Ipswich Bus Blog: October 2015

Saturday, 31 October 2015

CARTERS FLEETLIST UPDATED OCTOBER

Carters Dennis Trident 403 LG02 FCA seen on the now withdrawn 96 to Mistley.

FLEET LIST AS OF DECEMBER 2015

260 AY60 BYD DAF SB180/ MCV Evolution B40F 2010
351 NK51 ZSR Volvo B10M/Caetano Enigma C53F 2002
415 P915 RYO Volvo Olympian/Northern Counties Palatine H74F 1997
427 G727 XDL Leyland Olympian/Leyland H47/29F 1990
439 K739 ODL Volvo Olympian/Northern Counties Palatine H76F
456 R156 LHK Volvo Olympian/Alexander Belfast H80F 1998
402 LG02 FEV Dennis Trident 2/Alexander ALX 400 H66F 2002
403 LG02 FEV Dennis Trident 2/Alexander ALX 400 H66F 2002
404 LG02 FCE Dennis Trident 2/Alexander ALX 400 H66F 2002
405 LR52 KWH Dennis Trident 2/Plaxton President H73F 2003
406 LX04 FYB Dennis Trident 2/Alexander ALX 400 H45/31F 2004
407 LX03 BTF Dennis Trident 2/Alexander ALX 400 H45/31F 2003
VINTAGE BUS FLEET

DFG33 314 PFM Bristol FSF6G/ECW H60F 1960
RML 2266 CUV 286C AEC Routemaster/Park Royal H72F 1965
OT3 JNG 50N Bristol VR/ECW O43/31F 1975
VR 294 VEX 294X Bristol VR/ECW H43/31F 1981

Carters Ex Eastern Counties Bristol VR Open Top OT3 JNG 50N.

Carters Northern Counties Palatine Volvo Olympian 415 P915 RYO

Friday, 30 October 2015

IPSWICH TROLLEYBUSES RECALLED

I'm obviously too young to remember the heyday of Ipswich's Trolleybuses in the 1950's but volunteering in the ITM and listening to the tales of my dad, of how quick and skittish they were to travel on, and not only that but my late Uncle Fred worked for Ransomes and helped put together the Trolleybuses during the 1930's and 1940's, for which my dad has told me many tales of the work that went in to them, hence my fascination with them. Above in the first picture is a Ransomes Type D Trolleybus 41 DX 7683 at Ipswich Railway Station in 1949 which originally had a verandah front and half cab for one man use, it was rebuilt in 1948. In a photo below copyright Geoff Lumb we see 113 PV 8870 a Karrier/Park Royal heading back towards Electric House or Tower Ramparts as the younger of us may not know, this image could roughly be taken today on Nacton Road, as very little has changed although the island shelter is no longer in situ.

Thursday, 29 October 2015

IB ODDITIES AND PART OF THE OLD 19 SERVICE SAVED

Probably due to the school holidays this week saw a number of deckers being used by Ipswich Buses on routes which don't normally see them the X1 to Greenwich and the X3 to John Lewis above we see Dennis Trident 17 LG02 FEM on the X1 whilst DAF Lowlander 59 was on the X3 along with below Dennis Trident 12 LG02 FDC, normally the 6/A would see these Deckers instead Single Deckers were the main stay today with Darts 90/91/136 and AD Enviro 200 81. Something i haven't picked up is IB will restore an service link which the old 19 service used with a new service which will start from Stratford Court via the old 19 route along Valley Road and Norwich Road to Tower Ramparts the deal was thrashed out between MP Dr Poulter and Jeremy Cooper MD of Ipswich Buses, after complaints from older residents, other changes from Monday see an additional X5 journey on Sunday mornings and a change to the route on the 4 around Bixley Farm.

Wednesday, 28 October 2015

WEDNESDAY FLASHBACK A CONTRAST IN SINGLE DECKERS

Know i don't know where this particular picture is taken if anyone knows, but shows Ipswich Buses Bristol B21 115 B115 LDX when pretty new so around 1985/86 i know the owner of this wonderful machine will be pretty pleased it's being shown again!

Another one where the location eludes me but shows the classic Eastern Counties cream and maroon on Bristol MW LS 814 3814 PW and in the back of the photo an Bartons coach so could it be Nottingham?.

Tuesday, 27 October 2015

FIRST IPSWICH ALLOCATIONS

First Ipswich Volvo B7RLE/Wrightbus Eclipse Urban 69422 AU58 FFJ seen here last year shortly after refurbishment and repaint.

