Tuesday, 31 March 2015

IPSWICH BUSES NEWS

 Photo Copyright Leon Wells
Major Ipswich Buses today to report, as can be seen by Leon Wells photo above and the grateful assistance of Steve W of the Bus And Train Page who revealed to me that these are the first two of four coming to Ipswich Buses the first two above are SN53 AVM/P and are a new type of Dart for IB in the SPD type, these will be refurbished by Hants And Dorset Trim, the four darts that will not be refurbished will be 92/95/96/99 which will finish there career by the end of the year. Thanks to Steve W who's interview with Malcolm Robson on the changes in May to the Town network can be found here http://www.busandtrain.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/ipswich-buses-may-changes-explainef.html

Sunday, 29 March 2015

IPSWICH BUSES HEAVY REVISIONS FOR MAY BANK HOLIDAY

 
 
 
 
 

 IB Scania/Optare Olympus 69 YJ60 KGY on the too be discontinued Service 5 which will be replaced by the current X5 which will no doubt lose their lovely ALX 200 Dart's.
 
 Steve's Bus and Train page has reported a whole raft of changes for Ipswich Buses services, http://www.busandtrain.blogspot.co.uk/. In Brief this sees the axing of the 5/11 with the current X5 continuing with service 11 to be included in a revised 6 service.
 
 
PF0000147/3 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
    • Variation Accepted: Operating between Ipswich, Tower Ramparts and Ipswich, Tower Ramparts given service number 7/15 effective from 24-May-2015. To amend Timetable.
  1. PF0000147/5 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
    • Variation Accepted: Operating between Ipswich, Tower Ramparts and Ipswich, Tower Ramparts given service number 9/10 effective from 24-May-2015. To amend Timetable.
  2. PF0000147/6 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
    • Variation Accepted: Operating between Ipswich, Tower Ramparts and Cambridge Drive given service number 12 effective from 24-May-2015. To amend Timetable.
  3. PF0000147/7 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
    • Variation Accepted: Operating between Ipswich, Tower Ramparts and Copdock Tesco given service number 13 effective from 24-May-2015. To amend Timetable.
  4. PF0000147/16 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
    • Cancellation Accepted: Operating between The Havens, Ipswich and Ipswich Station given service number 3/1 effective from 24-May-2015.
  5. PF0000147/32 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
    • Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Ipswich and Ipswich given service number 5/11 effective from 24-May-2015.
  6. PF0000147/77 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
    • Variation Accepted: Operating between Ipswich, Tower Ramparts Bus Station and Ipswich Hospital given service number X5 effective from 24-May-2015. To amend Timetable.
  7. PF0000147
    1. PF0000147/2 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
      • Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Ipswich, Tower Ramparts and Heath Road Hospital given service number 6 effective from 24-May-2015.
    IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
    • Variation Accepted: Operating between Ipswich, Tower Ramparts Bus Station and Ravenswood given service number X3/x1 effective from 24-May-2015. To amend Route and Timetable.
  8. PF0000147/79 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
    • Variation Accepted: Operating between Ipswich Station Forecourt and Martlesham Heath, Tesco's given service number 4 effective from 24-May-2015. To amend Route 
    • and Timetable.
    •  PF0000147/83 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
      • Variation Accepted: Operating between Ipswich, Tower Ramparts Bus Station and Ipswich, Montgomery Road given service number 16 effective from 24-May-2015. To amend Timetable.
    • PF0000147/87 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
      • Variation Accepted: Operating between Ipswich, Tower Ramparts Bus Station and Ipswich, Holbrook Road given service number X1 effective from 24-May-2015. To amend Route and Timetable.
    • PF0000147/91 - IPSWICH BUSES LTD, 7 CONSTANTINE ROAD, IPSWICH, IP1 2DL
      • Registration Accepted
      • Starting Point: Tower Ramparts Bus Station
      • Finish Point: Tower Ramparts Bus Station
      • Via: Cliff Lane, Hospital & Sidegate Lane
      • Service Number: 6
      • Service Type: Normal Stopping/Circular
      • Effective Date: 24-MAY-2015
      • Other Details: Daily service (every 20 minutes)



Saturday, 28 March 2015

BIRTHDAY TREATS

As it's my Birthday today I thought I'd treat you to some of my rarer purchases of mine from my Slide and Negative collections today, first up is Mr Chris Speed and Danny Beale's  AEC Willowbrook Swift 85 WEX 685M in around 1981 in Great Yarmouth, rare as i haven't actually come across any other images of it in the older Blue/Cream plainer livery.
Eastern Counties Leyland Leopard LL749 MCL 931P seen here within Felixstowe Depot again in the early part of the 1980's.
Alas with a scratch on the Slide we ICT ADX 64B an AEC Regent V on the 1A to Maidenhall photo would be taken again in the early part of the 1980's again as Tower Ramparts School has been demolished, I used to deliberately miss the Atlantean's on the 4 just to go home on one of these fine beasts.

