66959 ARRIVES AT IPSWICH

66959 WX55 TZM a Volvo B7RLE/Wrightbus Eclipse seen here today at Foxglove Close on it's way towards Felixstowe on the 75 this morning. Thanks again to James Long for whom it remains his copyright.

Just a quick blog tonight to say that 66959 WX55 TZM one of the 3 remaining Volvo B7RLE'S at Norwich has arrived at Ipswich and was put straight into service on the Felixstowe's this morning, unfortunately the last Enviro 200 at Clacton 44516 which was supposedly due here at the weekend never arrived, while sister 44519 has still not re entered service.

Volvo B10BLE 62143 seen here resting at Tower Ramparts on Saturday whilst on the 60/61s

FIRST IPSWICH CHANGES FOR AUGUST

69432 AU58 FFV a Volvo BRLE yesterday on 60/61s to Gainsborough/Greenwich.

Not to much to report, fleet wise today apart from saying that Enviro 200 44519 hasn't returned to service yet as it was still in the depot yesterday. In other news First have announced there changes for August 31st the main plus being the takeover of the 192/H from Ipswich Buses, for which i would imagine the Trident used on this service will join the main fleet it will be renumbered to X66/H66 and will extend to the Old Cattle Market, the 66's extension to Halifax will be cut back to it's original terminus at the Railway Station. Other changes include less pm journeys on the 55 to Bixley and minor timetable adjustments to the 64/A/65 to Aldeburgh/Saxmundham, 67 Martlesham and the withdrawal of the 89 from Claydon at 0846.

While Maidenhall Green was closed during the week the Double Deckers had to find other routes including 59 PJ53 OLB an East Lancs Lowlander.

44519 FIRST PICS AND 23314

Taken from Chris Speed's Twitter feed today are two images from the first Enviro 200 44519 to arrive back from Rotherham this evening, first one shows the exterior view and the second the interior view following below is the first shots of 23314 which had arrived from Portsmouth early this week many thanks to James Long and the depot staff for permission to take the photos.

 It is certainly nice to see First Ipswich growing again after years of neglect, with new managers in place and new contracts being won, lets hope it continue. Many thanks for this news goes to Chris Speed at First for the continued updates.

STRANGE HAPPENINGS AND IB REPAINTS

Another repaint for Ipswich Buses is the last EL Dart to be repainted 88 PJ53 OLK

Another repainting following on from Optare Solo243 YN04 LWJ seen below at Constantine Road Depot photo from IB's twitter feed is a fully refurbished EL Dart 88 PJ53 OLK as seen above which is the last ex Park and Ride Dart to be done. However today was a strange day for the wrong buses being on the wrong routes, included 2 Double Deckers on the 1 to Ravenswood, 1 on the X1 to Greenwich and 1 on the X5 to Ipswich Hospital, while EL Dart 99 was on the 15, 93 on the 7 and one other on the 11, First Ipswich were not to be out done either they had 65672-74 all on the 53 which was highly strange hopefully the passengers will get over their numb bums. As far as i know there will be refurbished buses due to arrive this week, plus the exchange deal with Clacton for Enviro 200 44516 more news later in the week.

An unusual visitor to Old Cattle Market at 0930 was ex Dublin Bus Volvo Olympian/Alexander RH 1482 PP.

What looks like a recent Purchase for Mulley's was a Volvo B10M/Jonckherre coach X472 KUT still in it's last owners livery seen here in Crown Street lay by.

32479 NEARLY READY A FIRST PEEK !

Many thanks to Chris Speed for this exclusive first peek of 32479 AU53 HJV at Rotherham Works and boy doesn't she look absolutely stunning, just one more coat to go on plus the vinyls and she's ready to go, the livery really does suit her love the wheel trim is spot on too. Also due to return this week is one of the Enviro 200's possibly 44519, while the last one due from Clacton 44516 is due here next weekend with one of Ipswich's remaining Scania saloons.

Remembering how it was VR 143 GNG 709N in the early 1990's showing how nice the livery looked when newly repainted, some say it was fussy in my opinion it was simple but quietly effective.

Single deck style here with LN 592 WAH 592S at Kings Lynn this time check out the Leyland badge.

66850 IN SERVICE AND 23312 ARRIVAL

66850 MX05 CHD was soon in service after it's arrival yesterday afternoon from Rotherham seen here in Belmont Road this morning on the 53. Photo copyright James Long

As seen above 66850 MXO5 CHD a Volvo B7RLE/Wrightbus Eclipse arrived back yesterday afternoon from Rotherham and was straight back into service this morning on the 53's as seen above, below is a picture of 23312 YN54 NYT taken with the kind permission of the Ipswich depot staff, again by James Long.

Also as an addition to the news mentioned in the last blog is that all the new Sunday services provided by First Ipswich the 65B and the 116 will be provided free of charge for the first two weeks.

MORE RAIL REPLACEMENTS AND MORE COMINGS AND GOING!

69009 has returned from refurbishment and is seen here today on the 77 to Felixstowe route

As can be seen above 69009 AU05 DMX has returned from refurbishment and was put back into service today after arriving from Rotherham yesterday also now departed is Enviro 200 44517 YXO9 ACY leaving just 44516 still to arrive, also arriving on Monday was Volvo B7RLE 69011 AU05 DMZ which entered service yesterday on the 55 to Bixley before emigrating onto the 60/61Greenwich/Gainsborough routes today and will depart to Rotherham tomorrow with Volvo B7RLE 66850 MX05 CHD returning tomorrow.

Volvo B7RLE 69011 AU05 DMZ seen here today on the 60 to Gainsborough.

23312 YN54 NYT a Scania K114 EB/Irizar PB coach seen here with First Cymru.

Two further coaches have or will arrived at Ipswich for work on the current Ipswich Rail replacement contract they are 23312/14 YN54 NYT/V Scania K114 coaches from First Hampshire at Southampton and in future will be used for both Rail Replacement work and private hire.