East Lincolnshire Transport

Rail Replacement 3

2009-10-05T16:06:00.002+01:00

Today, the missing one of the batch of 9 Megabuses allocated was noted at Skegness whilst working the 1444hs service to Boston, namely 52619 (S459 BCE):

Parked in the compound were (left to right) 52643, 52621 and 52618

The complete list of Megabus vehicle allocated to Skegness is as follows:

52617 (S457 BCE)
52618 (S458 BCE)
52619 (S459 BCE)
52621 (S901 CCD)
52622 (S902 CCD)
52623 (S903 CCD)
52641 (T661 OBD)
52642 (T662 OBD)
52643 (T663 OBD)

Then & Now 1: The Station Chef (part 2)

2009-10-05T15:35:00.003+01:00

Thanks to Michael Berry who kindly supplied me with these rare photos of the Station Chef interior and exterior when it was open in 1993, the very year it sadly closed its doors for good.

And for a comparison shot, the adjoining Tea and Beer Garden as it was....

And as it looks today...

MCN

2009-10-04T21:56:00.004+01:00

This weekend Butlins hosted the second MCN (Motorcycle News) event this year (we featured the first in April please click here). As with the April event, there was much to be seen and also some stunt riding, interestingly using four wheels as well as two! Some photos from the last show this afternoon can be seen below:

Longstaff's

2009-10-04T21:51:00.003+01:00

An unusual visitor at Skegness coach park today was Longstaff (of Morpeth) Neoplan Starliner YR02 UMS on a day trip from Grimsby where the tourists are based at the St James Hotel

Rail Replacement (2)

2009-10-04T21:23:00.003+01:00

Adding to the list of Megabus vehicles published in this blog yesterday is 52643 (T663 OBD), leaving just one vehicle still to be identified.

Around 150 people turned up for the first scheduled rail replacement service from Skegness today at 1342 necessitating the use of three vehicles, 52623, 52618 and 52643

New Sunday Service

2009-10-04T10:19:00.002+01:00

From 1st November a Sunday service will be introduced on the Interconnect 5 route between Spalding, Boston and Lincoln.

The service will be operated by Brylaine travel and will initially operate on a three month trial basis.

Blog Updates

2009-10-04T00:15:00.000+01:00

Due to work commitments, there have been a few delays to uploading material this month. The following new entries / updates have now been added retrospectively:

1A Final Day - New Item

A new depot opens - New item

As One Depot Closes.... - New Item

BR Van : New item

Class 67 : Additional text and image added

Early Queue : New item

Funny Old World : New item

Lawtons : New item

MCW's 2 : New item

Old Depot : Text amended

National Express at Butlins 14/09/09 : New item

National Express at Butlins 18/09/09 : New item

National Express at Butlins 25/09/09 : New item

New look for Railway Station : Another photo added

Skegness Air Taxis - Another photo added

Winter Service - New item

Rail Replacement

2009-10-03T19:14:00.008+01:00

Today was the first day of the month long engineering work along the Boston to Skegness line which sees train services between the locations suspended until 2nd November.

The replacement buses depart from Stand 5 of the Skegness bus station at the following times:

Mondays to Fridays
0645, 0744, 0839, 0949, 1049, 1149, 1249, 1349, 1443, 1546, 1704, 1748, 1848, 2034

Saturdays
0644, 0749, 0849, 0949, 1049, 1149, 1249, 1349, 1444, 1547, 1704, 1748, 1853, 1949, 2043

Sundays
1342, 1551, 1741, 1859

A PDF of the full revised timetable can be seen by clicking here

The train services are replaced by road transport, and 9 Megabus Coaches (all with legal lettering for Lincolnshire Road Car) are now allocated to Skegness depot to cover this. We don't have the full list yet, but the following were sighted today:

52617 (S457 BCE)
52618 (S458 BCE)

52621 (S901 CCD)
52622 (S902 CCD)

52623 (S903 CCD)

52641 (T661 OBD)

52642 (T662 OBD)

New look for Railway Station?

2009-09-30T22:47:00.007+01:00

Recently we included an item about the former Station Chef buffet at Skegness which is now one of a number of defunct buildings on the station, which include an old gents toilet, parcel office, booking office (closed 20 years ago) and a Station Master's residence. All have been derelict for some years now, and despite attempts to find new uses, it's apparent that most (if not all) are now beyond repair, and any renovation work would almost certainly not justify the major expense.

