Bus stuff.

Hello All,

I haven't updated this blog for a while now, so let's get cracking.

First of all, I would like to commence with Ipswich Buses for trialling four demonstrations (And today - ex-London Metroline/First) for the last couple of months now, and all of them were spectacular for ride and comfort. The first demo was Alexander Dennis Enviro 400City which was on-loan last month for a few days, and due to the fact the bus was stop/start technology, it was majestic on Ipswich Road's (route x5 only). I decided to have at least two trips to the hospital and back, but it was a amusing vehicle constructed by British bus brand ADL. SN66WLK

The second demonstration was a Optare MetroCity which was a light blue bus, and that was principally doing route 13 between Tower Ramparts and Copdock Tesco's. When I boarded the bus with a good friend of mine, the interior was awe-inspiring besides the engine.  However the most disappointing thing regarding this bus is the lack of buggy capacity, unlike the standard Ipswich Buses such as ADL E200 for example there's just two spaces for buggies/or wheelchair, and it's the same dimensions of the Optare V1110 Versa buses which are now in new livery. YJ64DWK

The next one was a Alexander Dennis Enviro 200MMC which was another blue colour, and I glanced this MMC on a Trident, though when I saw it, I was kind of surprised to see this bus. Thankfully, it was the route 8 between Town Centre and Whitehouse Asda. I boarded the MMC at Tower Ramparts to get to my work place which is in Lovetofts drive, and it was a massive opportunity to see this majestic beast. It was besides stop/start technology same as the Enviro400City. Seating was comfortable same as the other demos.  YX17NNM

I have also been on the Scania Omnicity double decker on route 15a, and it was the usual first seats, and one hundred times greater then Dennis Tridents. The Omnicity is on-loan because it's more fuel efficient friendly, and has nicer capacity (same chassis as 68/69).

Talking of Scania OmniCity's, Ipswich Buses have ordered roughly 14 Scania's, which I believe is the replacements of Dennis Tridents, as they are killing themselves (nearly all the Dennis Tridents). I have heard this on bus and train page, and I will update this more.

26th July was some crazy, and great day for me and my good friend. We decided to travel to Aldeburgh on the route 64, however when we got around the Aldeburgh area, the bus terminated early because of emergency roadwork's commencing, so we had no other choice but to walk it on foot to the centre. Because of Buckland's Omnibus company having their 1929 Dennis, and 1966 Bristol, we was hoping or the 1929, and it was.

When coming home towards Ipswich, as we were planning on collecting the train at Saxmundam, the 16:07 from Saxmundam to Ipswich (Starting from Lowestoft) was apparently cancelled because of train fault. However my friend had his granddad around Melton, so he rung him, and he kindly took us to Woodbridge to catch the next bus to Ipswich.

At Woodbridge, we had some luck because we caught the 800 service to town, and it wasn't too bad.

Omnicity top hand left at Maidenhall Approach.
Enviro400City on bottom left at Tower Ramparts
ADL E200MMC on bottom right at Tower Ramparts
Optare MetroCity on top right at Tower Ramparts

 




















 

IB Demostrator(s)

A very unexpected demonstrator has arrived at Ipswich Buses on loan for four weeks appraisal on the town routes, so I went down to test this magnificent beast out, and it was intensely brilliant on the exterior and the interior of the Alexander Dennis Enviro 400MMC bodied Scania N280UD - YN66BBV. However, this vehicle was on loan to Reading, as it was fleet number 776, and besides that, it has the remains of the Reading parts around the bus. I have been on the bus myself to Ipswich Hospital and for the return journey, and everytime I'm downstairs or upstairs, it just feels so swanky.

Another demonstrator has also arrived at Ipswich Buses, and I have experienced this bus from the route 16. They have decided to trial an Optare Solo SR vehicle, and went I boarded from next stop before the train station, and the interior was really stunning to look, and I even took a photograph of this SR outside the office at Tower Ramparts, as it was doing the route 19 afterwards.

This has been a very long time since Ipswich Buses has trailed two or more demonstrators on town routes. If I remember, fleet number 83 was trialled on the Park & Ride in Ipswich a few years ago, and Ipswich Buses has purchased it in their own livery.

Optare Solo SR at Tower Ramparts

ADL E400MMC bodied Scania heading to the hospital, and photo of the upper deck

Cambridge on the 7th

I went to Cambridge with a good friend of mine, who has the same enthusiasm as me, so when the Class 170 arrived into Cambridge platform 5, we headed to the main entrance to collect the 'C' busway service towards St Ives. When the bus turned into the guided busway, (the first time I have ever been on Cambridge's busway service), the Wright Eclipse 2/Volvo B7RLE  (63 plate) was doing roughly between 50 - 55 mph, however, it felt additionally faster then that.

After a brilliant journey from Cambridge station to St Ives, we decided to head back into Cambridge, which was the 'B' service, and it was brilliant. (Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 bodied Scania N230UD) The bus reached the city centre for a walk through Grafton Shopping Centre, and we came to another bus station, where the Park & Ride buses come in. After grabbing something for lunch, we headed back to the small bus station to catch a Park & Ride bus for one stop only.

After getting off the Park and Ride bus, we headed to catch another Park and Ride service to Trumpingdon, however, the Enviro 400 MMC was actually going to Trumpingdon. On the MMC, it looked really spectacular with nice leather stagecoach seating style. (though, we sat upstairs).

The Alexander Dennis Enviro 400MMC came into Trumpingdon site, so we decided to take-in a bit of bus spotting. After some spotting, we got the 'A' service back to the train station, and it was brilliant. (Wright Eclipse 3/Volvo B8RLE - 65 plate). When the bus arrived outside the station, we took a short walk towards the guided busway, and stopped where we could constantly see a bus zooming at excellent speed. We walked back to the station to collect the 14:44 service to Ipswich, which was located on Platform 5.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
07:38 from Maidenhall Approach was an Optare Solo M950 - rare
I upgraded to a alternative camera, and it works fantastic

21306, BF65WKV awaiting to go to RAF Wyton from Trumpingdon

CAMERA PROBLEMS + NEW YEAR PLANS

Hello, I do all hope that every individual bus enthusiast had a spectacular new year.

Since I had take my new camera out for some testing to take some photographs of some Ipswich Buses and the other companies, for some reason, my new Polaroid ix828 didn't turn on for some reason, which meant I constantly had no choice but to leave my camera in my bag.

I went into Jessops on New Years Eve to see what they could do about it (I didn't know what shop the camera came from, as it was a Christmas present), however, the lady told me they could repair the camera, however, they wanted £25 deposit and a return price when the camera was repaired, however, I said, "I might do it in the new year". I decided to then go to Tower Ramparts Bus Station to catch the next 15 bus home, which it was Enviro 200 IB 82.

At home, I decided to call my Uncle, who actually purchased the camera, so I basically told my Uncle what had happened, and he is going to send the receipt. (it apparently came from Argos).

When the camera is finally sorted or an alternative;I will be taking loads of photographs of buses and trains. 
 PLA
Within the 2017 period, I am going place such as: Cambridge, Peterborough, London, Norwich and other places.