month on the XL with no out of course breakdowns in service recorded, not bad for buses in a sixth year of intensive service. Three more MOT tests were conducted in the month on 33807, 33815 and 33809, the latter completed on May 2nd. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Before this 33809 was in a spot of trouble with binding brakes on the evening of April 5th. It returned after repairs on 11th. 33813 came off service at King's Lynn at lunchtime on April 15th and was diagnosed as needing a replacement engine - a quick despatch to Norwich Vulcan Road saw it returned to Lynn and back on the road on Saturday 20th, there must have been some overtime by the engineers concerned there ! On Thursday 18th a persistent gear fault on 33807 and 33819 being hit by another companies vehicle in Norwich bus station meant everything else had to behave over the Easter weekend which thankfully it did. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoKHM3fzD-COdH1kAPIqO0Qz4hK-pmv8bC0IU5kp22P-zlCZcIu3Z310RWBQcsZvy2LWXHnK8lJbLK5Ekdrpxfu200TSVI-FIt1Bs_aTwPYBxvrb6gFohT8sLxFKr0xEd3rIcyObBXF0A/s1600/2019-04-29+11.51.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoKHM3fzD-COdH1kAPIqO0Qz4hK-pmv8bC0IU5kp22P-zlCZcIu3Z310RWBQcsZvy2LWXHnK8lJbLK5Ekdrpxfu200TSVI-FIt1Bs_aTwPYBxvrb6gFohT8sLxFKr0xEd3rIcyObBXF0A/s640/2019-04-29+11.51.32.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Back at work, 33813 near Walton Highway on April 29th on the 11.40 Peterborough - Norwich</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The roadworks between Thorney and Eye continued during April, although by this time all XL drivers had discovered how to avoid them and delays were minimal. Maundy Thursday was as expected the heaviest day for traffic on the A47. Delays at lunchtime peaked at around 25 minutes, with 33816 seen arriving late by that margin in Wisbech on the 12.10 from Peterborough, the previous service with 33803 was similarly delayed. By early evening most services were slightly behind time, but worst noted were the 15.10 from Peterborough which was 38 late at Necton with 33805 and the 16.10 ex Peterborough (33809) was 27 late into King's Lynn. The Tuesday after Easter weekend had potential for chaos, but in the end 20 minutes was the biggest delay. One service, 33815 on the 09.10 from Peterborough, ran via Wisbech St. Mary to avoid congestion on Guyhirn Bank.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Busiest bus in April was 33817 which was in service for all but one day of the month. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Two services I have not mentioned before are the 07.25 (school days) and 07.40 Dereham - Norwich shorts. During the school term, one of the three Enviro 400s which overnight at Norwich does the school service which is due into Norwich at 08.10 before working the 08.40 to Peterborough, while the 07.40 is normally worked by a Gemini which then continues its duties on the 25 from the University to the Railway Station. In school holidays the 07.40 ex Dereham is worked by the Enviro 400 which has a tight turn round arriving in Norwich at 08.30 and departing westbound at 08.40. On Wednesday 24th April, the 07.25 was unusually worked by Purple Line Volvo B7TL Plaxton President 32201, which has the rather appropriate registration LT52WTF !</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a few years since we had a report on the X2, a service where the bus diagrams have always seemed fluid, presumably due to congestion en route. Services are now numbered X2, X21 & X22 depending on the route used but things don't seem to have changed a great deal and although the service is normally worked by the Lowestoft based Geminis which had cascaded from the Lowestoft - Peterborough X1, some other types do appear. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7u5iXe1PcISxMd7jwADu0dMpAbtrz9bKJH1wF-0bK4TJHpq31ggdEBPIr37G9hCtjBFq7mx7fc_gVN8JfQ4TeLO8SPLv8aqoTDp4jMVDs-00_ki42rY8jUauIDujnFXThDC80L-xC-dWr/s1600/ScreenHunter_5208+May.+05+00.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="1232" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7u5iXe1PcISxMd7jwADu0dMpAbtrz9bKJH1wF-0bK4TJHpq31ggdEBPIr37G9hCtjBFq7mx7fc_gVN8JfQ4TeLO8SPLv8aqoTDp4jMVDs-00_ki42rY8jUauIDujnFXThDC80L-xC-dWr/s640/ScreenHunter_5208+May.+05+00.47.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">37570 at Gillingham on February 26th. Photo : ZJN Photography</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of the Geminis, 37573 & 37578 are based at Great Yarmouth for use on the X1 while the remainder of 37563 - 37579 are used on the X2. Almost any vehicle based at Lowestoft can sometimes put in an appearance on the X2 group of services. </span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9Tt1Y_GvcnML6nnqqAT7DWmdcCrgQVSYvb-5218bFKrTcpCXIifs4hZDXrAsk3-uGppSnjxKFEnY-TewEBzTKC4EFwBIf4Y-wrj30-4EoAyw9CbcdjSXqT9hX9AYTs3ivXbDJ1iUS0pN/s1600/ScreenHunter_5209+May.+05+13.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="860" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9Tt1Y_GvcnML6nnqqAT7DWmdcCrgQVSYvb-5218bFKrTcpCXIifs4hZDXrAsk3-uGppSnjxKFEnY-TewEBzTKC4EFwBIf4Y-wrj30-4EoAyw9CbcdjSXqT9hX9AYTs3ivXbDJ1iUS0pN/s640/ScreenHunter_5209+May.+05+13.03.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">From Leeds to Lowestoft ! 36215 formerly in West Yorkshire is a regular on the X2 group of services. Photo : East Norfolk Bus Blog.