There have been plans afoot to demolish these to possibly make way for retail units/new car park and taxi rank etc, and demolition was initially planned earlier this year. The Skegness Standard has now picked up on the story and their article can be read by clicking here.

The Stationmaster's residence as it was in 1975 when occupied by the widow of the late Mr Howden, the last Stationmaster in Skegness.

By comparison a photo taken today, the site now is very overgrown and the building has suffered at the hands of vandals.

The plans would see the demolition of all the buildings on the right of the photo. The nearest is not derelict and currently used as a staff mess room

Whilst Network Rail's plans for a new entrance can only be an improvement on what is currently an eyesore, it's a pity that the investment didn't take place much earlier, a good example of what could have been done retaining the character of a historic station whilst modernising it can be found at Eastbourne, as illustrated in the photo below.

Funny Old World

2009-09-30T22:21:00.001+01:00

From the Skegness Standard today:

Huttoft man outraged when bus girls used garden as toilet

A HUTTOFT man was outraged when a group of girls urinated in his garden after being let off a Stagecoach bus in the village.

Eric Kingsland, 47, could not believe it when a group of girls, aged about 19, got off the number nine bus outside his house and used his garden as a toilet at around 8pm on Friday, September 18.

He said: "I was gobsmacked. There's a bus stop about 150 yards away, but (the driver] pulled up to let them have a wee.

"I got in my car and followed the bus.

"I flagged a policeman down in Chapel St Leonards, but he said there's nothing I can do; it's not an offence because he didn't see it! It's ludicrous."

Mr Kingsland, of Mumby Road, said the girls apologised, but he was more angry with the driver and the policeman.

Stagecoach managing director Gary Nolan said: "He stopped the bus because one of the girls said she felt sick. He thought she was being sick, obviously had he known she wanted to do that there's no way he would have stopped.

"We don't support that sort of thing, but when she said she felt sick he did what you would expect. What happened then is out of our hands."

Insp Terry Ball said: "The bus driver was given strong words of advice about stopping the bus and allowing people to get off at an inappropriate location. The officer assures me the bus driver apologised profusely at the time of the stop, both to the complainant and the police officer.

"The females concerned were also given strong words of advice and warned about their conduct by the officer at the scene. They too were very apologetic and realised their behaviour was inappropriate and un-ladylike."

MCW's 2

2009-09-27T18:00:00.000+01:00

A line up of MCW's between duties at the bus station today. From front to back are 15991, 15977 and 15934

Early Queue

2009-09-27T15:00:00.002+01:00

Even though the winter railway timetable came into effect on 13th September, people continue to turn up at Skegness station well ahead of the first scheduled train service of the day at 1408, presumably not having checked their return times beforehand or misreading the timetable. The station "technically" is open around an hour before the 1408, although the snack bar proprietor has opened the premises early.

This was the scene at noon today with people queuing 2 hours ahead of the fist train!
The elderly lady at the front I had spoken to earlier who was travelling to Nottingham, arrived three hours early to make sure she caught her train!

More sensible people nip to the nearby Wetherspoons for a breakfast sooner than wait for hours!

In fairness, the winter Sunday train service does leave a lot to be desired and should more sensibly have departures between 1000 - 1800.

National Express at Butlins 25/09/09

2009-09-25T18:00:00.001+01:00

660 (Bradford)

OUI 9979 (Linburg)
OUI 9980 (Linburg)

661 (Birmingham)

Y3 AEJ (Skyline)
PN04 PFY (Skyline)
TJI 1679 (Grayscroft) - duplicate Butlins to Leicester

662 (Liverpool)

Y468 HUA (Selwyn)
SF05 XZM (Coachmaster, of Thurmaston) - duplicate to Derby

663 (Newcastle)

FJ08 KNV (Go Northern)

664 (Preston)

PO55 OWY (Travellers Choice)

Memory Lane Coaches

2009-09-24T15:43:00.002+01:00

A flying visit to Memory Lane Coaches today, who are based at Old Bolingbroke. In less than ideal lighting conditions is J522 YLS.

