David Slater (Spoddendale)'s photos

Screen shots of my mobile phone showing Flixbus travel information, in this case for the 0905 Norwich-London service 007 on Good Friday 3 April 2026. A map of the route is shown and then by scrolling down or tapping other options additional information may be seen. Having departed Norwich at 0909 it had called at Thetford (at 0948-0958 although actually due there at 1000-1005). The next call was at Stratford (actual 1133-1140 but due there 1145-1150). Viewing at 1233 showed an estimated arrival time in italics (1226) and then viewings a couple or so minutes later showed that the coach arrived at 1233. One option is ‘Identify your bus’. When selected a picture of a Flixbus livered Volvo tri-axle coach appears but with the proviso ‘All pictures shown are for illustration purposes only. Actual vehicles may vary in appearance’ – so, not a lot of use really!! It’s bright green but what if it wasn’t?

Screen shots of my mobile phone showing Flixbus travel information, in this case for the 0905 Norwich-London service 007 on Good Friday 3 April 2026. A map of the route is shown and then by scrolling down or tapping other options additional information may be seen. Having departed Norwich at 0909 it had called at Thetford (at 0948-0958 although actually due there at 1000-1005). The next call was at Stratford (actual 1133-1140 but due there 1145-1150). Viewing at 1233 showed an estimated arrival time in italics (1226) and then viewings a couple or so minutes later showed that the coach arrived at 1233. One option is ‘Identify your bus’. When selected a picture of a Flixbus livered Volvo tri-axle coach appears but with the proviso ‘All pictures shown are for illustration purposes only. Actual vehicles may vary in appearance’ – so, not a lot of use really!! It’s bright green but what if it wasn’t?

Maundy Thursday 2 April 2026 (1021 BST) – The original Flixbus service 007 began on 17 April 2025 (also Maundy Thursday) and ran twice daily between Norwich and Stratford (East London). This schedule ran until 31 March 2026 then on 1 April 2026 was changed to become one daily trip running via Stratford through to Victoria Coach Station, London. Transport Made Simple is the contracted operator on this service with vehicles provided by the Simonds of Botesdale Limited subsidiary from the start of the service. However, this vehicle carries the legal name of Central Connect Transport Limited also owned by Transport Made Simple. 419 (YK25 OMF), a Yutong GT12 new in April 2025, is seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills when working the 0905 Norwich-London service which had called at Thetford (due there 1000-1005) and was due to arrive Stratford at 1145 and Victoria Coach Station at 1255. On the new service schedule the northbound service departs Victoria at 1600 calling at Stratford (1705-1710), Thetford (1855-1900) and Norwich (1955). (My observations showed the northbound service later today was worked by a different coach, 420 (YK25 OMG). The next day that coach worked the Norwich-London service but it was 418 (YK25 OME) that worked the London-Norwich service).

Maundy Thursday 2 April 2026 (1021 BST) – The original Flixbus service 007 began on 17 April 2025 (also Maundy Thursday) and ran twice daily between Norwich and Stratford (East London). This schedule ran until 31 March 2026 then on 1 April 2026 was changed to become one daily trip running via Stratford through to Victoria Coach Station, London. Transport Made Simple is the contracted operator on this service with vehicles provided by the Simonds of Botesdale Limited subsidiary from the start of the service. However, this vehicle carries the legal name of Central Connect Transport Limited also owned by Transport Made Simple. 419 (YK25 OMF), a Yutong GT12 new in April 2025, is seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills when working the 0905 Norwich-London service which had called at Thetford (due there 1000-1005) and was due to arrive Stratford at 1145 and Victoria Coach Station at 1255. On the new service schedule the northbound service departs Victoria at 1600 calling at Stratford (1705-1710), Thetford (1855-1900) and Norwich (1955). (My observations showed the northbound service later today was worked by a different coach, 420 (YK25 OMG). The next day that coach worked the Norwich-London service but it was 418 (YK25 OME) that worked the London-Norwich service).

Maundy Thursday 2 April 2026 (1021 BST) – The original Flixbus service 007 began on 17 April 2025 (also Maundy Thursday) and ran twice daily between Norwich and Stratford (East London). This schedule ran until 31 March 2026 then on 1 April 2026 was changed to become one daily trip running via Stratford through to Victoria Coach Station, London. Transport Made Simple is the contracted operator on this service with vehicles provided by the Simonds of Botesdale Limited subsidiary from the start of the service. However, this vehicle carries the legal name of Central Connect Transport Limited also owned by Transport Made Simple. 419 (YK25 OMF), a Yutong GT12 new in April 2025, is seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills when working the 0905 Norwich-London service which had called at Thetford (due there 1000-1005) and was due to arrive Stratford at 1145 and Victoria Coach Station at 1255. On the new service schedule the northbound service departs Victoria at 1600 calling at Stratford (1705-1710), Thetford (1855-1900) and Norwich (1955). (My observations showed the northbound service later today was worked by a different coach, 420 (YK25 OMG). The next day that coach worked the Norwich-London service but it was 418 (YK25 OME) that worked the London-Norwich service).

Easter Monday 1 April 2013 (1153) – Abellio London 8340 (YX11 AHO), an ADL (Alexander Dennis) Eviro200 in March 2011, seen in Wormwood Street (crossing Old Broad Street) heading for Elephant and Castle on London Buses contracted service 100. Abellio was a subsidiary of Dutch Railways (Nederlandse Spoorwegen).