First Ipswich Fleetlist

20514 WVO2 EUP Volvo B12M/Plaxton Paragon C49FT
32479/86-94 AU53 HJV/HKD-H/J-M Volvo B7TL/Transbus ALX 400 H49/29F
32653/55/56 AU05 MUV/Y/MVA Volvo B7TL/ADL ALX 400 H49/27F

44516-19 YX09 ACV/Y/Z/ADO ADL Dart 4/ADL Enviro 200 B35F
44928/44519 EU08 FHB/RT09 JPT ADL Dart 4/ADL Enviro 200 B28F

66850 MX05 CHD Volvo B7RLE/Wrightbus Eclipse Urban B43F
66950/57/59 WX55 TZM/U/W Volvo B7RLE/Wrightbus Eclipse Urban B43F
66979/81/83-87 KXO5 MHF/MHK/M-O/U/V Volvo B7RLE/Wrightbus Eclipse Urban B43F
69005-11 AU05 DME/F/O/V/X-Z Volvo B7RLE/Wrightbus Eclipse Urban B43F
69422-28 AU58 FFJ-P Volvo B7RLE/Wrightbus Eclipse Urban B43F

Volvo B7TL 32489 AU53 HKG in August whilst on the 60/61 routes to Greenwich/Gainsborough.

Monday, 26 October 2015

CARTERS REPLACEMENT TRIDENT/LOWESTOFT CHANGES

Many thanks to Viv Carter, for his permission to feature their replacement Dennis Trident 406 LX04 FYB which replaces the fire damaged LX51 FJN, below i have put up the changes to the Lowestoft area services of Anglian this sees many reductions in service and is controversial to the least.

Today's bonus picture is a wonderful image of one of Ipswich Corporation Transport AEC Regent V's 46 OPV 46 this would of been taken towards the end of it's career, heading towards Gainsborough in the abbreviated form of Gainsboro on the 6B.

Sunday, 25 October 2015

HISTORY OF EASTERN COUNTIES BRISTOL VR IN IPSWICH 1969-76

Taken by Stuart Ray, in its brief time at Ipswich is Eastern Counties Bristol VR 375 UAH 375G the first of it's kind to be allocated to Ipswich in June 1969 and lasted just over a year being the only one of two series one VR allocated from new to Ipswich, it was replaced by VR 368 TNG 368G from Norwich in October 1970, a bus which would then serve Ipswich on and off for it's 16 year career, VR 370 TNG 370G arrived in January 1971 and stayed for three years until transferred to Wisbech in 1973, VR 368 transferred to Bury St Edmunds just over a year from transfer from Norwich,replaced by a brand new in a series 2 VR in VR 387 BNG 448J another which would transfer to Bury St Edmunds three years later and reappear back in Ipswich towards the end of it's career, no more transfers occurred until 1973 when VR 365/72 TNG 365/72G arrived from Norwich for a three year spell, followed by VR 378 VNG 378H also from Norwich in 1974 before moving to Bury St Edmunds in October 1975, VR 396 ENG 396K arrived from Great Yarmouth for just one month then moving to Peterborough, with VR 380 XAH 380H coming in the other direction for a month before going back to Peterborough. This is just the first part of the history of the Bristol VR in Ipswich which finally finished in Ipswich just under 14 years ago, the second part will take us from 1976-1981 with the arrival of the first series three VR's and the withdrawal of the series one VR's.

VR 370 TNG 370G during 1972 in the Ipswich OCM.

Saturday, 24 October 2015

FIRST IPSWICH PROSTATE CANCER PEDAL AND OTHER THINGS

Just a few things to add to yesterday's blog, as can be seen seen above Ipswich Depot staff kicked off their 25 hour pedal for Prostrate Cancer, the event was organised by two lady drivers Alison Clark and Kirsten Elliot and started this morning at 10.00 am with Freddie the Frog who was being a bit lively having photos taken and trying to cajole passengers into giving money for one minute i thought it was Chris Speed as Freddie, but as he is on holiday....

Today saw a few odd things to report including the use of Ipswich Buses Optare Solo 244 YN53 ELW on the 16, an DAF Lowlander on the X3, whilst First Ipswich used full length Enviro 200 44519 on the 59 and Volvo B7RLE 69428 on the 53. An odd working on Saturday's is an spare Ipswich Buses single decker working the 12.31 from Bixley Farm on the 4 as an extra bus is needed for covering the extension to Martlesham at lunchtimes, Monday to Friday this is covered by a Double Decker coming off the 6A at 1125, the Saturday working involves a dead run to Bixley Farm from Tower Ramparts. Seen below is IB East Lancs Dart 98 X98 LBJ covering this duty.

