Ipswich - 8 Jul 2022

Friday 8 July 2022 (1139) – Galloway European Coachlines 107 (BF68 LCM) setting out from Ipswich on the 1135 National Express service 482 to London (Victoria). The loading point for National Express services is in the lay-by next to the Cricketers public house in Crown Street the rooftop and spire of which are visible on the left. Today this coach had previously worked the 0605 Ipswich-Stansted (0800) and 0925 Stansted-Ipswich (1105) trips of service 251 before taking up the 1135 Ipswich-London (Victoria) (1520) service 482 returning as the 1630 London (Victoria)-Ipswich (2020) service 482. Galloway has operated for National Express for many years and currently has eight Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 EB6 in the fleet numbered 101-108 which were all new in January 2019. In addition to services 251 (1 round trip daily) and 482 (5 round trips daily) the other services worked by Galloway include service 250 (Ipswich-Stansted-Heathrow : 2 round trips daily) and service 075 (Bury St. Edmunds-Cambridge-London : (1 round trip on the complete service plus 1 short London-Cambridge round trip in between all daily). The two Ipswich Buses vehicles either side of the coach are Optare Tempo X1200SR 96 (YJ12 GWN) and Scania N230UD OmniCity 48 (SGZ 3348).

Friday 8 July 2022 (1139) – Galloway European Coachlines 107 (BF68 LCM) setting out from Ipswich on the 1135 National Express service 482 to London (Victoria). The loading point for National Express services is now in the lay-by next to the Cricketers public house in Crown Street (to the right off camera). Departing coaches then loop round through Tower Ramparts bus station to then turn left to Crown Street. Synchronised with the left turn indicators note the additional flashing warning light to warn cyclists of danger. Galloway has operated for National Express for many years and currently has eight Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 EB6 in the fleet numbered 101-108 which were all new in January 2019. Today this coach had previously worked the 0605 Ipswich-Stansted (0800) and 0925 Stansted-Ipswich (1105) trips of service 251 before taking up the 1135 Ipswich-London (Victoria) (1520) service 482 returning as the 1630 London (Victoria)-Ipswich (2020) service 482. In addition to services 251 (1 round trip daily) and 482 (5 round trips daily) the other services worked by Galloway include service 250 (Ipswich-Stansted-Heathrow : 2 round trips daily) and service 075 (Bury St. Edmunds-Cambridge-London : (1 round trip on the complete service plus 1 short London-Cambridge round trip in between all daily). In the background is the Crown Pools swimming pool centre which Ipswich Borough Council announced (in June 2022) plans to close and re-develop the site with residential housing. The plan is to build a replacement pools and gym leisure complex near the Ipswich Town stadium.

Friday 8 July 2022 (0934) – Ipswich Buses 51 (SGZ 3351) seen on Sir Alf Ramsey Way as it returned to the garage at the end of a morning peak working. It is a Scania N230UD OmniCity that had been new to London United as their SP31 in April 2008 registered YN08 DHX.

Friday 8 July 2022 (1049) – Dogs Head Street near the Old Cattle Market Bus Station in Ipswich. Ipswich Buses 103 (SN16 OGJ), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro200D new in March 2016, which is branded for the ‘Greenwich Greyhound’ service 1. Seen in Dogs Head Street heading to Nacton Road (John Lewis/Waitrose store). Mulleys Motorways MX57 HDH, had arrived on service 111 from Hitcham (Cross Green). It is an Optare Solo 920SL (9.2 metres long slimline model) that had been new to to Nightingale Coaches (Johnson) of Greencroft, Annfield Plain, County Durham in September 2007.

Friday 8 July 2022 (1120) – Crown Street, Ipswich runs alongside Tower Ramparts Bus Station (on left). In this busy scene are: Ipswich Buses 73 (YX59 BZN), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro200 (Dart chassis?) new to Mid Wales of Penryncoch in January 2020, working service 14. Ipswich Buses 80 (YX63 ZVV), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro200D new in November 2013, working the ‘Nacton Nipper’ service 3. Ipswich Buses 35 (YR61 RTV), a Scania N230UD OmniCity new to Centrewest (London) in October 2011 (SN36050) Galloway European Coachlines 107 (BF68 LCM), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 EB6 new in January 2019, loading as the 1135 Ipswich-London (Victoria) National Express service 482

Friday 8 July 2022 (1127) – Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B7RLEs seen in Ipswich. Left is First Eastern Counties Buses (Ipswich Reds) 69424 (AU58 FFL) new in January 2009. Right is Ipswich Buses 160 (SN57 DDF) new to Lothian Buses (160) in September 2007. Coincidentally numbered 160 at both Lothian and Ipswich.