Megabus

2009-09-24T15:33:00.002+01:00

A rather unusual site at the Stagecoach Skegness depot today, two Megabus coaches 52621 (S901 CCD) and 52617 (S457 BCE), presumably there in preparation to work the Rail-Replacement services between Skegness and Boston when the line is closed due to engineering work next month. There is also a third Megabus coach, at present unidentified. Sorry for the poor quality photo below, will hopefully obtain a better on over the next few days.

Class 67

2009-09-23T09:18:00.003+01:00

Route learning ahead of next months blockade continues, and this week has seen the unusual use of a class 67 (67003). This is not the first time a member of the class has reached the terminus, that honour went to 67005 on a similar route learner on 15th September 2008, and 67027 the following day. It was then realised that these locomotives technically were "too heavy" to travel over the Boston - Skegness route, and 66's took over the route learners. Hence another appearance of one at Skegness is rather unusual! The error being discovered, it was replaced by 66119.

67003 illustrated at Skegness during its overnight stop at Skegness on platform 4

An extract from Network Rail's document which shows the route clearance for locomotives on the Boston - Skegness route (for the full document, please click here). This clearly illustrates that the class 67's are not passed for operation along the route! (Please click on image for a larger version)

National Express at Butlins 18/09/09

2009-09-18T18:00:00.000+01:00

660 (Bradford)

OUI 5446 (Linburg)
OUI 9979 (Linburg)

661 (Birmingham)

YR51 HCR (Harding, of Redditch)
P425 EAB (Ausden Clark)

662 (Liverpool)

352 STG (Selwyn)

663 (Newcastle)

JCN 822 (Go Northern)

664 (Preston)

FJ56 POV (Travellers Choice)

Boston in 1975

2009-09-17T15:43:00.004+01:00

Lincolnshire Road Car's Bristol FS6G 2536 (DFE 962D) is seen at Boston on a duplicate service 57. This was one year prior to the bus station opening in Lincoln Lane when all LRCC services used the Market Place as a terminus. Thankfully such unhelpful practices as putting "DUPLICATE" as a destination are a thing of the past.

Skegness Air Taxis

2009-09-17T14:49:00.004+01:00

A very rare photo turned up in my archive of GXD 640, a Bedford OB which originated from the London area. The service ran from Skegness to the air strip near Butlins in Ingoldmells. The photo illustrates the vehicle in summer 1963 whilst at the Scarborough Avenue terminus in Skegness. The air strip itself closed 16 years ago.

A photo of the same location in 2009

Where are they now? (1)

2009-09-17T14:30:00.002+01:00

MCW double-deck coaches once regularly worked Midland Fox's X89 express service from Leicester to Mablethorpe. The photograph illustrates C52 VJU at the Skegness bus station in 1989. It was sold to London Pride where it was used on sightseeing tours, and more recently with City Sightseeing in Glasgow, and is illustrated below in 2006 (Photo: Glen Fergusson).

Then & Now 1: The Station Chef

2009-09-16T14:04:00.004+01:00

Those who can remember travelling by train to Skegness back to the late 80's and early 90's, will probably remember the Station Chef buffet. It managed to survive one closure by Travellers Fare in 1983:

It was subsequently rented out as a cafe/bar by the then BR Property Board, and subsequently was in the hands of private enterprise (initially Mrs. A Miles). Unfortunately, this was only to be a stay of execution and it was eventually closed for good a decade later, when it was latterly run by the Late Mrs M Wilson.

The Station Chef Chef c.1986.

The Station Chef as it is today (a shot from the identical position to above was prevented by a notice board!). Despite attempts to mask the dereliction by having murals on the boards, it's still a very depressing scene. A nearby kiosk continues to serve refreshments on the station, but is nothing anywhere near to the scale of the former buffet. The original now is slowly deteriorating and plays host to a large pigeon population. It's fate can best be described as "uncertain".
Returning back to when the Station Chef was open, this c.1989 photo shows proprietor Mrs A Miles with Assistant Andrea man the platform refreshment trolley. Behind are an interesting collection of "Heritage" dmu's!

Taken at the same time as the above, the presence of two BT Police Officers indicates this was taken on a Bank Holiday - a wet day by the look of the previous photograph!
Mrs Miles converted the rear of the buffet to a Tea and Beer garden, unfortunately the weather on this occasion was not ideal! Plans to take a contemporary comparison shot were scuppered as the area is now so overgrown as to make photography impossible!

