Thursday 25th August 2011 ~ The Return of the X1 Blog !

Well just when you thought it was safe, the X1 blog returns. After two weeks without a phone and then a further absence with me on holiday, I thought it was time to resurrect the old thing.
The period I have missed doesn't seem to be one where a great deal has happened. All the usual rumours are rife, but little has changed and loan Profile coach is still seeing almost daily use despite the Gemini fleet being back to full strength.
Here is a brief listing of the main goings on ...
Wed 3rd August : 37158 on the 11.08 X2, 37573 at Volvo. Malcolm reported 37565 15 late on K1, 20352 25 late on Y9 and 37160 17 late into Lowestoft on L11 and it was then 10 late departing westbound.

Thu 4th August : 37567 released off MOT straight onto K14 15.02 Lynn to Lowestoft replacing 37578. 37156 had a full day on the X2 between 06.45 and the 14.38, 37579 to Volvo and 37158 taken off L10 with a wiper fault, 37572 replacing it.

Fri 5th August : 37564 sent to Volvo with a rear axle problem. 37578 was 14 late into Lowestoft on K19, but a swift operation saw it just 3 late departing.

Sat 6th August : Due to an adblu fault with 37578 on K14, 37569 replaced. 37566 had to be taken off K2 at Lowestoft to have a window replaced, I think 37159 was the replacement.

Sun 7th August : 37571 stopped for MOT work. 37159 on K6

Mon 8th August : 20352 unusual on K16

Tue 9th August : 37569 failed at Dereham on Y13, so 37575 was sent out by Lynn having come in on L11 and this did the 21.50 last bus to Peterborough. 37156 was already 22 late on Y6 14.55 ex Lowestoft by Acle. Temporary lights at Bilney church all day caused delays.

Wed 10th August : Y13 was in trouble again, this time 37577 came to a halt at Norwich with one wheel temperature reading 35'c and the other 135'c ! The nearest tacho fitted suitable vehicle was 20126 at Yarmouth and this ran empty to Lynn to resume Y13. The evening part of Y13 had 37576 which had a swift turn around off K14. 37577 was taken to Volvo after cooling down.  37157 was meanwhile working the 10.08 X2 from Lowestoft.

Thu 11th August : L12 began the day with 37574 but ended up with 37571 fresh off its MOT. Six diagrams were not seen today.

Fri 12th August : Ten of the nineteen turns were viewed, all seemingly without incident.

Sat 13th August : At some point L9 had 37563 changed for 20352. K18 had 37158 changed for 37157 at Lowestoft. In Norwich traffic was diverted with the A11 closed at Daniels Road Roundabout all weekend. X1s in and out via A140.

Sun 14th August : 37157 did Y8 and Y7 was 37159, slightly unusual for a Sunday.

Mon 15th August : L10 had 37569 swapped for 37566 at lunchtime and later 37576 didn't complete Y13 because it hit a deer east of King's Lynn around 21.00. K15 with 37574 was 22 late westbound and 16 late eastbound through Wisbech this afternoon. Des says "Points of interest today - 
In Norwich @ 06.50 road closed signs for A11 closed @ Daniels Rd roundabout closed (A11/Ring Road) as per all weekend, in place, but A11 open.
In Dereham @ 07.30 - Road signs for Market place closed from 09.30 - In reality, cenotaph roundabout partial closed, all traffic, in and out via inbound route under control.
(On afternoon journey, managed to negotiate Dereham, under board control, quicker than by normal traffic lights!!!)
Norwich - 15.55 to Low, bus 37159 (small luggage area) - 1 ridden wheelchair, 1 closed wheelchair, 4 extra large suitcases, 1 medium suitcase & 1 large holdall, do not fit into such a small space!!! Front O/S seat needed to accommodate all this luggage.

Tue 16th August : 37564 at last returned from Volvo to King's Lynn. K4 with 37569 had this swapped for 37578 at 19.30 because of an oil leak. Malcolm saw 37568 being attended to by a Volvo fitter at Lowestoft depot this afternoon and when 37157 arrived at 14.00 on K5, its scheduled departure at 13.55 was cancelled and it eventually left at 14.27 'not in service'.

Wed 17th August : 37576 complete with new light cluster was ready for traffic again this evening. K5 had 37567 swapped for 37564 at 10.30. 567 then had an exam before taking up Y6 early evening from 37578. Malcolm saw 20115 on the 09.10 Norwich - Yarmouth shuttle.

Thu 18th August : 20352 did K3 for the fourth successive day with 37568 & 37574 stopped at Lynn for safety servicing. 37567 was 20 down with the 11.15 Lynn to Peterborough.

Fri 19th August. L8 started with 37159, but it was swapped at Lowestoft for 37572 - had the B7 continued, refuelling would have been required. 37158 was 22 late on K3 16.15 Lynn to Peterborough, 37573 was 26 late on K15 14.05 ex Peterborough. 37568 on K5 was terminated at Norwich at 15.25 with  Adblue pump failure, top speed 30-35 mph.

Sat 20th August. Chaos in the west at lunchtime. L11 was 3 late westbound but 19 late on the 12.05 ex Peterborough. L12 with 37159 was 15 late, then 34 late returning on the 12.35. Y13 was seen on the 13.05 ex Peterborough running 39 late. K14 was 36 late on the 12.15 Lynn to Peterborough and because of this it was terminated at Wisbech with passengers then waiting for 37571 on K15 which itself was 18 late. K16 with 37156 wasn't seen but K17 14.18 Wisbech to Peterborough was 14 late and very well loaded, perhaps indicating that K16 hadn't appeared.

Sun 21st August. Des reports "37566  15.30 Yarmouth to Peterborough (me off at Lynn), depart -2 (15.32), Large crowd to load - Traffic in and out of Norwich (football and shoppers). Depart Nor -7 (16.17). Queued out of Norwich, Arrive Dereham - 25 (17.09) - Arrive Lynn - 23 (18.07) Should depart for Peterborough at 17.50."

Mon 22nd - Thu 25th August - all is quiet !

Many thanks to Bruce Billingham, Malcolm Hicks, Des Speed and many others for keeping me informed.