THE BEST AEC DOUBLE DECKER POLL

Copyright Clive Brown https://www.flickr.com/photos/cliveabrown/2828777874/in/photolist-5iYe7j

AEC RML 2610 NML 610E on the 37 to Hounslow.

Now time again for the best decker of the week poll, last weeks winner i can proudly announced with over half the vote drum roll please was the Bristol VR in all shapes and forms with 51%, the Lodekka came second with 29% and the poor Bristol K, last with just 18%. This week i have chosen the AEC as the make of bus, with two types familiar with former municipal operators in the Suffolk/Norfolk/Essex region that of the Regent III and the Regent V, along with the AEC RT and the Routemaster, so get voting.

Copyright Stuart Ray ICT AEC Regent III 22 EPV 22 in 1973 this would be likely be towards the end of it's life above you can see where offices are now in Crown Street are in Ipswich.

Copyright Barry Lewis https://www.flickr.com/photos/16179216@N07/15120898882/in/photolist-p3byr9

London Country AEC RT 4785 OLD 822 on the 441 to Old Windsor.

My vote goes for the AEC Regent V as i grew up just in time to witness the end of them during the late 1980's here we see 46 OPV 46 in 1974 with ICT in Crown Street. Copyright Stuart Ray

GALLOWAY SOLOS AND FIRST IPSWICH UPDATE

Many thanks to my colleague at the museum Owen for allowing me to use this photo, currently these two Optare Solo SR's are on loan until the two that are currently being built are ready in October one i can make out as KX15 BLK the other is also an KX15 as well by the look of things, these are going to be used for the newly won contract the 113/4 to Diss from next Tuesday. A footnote to yesterday's report is that currently ex Ipswich Volvo B7RLE's 66977/82 are at Norwich with 66976/78/80 leaving this weekend. Seen below is a better photo of the two Enviro 200's thanks Joe of the two on their way back to Ipswich with 44928 EU08 FHB leading, below back in May one of the departing Volvo B7RLES 66978 was unusually on the 53 sitting in for one of the regular E200's. In independent news Mulley's of Ixworth sister company of Beestons have two ex Dublin Bus Volvo B7TL/ALX 400 deckers one has been registered LW51 ZDY the other one is still awaiting registration.

RETURNING E200'S TO IPSWICH

Many thanks to my good friend at First Ipswich, Joe Thorpe for the first picture's of the two AD Enviro 200's 44928 EU08 FHB/45119 RT09 JPT, which were awaiting collection from Rotherham Works 44928  was new to Olympus Bus,Harlow and 45118 to JPT, Middleton both are scheduled to be used on the 59/70/A/72 contract's from the 1st September next Tuesday, leaving Ipswich will be 66976/80/82 Volvo B7RLE's to Norwich this is due to the reduction of PVR on the 64 service. 20514 WV02 EUP Ipswich's Volvo B12M private hire coach is also still there work is being done slowly at present.

BEESTONS AUSTIN CXB 1948 READY FOR SHOWBUS

If you are off to Showbus this coming month then you will see this splendid Beestons 1948 Austin CXB with a Plaxtom Body  BCF 802 which since these photos have been taken has been fully restored by Cobus over the last three years, this beauty has not seen the light of day since the 1960's, and currently is the only example of this coach with a Plaxton body in the UK, the other example is currently on the island of Malta with Cancau. With kind thanks to David Burrows of Beestons for allowing me the chance to feature this one of a kind.

IB TRIDENT 22 IN SERVICE AND OTHER NEWS

Caught a fraction too early was Ipswich Buses Trident 22 LR02 BBJ which entered service yesterday on the X5 unfortunately due to the sun being in the wrong place in Tower Ramparts this was the best shot i could get. The other 3 Tridents are hopefully going to be 23-25 while the Mercedes Benz Citarios should be delivered within the next month. Ipswich Buses are still offering the £2 return ticket at least on routes X1/X3 presumably until the end of the School Holidays.

One of very few IB buses remain with names attached one of the remaining X Reg Darts which will be withdrawn later on in September is 96 X96 LBJ seen today on the 16.

LAST EX FEC SCANIA L113 WITHDRAWN AND DARTS IN PLYMOUTH.

Well it had to happen the last ex FEC Park and Ride Scania L113 CRL 65556 R556 CNG was withdrawn with First Essex at Clacton in May, also of noteworthy news is the withdrawal of the majority of the ex FEC New World First Bus Dart SLF's at Plymouth with the sale of the Plymouth operation to Stagecoach Devon, these are 42752/58/64/84 S652/58/64/84 SNG, this will leave one still in operation in Bath 42754, seen above in happier days is 65556 at Castle Meadow Norwich and below 42752 also in Castle Meadow.

ETCS OLD BUCKENHAM RALLY

First Norwich's ex London Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 32100 LT02 ZCJ alongside EATM's Eastern Counties Bristol Lodekka LFL 57 557 BNG.

Welcome to a photo special of buses from today's ETCS Old Buckenham Rally.

 Today's star turn was Chris Speed's and Danny Beales Great Yarmouth AEC Swift 85 WEX 685M which also won best Classic Bus well done to you both, a pleasure to spend the day with you chaps.

As a contrast to our very own Ipswich Heritage Volvo B7TL 32479 was First Great Yarmouth's 32059 W219 XBD.

My favourite coach body the Plaxton Supreme V shown here by Smiths of Norton Volvo B10M FAH 275Y and the Cambridge Transport Society OK Motor Services liveried Leyland Tiger LFT 5X.

Two different generations on is a rare one from the ETCS a Dennis Condor/Duple H74 ANG with a staggering 110 seats from the China Motor Bus fleet followed by the ETCS Eastern Counties Bristol Lodekka LKD 229 OVF 229 which spent it's life by and large in Suffolk.