One item which has survived is this Refreshment Trolley which now resides in the National Railway Museum.

South West Trains

2009-09-16T13:54:00.003+01:00

South West Trains 158883 was noted at Skegness today working the 1315 departure to Nottingham. The unit is on loan to East Midlands Trains.

MCW's

2009-09-15T19:18:00.005+01:00

As this could be the last year of the Stagecoach MCW open toppers, a few photographs of some of them are shown below.

15994 at the Hardy's Animal Farm terminus on 5th September

Caravans and amusement arcades are a familiar scene along this part of the coast as 15958 makes its way back to Skegness on 5th September

15972 returns to Skegness along the Roman Bank at Ingoldmells on 5th September

It has been rare for open toppers to stray off the normal service 3 routes this summer. 15994 proved to be an exception on 5th September when it worked the 1710 service 1 to Chapel St Leonards.

15977 at the Bus Station on 6th September

15934 on 6th September as it approaches the new Stagecoach depot in Middlemarsh. This was to be a historically significant run as it was the last ever open topper to leave the old Grosvenor Road depot and the first to work into the new one!

15972 at the Bus Station today. One oddity is that unlike the other MCW's, the blinds do not have the detination Anchor Lane, hence "VICKERS POINT" being displayed!

Willoughby Revisited

2009-09-15T17:50:00.002+01:00

A while back we did a feature of what remained of the former junction station at Willoughby (click here to see it). Another visit today revealed a few more artefacts.

The former station house still retains it's railway association

Some of the platform still survives supporting a garden wall of an adjoining property

The substantial goods shed still remains.....

...along with one piece of old rolling stock!
Looking from the level crossing, the trackbed towards Grimsby and the station was located immediately after the crossing. The wall on the left is stood on what remains of one of the platforms (see above)

A late c.19th century photograph from the same position (Photo: DNR)
The trackbed looking south
A reminder of what Willoughby once looked like. This 1959 photograph shows the well kept station and the East Lincolnshire main line to Grimsby. The branch to Mablethorpe can be seen diverging to the right in the distance (Photo: HB Priestley)

Route Learning

2009-09-15T17:20:00.003+01:00

From 3rd October until 1st November, the trains service between Skegness and Boston will be suspended whilst engineering work (involving substantial track renewal) takes place. Bus replacements will be used during the period to connect with trains at Boston. This will bring a number of engineering trains to Skegness and yesterday saw the first of the driver familiarisation runs taking place from Toton to Skegness, in this instance using 66170. The locomotive remained overnight and is illustrated below this morning where it was stabled at the top end of platform 4.

National Express at Butlins 14/09/09

2009-09-14T18:00:00.000+01:00

660 (Bradford)

OUI 5446 (Linburg)
OUI 9880 (Linburg)

662 (Liverpool)

325 STG (Selwyn)

663 (Newcastle)

Y785 MFT (Go Northern)

664 (Preston)

PO55 OWY (Travellers Choice)

Lawton's

2009-09-11T22:10:00.000+01:00

Parked in a layby on the A158 is Leyland Olympian/ECW OFS 783Y, owned by Lawton (or Stickney). It was new to Lothian Regional Transport and more recently with Stephenson (of Rochford). It still retains that operator's livery and, until recently, also retained the fleetname! (Apologies for the poor technical quality of the photo). A rare example now of an ECW bodied PCV in active service in the county.

BR Van

2009-09-07T22:01:00.000+01:00

Some miles away from the nearest railway, this ex BR Plank Sided van was discovered today at a property on Fen Road in Stickford. One wonders how many of these have ended up in use as sheds!

...a new depot opens

2009-09-06T18:15:00.000+01:00

Today saw the opening of the new Stagecoach depot at Middlemarsh, the remaining vehicles being transferred from the old depot earlier today.

15934 was the last open top bus to leave the Grosvenor Road depot and the first to use the new one! It is illustrated near the new premises whilst making the journey between the two locations

26124 was the very last vehicle to leave the Grosvenor Road depot and is illustrated approaching the new premises.

Vehicles at the new depot

As one depot closes.....

