Sunday 27th February 2011 ~ X1 News !

Passengers enjoy the view from 37563 on the 10.10 Peterborough - Lowestoft this morning.

At last today came the news I was waiting for. I've known this for sometime, but was ordered that it was top secret info not to be blogged. The news is now in the public domain however and a completely independent (i.e. non -First) , but reliable source informs me that the next timetable change will see the X1 split up as we had feared.
 King's Lynn will operate separate services to Peterborough and Norwich, while Lowestoft will work a service to East Dereham. Is this the moment I've been waiting for  - a chance to finish the X1 blog at last ? Well we will have to wait and see. It will almost certainly mean that coaches will no longer be seen on the western part of the route, but hey, you never know ;+)
I was thinking yesterday that it was a great shame that Lynn and Lowestoft were not allowed to keep one serviceable coach each. This would have prevented the situation where a surplus of vehicles end up at the wrong end of the route while coaches are still operating. Whilst we are on the subject of coaches, 20126 does a regular schools contract at the Yarmouth end, it is suitable because the former Scottish B10Ms have more seats (and less legroom) than the former Eastern Counties and Thamesway examples. When 126 is unavailable, 20115 sometimes get used but, the driver then hopes that a few kids are off sick so that everyone gets a seat !


A new wiper motor was especially sent over from Lowestoft this afternoon and as a result 20107, seen here taking a well earned rest at King's Lynn garage, may well be on her travels again tomorrow.



37579 looks rather imposing in this picture taken (with permission) at King's Lynn tonight. These later Geminis were certainly a good buy and seem to go on forever.

 Today was a full Gemini service and 37572 was amongst them. It has been out every day now since January 4th. Y7 20.05 Peterborough - Lowestoft had 37569 tonight and yes, it is still doing its roadsweeper impression. Last night 37568 had to make a visit to Vancouver Avenue whilst working the 21.35 King's Lynn to Lowestoft as its indicator had stuck on. This was resolved by shutting the thing down, then restarting and rebooting the computer - I presume Geminis operate on Windows 95 !!! Another recent problem resolved this way was when 568 (again) came in with its hazard lights locked on.  37568 was OK today and was sent out from Lowestoft on there only Sunday turn, the 09.48 to Peterborough. It is the first Gemini to be seen with a new ad for Kelloggs Krave - 'Taste Unleashed' apparently.