From  1985 we see two of the earlier series Bristol VR/ECW VR 368 TNG 368G and VR 138 SNG 438M, VR 368 had started out as an Ipswich allocation before transferring to Bury St Edmunds before finishing it's career at Ipswich in 1986, notice how different the Old Cattle Market Bus Station was this was the time when redevelopment was taking place the old depot had vanished with everything temporary including an waiting room on a Lodekka.
Here we see the second of Ipswich Corporation's AEC Regent's ADX 2 towards the end of it's career therefore the date puts it around 1973 shortly before it's purchase by the Ipswich Transport Society sadly this fine bus was erroneously scrapped.
























Thursday, 26 March 2015

FIRST'S DRIVE GREEN APPROACH

 Photo from Paulo Van Krieken First Ipswich.

Firstly congratulations to the Ipswich team for scoring the lowest score of 15 for events on the road per 10 hours of driving, so what is Drive Green, well on returning from their days driving the Drivers and their managers can view on line the overall quality of their driving, a score is given which the driver can use to improve their driving and help tackle other environmental issues. Overall this allowed First Group to cut 70% of risky manoeuvres in the last year, to just 80 per 10 hours down to an average of 26%, collisions have also dropped by also 6%. What other positive results does this give, well for the passenger a more comfortable journey, injuries on First buses dropped 8%, it also means better fuel economy especially so for a bus, and better fuel economy means lower costs which keeps fares down in total, this also helps First by helpfully cut over 100,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. As a incentive drivers are rewarded by their highest standards of driving by a pot of over £2 million. 

 IB East Lancs Dart 93 X93 LBJ re entered service on Wednesday after DDA modifications on the 6 before becoming the spare bus today when due to the accident on the A14 resulted in it being called from the depot to go on the 5 to Ipswich Hospital and return to Tower Ramparts, sister 98 has now departed down south as the next bus in line for DDA modifications. Also noted this morning was First Ipswich Volvo B7TL 32487 which was back in service on the 66.
Lurking in the OCM was 44519 YX09 ADO which eventually replaced Volvo B7RLE 66976 on the 53.

Wednesday, 25 March 2015

A MOMENT IN TIME: JULY 1981

 
Eastern Counties Bristol RELL RL 501 APW501seen here waiting time before undertaking a 273 back to Stradbroke, the young man in the photo is Ipswich Engineering Manager Barry Spurling. Copyright Peter Horrex

Why have i chosen July 1981 you may wonder well it was when i received my very first model bus an Matchbox Londoner Bus in Silver for the Royal Wedding, which kicked off my interest in Buses and has continued for the last 34 years. In TV Tom Baker quit Doctor Who with Peter Davison coming in, Ken Barlow marries Deidrie in Coronation Street, and Only Fools and Horses, Dangermouse,Bergerac and Bullseye all made their debuts. In music the number one for the month was The Specials and Ghost Town, and in Football Ipswich won the UEFA Cup and Spurs the FA Cup.
Heading a line up of 3 of the 4 Leeds Atlanteans still in their former owners colours are IBT 44/42/41 UNW 404/402/401H. Copyright Stuart Ray
New the previous year was Eastern Counties VR JAH 243V seen here after working in from Norwich on the 851, sadly a route no longer in existence.Note the former depot on what is the Old Cattle Market, buses would enter from Dogs Head Street.Copyright Peter Horrex
Seen here the previous year typical of the IBT Single Decker fleet of the time was Willowbrook bodied A.E.C Swift 80 JRT 80K.






Monday, 23 March 2015

NORWICH RUNNING DAY: THE TALE OF AN EMERGENCY CONDUCTOR

Viv Carter had his excellent ex Eastern Counties Open Top VR JNG 50N out for the first time yesterday what an excellent restoration Viv and Justin.