</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During April, Lowestoft's 36215 was a common sight along with Yarmouth allocated 36183 & 36185 and from 26th April 36186 joined them. These Geminis were originally in use in West Yorkshire. The Volvo B7TL Alexander ALX400's also put in occasional appearances, especially heritage liveried 30888.</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQM4fqrcFTV8GzYE_N9jEekGDW32RMBoOq1cik6zjOnxHVJdipDMGknlzeNe81WpgxlWuvidPjVIbZQgO_BmLEio-wq0zwD-mPazB9T2zdQQjBCxekPf_bJZugIYf9ZmEXT9Si0VElZrJ/s1600/ScreenHunter_5212+May.+05+13.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="864" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQM4fqrcFTV8GzYE_N9jEekGDW32RMBoOq1cik6zjOnxHVJdipDMGknlzeNe81WpgxlWuvidPjVIbZQgO_BmLEio-wq0zwD-mPazB9T2zdQQjBCxekPf_bJZugIYf9ZmEXT9Si0VElZrJ/s640/ScreenHunter_5212+May.+05+13.10.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Resplendent in Lowestoft Heritage colours, 30888 is seen at Corton in May 2017. Photo ZJN Photography.</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> In times of shortage, even a single deck ADL Enviro 200 can deputise such as 44531 on the 16.10 Lowestoft - Norwich on Friday 12th April and sister 44532 on the 07.40, 11.10 and 14.00 departures on Wednesday 17th.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmIasklvQaT05BKXyvgJNc6yfxX-d7KFEUAGJA5kv-O5ZC5XD9HgNIQtNE6bO-Gq1ClAplDX3O2GYSsjvAlpinb2NEeIxozNi-EyV5eO1Pg1zbmsefeU9i-1htsGgS07JsOx480IFl3Pn/s1600/ScreenHunter_5211+May.+05+13.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="925" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmIasklvQaT05BKXyvgJNc6yfxX-d7KFEUAGJA5kv-O5ZC5XD9HgNIQtNE6bO-Gq1ClAplDX3O2GYSsjvAlpinb2NEeIxozNi-EyV5eO1Pg1zbmsefeU9i-1htsGgS07JsOx480IFl3Pn/s640/ScreenHunter_5211+May.+05+13.07.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">44531 on a more usual route, the 99a from Bungay to Southwold seen at Ilketshall St. Lawrence on 11th April. Photo : ZJN Photography</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The X1 (and X11) from Norwich - Yarmouth - Lowestoft is still worked by Enviro 400s 33820-33824 based at Lowestoft, but as up to 14 vehicles are required for the weekday service, Great Yarmouth make up the balance. The two Yarmouth Geminis formerly based at King's Lynn 37573 & 37578 are used as are a variety of other types including former demonstrator 37562. Other Geminis noted on the route in April were 37274 & 37275 in pretty much daily use plus 37141 and 32629. Lowestoft loaned 37567/574 helped out for a while in April too. On 11th April, ALX400 30886 was a surprise on the 15.30 X11 out of Norwich. Interestingly the former demonstrator Enviro 400, 33423 now seems restricted to use on services 1 and 1A. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Apologies for the late report for April, I will try harder next month !</span></div>
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Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-18531492308018104132019-04-01T15:27:00.002+01:002019-04-01T20:11:22.044+01:00MARCH 2019 REPORT<br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A rather quiet month was March, but
nevertheless a few things to report.
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">MOTs continued apace with 33806/16/18
being dealt with during the month. 33815's MOT was postponed until
April in order to fix a persistent computer fault once and for all.
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There were just two appearances by
stand in vehicles in March. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Firstly on 6th Gemini 36202 had a rare
run out on the XL. 33818 was grounded with a heat matrix problem, so
the 08.40 Norwich - Peterborough commenced its journey with 36202. On
arrival at King's Lynn at around 10.30, the oldest trick in the book
was used and 33808 which had arrived on the 09.10 from Peterborough
was switched with the Gemini and did a second trip to Peterborough at
10.35, while 36202 took its place and went back to Norwich at 10.40.
By the time the Gemini arrived back in Norwich, 33818 had been
rectified and was able to continue on its duty </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">starting with the
12.40 Norwich - Peterborough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The other occasion when a Gemini
substituted was on the morning of Saturday 9th when 36272 was
appropriated to work the 07.35 Norwich - Peterborough due to a fault
on 33813. It was removed at King's Lynn and returned light to
Norwich.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg68OxwDJ3YaNOZ1rRPjyV-7jRD2-FvZTi0zrSZpUV-_H_y-pUJcuoX1oxHtVhsyYdxbJKtjwlF1MghD2_vTDKNGhZGvvynpR2VHhiCX6ZznYZBzfVeACESfkO3wVkPFwJPBKXawfgJ9Bc/s1600/IMG_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg68OxwDJ3YaNOZ1rRPjyV-7jRD2-FvZTi0zrSZpUV-_H_y-pUJcuoX1oxHtVhsyYdxbJKtjwlF1MghD2_vTDKNGhZGvvynpR2VHhiCX6ZznYZBzfVeACESfkO3wVkPFwJPBKXawfgJ9Bc/s640/IMG_0109.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Most recent addition to the XL fleet between Norwich and Peterborough is 33819 which has yet to receive the latest vinyls. Here it is on the A47 bypass at Walpole Highway on 1st April running as the 11.10 Peterborough - Norwich.</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">33807 which we last reported as needing
a new engine after being removed from service on 21st February, was
transported to Norwich on Monday 11th March and was back on the road
on Friday 15th.
