69423 IN SERVICE AND OTHER NEWS

Well well how lucky was i today, first up is 69423 AU53 FKK on the 55 to Bixley which came back from refurbishment earlier this week on a route which First are to stop operating on the 24th December, also was able to every ex Colchester B7RLEs in service mostly all on towns which was a bonus, below is a picture which has been circulated by myself on twitter with the correct poppy sticker well done to Barry and his team at the depot for correcting this.

 

Other news concerns the withdrawal by Ipswich Buses of the Saturday Waterfront service the X, which unfortunately didn't work for them, now a correction to the blog from earlier in the week i mentioned that 32489 was the next B7TL to leave that should of read will be the next one back.

And to wrap things up for today a much improved picture of 66977 KX05 MHA love the unusual pink smilie at the front.

32655 IN VIEW AND OTHER NEWS

Wow doesn't she look good in the livery seen here today on layover is Volvo B7TL 32655 AU05 MUY with full Ipswich branding, meanwhile sister bus 32653 AU05 MUV has departed to Rotherham along with Volvo B7RLE 66983 KX05 MHM , while returning from Rotherham has been 69423 AU58 FFK with sister 69424 AU58 FFL also due at the end of the week, while the next scheduled Volvo B7TL to leave will be 32489. Left to be refurbished is just 69426/28 of our native B7RLE'S and Volvo B7TL'S 32491/94/32656. 69431/33 have yet to be transferred to Colchester due to both 66975/80 being VOR at the moment, 69428 will be one of the last to be done as the ex Colchester B7RLE's need to be done first, 69006 from Norwich as expected will follow at the end of the refurb cycle. Thanks to Steve W for the additional news.

And well done to First for putting up Poppies on their bus, for Remembrance day on November 11 as most of my dad's family were involved in the last World Wars, lest we not forget those who fought hard for the freedom we have today. 

66977/84 AND UPDATE

66984 KX05 MHN seen here at OCM, apologises for some of the photos today which due to my incompetence was take in in manual focus rather than auto focus which i have now learnt from.

As said this is probably the worse photo of the two this is 66977 KX05 MHA on the 55.

Other that the news is that two Volvo B7RLE'S from Ipswich being 69429/32 have transferred to Colchester, while both scheduled to leave in 69431/33 where on the 60/61,55 respectively while 65579 T579 JNG was hard at work on 88/89s and Scania 65675 on the 64/65.

EASTERN COUNTIES IN IPSWICH 1969

 LM 614 was a Bristol MW of 1964, CPW 614B and is seen slightly later in the early 1970's at Ipswich OCM.

Delving through my ever increasing photograph albums i bring you for a change a chance to look back at the varied allocation of Ipswich in 1969 to complete matters i have added Felixstowe and Saxmundham as they were in Suffolk but now form part of the Ipswich area although in those days were quite independent.

ALLOCATION 31/10/69

IPSWICH/FELIXSTOWE/SAXMUNDHAM

FLF 440, 441(FEL),457,458,459,500
LC 505,508,509,512(SAX),530,536(SAX),541,544(FEL),545,546,550,551,556,558,559,570,571
LFS 23,24,29,31,32,45,54,63,74,76,93(FEL),96,105(SAX),109,125
LKD 178,179,180,198,209,212,215
LM 581,583(FEL),611(SAX),614,618,645,848(FEL),851,936,937,940,941,944,949,961(SAX),971
LH 687(FEL),696(SAX)
LS 756,772(SAX),777,781,786,792(SAX),795,797,801,812,816,826,994,995,998
RE 888,891,893,894
RL 675(FEL),679,680,711(FEL)
RS 648,655
VR 375

 RE 894 SVF 894G seen here in later life in National white was one of four based at Ipswich

LE 747 MAH 747 by this point was reaching the end of her life in 1969, seen here earlier in the sixties was an coach seated Bristol LS.