You will have to excuse my lack of photos from yesterday due to both a lack of a memory card and then an intermittent screen problem. Okay that's my excuse out of the way, the day started at 0845 with 32479 from First Ipswich depot piloted by friend of the blog Joe Thorpe picking up a further 3  passengers from Ipswich Railway Station, good progress after that allowed us to arrive at 1010 at Norwich County Hall. After a quick ride on both LFL 57 to pick up a memory card from Argos and Richard Walkers National Greenway, I had just got back when i had a surprise call up as Chris Speed's conductor on Routemaster 39480 to Castle Meadow and back, followed by a trip out to First's Engineering Depot at Roundtree Way. Following that I took a trip out out in the country with Bristol VR VR 385 OCK 985K seen below with Routemaster CUV 151C and of course 32479 AU53 HJV. Then it was time to say good bye to Norwich leaving at about 1650 arriving back in Ipswich at 1810. Finally thanks to Joe Thorpe for taking me there, Chris Speed, organiser Neil Chilvers, ETC, EATM, First Norwich and all of my good friends from all the other blogs, Kieran, Sam and a very tired Grahame Bessey and any one else I missed.

Slight cut off at the wheels my chariot for the day RM 2480 JJD 480D.
Not the biggest of depots and the sheer volume of people meant a lack of great photos however to get an idea of the work that's carried out we see Norwich Trident 33237 LT52 WVF over the pits.
Dave Hale's magnificent Bristol RE class coach RLE 747 GCL 349N was amongst the attendees yesterday here just come off a trip out to Mulbarton.
Static on the day was Eastern Counties Bristol RE RS658 KVF 658E. Followed by one of the last trips of the day again on the 4 to Mulbarton with Richard Walker at the helm of National Greenway LG587 WAH 587S.

Saturday, 21 March 2015

WARTIME IN THE EASTERN COUNTIES

Shortly i am going to be speaking to a lady at the Museum who was a Conductress during the War who is now 98 years old and apparently has a lot of tales, so this has got be thinking of what buses were used during the War above we see originally new to Harrison and Ives (Eastern Motorways) as number 30 in 1930 they were then taking over by United in 1930 and subsequently becoming part of the E.C.O.C in 1931 VG 2559 was an Daimler CF6  originally with an Eaton body it
was rebuilt in 1935 with an E.C.O.C body seating 34 seats, and then altered to B29R with perimeter seating subsequently it was renumbered from it's original number N44 to N4 then after the war as seen above it received  N745 in 1946/47 seen here in 1948 in the old Norwich Bus Station , it was allocated to Kings Lynn during the War and was withdrawn in 1950.

 The majority of the Double Deckers used during the Second World War would of been the Leyland TD class the bus seen here again in Norwich was A87 VF 8522 an TD 1 with originally an Leyland body during 1930 this came as part of the United fleet in 1931 an new Highbridge ECW  body was fitted in 1938 and became AH 287 in 1946/47 again as above it was withdrawn in 1950. Shown below is what the fleet looked like in 1942, many of the older members of the fleet were used as ambulances and would never return to the fleet after the War, although some of the Buses and Coaches would.


Friday, 20 March 2015

IPSWICH BUSES REFURB'S AND MORE INTERLOPERS

IB East Lancs Dart 93 X93 LBJ seen at HD Trim is now complete, copyright HD Trim.

 As can be seen above the first of four refurbishments and conversions to DDA requirements is now complete in East Lancs Dart 93 X93 LBJ as seen above and very nice it looks too, i will stand neutral on this as this many for and against these conversions because of their age, suffice to say that it's probably a lot cheaper this way than buying in either new buses or second hand one's to meet the requirements and Ipswich Buses will need to buy some replacements for the remaining six non DDA buses as some will know is still a council run operator but at hands length I don't know the situation regarding their finances but it is thought to be holding steady although as reported in Buses Magazine some months back they have lost out on Concessionary bus fares which is affecting a lot of smaller independent companies but that's another story.

                         3  STRANGERS ON THE 4



While I didn't catch all three of the strange allocations to route 4 today, as the sun was playing havoc with photography today i did manage one of IB Enviro 300 83 SK07 DYA the others were Dart/East Lancs 88 and even more unusual Scania 70. Below is a couple of photo's taken yesterday one is a rather strange futuristic looking thing from Mulley's OO04 MUL for which i will look up it's origin, the other is rather more conventional in the form of Whincop of Peasenhall Volvo B12M/Plaxton BCZ 4306.


