Wells-next-the-Sea: 21 Jun 23

Wednesday 21 June 2023 (1434) – Sanders Coaches 525 (BV22 HBO), an MCV eVoRa bodied Volvo B8RLE new in April 2022, seen at The Buttlands in Wells-next-the-Sea prior to working the 1445 Coasthopper service CH1 to Cromer. It had previously worked the 1320 trip of service CH1 from Cromer arriving here at 1424. The Norfolk Coasthopper bus service once operated through from Cromer to King’s Lynn (by Norfolk Green) although is now covered by Sanders Coaches between Cromer and Wells-next-the-Sea and by Lynx (Coastal Red) as Coastliner between Wells-next-the-Sea and Hunstanton/King’s Lynn.

Wednesday 21 June 2023 (1434) – The Norfolk Coasthopper bus service once operated through from Cromer to King’s Lynn (by Norfolk Green) although is now covered by Sanders Coaches between Cromer and Wells-next-the-Sea and by Lynx (Coastal Red) as Coastliner between Wells-next-the-Sea and Hunstanton/King’s Lynn. In this view at The Buttlands in Wells-next-the-Sea buses of the two companies are seen. On the left is Sanders Coaches 525 (BV22 HBO), an MCV eVoRa bodied Volvo B8RLE new in April 2022, which had arrived at 1424 on the 1320 trip of service CH1 from Cromer. (It would return at 1445). On the right is Lynx (Coastal Red) 65 (YX72 OLP), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMC new in October 2022, working the 1400 service 36 from Fakenham to Hunstanton and King’s Lynn. It was due at Wells at 1428 departing at 1433.

Wednesday 21 June 2023 (1434) – Lynx (Coastal Red) 65 (YX72 OLP), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMC new in October 2022, seen at The Buttlands in Wells-next-the-Sea working the 1400 service 36 from Fakenham to Hunstanton and King’s Lynn. It was due at Wells at 1428 departing at 1433. The Norfolk Coasthopper bus service once operated through from Cromer to King’s Lynn (by Norfolk Green) although is now covered by Sanders Coaches between Cromer and Wells-next-the-Sea and by Lynx (Coastal Red) as Coastliner between Wells-next-the-Sea and Hunstanton/King’s Lynn. Close by was Sanders Coaches 525 (BV22 HBO), an MCV eVoRa new in April 2022, which had arrived from Cromer at 1424 as the 1320 service CH1.

Wednesday 21 June 2023 (1434) – Lynx (Coastal Red) 65 (YX72 OLP), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMC new in October 2022, seen at departing The Buttlands in Wells-next-the-Sea when working the 1400 service 36 from Fakenham to Hunstanton and King’s Lynn. It was due at Wells at 1428 departing at 1433. The Norfolk Coasthopper bus service once operated through from Cromer to King’s Lynn (by Norfolk Green) although is now covered by Sanders Coaches between Cromer and Wells-next-the-Sea and by Lynx (Coastal Red) as Coastliner between Wells-next-the-Sea and Hunstanton/King’s Lynn. Close by was Sanders Coaches 525 (BV22 HBO), an MCV eVoRa new in April 2022, which had arrived from Cromer at 1424 as the 1320 service CH1.

Wednesday 21 June 2023 (1338) – Lynx (Coastal Red Limited) 82 (UWW 2X) travelling along The Quay at Wells-next the-Sea when operating the 1300 Coastliner 36 service from Fakenham to King’s Lynn. The old loading gantry which linked the Maltings building with the harbour moorings has been retained and preserved and forms the backcloth. The Grade II listed building is now a multi use community facility which includes a theatre/ cinema and other public facilities. Bus 82 is an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D that had been new to Lloyd’s Coaches of Machynlleth in September 2012 registered LC62 WYN. It subsequently carried registrations DU62 FHK and LA60 ODY before UWW 2X.

Wednesday 21 June 2023 (1339) – Lynx (Coastal Red Limited) 82 (UWW 2X) travelling along The Quay at Wells-next the-Sea when operating the 1300 Coastliner 36 service from Fakenham to King’s Lynn. Bus 82 is an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D that had been new to Lloyd’s Coaches of Machynlleth in September 2012 registered LC62 WYN. It subsequently carried registrations DU62 FHK and LA60 ODY before UWW 2X.