Friday, 23 October 2015

FIRST IPSWICH RAISING MONEY FOR PROSTATE CANCER/FRIDAY FLASHBACK

First Ipswich Volvo B7RLE 66987 KX05 MHV outside the Ipswich OCM on the 61 yesterday.

Today is an special plea to all my fellow Bus Lovers to give as generously as you can to a cause that's very dear to my heart as it effects a member of my family, First Group this year have chosen Prostrate Cancer UK as there chosen charity, Ipswich depot through one of their lady drivers Alison Clark have organised a 24 hour static cycle using two exercise bikes from 10 am tomorrow until 10 am Sunday at the Old Cattle Market Bus Station.

FRIDAY FLASHBACK

Today sees us visiting Cromer Bus Station and we see Eastern Counties VR 134 RAH 134M shortly after deregulation still in NBC Red.

Thursday, 22 October 2015

AN VAN HOOL ASTROMEGA SLEEPER BUS VISIT/ AND A IPSWICH ATLANTEAN REAPPEARS

Well it was one of those days where not an awful lot happens, no oddities in terms of buses being on the wrong routes, well there was one that being First Ipswich Volvo B7RLE 66957 on the 53 deputising for Enviro 200 44517 which i later saw undergoing a road test, while it's non branded sister 44519 was working on the 88/89 Stowmarket runs,Volvo B7TL 32479 has now returned to Ipswich due to a bus being involved in a RTA on Monday. Then i spotted the above beast belonging to MMB Band services unloading outside the Corn Exchange from what i can make out from their website is a Van Hool TX27 Astromega sleeper bus registered SB59 MMB which caters for 7-16 people and has a huge kitchen area and multiple TV's amongst other things. Lately there has been a lot of rumour flying about First and there position in Ipswich, I can categorically state that they are not leaving Ipswich and that the depot now has a new lease, you may have noticed that there Buses have been looking a little dirty lately well that's been due to their washer being out of use for 10 weeks this will be solved by next week, as new parts are on the way. Below i have an surprise my thanks to Tony Hunter who spotted ex Ipswich Buses Atlantean 2 HDX 905N at Plaxton's Anston repair centre previously with Loughton Junior and Infant School as an library bus, new owner unknown, and now minus an centre exit door, makes it the second Atlantean from Ipswich Buses to reappear this year the other being 83 WPV 83L with whom we still don't know who owns it.

Tuesday, 20 October 2015

32479 ON LOAN TO NORWICH/ITM 50TH PLUG

Ipswich are currently loaning Volvo B7TL VA 479 32479 AU53 HJV to Norwich for this and next week releasing a bus for a Bernard Matthews contract, 32479 will all being well be at the ITM 50th Anniversary on the 15th November along with Chris Speed's Great Yarmouth AEC Swift 85 WEX 685M along with other special guests including a rare tripo back to Ipswich of ICT AEC Regent III 24 EPV 24.

Monday, 19 October 2015

IB CITARO SERVICE PICTURES

Well after 12 days of not being able to get out i finally get to see Ipswich Buses Mercedes Benz Citaro's in service, well two out of the three as one 155 was taken out of service as early as 10.15, came in to Tower Ramparts, then parked up in the Lay By and when i came back later had disappeared, so the allocation today was Trident 22, Scania Olympus 68/69 and Citaro's 153/54. Below also saw me capture a golden oldie in Galloway Volvo B10M/Vanhool NJI 9244 today in Crown Street Lay by not many of these stylish beasts exist locally so made a nice change to spot one.

Galloway NJI 9244 a Volvo B10M/Van Hool on Swimming Contract.

Saturday, 17 October 2015

NEW BLOG SCHEDULE

Eastern Counties Bristol Lodekka LKD 196 VVF 196 in Norwich around 1968 onwards was withdrawn in 1974 never recieving NBC Livery.

This is how things will be changing from now on in, blogs will appear less frequently partly due to health reasons and also i have run out of ideas, from now on in there will be one at the weekend and 1-2 during the week depending on the news that is available to me if people can help me out by spotting anything unusual or new either contact me via E-Mail or via Twitter. This week has seen the introduction of the IB Mercedes Benz Citarios and my good friend Steve W has written a good report on them, glowing maybe not, he made quite a few good points see it here http://busandtrain.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/what-grey-day.html#comment-form
I was to join him yesterday but unfortunately due to my continued problems i haven't yet.