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Other incidents have included a rare
Sunday swap when on 3rd March 33805 was poorly and replaced for the
last leg of the diagram by 33811 which took the 16.40 Peterborough -
Norwich forward from King's Lynn. Next day 33811 itself was removed
from the 13.40 ex Norwich at Lynn requiring a new oil cooler and
33803 worked forward.
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Punctuality took a turn for the worse
as the month wore on with roadworks of varying severity between
Thorney and Eye affecting the XL. On Tuesday 12th, 33819 which had
left Wisbech 3 late on the 10.40 to Peterborough was seen departing
on the 12.30 Wisbech - Norwich 28 late. Monday 18th was a bad day
with afternoon services in disarray. The 13.15 Wisbech - Peterborough
with 33810 left on time, but was seen returning into the town 22
late, similarly the 13.40 with 33816 returned 17 late and the 14.10
which was 33813 was 16 late coming back eastbound. Delays were similar on 20th
with the 13.40 returning 19 late and the 14.10 with 33815 17 minutes
behind time.</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span>Many buses have taken an alternative
route from Thorney leaving westbound via Bukehorn Road and then
taking Crowland Road to reach Eye Green (the reverse for eastbound
services) and thus avoid the roadworks area. </span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKh8R6tnAvAvLPrz40m8jFPl767WspX9eppakKg1jpi8hBTsKQ20FgU_f9Da5LzVunHMJTyTwnwxulHjct4cgz8KPODbNpMjjDGNqWGa9t1BQKeH1G_FPjxoS0xknV7iNyCiqlcdaJoD7E/s1600/IMG_0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1579" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKh8R6tnAvAvLPrz40m8jFPl767WspX9eppakKg1jpi8hBTsKQ20FgU_f9Da5LzVunHMJTyTwnwxulHjct4cgz8KPODbNpMjjDGNqWGa9t1BQKeH1G_FPjxoS0xknV7iNyCiqlcdaJoD7E/s640/IMG_0130.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>33814 between the sites of the two accidents described below between Walsoken and Walton Highway. Seen on 1st April working the 11.40 Peterborough - Norwich.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On Saturday 23rd an accident near
Walton Highway resulted in early afternoon delays. 33817 on the 14.05
Wisbech - Norwich came to a halt just before the incident, while
33807 heading west had to take the Wisbech bypass as far as Elme Hall
and left the town 15 late at 14.30, while the 14.30 to Norwich
(33818) also left via Churchill Road and the bypass. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">By coincidence another rta a few yards
from this location near Princes lorry depot caused a similar
situation the following Saturday at around 12.45 with resulting
delays. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Temporary closure of the A17 after a
serious accident near Sutton Bridge and consequent diversions via
Wisbech resulted in bad congestion on the afternoon of Friday 29th -
worst affected were the 17.10 Peterborough - Norwich with 33810 which
was 41 late into Wisbech and the 15.40 Norwich - Wisbech which had
also run into problems, being seen at Terrington St. John 31 late
with 33812.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Dl5ZKP1eG3_zlG5x-t0ZcWwhZwXE0Z0jRIMm1clqiAgXT_jPh42PV77CdXwhhJEbPKR0TwzxUtbIXqi95IzUbgTlcYk3PiH0jb8UMzcb9svZ1hG1hzPbaa_FAmq5JTjpY2VvfbFKxBlR/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1106" data-original-width="1438" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Dl5ZKP1eG3_zlG5x-t0ZcWwhZwXE0Z0jRIMm1clqiAgXT_jPh42PV77CdXwhhJEbPKR0TwzxUtbIXqi95IzUbgTlcYk3PiH0jb8UMzcb9svZ1hG1hzPbaa_FAmq5JTjpY2VvfbFKxBlR/s640/IMG_0119.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">33811 on the A47 bypass at Walpole Highway, unusually on a late finish turn (see below). Diagram 6005 runs from 06.40 until 22.00, here it is heading for Peterborough on the 10.10 from Norwich 1/4/19.</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As the month came to an end, 33811 was
still being kept on the early finish turns due to being the subject
of tests monitoring axle wear since February 17th, this has meant it has been
exempt from working the turns which overnight at Norwich.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-57233646504887227472019-03-01T02:08:00.001+00:002019-03-01T02:27:24.695+00:00FEBRUARY 2019 REPORT<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This week it was officially decided that new buses will be ordered for the XL route, targeted to enter service from September. The existing fleet of Enviro 400s have already gone a year beyond there original expected replacement date and in fact there were discussions as to whether they could remain on the route until 2021, however, new vehicles was the preferred option.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am told the Enviro 400 body will be retained in the new build but Scania engines will be fitted if space constraints can be overcome. It is thought that the blue Excel livery will be discontinued and the new vehicles will revert to a white livery and be fitted with seat belts.