 RE 679 RAH 679F was an Ipswich based allocation from new, seen here in around 1969

LFS 23 1123 PW was a Bristol LFS seen here after repaint in 1973 into NBC colours.

 Bristol LS 832 PW seen here in London Victoria coach Station on a X1 heading back to it's home town. Finally below is LKD 179 UNG 179 an early Bristol Lodekka seen here in Colchester Bus Station? Regrettably i couldn't find any of the Bristol LC class based at Ipswich at the time!

66978 AND 66984 IN VIEW

66978 KX05 MHE one of Thursday's arrival of Volvo B7RLE'S seen here on layover at Ipswich OCM.

From above you can see one of the two arrivals from Essex's Colchester depot yesterday in 66978 KX05 MHE, while sister 66977 KX05 MHA was also out but alas not to photo, not long before that i managed to get one of the two arrivals today in 66984 KX05 MHN whilst on the 89, while sister 66983 KX05 MHM was also elusive. Strangely both remaining Scanias 65670/75 SN51 UYC/J where out in service 65670 on the 60/61 and 65675 on 68.

 65675 SN51 UYJ was still about today on the 68 to Kesgrave.

While 'New' arrival 66984 KX05 MHN was on the 89 to Stowmarket Chilton Hall.

32479 proudly showing off it's First proudly supporting it's heritage and free WI-FI.

32493 AU53 HKL at last on camera seen here straying from it's usual route the 66 on the 75 to Felixstowe.

66982 STRAIGHT INTO SERVICE AND FAREWELL TO THE SCANIAS

Not the greatest of photos as i was using my old camera, and it missed showing the display however a bit of work on Picture Manager has brightened up 66982 no end. Thanks must go to my loyal twitter follower Toby Pearson who got into touch with the news.

Today saw the start of a chain of transfers which will see the end of First Ipswich Scanias, which have served Ipswich in different forms since the summer of 1996, seen above is ex Colchester Volvo B7RLE 66982 KX05 MHL which arrived with sister 66979 KX05 MHF which departed this morning for refurbishment, out went Scania L94UB/Wrightbus Solar's 65672/74 SN51 UYE/H to Colchester, two more are leaving tomorrow, one 65589 V589 DVF is only going on loan at this point with 65673 SN51 UYG, coming in should be Volvo B7RLE'S 66977/78 KX05 MHA/E  thanks to Chris Speed for keeping me up to date with this news.

 65589 V589 DVF spent it's last day at Ipswich working on town services 60/61Greenwich/Gainsborough.

65673 SN51 UYG pictured heading through the roadworks last year at Tower Ramparts

69422 AND 69425 IN SERVICE

First Ipswich Volvo B7RLE 69422 AU58 FJJ entered service today on the 60/61, complete with full branding to front and sides while sister 69425 AU58 FFM here on the 88 still has no branding.

And to finish today further branding with Enjoy Luxurious Seats on this Bus with 32492 AU53 HKK.

32493 BACK IN TOWN AND IB X3 TO OPERATE ON SUNDAYS

Many thanks to James Long and the depot team for allowing him to take this picture of 32493 AU53 HKL which has returned to Ipswich with sister 32489, leaving only 32488/91/94 of the 66 Deckers to be done taking her place for refurbishment, also departing this week with the return of 69422 was 69426.
In other news carrying on from the news about the 5/11 being diverted around Broke Hall on Monday to Saturday evenings and Sundays, i have additionally found out that the X3 to John Lewis will additionally be operating on Sundays and be extended to Warren Heath Sainsburys as of the 9th November.
Hopefully during this week i will be able to bring you up to date with new additions to the Beeston's fleet in the way of photos with thanks to the Beeston's management team, and a look at Carters ex Eastern Counties VR JNG 50N is also on it's way.
Before i go i would like to apologize to any of you who follow my twitter account and have been offended by my conduct in recent months especially to some of my contributors.

This beauty is an Educational and Specialist tours vehicle for Galloways BX13 BZA a Volvo B12B?