FLEET NEWS

Beestons have a further coach in Scania K113CRB/Van Hool Alizee C44FT new to Durham Travel Services this was acquired from Silver Choice, East Kilbride, a further Scania Omnidekka ex Go Ahead London has been bought from Ensign in YN03 DFE.

Seen here is Eastern Counties Bristol RE RLE 869 WPW 869H at Felixstowe Bus Station in 1982.

Friday, 16 October 2015

TAKING A REST

I'm sorry to say for the time beginning that due to personal health problems and with my dad being ill, i no longer have the time to devote to the blog at this current time, unless someone is willing to takeover this will be the last one for some time unless things improve, unfortunately the blog has taken over my life leaving me with very little time for other things.

Thursday, 15 October 2015

MORE EX FEC BUSES ON THERE WAY OUT/THURSDAY FLASHBACK

https://www.flickr.com/photos/marauder43366/5155112903/in/photolist-8RxisX-5avXKf-xQYNZJ

Recent withdrawals in both Plymouth and the Bristol area have seen the final ex Hong Kong Darts which were at Norwich withdrawn from service the last one in use was 42754 S653 SNG above when with Devon & Cornwall in Plymouth, bought back from Hong Kong when New World First Bus changed ownership in 2001/02, they didn't stay long in Norwich being transferred out from 2005 onwards being swapped with some of Devon & Cornwall's P and R reg non Air conditioned buses. Recent buses placed into reserve elsewhere within First see's Scania's 65578 T578 JNG withdrawn in the Potteries at Adderley Green and in Scotland Glasgow have both 65591/93 W591/93 SNG in reserve with 65595 W595 SNG at Scotland East's Bannockburn depot. For Thursday's flashback another recent slide purchase sees Eastern Counties Bristol FLF 457 JPW 457D in a rather attractive all over add, originally allocated from new at Ipswich this transferred to Norwich mid 1970 seen here in the old Norwich Bus Station.

Wednesday, 14 October 2015

IPSWICH BUSES MERCEDES BENZ CITARO'S ENTER SERVICE WITH A LOCAL CELEB ON BOARD

Photo from Ipswich Buses Twitter feed. Citaro 154 BF65 HFU.

Ipswich Buses Mercedes Benz Citario's 153-55 BF65 HFT/U/V finally entered service today on the 9/10 Whitton/Castle Hill service on one bus local BBC Suffolk presenter Mark Murphy announced the stops as he already does on the Park And Ride and the X3 services, my debut aboard said buses will have to wait until Friday at least. One other thing to mention in today's Ipswich Star is the mention of the lack of toilets again in the Old Cattle Market, as the areas local WI are going on a campaign march next Wednesday, now it's been two years since the Bus Station was refurbished what idiots at SCC decided that at a major interchange you don't have any facilities! Bonus picture today from my archive sees ICT Karrier/Park Royal Trolleybus 112 PV 8869 at Rushmere Heath ready to travel back to Whitton on the 9, photo copyright Geoff Lumb.

Monday, 12 October 2015

MORE MEMORIES FROM 1982

More from 1982 today, mainly due to being stuck inside with a cold i thought i would trawl through Flickr and bring some more photos of the time, 1982 saw Eastern Counties abandon Shotley on Sunday with Ipswich Borough Transport stepping in to replace it, initially the buses were packed with Old Age Pensioners for just 2p, if memory serves me correct this route would renumbered 22-24 within the year and i would enjoy a round trip every Sunday for just 10p, here we see IBT East Lancs Atlantean 40 RGV 40W, photo from the Stuart Ray collection.

Photo Copyright Peter Horrex.
Following that we see Eastern Counties Bristol VR 390 BNG 452J on the 250 at Levington although by the Service blind you wouldn't know.

Another one from Stuart Ray sees IBT Atlantean 14 RDX 14R on Chantry, Robin Drive,still in the Cream/Green livery from 5 years previously by this time buses were beginning to return more to the Green with cream in the centre livery that the East Lancs Atlantean's 36-40 RBJ 36W/RGV 37-40W first appeared with the previous year.

Finally we finish with a picture from Peter Horrex of Eastern Counties Leyland National LN 599 WVF 599S heading back to Ipswich through the pretty scenery of Newbourne on the 241, Eastern Counties of course have long ago abandoned these places, so this makes it even more poignant.