Wednesday 21 June 2023 (1340) – Lynx (Coastal Red Limited) 82 (UWW 2X) seen in Wells-next the-Sea when operating the 1300 Coastliner 36 service from Fakenham to King’s Lynn. Bus 82 is an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D that had been new to Lloyd’s Coaches of Machynlleth in September 2012 registered LC62 WYN. It subsequently carried registrations DU62 FHK and LA60 ODY before UWW 2X. In the background spanning the roadway is the old loading gantry which linked the Maltings building with the harbour moorings. The gantry has been restored and forms part of the Grade II listed building now a multi use community facility which includes a theatre/ cinema and other public facilities.

Wednesday 21 June 2023 (1340) – Lynx (Coastal Red Limited) 82 (UWW 2X) seen in Wells-next the-Sea when operating the 1300 Coastliner 36 service from Fakenham to King’s Lynn. Bus 82 is an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D that had been new to Lloyd’s Coaches of Machynlleth in September 2012 registered LC62 WYN. It subsequently carried registrations DU62 FHK and LA60 ODY before UWW 2X.

Wednesday 21 June 2023 (1250) – Holkham Holiday Parks Limited (trading as Pinewoods) (part of Holkham Estates) MX72 HLD, is a Mellor Sigma 7 electric bus new in September 2022. Accommodation is for 14 seated and 8 standing passengers but if a wheelchair is carried this is 11 seated with 10 standing. The bus began operating a shuttle service in 2022 along Beach Road, Wells-next-the-Sea from a terminus near The Quay (Wells Town) to Wells Beach, a distance of about 0.9 miles/1.5 km. The service was introduced following the decision by Holkham Estates to close the Wells Harbour Railway, a 10.25 inch/260mm gauge miniature railway, which had operated the service from 1976 to 2021. The railway, which operated along the western side of Beach Road, was dismantled and sold to the Lappa Valley Railway in Cornwall at the end of the 2021 season. Both termini feature fenced queuing areas, more so at the Town end. In addition to driver there was a second member of staff taking payments and dealing with the door ramp, barrier ropes etc. The trip just in had a full seated load with four standing passengers but this next trip was to be much lighter and included a wheelchair passenger. Apparently, Beach Road (seen on the right) is a private road owned by Holkham Estates and so a bus service registration is not required although the company and vehicles are covered by an operator’s licence. Access to the Town terminus area from Beach Road is along a gravelled gated bus only road constructed on the former railway trackbed. The gate is just visible in the background. The former railway station was located in this area.

Wednesday 21 June 2023 (1251) – Holkham Holiday Parks Limited (trading as Pinewoods) (part of Holkham Estates) MX72 HLD, is a Mellor Sigma 7 electric bus new in September 2022. Accommodation is for 14 seated and 8 standing passengers but if a wheelchair is carried this is 11 seated with 10 standing. The bus began operating a shuttle service in 2022 along Beach Road, Wells-next-the-Sea from this terminus near The Quay (Wells Town) to Wells Beach, a distance of about 0.9 miles/1.5 km. The service was introduced following the decision by Holkham Estates to close the Wells Harbour Railway, a 10.25 inch/260mm gauge miniature railway, which had operated the service from 1976 to 2021. The railway, which operated along the western side of Beach Road, was dismantled and sold to the Lappa Valley Railway in Cornwall at the end of the 2021 season. Beach Road (seen on the right) is a private road owned by Holkham Estates and so a bus service registration is not required although the company and vehicles are covered by an operator’s licence. In the background heading towards the beach is Marett’s Chariots (AFSC Limited) of North Walsham M23 AAM, a Plaxton bodied Volvo B12M new to Park’s of Hamilton in March 2003 registered LSK 497 (later registered SG03 ZJF).