FIRST IPSWICH DRIVER ON TV AND IPSWICH BUSES FEATURE IN BUSES MAG

Following on from my article on Saturday about Double Amputee driver Justin Pearson, ITV Anglia news was filming yesterday a piece presumably for that nights program, as can be seen little did i know i had photoed the back end of 69425! Also out today was an excellent feature in Buses Magazine for November on Ipswich Buses the one thing that struck out for me was as Malcolm Robson said that a lack of funds was the reduction in the level of money from the Bus Service Operators Grant and from the English National Concessionary Travel Fund which is costing the company £720,000 per year.

Very odd occurrence yesterday was Volvo B7TL 30888 W743 DWX  on the 66 while 32490 was on the 64.

As seen above Volvo B7RLE 69425 AU58 FNN has re entered service while returning is Volvo B7TL 32493 with sister 32489 departing, confusion still reigns over whether 23312/14 have actually left Ipswich, as they turned back from their trek to Cornwall because of the bad weather on Monday.

 69010 AU05 DMY on camera at last and in service seen here yesterday on the 60/61.

32487 a different view of how the logos are applied to the side of the bus it also has the same application of the Ipswich name to the front as per the Volvo B7RLES and the Enviros.

200TH BLOG NEWS AND VINTAGE PHOTOS

Soon to depart for pastures new, well Colchester anyway is 65670 SN51 UYC on the 61 to Greenwich.

Welcome to the 200th Blog Ladies and Gentleman, with special pictures coming up later on in the blog, it's taking me 2 years and 3 months to get this far and we haven't finished yet. News this week again concentrates on First Ipswich with a further two refurbishments coming back again this week in B7RLE 69422 and B7TL 32493, worth noting that although the B7RLE'S have been repainted in the last year they are also receiving the new livery, going out this week this is subject to change will be 65673 SN51 UYG and 65675 SN51 UYJ which should be heading back to Colchester where they where allocated in 2010, definitely already left are coaches 23312/14 which are now back off to Cornwall.

 Now time to pick some of my favourites gathered from Flickr or from my own collection, this pictures illustrates the early days of deregulation with VR 258 RAH 258W and Leyland National LN 585 TVF 620R both are on Sunday duties taken over from Ipswich Buses on the 4/6.

Illustrating the early days of the NBC is Dual Purpose Bristol RLE 875 YAH 875J in the gorgeous cream and maroon of the Tillings Eastern Counties.

Final Eastern Counties pick is ex Ipswich allocation Bristol FLF 471 KNG 471D in the early eighties in Norwich.

Technically a Eastern Counties bus but seen here in Great Yarmouth livery is Bristol VR CVF 29T that a certain Chris Speed will enjoy.

69010 AND 69425 PICTURE EXCLUSIVE

Picture exclusive tonight with both 69010 AU05 DMY and 69425 AU58 FMM many thanks to on the ball James Long and the depot staff for allowing him to photograph them.

66985 PHOTO AT LAST AND FURTHER FIRST IPSWICH NEWS

Pictured above is a shot of First Ipswich 66985 KX05 MHO resplendent in the new livery and fully refurbished as can be seen it has had branding applied on both sides as well as the free WI FI branding, sister 66986 went out shortly before on the 65 but had no branding. Further news on the exchange of the remaining Scanias has reached me once again a big thank you to Chris Speed, the first vehicles will be swapped from mid week with Colchester also gaining Volvo B7RLE'S from Hadleigh who are putting 10 Wright Streetlites into service allowing Ipswich further B7RLES from the 669--batch from Colchester. A further positive news for First Ipswich is a piece on the Star website today about driver Justin Pearson who is the first double amputee bus driver in the country, he has also recently been promoted to relief duty controller, proving that disability in any form is no barrier to being successful. Link to story http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/kesgrave_ipswich_justin_pearson_is_first_ever_double_amputee_bus_driver_in_country_1_3801693