Sunday, 11 October 2015

EASTERN COUNTIES ALLOCATION DECEMBER 1982: THE BRISTOL RE AXE

Both Pictures from my good friend Peter Horrex's collection and whose copyright they are.

The end of 1982 saw the beginning of the end for Eastern Counties and the Bristol RE, the one place that was mostly affected by the cull was Great Yarmouth with 6 being on the list for disposal, what was strange in some respects was by and large it was the younger ones from 1970-72 being chosen for the cull rather than the earlier flat screen versions, one of the Ipswich survivors seen above was RL 667 PPW 667F, the only one withdrawn from Ipswich was RL 728 YPW 728J. The youngest one withdrawn was RL 520 HPW 520L from Cromer at just 10 years old, the end would come four years later with many of the Ipswich allocation finishing there days at Bury St Edmunds the last one to depart being RL 513 EPW 513K in 1986.

Seen here in Claydon in 1980 was another Ipswich survivor RL 507 CNG 507K another one that finished it's days in Bury St Edmunds

Saturday, 10 October 2015

EASTERN COUNTIES AFTERLIVES

Two Eastern Counties after lives today the first one complete with it being a little lopsided is LKH 74 GVF 74 which was the first of the batch to be withdrawn in 1963 after which it passed to Jordan's of Coltishall purchased in 4/64 it only lasted 5 months so this makes this picture rather rare. Below we see LSC 875 WAH 875 new in 1958 for coach operations and converted to one man bus operation in 1966 it was withdrawn after just 10 years use in 1968 passing to Jordan's at Coltishall, sold to V.C Transport LTD in Leigh on Sea in 4/68, then just under a year later passing to Bickers of Coddenham seen in there yard below finally sold for scrap in 03/77.

Friday, 9 October 2015

FIRST IPSWICH WIN CUSTOMER SERVICE POLL

First Ipswich Volvo B7TL 32655 AU05 MUV seen back in March on the 66 to Martlesham Heath.

Congratulations to the team at First Ipswich who won my first poll of the year, for the best customer service in Ipswich and Suffolk, there nearest rival was Ipswich Buses who polled just 34% of the vote, this presents a healthy picture for First in Ipswich who in there recent past suffered from poor customer service under the previous management team, so well done to all the drivers and management, Chris Speed, Stephen Fountain and Cliff Hussey amongst others, for this change around during the last 18 months or so.

Part of the improvement in Ipswich's performance was the refurbishment last year of all the fleet with E leather seats and Wi Fi as well as a new local identity and the repaint of Volvo B7TL 32479 into an Eastern Counties heritage livery. Here we see Volvo B7RLE 69008 AU05 DME.

Volvo B7TL 32479 AU53 HJV at the press launch last year of the heritage livery at the ITM alongside the museum's Bristol Lodekka LFS 125 GNG 125C.

Thursday, 8 October 2015

THURSDAY FLASHBACK

After yesterdays launch of Ipswich Buses Mercedes Benz Citaro's time to step back into the time tunnel and recall two very different pictures the first is very local the second more to the west of the region. First picture illustrates the unique East Lancs Dennis Falcon C106 SDX bought at the same time with the Bristol B21's, the attractive half green and cream evidently was a throwback to the 1970's and in my opinion was an attractive livery and of the various types of Falcon body was probably the most attractive, 106 ended up in Jordans of Coltishall scrapyard, sadly being scrapped for a unique bus a shame. Below we see Eastern Counties Bristol KSW LKH 269 LNG 269 in Cambridge and with the Mini Van alongside it with an H reg Plate of 1969 it would indicate between it was taken late 1969 and withdrawal in early 1971, there was two types of Bristol K's, Ipswich would of been allocated the Lowbridge type (LK) due to the low height of Ipswich depot, whilst others were as below LKH.

Wednesday, 7 October 2015

IB MERCEDES BENZ CITARO'S LAUNCH

Two of the three Ipswich Buses Mercedes Benz Citaro's were on hand today to launch the new buses for routes 9/10 Whitton/Castle Hill, the buses had there names blanked out on the side ready for the mayor of Ipswich to unveil the two World War 2 heroes names at 1.00pm, the two receiving the names were 154 BF65 HVU and 155 BF65 HVV whilst sister 153 BF65 HVT was seen yesterday on route and type training. Meanwhile Ipswich Buses were getting people used to Single Decks on the 9 with Scania Omnicity 73 YN56 NVE.

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