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGCW8Vv-_UVQYw2R4VTJg4meWnbLd4paswsmVLgsA7POFzIf5T6S7ICpko8sP-olmsSYGvzLt_O4S0lEDJa123m_jhhHrM-vkG53MG4kTJnomcmNQnyWGbQTz2BKnCNK4IarojgnXWxjA/s1600/IMG_6982+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="1600" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGCW8Vv-_UVQYw2R4VTJg4meWnbLd4paswsmVLgsA7POFzIf5T6S7ICpko8sP-olmsSYGvzLt_O4S0lEDJa123m_jhhHrM-vkG53MG4kTJnomcmNQnyWGbQTz2BKnCNK4IarojgnXWxjA/s640/IMG_6982+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Can I really have been doing this blog for X years and never have posted a picture taken at Thorney Toll ? Well apparently yes, so to redress the balance here is 33816 on Sunday 17th February passing the outpost working the 10.10 Norwich to Peterborough.</span></b></h2>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Out on the road, the most notable event so far this year has been the reliability of 33806. In what is possibly a record for the fleet, this bus managed 46 continuous days in traffic between 2nd January and 16th February. After a day off resting in Norwich on Sunday 17th, the bus returned to work on the 18th and has been out every day since. This remarkable statistic is all the more unusual in that buses requiring safety services are often off the road for an entire day and 33806 has managed to undergo these and still spend part of the days in question in traffic. The other factor which means this sort of thing is uncommon is that on Sundays there are only seven XL diagrams, so by the law of averages it is rare to get a bus in use for six consecutive Sundays, a feat which 33806 managed !</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After all the excitement with Gemini substitutions in January, there were none whatsoever in February. MOTs have continued with 33805 and 33813 being dealt with.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9ISPHXWAFxMvEMbA28H0voLhHFfd5y1GzKGsIWr0d66qNEKnYYpjsJTrVRc8-KxV-qYmiCpGPM0jsfb-qu9Kad-VTBwnUOlEX_Kn7vP23NjSTM5khSf64SGqOz6WxtI7zYxiNPdHk6Nc/s1600/YX63LJN+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9ISPHXWAFxMvEMbA28H0voLhHFfd5y1GzKGsIWr0d66qNEKnYYpjsJTrVRc8-KxV-qYmiCpGPM0jsfb-qu9Kad-VTBwnUOlEX_Kn7vP23NjSTM5khSf64SGqOz6WxtI7zYxiNPdHk6Nc/s640/YX63LJN+%25283%2529.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">33807 photographed by Zak Nelson before it misbehaved, here it is working through the frost at Easton on 31st January. </span></b></h2>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Unscheduled stoppages have been scarce in February, though on the evening of 21st, 33807 was taken out of service smoking badly and after diagnosis it was decided that it needs a new engine. It was still at King's Lynn at the end of the month awaiting transfer to Norwich where the replacement engine will be fitted. This coincided with MOT preparation on 33813 meaning that normally a Norwich based Gemini would be called upon to act as a spare maintenance changeover bus, however, a backlog of maintenance at Norwich meant this was not possible, so it was fortunate that no breakdowns were recorded in this period. Other issues have involved 33811 (axle) and 33812 (gear selector).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In fact the only hiccup during the lack of spare buses was down to staffing issues when on Monday 25th, no driver was available to work the 07.30 King's Lynn - Peterborough and this and its return working as far as Lynn were cancelled. I had two texts from friends, one of whom was waiting at King's Lynn South Gates and the other at Walsoken Lynn Road for this bus, I'm sure they think I am personally responsible !! It is in fact an extremely rare occurrence and on average happens just once a year, but there you are.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Timekeeping has been good during February which of course in the last week included temperatures more akin to Summer than Winter ! Low points were on Tuesday 12th when the 09.10 Peterborough - Norwich with 33811 was 23 late into Wisbech - the delay was remedied by replacing it with 33807 at King's Lynn which departed on time. On the afternoon of Thursday 21st an incident on Guyhirn bank saw services diverted via Wisbech St. Mary commencing westbound with the 14.40 departure from Wisbech. Finally on 26th 33814 on the 08.00 King's Lynn - Peterborough ran via Terrington and Walpole instead of the A47 due to an obstruction. All in all another good month for the relaxed timetable !</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Before I sign off, a word about my colleague and fellow XL watcher Bruce Billingham. He has had a spell of bad health recently, including some major maintenance at Addenbrookes Hospital, but is now thankfully on the mend. He assures me that 'normal' service will be resumed shortly, so drivers watch out ;)</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3qUYHbbGGSKnW0Y_I02IpaXg79NLQpnCDHidRHup6oQr1zxuRs_WG2K34dW_WE5IbkdQZkonstnsPA6jjBMQ9uqaxdT3dr4H0wJKlpBkSy65GyPtxvH0SdLJhMACT6IsN9l6q_ihWa1p/s1600/IMG_6992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3qUYHbbGGSKnW0Y_I02IpaXg79NLQpnCDHidRHup6oQr1zxuRs_WG2K34dW_WE5IbkdQZkonstnsPA6jjBMQ9uqaxdT3dr4H0wJKlpBkSy65GyPtxvH0SdLJhMACT6IsN9l6q_ihWa1p/s640/IMG_6992.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Well wouldn't you know it, you wait almost eleven years for a picture at Thorney Toll and then two come along at once ! Well having seen 33816 earlier, it would have been rude not to take advantage of snapping 33817 heading east on Sunday 17th February. </span></b></h2>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-79193438140387062452019-02-01T19:52:00.004+00:002019-02-01T19:52:54.357+00:00JANUARY 2019 REPORT<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello again. It's been a long time. I