2009-09-06T18:10:00.000+01:00

Today marked the end of the bus depot at Grosvenor Road. Below are some photographs of the depot on its last day. Unfortunately by the time we visited all but a few vehicles inside had already been moved to the new premises with the exception of the few illustrated in the neighbouring builders yard.
For some more photos and video of some of the final buses at the depot, please visit the Skegness Magazine website by clicking here

1A Final Day

2009-09-06T18:00:00.001+01:00

Today was the final day of service for the Stagecoach 1A Shuttle Service, which operated a daily service during the High Season timetable between Chapel St Leonards bus station and Chapel Point.

The two locations will continue to be linked with the 9 (Skegness - Louth) which serves both locations. Some early morning and evening service 1's are also extended to Chapel Point.

16453 on Ancaster Avenue after working a 1A to Chapel Point on the last day of service

16453 departs from Chapel Point with the very last 1A shuttle

The withdrawal of the service clearly upset some residents as this petition in the window of the Chapel Parish Council office illustrates

Winter Service

2009-09-06T15:00:00.002+01:00

Today is the final day of the summer Sunday timetable on East Midlands Trains. The first departure from Skegness next Sunday (13th September) will be at 1408, with subsequent trains at 1617, 1807 and 1915.

156414 on the 1108 service to Nottingham today

"The end is near..."

2009-09-04T17:00:00.003+01:00

Just two days before the Stagecoach depot in Grosvenor Road closes it's doors for good, we managed to get this exclusive photo of the last ever bus scheduled to depart from there. Today at 1600, 16456 worked the EE03 (a contact service for the Skegness Grammar School) and below are the photographs of it just prior to departure.

Grosvenor Road Depot (Skegness)

2009-09-01T20:05:00.003+01:00

Following our earlier item regarding the Stagecoach depot in Grosvenor Road (due to close this Sunday), further photographs have emerged from the archive.

A 1975 view of the depot - the office in the adjoining house being still open at this stage

A view from the mid-1980's illustrates the former single deck section of the depot before demolition.

Demolition commenced with the removal of the roof

The rear of the single deck section

A look at the inside

Demolition almost complete but for the outer wall

Bank Holiday

2009-08-31T18:16:00.004+01:00

Today was the last major Bank Holiday of 2009 and the climax of the Holiday Season. It went without any major hitches. Indeed (despite what the local newspaper will no doubt claim to the contrary), the expected droves of people did not descend on the town, which appeared no busier than any other weekend this August.

East Midlands Trains ran their Nottingham - Skegness HST service again today, although publicity appears to be rather scant so the loadings on were lighter than would be expected.

43059 at Skegness shortly after arrival this morning

Surrounded by semaphores, 43081 leads the 1708 to Nottingham out of Skegness with 43059 at the rear

Stagecoach bus services were extremely busy today and subject to the usual delays caused by the traffic lights at Fantasy Island. To avoid long gaps between runs, a "tidal flow" system was operated during the afternoon where two vehicles were sent direct via the A52 to Anchor Lane returning by the normal route. This lead to the unusual sight of four open toppers following each other from Butlins to Skegness in the mid-afternoon (15958, 15952, 15994 and 15991)!

15958 followed by 15952 pass the Clock Tower on returning service 3's from Anchor Lane

The number of coaches on day excursions in the Richmond Drive Coach Park was rather pitiful, amounting to just 22 in total!

One of the more interesting vehicles was the Motorvation double-deck coach T304 JJF. The Motorvation company was purchased by Skills in 2008.

Also at Skegness Richmond Coach Park was East Yorkshire's DC54 EYC
Only one vehicle was required to work the X12 to Peterborough today, and 18422 is seen at the bus station compound before departure. Unlike the previous day, there were plenty of seats available!

National Express

2009-08-31T16:45:00.002+01:00

Quite a lot of activity took place today with National Express services. Not only was today a Bank Holiday, but also a changeover day at Butlins, and also saw a large number of families heading home as schools reopen next week. This required a number of duplicates to be operated.

