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?