thought I'd do some monthly updates in 2019 as we approach the time
when the current XL fleet of Enviro 400s near the end of their time
on the route. Last year 33818 was reallocated to King's Lynn when the
new timetable began last February and subsequently, following the
loss of 33804 in the accident near Thorney Toll last June, 33819 has
also joined the King's Lynn fleet as a replacement.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirM6O1MCTLuX8E35I2eqni_kz-Ij9NpxaHk-4LgswHpAtDSwZ47LpJ3_XnM43w65CNiwqT7-q4zZF4IRD4J7b787vY03Fg5LRAEGYvj9YYEzCzsGw_gaMT2smgBGnCNg0B0Cr3n7YXZIYu/s1600/IMG_6156+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirM6O1MCTLuX8E35I2eqni_kz-Ij9NpxaHk-4LgswHpAtDSwZ47LpJ3_XnM43w65CNiwqT7-q4zZF4IRD4J7b787vY03Fg5LRAEGYvj9YYEzCzsGw_gaMT2smgBGnCNg0B0Cr3n7YXZIYu/s640/IMG_6156+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
<b>Gemini 36200 running spot on time despite foggy and icy conditions on January 31st as the 11.40 Peterborough - Norwich</b></h2>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">2019 dawned with a shortage of vehicles
as 33817 needed a replacement engine and 33807 had a car run into the
back of it just before Christmas and was away at Full Circle for
repairs. Norwich helped out by initially loaning Gemini 36180 (the
usual replacement under these circumstances). 36180 returned to
Norwich on 4th January with a problem and on Saturday 5th 36271
replaced it, working diagram 21 which starts and ends at Norwich. It
was running a few minutes late when I saw it on the 16.15 Wisbech -
Peterborough probably because of its speed limiter being set at
49mph. On Monday 7th January 36180 returned onto the route and 33817
left King's Lynn for its engine fault. 36180 remained on the XL until
15th, but on 16th 36199 appeared on diagram 21. Next day 36200 was
out and this then worked until 21st. No sooner had it been returned
following the repairs to 33817 which returned to traffic on 18th and
33807 on 22nd, then 33819 was grounded at Norwich on 24th with a fuel
tank problem, so 36200 was back on XLs on 25th and was still
deputising on 31st, before 33819 returned on 1st February.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">MOTs have restarted and 33803 was off
the road between 20th & 25th followed by 33814 from 27th to 30th.
Next to be prepared for MOT is 33805.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Timekeeping has been exceptional since
the revamped timetable last year and on the western section, almost
everything has run to time except when traffic conditions have
dictated otherwise.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally this time, a belated thanks to
Matthew Holland who supplied me with pictures for use in the blog</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-72950817763777416962018-06-26T18:55:00.005+01:002018-06-26T18:55:59.374+01:00Tuesday 26th June 2018 My condolences to the family of the driver who lost his life in today's accident. We owe a debt of gratitude to all bus drivers who risk their lives in the course of duty. R.I.P.Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-41871300701521617472018-02-28T21:45:00.000+00:002018-02-28T21:45:06.705+00:00Wednesday February 28th 2018 ~ Snow Show<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Snowfall in the Norwich area saw the XL service restricted to operating between Swaffham and Peterborough today. At the western end of the route traffic was light, so once the morning rush was over buses ran pretty much to time. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Since the inception of the new timetable, the XL service has kept time much better than previously. This seems largely due to the increased allowance of time in Peterborough. Three buses now overnight at Norwich Vulcan Road and already there has been one instance of a substitute vehicle having to work. This came on Monday 19th when 33817 was unavailable and Street Deck 35200 worked the first leg out to Peterborough and back (06.30 ex Norwich). On arrival back at Norwich, Gemini 36199 took over as 35200 had been unable to show XL on the destination display, instead showing X1. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">MOT's have restarted and 33803/14 have already been done with 33804 being tested this week. Hope to have some pictures in the next blog !</span></div>
Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-21787535606872553332018-01-30T23:13:00.004+00:002018-01-30T23:17:24.020+00:00Tuesday 30th January 2018 ~ Timetable News and Stagecoach Exit ?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The widely leaked news that Stagecoach plan to pull out of King's Lynn was made public this evening. Norfolk Green took over all the local services which were operated by First in June 2011. They were subsequently bought out by Stagecoach in May 2015 and they have gradually eroded the regional identity from their fleet and now it seems obvious why. Who will step into the breach if the Stagecoach plan comes to fruition ? Let the rumour mill start !