Wednesday, 18 March 2015

65579 OFF TO CORNWALL!

Well I have used this photo before but as it was the last one I took I have to use it again as the last Scania defiantly leaves for Cornwall tomorrow morning at 5.00am this brings to end of Scania operation to Ipswich after 18 years a remarkable time of service spent for what has been a remarkable bus in general the type has been a hardy and reliable bus although the first ones 65541-50 did have a few teething problems.
 One of the ex First Potteries Scanias which travelled far and wide from Glasgow to Potteries and then to Ipswich seen back in early 2013 is Scania L113CRL 61528 R116 GSF.
Photo copyright Leon Wells. Finally the one that kicked it all off Scania L113CRL 65541 P541 RNG.

Monday, 16 March 2015

FIRST IPSWICH VOLVO B7TLS IN THE WARS

A quick update on yesterday's blog, 65579 T579 JNG Ipswich's Scania was parked up over the Weekend with a to be transferred sticker, which got many minds thinking that it was off to Cornwall however that wasn't the case, due to a mix up  the old girl was subsequently back in service today substituting yet again for an ailing Enviro 200 on the 53. As can be seen from above Ipswich have a bit of a problem at the moment with I believe 3 Volvo B7TL's off the road, including 32486 which needs a new engine and has now been joined by 32491 which as can be seen has been deposited at the back of the depot and now 32487, whether this means any temporary additions to cover the losses we will have to wait and see.























Sitting in the Old Cattle Market after a weekend of Rail Replacement was First Ipswich Volvo B12M/Plaxton Paragon 20514 WVO2 EUP while sister 20515 was parked inside the depot, also alongside is Beestons Scania Omnidekka YN54 OAE.


Sunday, 15 March 2015

WESTERN GREYHOUND:THE DOMINO EFFECT

 Ex Pennine MPD Dart KN52 NFT on the 595 in Bocastle on the last day of service on Thursday picture copyright Steven M Guess https://www.flickr.com/photos/steves-travels

Sadly another independent company has left the bus scene albeit one in the south western part of England, Western Greyhound which had been one of the biggest Independent operators in the country sadly went into receivership on Thursday know you maybe thinking why have I included this on the Ipswich Bus Blog well suffice to say that First Devon & Cornwall will be taking over the majority of services and there has been talk of particular buses moving from Ipswich to help out, suffice to say I have asked the man in the know Chris Speed and he has said that all First Operating companies have been asked to help out and that no particular bus as yet has been singled out to leave.
By the same day the vast majority of the Western Greyhound fleet had moved to First's Cambourne depot where we see various Optare Solo's and Darts and interestingly an Bristol VR ex Western National AFJ 706T. Photo copyright Shane Webster https://www.flickr.com/photos/57604pendenniscastle/.

Friday, 13 March 2015

MORE ON 1985 AND OH WHAT A YEAR

Eastern Counties LN 593 WAH 593S braving the snow as heads to Dennington on the 273, yes in those days buses ran! I must thank again Peter Horrex for this picture for which it remains his copyright. Yes and what a year 1985 was who remembers the awful snow which inflicted misery in the January the big film of the month of March was Mad Max 3 Welcome to the Pleasuredome, with Mel Gibson and Tina Turner who also sang the theme tune and the number one was PWL's first number one You Spin Me Round Like a Record by Dead And Alive.
Ipswich Buses got themselves into a lot of bother during the end of the year when late deliveries of the Dennis Falcons meant the hiring in of Buses particularly AEC Swift's from Great Yarmouth, but also Northampton and this Bristol RE from Southend JEH 179K which originated with PMT but was bought from Oxford in 1984, photo and copyright Stuart Ray.
Photo copyright Peter Horrex.
This rather handsome all over advert from Interlink appeared on Eastern Counties VR 255 PCL 255W during the year, seen at the Felixstowe Dock terminus.
Photo Copyright Stuart Ray.
Here we see the last remaining IBT  ex Leeds Atlantean 44 UNW 404H for which i had a soft spot for this must of been one heck of strain lugging that over the Orwell Bridge with it's notorious heavy steering and lack of ventilation.

NORWICH RUNNING DAY  TIMETABLE
 

Wednesday, 11 March 2015

32487 ON THE 60/61 AGAIN AND 65579 LIKES THE 53!


Not an awful lot happening again this week Ipswich wise as you can see from above all the happenings concern buses straying off route, so both are from Monday's offerings firstly First Ipswich Volvo B7TL 32487 AU53 HKE appeared on the 60/61 Greenwich/Gainsborough routes while poor old Scania 65579 T579 JNG appears to have settled down to a life of 53's seen both today and Monday as below.

