Buses in Norfolk & Suffolk in the past up to present ~ Part One

As promised, over a week late, i can bring you part one of buses in Norfolk & Suffolk in the past up to present. Some photographs involved will be copyright to Syd Eade and some will be to me.

I'll start with Plaxton Paragons WV02EUR 20515 & WV02EUP 20515. They are both ex National express and built for long journeys such as the X1, which was previously run by vehicles of this type.

 Here we see 20515 WV02EUR just after arriving at the Caister Road depot. Copyright Syd Eade.
A few months later they were then sent away and branded for the X1 from Gt Yarmouth to Norwich. When they got sent away everyone got excited saying things such as "Oh my god they are going to look so great!" and then they came back....and people were disappointed. They were all expecting a new livery or a tidy up but all that happened is a few stickers were applied.

 Here we see 20514 WV02EUP outside BHS in Great Yarmouth on the return journey from Norwich and showing off her new branding. Copyright Syd Eade.

 Here we see 20515 WV02EUR pulling out of Norwich Bus Station also wearing her new branding. Copyright Syd Eade.

They then got withdrawn from the X1 when the X1 was split and they are now mainly used on Rail Replacement services. I understand that FirstIpswich have a future lined up for them, which i imagine will be great because First in Ipswich seem to be the best out of most of FirstGroup at the moment.

 Here is 20515 working a rail replacement down at Lowestoft Rail Station. Copyright Syd Eade.

Then SN60CAA came along and stunned everyone with her beautiful and smartness. She was all in white which looked very smart and was branded just on the nearside with a large 'excel' vinyl.

 Here she is at Dereham en route to Peterborough. Copyright Syd Eade.

 Outside BHS showing off her new vinyls! Copyright Syd eade.

After the delivery of 22 Luxury Alexander Dennis Enviro400s 33423 was then painted into the new FirstBus 'Olympia' livery and given 'GREAT YARMOUTH' fleetnames and mainly saw service on X1 between Great Yarmouth and Norwich, also known as 'X1 Shorts' or 'X1 reliefs'.

 Down at Lowestoft Rail Station looking stunning and showing off her new paintjob sits 33423 working Rail Replacement services. Copyright Syd Eade.

 A couple of times she was used on FirstLowestofts X2 Service from Lowestoft to Norwich, as seen above at Pakefield. Copyright Syd eade.

Early last year saw the delivery of 12 Dennis dart Nimbuses for FirstEastern Counties, 11 52 registered short ones and 1 05 registered longer one.

 Here we see the longer one, EY05FYP which was given fleetnumber 42358 at Gorleston High Street working the 2 to James Paget Hospital. Copyright Syd Eade.

Two of the shorter versions now with FirstLowestoft, 43861 EG52FGJ and 43863 EG52FFK. Copyright to me.

And now moving on to one of my favourite buses ever to be made! The old Dennis Darts!

 Here we see P441NEX 42441 on Oak Road on the Shrublands Estate in Gorleston working the 2 to Barrack Estate. Copyright Syd Eade.

 And 42443 P443TCV down at Gorleston High Street working the no longer existing 8A to Caister. Copyright Syd Eade.

And a bus that has had a past as amazing as anything is FJ08FYN!
She was with FirstEastern Counties on loan a few years back now and used mainly on the X1 with rare appearances on the 1/1A. She was then brought from EnsignBus a few years later and also painted in the new FirstBus 'Olympia' liveryand given 'GREAT YARMOUTH' fleetnames.

Here she is on her very first day of service with FirstGreat Yarmouth and in her new colours seen here at James Paget Hospital working the 8 to Caister. Copyright to me. This photo is special as it was my FIRST EVER bus photograph.

 Here she is at Gorleston High Street working the 1 to Martham. Copyright Syd Eade.

The buses that have done a runner from us! The 07 registered Volvo B7TL Wright Eclipse Geminis that saw service just on the X1! They now live in Potteries.

 37159 AU07DXW at Norwich Bus Station working the X1 to Peterborough. Copyright to me (Cameron Robinson).

 And another copyright to me is 37156 AU07DXS, the only B7 Gemini painted up in X1 colours!

And last bus certainly not least the Wright Bodies B10BLE Renowns that have recently left us and have gone over to FirstDevon & Cornwall.

 60813 S664RNA seen here on Beaconsfield Road in Great Yarmouth working the 8 to Caister a few days before her departure. Copyright to me.

 60814 S665RNA on the forecourt of th Caister Road depot about a month before her departure. Copyright to me.

66126 S116JTP at Great Yarmouth seafront working the 2 from Barrack Estate to Town Centre.

Part 2 will be up by Friday night and will feature anglian and konectbus.