</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VOiQRsTD3y2lBvZRpD__U-vZhlTdaiZUQtzrBgNh25O9AT898jVhau_B5G_xc0pSOSV8hKkjyo7E-yWG15uOmjW4y-ip8HJFIipjJG2__-TFk6h3V76QHOZpPjnJo-UkklbxrnKfPItK/s1600/2017-04-30+13.07.41-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VOiQRsTD3y2lBvZRpD__U-vZhlTdaiZUQtzrBgNh25O9AT898jVhau_B5G_xc0pSOSV8hKkjyo7E-yWG15uOmjW4y-ip8HJFIipjJG2__-TFk6h3V76QHOZpPjnJo-UkklbxrnKfPItK/s640/2017-04-30+13.07.41-3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Back to First Group and the new XL timetable from next Sunday has met with mixed reactions. On the operating front, Norwich depot have made inroads into the lines formerly worked by King's Lynn. Three diagrams begin at Norwich, these being the 06.30, 07.00 & 08.40 departures and the first of these also finishes at Norwich. Until now King's Lynn has latterly had 36 drivers for 22 turns (on weekdays), but from Monday this is reduced to 31 drivers for 17 turns. The shortfall is because Norwich now have six driving rosters on the route including three where they work buses through to Peterborough. Three King's Lynn drivers now have diagrams on the University - Rail station service 25 in between XL turns. The King's Lynn drivers will now be working a four day week. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">On the timetable front on weekdays, the service largely follows the previous pattern, save the hourly serving of certain villages. In the evening the 15.40 from Norwich now copies the 18.10 and terminates at Wisbech instead of running through to Peterborough. The late bus from Peterborough is retimed to depart 15 minutes later at 22.45.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Enviro 400s which were due for replacement in September / October now look as if they are going to continue operating the route, possibly for another two years, though of course this is subject to change (isn't it always ?), Certainly they have been behaving a bit better in recent months. This week King's Lynn have begun to remove the gold backed destination vinyls along the bottom of the upper deck windows. The gold lettering is also being removed, some has already gone and reference to the X1 will also go after Saturday.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7JzXRLd9BDNV21wyGzEsmXCQ3RBiIEN0yCzrhG5JAU3nARfBZd43nFguIzGU313ZfHHDqM7TFf0iVXxvjFnSJ_nw1o3W06zJRbH3K_mmQmR9ImXDo1WusW7ljozPJ01VtEgEGK9SLUtu/s1600/2017-04-30+13.13.52-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7JzXRLd9BDNV21wyGzEsmXCQ3RBiIEN0yCzrhG5JAU3nARfBZd43nFguIzGU313ZfHHDqM7TFf0iVXxvjFnSJ_nw1o3W06zJRbH3K_mmQmR9ImXDo1WusW7ljozPJ01VtEgEGK9SLUtu/s640/2017-04-30+13.13.52-2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-85952993867624717852018-01-12T01:19:00.002+00:002018-01-12T01:27:04.523+00:00Thursday 11th January 2018 ~ Timetable Release<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The new timetable for the Norwich to Peterborough route has now been published and here is the link</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://www.firstgroup.com/uploads/news-attach/XL%20TT%20Extract%20Web.pdf"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">https://www.firstgroup.com/uploads/news-attach/XL%20TT%20Extract%20Web.pdf</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It is not clear at the moment how Norwich depot will be involved with the workings, but a proposal has been made that King's Lynn drivers will do a couple of fill in turns on Service 25 during what would otherwise be layover time at Norwich. Consultation on this between First Group, the employees and the Union are due imminently.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A quick glance at the timetable reveals that residents of Hockering, Tilney All Saints, Terrington St. John, Walpole Highway and Thorney are losing out due to a combination of low patronage from these locations and the need for buses to run punctually with the much higher volumes of traffic currently using the A47. Here the daytime frequency will mirror that of Sundays with these stops being served on an hourly basis, rather than the 30 minute schedule which has been the case for many years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">On the western section, services which run directly from Eau Brink to Walsoken via the A47 will then serve Thorney, while the alternate services serving the villages between King's Lynn and Wisbech will then run directly from Thorney Toll to Peterborough avoiding Thorney village.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In the unlikely event of passengers wanting to travel directly from say Walpole Highway to Thorney, therefore, a change and wait at Wisbech will be necessary. This might seem an unlikely scenario, but I happen to be making that journey this weekend, something which will not be possible without changing in the new timetable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It should also be noted that the X1 service route number is being abandoned west of Norwich and here the service will simply be called XL. The X1 route number will be kept for the Norwich to Lowestoft section.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I will be reporting on the timetable in more detail when further information comes to hand.