Monday June 20th 2011 ~ Subtle Changes

Until the loss of its local buses, King's Lynn made a habit of having a freshly serviced Gemini ready - if all went well - for K5, 07.45 to Peterborough. The loss of the 21 locally used vehicles and the consequent gaps available for X1 maintenance, now mean that K4 which departs Lynn for Peterborough at 07.15 can now also be worked by a bus off a completed safety service. Today 37570 was the Gemini concerned, but unusually K5 had 37157 which is due for a service tomorrow.
With increasing regularity a Gemini can now be seen on the X2 on an almost daily basis. Malcolm, back from a break on holiday says "This morning 37156 worked the 09.40  ex Norwich  X2 service and returned on the 11.08 from Lowestoft, 37567 on K17 was followed by 37578 working K18 and 37573 with K19 and this afternoon 37568 worked Y7 and 37563 arrived on L8".
I had to drive to Norwich this afternoon as my brother is shortly to undergo cancer treatment at the N&N. Despite his misfortune, he found my continued references to the X1s quite amusing. En route we saw 37567 on K17 near Tilney, K19 with 37573 just exiting Narborough, K1 with 37575 near Fransham and 20352 on K3 near Honingham. On our return we saw 37158 on K16 near Easton and then overtook L8 with 37563 near Dereham. K18 was 37574 seen near Necton. Malcolm confirms that this turn began with 37578 and in the event, 37574 returned from Volvo after gearbox modifications and then replaced 578 which in turn travelled to Volvo for the same work to be done. 37573 was once again passed beyond Middleton at 18.02, the same time the following service was due to depart Lynn eastbound, so reasonably late.



If all this low floor stuff is getting you down, here's a fine portrait of 126 taken today by Des.



Its move to King's Lynn cancelled, Olympian 34333 continues to provide a useful service, as seen here today when photographed by Des Speed.