Stagecoach in Peterborough's 53004, is duplicated by Veolia's V457 JTO on the 449 Mablethorpe to London service 449. They are illustrated at the coach stop at Richmond Drive in Skegness
Linburg (of Darnall, Sheffield) OUI 7745 departs from Butlins on the return 660 to Bradford
BL Travel (of Hemsworth, Ponterfract) YJ57 BOV is seen after arrival at Butlins having worked a duplicate on the 660 from Sheffield. Skyline (of Oldbury, Birmingham) W372 RKS is a regular performer on the 661 route. It is illustrated here departing from Butlins on the return journey to Birmingham.
Another of Skyline's fleet, Y3 AEJ, follows on a duplicate 661 to Birmingham
Hill's (of Wolverhampton) BU03 LYW, leaves Butlins with a duplicate 661 as far as Coventry
Selwyns (of Runcorn) 352 STG departs from Butlins on the 662 to Liverpool
Happy Days (of Stafford) YN07 EXW departs Butlins on a duplicate 662
Go Northern's K2 V0Y departing from Butlins on the service 663 to Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Jewitts (of Hexham) BX05 UWA arrives at Butlins after working a duplicate on the 663
Travellers Choice (of Carnforth) 3770 RU arrives at Butlins after working the 664 service from Preston. This was the only one of the services today not to require a duplicate

16940

2009-08-30T18:00:00.001+01:00

Stagecoach 16940 is seen this morning working the 1003 service 6A from Burgh-le-Marsh to Skegness, which operates via the Southview Park.

X12

2009-08-30T17:50:00.003+01:00

Stagecoach in Peterborough 18421 and 18422 worked the X12 today and are illustrated at the Bus Station compound.

New Depot

2009-08-30T17:10:00.002+01:00

The new Stagecoach depot in Skegness will open for business to commence with the introduction of the Low Season timetable on September 7th.

The new depot is located at Middlemarsh on the southern side of the A158, almost halfway between Burgh-le-Marsh and Skegness. A few photos of the new depot prior to its opening, taken this morning, can be seen below.

A view of the depot complex from the new approach road

Admin and the garage

The new bus wash

Old Depot

2009-08-30T17:05:00.008+01:00

It was in 1926 that WW and CC Stinson of Whitwick (nr Coalville in Leicestershire) established Skegness Motor Services. They operated from premises in Grosvenor Road. Daily services were operated to Mablethorpe, Spilsby, Sutton-on-Sea, and Alford. A town service commenced in 1933 between the depot and the Clock Tower.

The adjoining house was constructed in the 1930's as premises for he Depot Superintendent, a common feature of bus companies in the era. A Lincolnshire Road Car office was opened on the lower floor, and dealt with parcels, as well as bookings for excursions and National Express services, this being closed in Autumn 1977. The house remained in Lincolnshire Road Car ownership up to 1983 when it was leased to a Printing Firm. It was eventually sold to Ellis Brothers builders (who have premises at the rear of the depot) and is now a private residence.

In 1934 Skegness Motor Services were taken over by the Lincolnshire Road Car Company, the route between the depot and the Clock Tower was then numbered 95 and was suspended following the outbreak of War and was not reinstated. In more recent times, the depot did retain a solitary service to convey school pupils, the last ever will be the school contract run EE03.

The depot was to remain under the ownership Lincolnshire Road Car. It underwent a number of modifications over the years, one of the most significant being in the mid-1980's when the covered section at the eastern end which housed single deckers, was demolished to leave an open compound.

After 83 years, the depot will close it's doors for the last time on September 6th.

Skegness depot in 1980
A comparison shot taken this afternoon

Another view from today from the opposite direction. Note the For Sale board already up!

Lincolnshire Road Car's 2516 outside the depot in 1980Over the years, the depot has had a number of unusual visitors - in this instance in 1977 is Scottish Omnibuses SFS 373H, well off it's route from London to Edinburgh!

Such was the popularity of Skegness north of the Border, that a number of express coach services operated during the summers from the mid 80's, often resulting in all manner of duplicates being run using Scottish Bus Group vehicles - even double deckers, as illustrated by Eastern Scottish C176 VSF in 1989.

HTML clipboardA pair of Plaxton bodied Leyland PSU3's, the leading vehicle being TRN 746, which was new to Ribble in November 1963. Thet are illustrated in summer 1977 outside the Lincolnshire Road Car depot in Skegness, presumably for refuelling, before returning with the National Express service 340 to the North-East. TRN 746 appears to be working a duplicate as far as Durham, whilst presumably the following vehicle will work through to Newcastle.