WEDNESDAY FLASHBACK


Once again my thanks to Peter Horrex for his allowance for me to use his photos for which they remain his copyright this photo continues the theme of long lost depots today's photo shows the Stradbroke depot which is now used for housing, here we see Driver Hughie Curtis with VR 187 PVF 359R In November 1983.





Monday, 9 March 2015

NORWICH RUNNING DAY







Just a quick blog to remind people of the Norwich Running day,  there will also be a bus leaving from Ipswich Railway Station provided by First with celebrated 32479 which will leave approx 0900, with yours truly aboard, you may even see me on conductor duties, although that's not confirmed. Routes will be hopefully as followed.
Route A . County Hall-Thorpe Road/Rail Station-Castle Meadow-Tombland-Rail Station/Riverside-County Hall.
Route B. County Hall- Thorpe Station/Rail Station- Castle Meadow-St Stephens- County Hall.
Route C. County Hall- Trowse-Caistor St. Edmunds- Stoke Holy Cross-Upper Stoke- Poringland- Arminghall-Trowse- County Hall.
Route D. County Hall- Mulbarton Common.
If vehicles are available a tour to Mousehold/Brittania Road will also operate.

Sunday, 8 March 2015

IPSWICH BUSES FLEET 1987

From my own collection we see Ipswich Atlantean's 4 HDX 907N and 32 SDX 32R in the Pickup Livery of Cream and Green.

1-35 Leyland Atlantean AN68/1R/Roe(9 of course was O43/29F rest were H43/29F) 1975-77
1-5 HDX 904-8N, 6-10 MRT 6-10P,11-20 RDX 11-20R,21-35 SDX 21-35R

36-40 Leyland Atlantean AN68C/1R/East Lancashire H46/27D
36 RBJ 36W,37-40 RGV 37-40W

63 ADX 63B AEC Regent V/Massey H37/28R
82 B82 NDX Dennis Dominator DDA907/East Lancashire H43/27D

83-88/94/95 Leyland Atlantean AN68/1R/Roe H43/29D
83-88 WPV 83-88L,94/95 TRT 95/96M

100-05 Dennis Falcon HC SDA 406/East Lancashire B44D
100-105 YDX 100-05Y
106  C106 SDX Dennis Falcon HC SDA 416/East Lancashire B44D

107-113 Dennis Falcon HC SDA 416/Northern Counties B45D
107-113 C107-113 SDX

144-47 Bristol B21/Alexander (Belfast) B49D
144-147 B114-17 LDX

200-202 Dodge S56/East Lancashire B21F
200 C200 WGV, 201 D201 SDX, 202 D202 YDX

203-08  200-202 Dodge S56/Northern Counties B21F (205-08 B20F)
203 D203 YDX,204 C204 WGV,205-08 E205-08 GPV

 211-213 Dodge S56/East Lancashire DP24F
 211-13 D471-73 UHC
 3 Pictures again courtesy and copyright  of Stuart Ray's Collection firstly we see unique Dennis Dominator 82 B82 NDX in the summer of 1988 on excursion duties, followed by 204 C204 WGV one of the first four Dodge Minibuses and the IMP branding on the 31 Dale Hall Circular entering the OCM and finally 111 C111 SDX an Northern Counties Dennis Falcon which only Ipswich and Hartlepool took I wonder why!




Friday, 6 March 2015

65590 REALLY IS THE PITS/EAST BERGHOLT OUTSTATION PIC

Thanks to Richard for this picture of Scania/Wright Axcess Floline 65590 V590 DVF at Barham Pits, still largely intact it even still has passenger information on the side windows.
And finally on today's rather short blog a chance to introduce you to Peter Horrex's wide collection of images, for which remain his copyright who has kindly allowed me the use to put them up on the blog, thanks Peter here we see long time Ipswich allocation Bristol RELL RLE 875 YAH 875J at the long gone East Bergholt outstation in 1980, not many years after RLE 875 ended up at Cambus in 1984.

New Liveries, Recent Transfers and a huge update.

  Seen in Colchester is a First Essex Streetlite 47667 SN15 ACO which has the new logo on the front , fleet name on the side but with no lar...