66986 KX05 MHU with a small First logo on the front shows the contrast in branding.

IPSWICH BUSES ROUTE 5 AND 11 TO GO AROUND BROKE HALL EVENINGS AND SUNDAY AND FUTURE OF THE 4

Seen Here earlier in the Summer is East Lancs Dart 86 PJ53 OLG

 Ipswich Buses has announced that they are to extend routes 5 and 11 in the Evenings and on Sundays from Ipswich Hospital to Broke Hall Estate, this is as MD Malcolm Robson has described as a slack period for the 5/11, buses will operate as follows service 5 in Via Foxhall Road, Bixley Road, Penshurst Road and out via Arundel Way and Foxhall Road to the Hospital, service 11 from Hospital via Foxhall Rd, Arundel Way and out via Penshurst Road and Bixley Road to Foxhall Road, this brings back an proper evening service to Broke Hall. Service 4 from Martlesham to Ipswich Railway Station is also being examined this week in regards to the section between Tower Ramparts and the Railway Station to see whether there is sufficient demand to keep that section of the route, there is also frequent timing issues that i am aware of as the buses run late at peak hours.

Above is one of the 5 Scania/Wright Solars soon to depart from Ipswich is 65674 SN51 UYH, which no one will miss!

Buses in from Refurb this week will be 69010 and 69425, the first of the ex Park and Ride B7RLES to be completed while departing this week has been 69423/24.

32492 ENTERS SERVICE

Just before i impart the latest news, just would like to add that many of you follow me on twitter and have heard me speak up for myself on a battle with another blogger, suffice to say that i will continue with the blog, i have a lot of personal problems at the moment but will continue to bring to you all the latest information for the Ipswich and Suffolk area, wherever possible i try to authenticate what i hear before putting it on a blog so please be assured about that.

Above pictured on a very wet Monday morning is 32492 AU53 HKK arriving in Ipswich, very late as it happened, not the best of images! as after that it disappeared out of service presumably working dead back to Martlesham, however it wasn't the day to see the other refurb 66985 as it wasn't around.

Seen here after arriving back from Felixstowe is another rear advertisement this time for hit the Beach in Felixstowe, though with the weather and the time of year is probably a little late for this year

Yet another Volvo B7RLE 69008 AU05 DME appeared on the 66 today, although a 66 Decker in 32490 was on the 65.

EASTERN COUNTIES PHOTO RECALL THE EARLY FIRST YEARS

Seen here in around 2002 is one of my favorites not! poor old Counties got suckered with these while in South Yorkshire they got shot of them after 10 yrs seen here on my route the 4 to Bixley Farm is 401 M584 ANG.

The end is nigh here by 2000 there was very few Bristol VR's left in Ipswich, i have very happy memories of VR 287 VEX 287X as it was the last ever VR that i rode in in Ipswich when it used to appear quite regularly on the 4 when they took over the route from IB.

In the main these were allocated to Norwich for most of their lives but here is JD7 laterly 507 G707 JAH a Dennis Javelin with Duple body whilst on loan to Ipswich on the 83.

Bought in at the tail end of the 90's were these all Leyland Olympians from Thamesway H101-04 HVX seen here a little later on 2004 with it's Sema Voyager number 34901.

Seen here when comparatively new is National Greenway LG 784 UFX 854S working a private hire.

Just before the end of the nineties Eastern Counties snapped up the vast majority of these Volvo B10Ms with Plaxton Premiere bodies from First Essex seen here in 2004 is 20106 N606 APU.

Also coming in around 1999/2000 were the affectionately known puddle jumpers not Wright's best ever looking body however the finished off a lot of Eastern Counties native mini buses seen here is 45337 JDZ 2337, followed by a type now come increasingly rarer within First Group is the Scania L113 with Wright Ultralow bodies is 65549 P549 RNG straying from it's intended 88 route, on the 75 to Felixstowe.

This blog should of gone out earlier in the week but some how went into the unpublished zone so here it is  better late then never.