</span>Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-36142672421422130402017-12-04T23:27:00.000+00:002017-12-05T01:24:41.236+00:00Monday 4th December 2017 ~ Changes Ahead<span style="font-size: large;">It was announced to staff today that with effect from 4th February, a new X1 timetable will be in operation based on customer and staff feedback. The main change will be that certain vehicles will overnight in Norwich rather than King's Lynn to eradicate some of the 'lost mileage' caused by vehicles running empty from King's Lynn in the mornings to take up their diagrams at Swaffham and Dereham. It will also improve the service at the Norwich end. More details as I receive them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The run up to Christmas is always a hectic time and with a spate of rtas in recent weeks, diversions and delays have been commonplace. Strangely, the last week has seen a slight improvement in punctuality, but even this evening I passed two Enviros within five minutes of each other working delayed services from Peterborough.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Victor Meldrew was in touch today and he was most unhappy. Apparently because it was a fine day he decided to take a photograph of his X1 when he alighted at Peterborough this morning, only to be hooted at by a disapproving driver. "He obviously marked the box with an x for 'no publicity' when he got the job" says Victor, "the thing that annoyed me most was that I actually found someone who was even more miserable than me !". Well that's hard to imagine I must say.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Victor continues " I think what really surprised me about this behaviour was that the X1 drivers I see regularly are so polite and pleasant".</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I ventured out with the camera today too for the first time for a while and here's my effort, 33811 running a few minutes behind time on today's 11.05 Peterborough - Norwich.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2D0rt3KpA0cDu_P319rvbTdCJuH0v4ORJKsU5NU_sjQlEuy78WBg3EFxx_cJkXAF2bZgSbieqHCwn14NBrsucQzLBmt6s0-aTHD_B-iPmQ_tCff9_MlM608bUQHLGfeEF75c7col86reP/s1600/IMG_9662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2D0rt3KpA0cDu_P319rvbTdCJuH0v4ORJKsU5NU_sjQlEuy78WBg3EFxx_cJkXAF2bZgSbieqHCwn14NBrsucQzLBmt6s0-aTHD_B-iPmQ_tCff9_MlM608bUQHLGfeEF75c7col86reP/s640/IMG_9662.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully the opportunity may present itself this Winter to get a few shots in the snow, something which has been a rarity while the Enviros have been in service.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks to all of you who continue to send in reports and messages saying how much you enjoy the blog. I wish I updated it more often but that said things generally run pretty smoothly from day to day unless traffic conditions dictate otherwise.</span>Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-51085328285993698542017-10-10T01:31:00.000+01:002017-10-10T01:31:18.099+01:00Monday 9th October 2017 ~ It's the X30 !<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMrQJ2weUq3ZI20UtMNDYhojSnZjnAmi-QL7NaIp_2rVlq8UzwG_WqfvuOv3ZrHATqWDXnm2AtJWw-cO8FMvOQ-4PHOtRt7UbZCVnNCOsVSobmcTyeiOkRCM-ozNkqA3TmON67e2UrxlX/s1600/DSCN8992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMrQJ2weUq3ZI20UtMNDYhojSnZjnAmi-QL7NaIp_2rVlq8UzwG_WqfvuOv3ZrHATqWDXnm2AtJWw-cO8FMvOQ-4PHOtRt7UbZCVnNCOsVSobmcTyeiOkRCM-ozNkqA3TmON67e2UrxlX/s640/DSCN8992.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Many thanks to Nathaniel Mills for this picture of 33808 on the X30 today, see yesterday's blog for details.</b></span></div>
Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-70172719085645345782017-10-09T01:16:00.000+01:002017-10-09T01:16:27.981+01:00Sunday 8th October 2017 ~ Airport Possibilities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Enviro 400 33808 which was involved in the storm incident back in February has left King's Lynn today for Chelmsford where it is to undergo a week of tests on the route to Stansted Airport . If successful, following the expiration of the 5 year period next September, the Enviros may be redeployed on this route.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> There is still no definite news about what will replace the Enviros on the X1 although another demonstrator is in the pipeline, a Wright bodied Mercedes vehicle is rumoured, but apparently this is still under construction. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">33821 is once again scheduled to step into the breach caused by the temporary loss of 33808. Meanwhile 33806 is due to have an axle replaced shortly. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pJxFZQXTSnn-ywcEY0sDcNMr7cJN_TUqsPnS1_bTw8eO53ibVoP7amVOz9vHHtxCyvYFf3lCzlZquzdyHyxffYLtZ59ME98fl3MjzL3ZI7MdSt3GoOa1RhOgKt9DzXQuSG8Yuk5DMue8/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pJxFZQXTSnn-ywcEY0sDcNMr7cJN_TUqsPnS1_bTw8eO53ibVoP7amVOz9vHHtxCyvYFf3lCzlZquzdyHyxffYLtZ59ME98fl3MjzL3ZI7MdSt3GoOa1RhOgKt9DzXQuSG8Yuk5DMue8/s640/unnamed.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Here's an unusual scene. Passengers disembarking from 33807 and transferring to the Ensign Bus demonstrator at Walpole Highway. The Enviro was running very late due to Friday congestion and an incident with a passenger at King's Lynn. It then went empty to Peterborough to regain time. Photo taken by Victor Meldrew on September 8th.