This is my penultimate post about the Norfolk Bus Scene, returning solely to matters South after my next post. For this one, however, we visit North Norfolk, and a variety of the smaller towns around the area.
Lets start at Sheringham, a town just up the coast from Cromer and where the Bittern line of the National Rail Network meets the preserved North Norfolk Railway (NNR). The services are frequent and of interest to any passer-by - here Class 9F "Black Prince" stands on platform two.
Sheringham is served by Sanders services 5, 9 and 44, amongst other more irregular services. Here Scania Omnicity 306 (YN03UWH) passes the entrance to the preserved railway station, heading for Fakenham on route 9.
The Norfolk Green Coasthopper serves Sheringham half-hourly in either direction most days. Here is slimline Solo 303 (YJ57EHO) caught in a torrential thunderstorm on 29th July. Your courageous photographer was only stood in the station porch - that rain was too heavy for me!
Occasionally a fleet livered Solo will slip onto the Coasthopper. Here 619 (X49VVY), the only Solo in the brand new livery, stands outside the NNR Sheringham railway station, having arrived from Hunstanton.
Moving on to the other end of the NNR, Holt. Standing in Holt marketplace is former Arriva VDL120 207 (YJ07JSV) of Sanders Coaches. 207 is heading for Fakenham, where the Sanders 9 meets the Norfolk Green X8 and you can travel onto Kings Lynn.
Sanders were using this relatively young Mercedes-Benz Vario on Holt town service route 46. YN09LME is fleet number 221. Holt's main services are the 9 to Fakenham and the 5 to Sheringham and Cromer, but there are also more infrequent services such as the 45 to Norwich.
Moving north, and now to Wells-next-the-Sea. Norfolk Green are the sole operator here, using Optare Solos on pretty much everything. The Coasthopper route passes through the village at 30 minute intervals, heading for Cromer in the south or Huntstanton in the north. Furthermore, the hourly-ish route 29 operates to Fakenham, where it meets connecting services to Norwich (X29) or Kings Lynn (X8). Here Coasthopper Solo 318 (YJ10EYB) passes standard-livered Solo 621 (MX53FDD), which still wears the older Norfolk Green livery.
Here's another Coasthopper Solo - this time 302 (YJ07EGF) - heading southwards for Cromer.
My final town to report from is Hunstanton. Hunstantion was recently served by First from its Kings Lynn depot, until 2010 when the town operations were sold off to the Norfolk Green. Since then, the town has been solely in the hands of the operator, who seem to operate a very professional, modern and smart fleet on all services. In Hunstanton, the Coasthopper 1 meets the Coasthopper 2, as we see Solo 303 (YJ57EHO) depart for Cromer. I noted all Coasthopper Solos were all immaculately presented and gave a really good impression of Norfolk Green.
Low floor deckers are the order of the day on the dedicated Hunstanton - Kings Lynn services. The 10 and 11 operate three an hour, operating different routes between the two ultimate destinations. Norfolk Green appeared to be using a variety of Spectras and brand new Enviro400s on the route. Pictured first is Spectra fleet number 4 (YG02FWB), another former Reading Buses specimen operating in North Norfolk. You will note it carries branding for route 505, a route that actually goes the other direction out of Kings Lynn. Secondly, here is Spectra 7 this time (YJ51ZVF). Another former Reading bus, this was fleet number 722 in its former life. Both buses are pictured entering Hunstanton bus station.
Finally for today, is one of two brand new Enviro400s for Norfolk Green. These were only introduced to service recently and I was very happy when 21 (SN12EHM) turned up! 21 was also driven by an incredibly helpful driver, who slowed on different turns to allow me to grab different angled shots. The photos were taken on 31st July. If the driver is reading this blog, I'd just like to say thanks again - you helped me to get some good shots! The first view shows 21 negotiating the bus turning circle at the bottom of Hunstanton bus station. The second view sees 21 head back off to Kings Lynn on route 10. The bus carries different "tweets" of users on the side - written by passengers for the company. Indeed, one on the nearside of this bus is from Andy's Bus Blog, and you can visit it by clicking on the link.
Many thanks for reading - I'll finish off with Norwich over the weekend.
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