Sunday 16 March 1985 – Suffolk County Council OVV 59R, a Duple Dominant bodied Ford R1014 new to United Counties Omnibus Company (59) in August 1976, seen at the old Mildenhall Upper School site, Bury Road, Mildenhall. ML417 is a school contract route number and I think ‘JAFFA 2’ is an identifying alternative to a fleet number. In later years the bus entered preservation wearing the National Bus Company leaf green livery it carried when new (See PiP).

Sunday 15 July 1984 – LUM 155V, a Unicar bodied Bedford YMT new in January 1980 to Hargreaves Eurover Coaches, Morley, Leeds, seen heading westbound on the A11 on the eastern approach to Fiveways, Barton Mills. Spanish builder Unicar was represented by the UK coach dealer Alf Moseley and had limited success with imports around 1979-1981.

The Summer 1932 timetable for the Nell Gwynne Coaches Cardiff-Blackpool service shown in the Roadway Motor Coach Time Table book. Nell Gwynne Coaches was acquired by Red and White Services around this time. In 1934 when the Associated Motorways pool was created, Red and White, as one of the founding members of the consortium, placed the Cardiff-Blackpool service into the pool.

Tuesday 24 July 2007 (approx. 0745) - First Cymru 41197 (S197 KLM), a Marshall bodied Dennis Dart that had been new to First Centrewest (London) in September 1998, seen in South Parade, Tenby about to work the 0750 service 349 to Haverfordwest. The bi-lingual destination indicator shows Withybush Hospital (Ysbyty Llwyn Helyg) and, since this is Wales and this is a 'Happy Bench Monday' shot, Dydd Llun mainc hapus! (I hope that translation is correct!!)

The Clacton-on-Sea to Birmingham service of Premier Travel (service 5) was an early cornerstone of the company's operations. The service licence was acquired from Empire's Best in April 1937 and in later years this established presence enabled Premier Travel to introduce other related services from the Midlands to the Essex Coast including an extension to the port of Harwich. At Leicester connections were available with the Yelloway London-Leicester-Manchester-Blackpool/Blackburn services which went on to become a busy through service shared by these two famous independent companies.

The Clacton-on-Sea to Birmingham service of Premier Travel (service 5) was an early cornerstone of the company's operations. The service licence was acquired from Empire's Best in April 1937 and in later years this established presence enabled Premier Travel to introduce other related services from the Midlands to the Essex Coast including an extension to the port of Harwich. At Birmingham connections were available to many destinations by Midland Red which later resulted in joint service working by Premier Travel and Midland Red from Essex to North Wales. At Leicester connections were available with the Yelloway London-Leicester-Manchester-Blackpool/Blackburn services and this arrangement went on to become a busy through service shared by these two famous independent companies.

The Clacton-on-Sea to Birmingham service of Premier Travel (service 5) was an early cornerstone of the company's operations. The service licence was acquired from Empire's Best in April 1937 and in later years this established presence enabled Premier Travel to introduce other related services from the Midlands to the Essex Coast including an extension to the port of Harwich.

Easter Monday 1 April 2013 (1230) – Big Bus Tours (The Big Bus Company Limited) DA321 (PN10 FOC), an Optare Visionaire bodied Volvo B9TL new in March 2010, seen on the north side of London Bridge on a London sightseeing tour. Seating for 101 passengers, 63 of those on the prime position upper deck.

Saturday 25 May 1991 - Coaches parked at RAF Mildenhall attending the annual Air Fete. This event was one of the largest aircraft shows in the country until it ceased to be for security reasons (circa early 2000s). Left: Reliance of Gravesend C726 JTL, a Neoplan Skyliner new to NAT Coaches, Leeds in March 1986 Right: Abbott’s of Leeming D40 GAJ, a Van Hool Alizée bodied Scania K112 new in April 1987

Thursday 10 August 1995 (0950) – The laying of a new gas pipeline along King Street in Mildenhall resulted in general upheaval with the buses unable to access the bus lay-by. As a result they were picking-up wherever they could – there was no formal alternative bus stop. This one is outside the gateway of Bussens and Parkin’s site across the street from the Museum. Eastern Counties Omnibus Company VR249 (GRA 847V) is doing a good trade for a Thursday. It is an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol VR new to Trent Motor Traction in April 1980 (fleet number 847).

Tuesday 19 March 1989 (0700) – Neaves Coaches, Catfield, Norfolk APH 511T seen passing Bell Lane when heading westbound on the old A11 at Barton Mills. It is a Plaxton Supreme bodied Volvo B58 new in May 1979 to Iberian, London W8.

The Summer 1949 timetable for the Associated Motorways Cardiff-Blackpool service. Associated Motorways was a consortium of scheduled coach service operators that provided a network of services mainly centred on a connecting hub at Cheltenham Spa although there were a number of other additional services. One of the founding members of Associated Motorways was Red and White Services and their Cardiff-Blackpool service was one of those placed in the pool at formation in 1934. (For those interested in the history of the consortium and how it functioned I can recommend the book published by Venture Publications in its Prestige Series, ‘Associated Motorways’ by Keith Healey published in 2002).