</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5C02pcwT6g8tBGmB1CH3FbC_fjD8hnMWD-1KkqQ5sH5FwvQIeXhZAVRsDK13YPjvAJ_Xo-9aO8NuPXBXwxf7UOhMgWkcQuVZm9MP5jEinxGsxCLVGU1PXfcg4rYMmDl_tTHhiNSNc6vc/s1600/IMG_2694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5C02pcwT6g8tBGmB1CH3FbC_fjD8hnMWD-1KkqQ5sH5FwvQIeXhZAVRsDK13YPjvAJ_Xo-9aO8NuPXBXwxf7UOhMgWkcQuVZm9MP5jEinxGsxCLVGU1PXfcg4rYMmDl_tTHhiNSNc6vc/s640/IMG_2694.JPG" width="640" /></span></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Breakdowns in service with the Enviros are quite rare due to the preventative maintenance afforded to the fleet, however, on Bank Holiday Monday August 28th, an unexpected oil leak halted 33815 soon after a late morning departure from Peterborough. 33808 was sent to the rescue and passengers transferred to the following service. Photo taken by me !<br /><br /><br /></span></b></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iKDS76A6e9w7vvHvwpcIgRp-KnZJ7ubSmNidgptZckLUGuA9z0pbUlT-A9dtBN-MCaE-EgjLzPOOaWoz3US2y-lAHSpYBpLouXTaqHEk3u_oDNpdwdVBJ-lzH_dlA2bFC1GGRjBmnvdP/s1600/IMG_4638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iKDS76A6e9w7vvHvwpcIgRp-KnZJ7ubSmNidgptZckLUGuA9z0pbUlT-A9dtBN-MCaE-EgjLzPOOaWoz3US2y-lAHSpYBpLouXTaqHEk3u_oDNpdwdVBJ-lzH_dlA2bFC1GGRjBmnvdP/s640/IMG_4638.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The 94 seater monster demonstrator is seen leaving Walton Highway on its last run to Peterborough on September 26th</span></b></div>
Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-75678614668531561712017-09-02T15:41:00.001+01:002017-09-02T15:41:12.974+01:00Saturday 2nd September 2017 ~ It's That Time AgainThe next vehicle to be used as a demonstrator on the X1 arrived on Thursday and should enter service on the 07.23 Dereham - Peterborough on Monday morning if all goes according to plan. It is a Triaxle version of the Ensign double decker which was on loan in late June and early July, here are the pictures from my man on the spot at First :<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCD0VQRFEL7426UY_p4x_nQiOjDiP83Re-b1qPEv88HTkbZ1GzllvQMf6nNy3rSq4zw-LcDUt12qFu0qGgEc5W12Os4UYfmx-vdX8DinJxZgnzY297AQwwKMha8sqAxJWv6zAX5BKrb9nz/s1600/2d176e16-24c9-434c-b2df-d86f2754e55c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCD0VQRFEL7426UY_p4x_nQiOjDiP83Re-b1qPEv88HTkbZ1GzllvQMf6nNy3rSq4zw-LcDUt12qFu0qGgEc5W12Os4UYfmx-vdX8DinJxZgnzY297AQwwKMha8sqAxJWv6zAX5BKrb9nz/s640/2d176e16-24c9-434c-b2df-d86f2754e55c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Xiqc8U9N03YTtL5c65bo4d7UNzMwXFeX_JSjmyta8Tmnm6kEvBoxnOo9HQCgOLy-l8QoryxbU94N6Phk1zAyMdhIbzLE9_bgeHgrRK_v2_sHwQWK1nlXxfNae3cFItmt_Rnh17DkOY-s/s1600/773cabf6-7aa7-4a9a-af4b-e9249ef09b0c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Xiqc8U9N03YTtL5c65bo4d7UNzMwXFeX_JSjmyta8Tmnm6kEvBoxnOo9HQCgOLy-l8QoryxbU94N6Phk1zAyMdhIbzLE9_bgeHgrRK_v2_sHwQWK1nlXxfNae3cFItmt_Rnh17DkOY-s/s640/773cabf6-7aa7-4a9a-af4b-e9249ef09b0c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqPPy6juKcaAC0Px3hAMmF4h_2l-1sz1xkpJKLYjUhvVG9oKjopFaR2y7UGCUlUBWrlxzLB2u6cNE1vzoRric56AkML_xcfXDd-cTaLHvni5jgepG26Ulb_eJ_yFB2bimKtgJid5XNe9T/s1600/da6868ef-cac3-4a38-9e5f-f50235375693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqPPy6juKcaAC0Px3hAMmF4h_2l-1sz1xkpJKLYjUhvVG9oKjopFaR2y7UGCUlUBWrlxzLB2u6cNE1vzoRric56AkML_xcfXDd-cTaLHvni5jgepG26Ulb_eJ_yFB2bimKtgJid5XNe9T/s640/da6868ef-cac3-4a38-9e5f-f50235375693.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBpFHx4xpxLL02e2_pr27b7aKv58EWS7zdJ6v_hK1OuxL9GWe8sXXJkMDlRGqWoQMIjXJWMeyBgEH3qz3LCV6K1zEW49eeKq4RqdkkB2f6XdXv4_yGXtBUM88sYbhF76huZH4Wckf44xQ/s1600/ded5df7b-a3ef-44af-971a-f19de3618f2f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBpFHx4xpxLL02e2_pr27b7aKv58EWS7zdJ6v_hK1OuxL9GWe8sXXJkMDlRGqWoQMIjXJWMeyBgEH3qz3LCV6K1zEW49eeKq4RqdkkB2f6XdXv4_yGXtBUM88sYbhF76huZH4Wckf44xQ/s640/ded5df7b-a3ef-44af-971a-f19de3618f2f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I will do an update on the last few months trials and tribulations with the Enviro fleet this month.Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662025305066570199.post-41767760220575677532017-06-29T23:49:00.003+01:002017-06-29T23:49:29.126+01:00June 29th 2017 ~ Fleet Changes<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Time for an update on the Enviro fleet. 33821 left King's Lynn on Monday evening for Yarmouth after arrival in service. It had been on long term loan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">33808 which was involved in the Storm Doris incident in February arrived back at King's Lynn at 16.30 today after collision damage repairs, it needs an MOT and safety service before it can re-enter traffic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">33817 has had some bodywork repairs and no longer has bodyside fleet numbers on the offside. 33816 now has larger fleet numbers following similar attention and one night in mid June both the last buses into King's Lynn from Peterborough and Norwich had altercations with muntjac deer resulting in identical panels needing replacement. The picture below depicts 33817 & 33814 flanking 33804. This would make a good 'spot the difference' picture, the replacement panels on 33817/4 are obvious when highlighted.</span></div>
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Gerardtcchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07722276910947242507noreply@blogger.com0