Monday 29th September 2008 ~ Now You See It - Now You Don't.

K6 07.59 King's Lynn - Peterborough was 20502 this morning, it required a service however and was removed at 10.37 on its way to Lowestoft. It then did a trip on the 43 to North Wootton before returning to the garage. Now you might wonder why they would use 20502 at all if it needed servicing, well 20500 took over but only after the powers that be had removed those nasty M&S adverts which had been attached. I think the same fate has befallen 20352 but I couldn't be certain.
I paid a visit to Bruce today and we spent a while chatting whilst watching the X1s from his new viewing gallery, otherwise known as a loft conversion. 20121 on J11 07.05 from Gorleston was about 5 late going over but its lateness had increased to 24 minutes on its return by which time it was being tailed by L12 11.48 ex Peterborough which was running 2 minutes early with 20117. Yes, 20117 back in service at last - Michael tells me it was out on the X2 on Friday having last been seen in service as far back as July 17th.
About 12.45 there was a serious accident on a pedestrian crossing at Wisbech Horsefair roundabout involving a lorry and a pedestrian which resulted in gridlock and eventually diversions being set up. This played havoc with the X1 and first service affected was L13 12.18 ex Peterborough with 20114, this was 26 late at Walpole and was later seen still on L13 at Hardwick roundabout on its way into Lynn at 20.16 (27 late). Some smart running saw it regain all but 1 minute however as I saw it entering Wisbech at 22.06 en route back to Lynn whilst enjoying a pint of Wherry in my local. Following it into Lynn at 20.21 was 20118 on Y21, the 17.25 Lowestoft - Lynn. There had been some earlier interest in this turn when it was discovered that lilac liveried Park and Ride B7 69008 was in line to work it, but as expected a B10 was found in time.
Delays caused by the Wisbech diversion saw Y14 12.48 ex Peterborough pass us 22 late with 20505 and the next service K15 with 20504 15 late. Going in the other direction at this time were 20105 0n K18 10.25 L-P 2 minutes late, 20353 on K3 10.55 ex Lowestoft running to B7 standard lateness minus 13 and then K5 11.25 L-P just 2 minutes down with 20127.
The X2 turn (K19) began with 20103 today, but Michael saw this being driven by a fitter into Lowestoft depot mid morning and the remainder of the turn was our old friend 20107. Sam reports that K19 apart, the X2 was otherwise 60307/9 and Olympians today.
Another mystery solved today - the reason for 20508 being restricted to schools work (as it was again today) is to keep it employed locally as new panels have been ordered for it which are to be fitted here before it goes to Scotland, it has already received replacement panels which Lynn had in stock, but the others have had to be ordered. No such problems with 20507/9 though as they were two of the B12s which received a repaint last year. 20120 remains at Rowan Road awaiting parts. Its temporary disappearance recently was for a visit to Volvo where some repairs were effected.