Wednesday 21 June 2023 (1253) – Holkham Holiday Parks Limited (trading as Pinewoods) (part of Holkham Estates) MX72 HLD, is a Mellor Sigma 7 electric bus new in September 2022. Accommodation is for 14 seated and 8 standing passengers but if a wheelchair is carried this is 11 seated with 10 standing. The bus began operating a shuttle service in 2022 along Beach Road, Wells-next-the-Sea from a terminus near The Quay (Wells Town) to Wells Beach, a distance of about 0.9 miles/1.5 km. The service was introduced following the decision by Holkham Estates to close the Wells Harbour Railway, a 10.25 inch/260mm gauge miniature railway, which had operated the service from 1976 to 2021. The railway, which operated along the western side of Beach Road, was dismantled and sold to the Lappa Valley Railway in Cornwall at the end of the 2021 season. Apparently, Beach Road (seen on the right) is a private road owned by Holkham Estates and so a bus service registration is not required although the company and vehicles are covered by an operator’s licence. Access to the Town terminus area from Beach Road is along a gravelled gated bus only road constructed on the former railway trackbed. The gate is just visible in the background. The former railway station was located in this area.

Wednesday 21 June 2023 (1254) – Holkham Holiday Parks Limited (trading as Pinewoods) (part of Holkham Estates) MX72 HLD, is a Mellor Sigma 7 electric bus new in September 2022. Accommodation is for 14 seated and 8 standing passengers but if a wheelchair is carried this is 11 seated with 10 standing. The bus began operating a shuttle service in 2022 along Beach Road, Wells-next-the-Sea from a terminus near The Quay (Wells Town) to Wells Beach, a distance of about 0.9 miles/1.5 km. The service was introduced following the decision by Holkham Estates to close the Wells Harbour Railway, a 10.25 inch/260mm gauge miniature railway, which had operated the service from 1976 to 2021. The railway, which operated along the western side of Beach Road, was dismantled and sold to the Lappa Valley Railway in Cornwall at the end of the 2021 season. Apparently, Beach Road (seen on the right) is a private road owned by Holkham Estates and so a bus service registration is not required although the company and vehicles are covered by an operator’s licence. Access to the Town terminus area from Beach Road is along a gravelled gated bus only road constructed on the former railway trackbed. The gate is just visible in the background. The former railway station was located in this area.

Wednesday 21 June 2023 (1254) – Holkham Holiday Parks Limited (trading as Pinewoods) (part of Holkham Estates) MX72 HLD, is a Mellor Sigma 7 electric bus new in September 2022. Accommodation is for 14 seated and 8 standing passengers but if a wheelchair is carried this is 11 seated with 10 standing. The bus began operating a shuttle service in 2022 along Beach Road, Wells-next-the-Sea from a terminus near The Quay (Wells Town) to Wells Beach, a distance of about 0.9 miles/1.5 km. The service was introduced following the decision by Holkham Estates to close the Wells Harbour Railway, a 10.25 inch/260mm gauge miniature railway, which had operated the service from 1976 to 2021. The railway, which operated along the western side of Beach Road, was dismantled and sold to the Lappa Valley Railway in Cornwall at the end of the 2021 season. Apparently, Beach Road (seen on the right) is a private road owned by Holkham Estates and so a bus service registration is not required although the company and vehicles are covered by an operator’s licence. Access to the Town terminus area from Beach Road is along a gravelled gated bus only road constructed on the former railway trackbed. The gate is just visible in the background. The former railway station was located in this area.

Wednesday 21 June 2023 (1255) – Holkham Holiday Parks Limited (trading as Pinewoods) (part of Holkham Estates) operates a shuttle bus service along Beach Road, Wells-next-the-Sea from a terminus near The Quay (Wells Town) to Wells Beach, a distance of about 0.9 miles/1.5 km. The service commenced in 2022 and was introduced following the decision by Holkham Estates to close the Wells Harbour Railway, a 10.25 inch/260mm gauge miniature railway, which had operated the service from 1976 to 2021. The railway, which operated along the western side of Beach Road, was dismantled and sold to the Lappa Valley Railway in Cornwall at the end of the 2021 season. The service is mainly operated by Mellor Sigma 7 electric bus MX72 HLD new in September 2022 and supplemented by a vintage open top single decker at busy times. (A Reading bodied Leyland Tiger PS1/1 new to Jersey Motor Transport in May 1951). In this view the Mellor Sigma was just emerging from the bus only road linking the Town terminus with Beach Road when heading to the Beach. Apparently, Beach Road is a private road owned by Holkham Estates and so a bus service registration is not required although the company and vehicles are covered by an operator’s licence.