Friday 8 July 2022 (0934) – Ipswich Buses 51 (SGZ 3351) seen on Sir Alf Ramsey Way as it returned to the garage at the end of a morning peak working. It is a Scania N230UD OmniCity that had been new to London United as their SP31 in April 2008 registered YN08 DHX.

Friday 8 July 2022 (0959) – Ipswich Buses 94 (YJ12 GWL) seen in Ranelagh Road at the Railway Station bus stop R3 as it travelled towards the town centre. It is an Optare Tempo X1200SR new to Trent Barton (trentbarton) in May 2012 as their 330 and is branded for service 13.

Friday 8 July 2022 (1018) – First Eastern Counties Buses (Ipswich Reds) 32480 (AU53 HJX), a Transbus ALX400 bodied Volvo B7TL new in October 2003, seen in the Old Cattle Market Bus Station in Ipswich.

Friday 8 July 2022 (1018) – First Eastern Counties Buses (Ipswich Reds) 32480 (AU53 HJX), a Transbus ALX400 bodied Volvo B7TL new in October 2003, holds back as Ipswich Buses 62 (PJ54 YZV), an East Lancs Omnidekka bodied Scania N94UD new in January 200585, arrives at Old Cattle Market Bus Station in Ipswich. In the background is Ipswich Buses 102 (SN16 OGH), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro200D new in January 2005.

Friday 8 July 2022 (1117) – An Ipswich Buses Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro200D branded for the ‘Whitehouse’s Own’ service 8, seen in Tower Ramparts bus station.

Friday 8 July 2022 (1120) - Ipswich Buses 80 (YX63 ZVV), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro200D new in November 2013, which is branded for the ‘Nacton Nipper’ service 3. Seen in arriving at Tower Ramparts bus station. This was one of a pair of buses delivered together (YX63 ZVV and YX63 ZVW). It would seem that some form of error may have occurred with the fleet numbering because both have operated carrying fleet numbers 79 and 80! They somewhat unnaturally now run as 79 (YX63 ZVW) and 80 (YX63 ZVV).

Friday 8 July 2022 (0958) – A low bridge in Ancaster Road, Ipswich has long been an obstacle for Ipswich Buses (and Ipswich Corporation before it) on the services to the large Chantry housing estate restricting operation of services 12, 13 and 14 to single deck operation. The bridge carries the railway tracks out of Ipswich railway station. In this view Ipswich Buses 94 (YJ12 GWL) was turning from Ancaster Road to Ranelagh Road after passing beneath the bridge as it travelled towards the town centre. It is an Optare Tempo X1200SR new to Trent Barton (trentbarton) in May 2012 as their 330 and is branded for service 13.

Friday 8 July 2022 (1014) – Ipswich Buses 87 (YJ12 GWA), an Optare Tempo X1200SR new to Trent Barton (trentbarton) in May 2012 as their 323, seen in Dogs Head Street, Ipswich. Branded for ‘Chantry Connexions’ service 12.

Friday 8 July 2022 (1023) – Ipswich Buses 73 (YX59 BZN) seen in Dogs Head Street, Ipswich arriving back in town on circular service 14. This service operates hourly from 0930 until 1430 six days a week linking housing close to Gippeswyk Park with the main part of the much larger Chantry Estate and the town centre (each circular takes 39 minutes). The large Chantry Estate is served by the all day higher frequency services 12 and 13 which, together with service 14, form the ‘Chantry Connexions’ group of services. YX59 BZN is an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro200 (Dart chassis?) new to Mid Wales of Penryncoch in January 2020

Friday 8 July 2022 (1025) – First Eastern Counties Buses (Ipswich Reds) 69005 (AU05 DME), a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B7RLE new in March 2005, seen in Dogs Head Street, Ipswich. It was working service 66 from Ipswich Railway Station to Martlesham Heath which travels on the short length busway track at Kesgrave. Note the small horizontal guide wheels fixed to the main front wheels of the bus.

Friday 8 July 2022 (1042) – First Eastern Counties Buses (Ipswich Reds) in Ipswich. 32476 (AU53 HJK), a Transbus ALX400 bodied Volvo B7TL new in October 2003, seen entering the Old Cattle Market Bus Station. In the background is 69010 (AU05 DMY), a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B7RLE new in March 2005, lettered for the ‘Mainline 66’ which runs from Ipswich Railway Station to Martlesham Heath. This service utilises the short length busway track at Kesgrave.