EASTERN COUNTIES COACHES PART ONE

Over the course of the history of Eastern Counties there has been many fine coaches now sadly there is none, since the transfer of the last coach to Chelmsford, today is a chance to look back at some of the best examples, firstly above we see the very stylish E.C.W body on the Bristol J05G chassis this being an 1936 example LG 13 later LJ 443 AVF 363 at London Victoria post war.

After the Second World War, coaching work increased as more people took UK holidays here we see the very stylish full fronted Bristol LWL6B with again E.C.W body, this being LS 705 KNG 705 from 1951.

Copyright ETCS

New in 1957 and never receiving NBC livery, thankfully retaining the classic cream and maroon livery but downgraded to bus work is Bristol LS/ LS 774 VVF 774 retained coach seats but gained a 4 piece destination display, as seen here.

Copyright CJ Nixon

Seen at the Bury St Edmunds Cotton Lane depot and still in the smart cream and maroon livery is Bristol MW/E.C.W LS 808 3808 PW new in 1962.

Copyright CJ Nixon

By the time of the 1970's many classic coaches received the National Express all white livery which truth be told never suited them, here at the Old Cattle Market in Ipswich is Bristol RE/E.C.W RE 894 SVF 894G. 

TWO FIRST ESSEX ADL VOLVO B7TL TO TRANSFER TO IPSWICH

Seen here in Norwich Castle Meadow is Volvo B7TL/ ALX 400 32652 AU05 MUP when originally with FEC back in 2006 when a year old.

With thanks to the First Eastern Counties blog on Facebook we learn that 2 First Essex ADL Volvo B7TL/ALX 400 from 32651/52 and 32654 will be transferred to First Ipswich from Chelmsford where 20514 the last Volvo B12M/Plaxton Paragon has recently departed for a School contract this leaves the Eastern Counties for the first time in it's history without any coaches, 32652 did transfer to Ipswich initially back in late October 2013 before passing to Essex the following month. In other news Ipswich Buses Excel 173 has returned to service after a brief period off the road, whilst Scania Omnidekka 60 has spent the week inside the depot under repair, whilst spots this week include DAF Lowlander 56 on the 5 on Wednesday alongside Scania Omnidekka 61 and Lowlander 59 on the 5 on Friday, whilst today Optare Solo 244 was on the 1 alongside Enviro 200 102, and on the 8 Enviro 300 83 and Dart 88, on First Ipswich's town service 60/61 Deckers 32488 on Wednesday and 32656 on Thursday and Friday.

Photo from the late Jim Long collection.

Ipswich Buses Optare Solo 244 found it's way on to the 1 today instead of the usual fare of Optare Versa's.

Back in NBC days Eastern Counties operated the Ipswich to London National Express service and when not required operated on local services seen here operating the 204 to Stowmarket is Bristol RE 850 SAH 850M.

SUMMER ROUND UP

Well i didn't expect to be doing another blog after a lot of people not wanting me to continue, however after a long pause i am going to come back with the highlights of whats been going on these last three months starting with Ipswich Buses coming in at the start of June was the Bio Gas Bus a Scania ADL E400 MMC CBG DD16 GAS which was on loan for a period of six weeks and first featured on Ipswich Buses stand at the Suffolk Show, other news concerning this period was the entry into service of three more Scania Omnicity deckers 44-46, seen below first of all 46 YR61 RPX, followed by 45 YR61 RVE and finally 44 in the first week of August which started it's career working in red on Ipswich Buses ex Carters services 92-94. Currently there are 3 Darts out of service firstly East Lancs 85 and ex Lothian 134/137 all with engine failure, all three will return to service when time allows.

 Galloways have been with repaints in this time frame with both remaining VDL SB180/MCV Evolutions 331 YJ60 GFA and 337 YJ60 GDO while new to Galloways VDL SB120/Wright 227 3367 PP and 228 AY55 DGV have also been done i believe both have now received fleet names. Noted today repainted was Optare Solo 279 4092 PP.

Time has been spent in Lowestoft and Colchester during this time and the one bus shining a light through the current fleet was Heritage Liveried First Lowestoft ADL Dart SLF 42926 SN05 EAE.