Wednesday 21 June 2023 (1207) – Holkham Holiday Parks Limited (trading as Pinewoods) (part of Holkham Estates) MX72 HLD, is a Mellor Sigma 7 electric bus new in September 2022. Accommodation is for 14 seated and 8 standing passengers but if a wheelchair is carried this is 11 seated with 10 standing. The bus began operating a shuttle service in 2022 along Beach Road, Wells-next-the-Sea from a terminus near The Quay (Wells Town) to Wells Beach, a distance of about 0.9 miles/1.5 km. The service was introduced following the decision by Holkham Estates to close the Wells Harbour Railway, a 10.25 inch/260mm gauge miniature railway, which had operated the service from 1976 to 2021. The railway, which operated along the western side of Beach Road, was dismantled and sold to the Lappa Valley Railway in Cornwall at the end of the 2021 season. In this view the bus is travelling towards Wells Town and is seen from the embankment footpath alongside Beach Road. The railway track ran between the shrubbery and fence on the left of the photograph. Apparently, Beach Road is a private road owned by Holkham Estates and so a bus service registration is not required although the company and vehicles are covered by an operator’s licence.

Wednesday 21 June 2023 (1207) – Holkham Holiday Parks Limited (trading as Pinewoods) (part of Holkham Estates) MX72 HLD, is a Mellor Sigma 7 electric bus new in September 2022. Accommodation is for 14 seated and 8 standing passengers but if a wheelchair is carried this is 11 seated with 10 standing. The bus began operating a shuttle service in 2022 along Beach Road, Wells-next-the-Sea from a terminus near The Quay (Wells Town) to Wells Beach, a distance of about 0.9 miles/1.5 km. The service was introduced following the decision by Holkham Estates to close the Wells Harbour Railway, a 10.25 inch/260mm gauge miniature railway, which had operated the service from 1976 to 2021. The railway, which operated along the western side of Beach Road, was dismantled and sold to the Lappa Valley Railway in Cornwall at the end of the 2021 season. In this view, seen from the embankment footpath alongside Beach Road, the bus is travelling towards Wells Town and is about to turn and enter the gated bus only road constructed on the former railway trackbed which ran beyond the fence and shrubbery on the right. The bus terminus is behind the tree and where the railway station was located. Apparently, Beach Road is a private road owned by Holkham Estates and so a bus service registration is not required although the company and vehicles are covered by an operator’s licence.

Wednesday 21 June 2023 (1239) – Holkham Holiday Parks Limited (trading as Pinewoods) (part of Holkham Estates) MX72 HLD, is a Mellor Sigma 7 electric bus new in September 2022. Accommodation is for 14 seated and 8 standing passengers but if a wheelchair is carried this is 11 seated with 10 standing. The bus began operating a shuttle service in 2022 along Beach Road, Wells-next-the-Sea from a terminus near The Quay (Wells Town) to Wells Beach, a distance of about 0.9 miles/1.5 km. The service was introduced following the decision by Holkham Estates to close the Wells Harbour Railway, a 10.25 inch/260mm gauge miniature railway, which had operated the service from 1976 to 2021. The railway, which operated along the western side of Beach Road, was dismantled and sold to the Lappa Valley Railway in Cornwall at the end of the 2021 season. In this view the bus was arriving at the Beach terminus. Apparently, Beach Road is a private road owned by Holkham Estates and so a bus service registration is not required although the company and vehicles are covered by an operator’s licence.

Wednesday 21 June 2023 (1239) – Holkham Holiday Parks Limited (trading as Pinewoods) (part of Holkham Estates) MX72 HLD, is a Mellor Sigma 7 electric bus new in September 2022. Accommodation is for 14 seated and 8 standing passengers but if a wheelchair is carried this is 11 seated with 10 standing. The bus began operating a shuttle service in 2022 along Beach Road, Wells-next-the-Sea from a terminus near The Quay (Wells Town) to Wells Beach, a distance of about 0.9 miles/1.5 km. The service was introduced following the decision by Holkham Estates to close the Wells Harbour Railway, a 10.25 inch/260mm gauge miniature railway, which had operated the service from 1976 to 2021. The railway, which operated along the western side of Beach Road, was dismantled and sold to the Lappa Valley Railway in Cornwall at the end of the 2021 season. In this view the bus was seen at the Beach terminus. Apparently, Beach Road is a private road owned by Holkham Estates and so a bus service registration is not required although the company and vehicles are covered by an operator’s licence.