(Our thanks to P.N. Hill, former Managing Director of Lincolnshire Road Car for additional information)

HST

2009-08-29T17:30:00.000+01:00

The weekly HST appears in a variety of liveries of late - today saw 43052 (pictured at Skegness below) with 43055, both in East Midlands Trains livery whilst all the carriages were in the former Midland Mainline colours!

Surf Specials

2009-08-29T16:00:00.000+01:00

Noted on the Stagecoach "Surf Special" bus services to Grantham railway station today were:

52357 (0850 ex-Butlins)

52381 (0950 ex-Butlins)

16804 (1050 ex-Butlins)

Halton Holgate

2009-08-25T18:03:00.002+01:00

Halton Holgate was the only intermediate station on the branch line from Firsby to Spilsby. It was closed to passengers on 10th September 1939, initially due to the onset of War, but was never to reopen. Goods trains lasted until 1st December 1958. One claim to fame would be that amongst the very last passengers to travel over the line was the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, when the train was stabled there overnight on 19th November 1958!

Halton Holgate - during the period when it was still open to goods trains (Photo: M Black)

A similar view taken today - the station building remains albeit as a private dwelling and with a conservatory occupying part of the former platform and track bed. The goods shed visible in the above photograph also remains.

A view of the station when still open to goods looking towards Firsby (Photo: M Black)

A view taken today from the road bridge featured in the photo above, and the track bed towards Firsby

As if frozen in time, the original bridge continues to carry the road over the long disused railway

Yet another reminder from the past is the Station Road sign viewed from opposite the former station approach road

Firsby

2009-08-25T18:00:00.004+01:00

Working around the Firsby area today gave me the opportunity to photograph a few remaining railway relics.

Once a busy station on the East Lincolnshire Main Line between Peterborough and Grimsby, it also served as the junction for Spilsby and Skegness. It was closed to all traffic on 5th October 1970.

A view of the level crossing at Firsby when the East Lincolnshire Line was open (Photo: G.H. Brown)

The site of the level crossing as it is today- the cottage on the right is still named "Crossing Cottage".

Firsby Station when open (Photo: P. Loftis/J Musselwhite)

All that remains today is a small section of the station building

Stood on the site of the level crossing looking towards the station - hard to believe that this was once the Main Line to Grimsby!

From near to the site of the crossing looking in the direction of Boston. The bungalow on the left now occupies the former track bed. The line of trees in the near distance marks the location of the "South Curve", now part of the very much open branch line to Skegness. So it's still possible to hear the trains at Firsby even though it no longer has a station!

The former Railway Hotel next to the station still exists albeit now a private residence

For more pictures of Firsby station when it was open, please click on the following links:

Dave's Railpics of Lincolnshire

John's Railway Images

and for a potted history, please click here

RAF Spilsby

2009-08-25T17:50:00.000+01:00

Despite what its name implies, the former airfeld is actually located close to Great Steeping. It was opened on 20th September 1943, and last saw use in 1958.

41 years on, and there are few remains. One noted today was the former wash rooms which still stand in a dilapidated state
An aerial view (courtesy of Google Earth). Despite being ploughed up, the scars left by the former runways can still be clearly seen

Further information about RAF Spilsby may be found by clicking on the following links:

Airfields (Fotopic)

Boston Standard

Controltowers.co.uk

Old Airfields (Fotopic)

RAF Lincolnshire

Spilsby Info

Wikipedia

Little Steeping

2009-08-25T17:45:00.000+01:00

Even though the railway station here closed to passengers on 11th September 1961, after just under 48 years later, there is still a link to the past in this street name!

Surf Special

2009-08-22T18:10:00.000+01:00

Working the 0950 ex Butlins to Grantham "Surf Special" today was P157 ASA, a vehicle new to Stagecoach in Western Scotland, seen below at Skegness bus station.

X12

2009-08-22T18:05:00.000+01:00

Seen at the bus station compound today are Stagecoach in Peterborough's AE06 GZU and AE06 GZT before returning on the X12 service to Peterborough.

Hunts "Additional"

2009-08-22T18:00:00.000+01:00

During the six weeks school summer holiday, Hunts are providing an additional hourly service 7 between Skegness and Chapel St Leonards to supplement the main route. This 31 seat Mercedes is a regular on the additional service and is illustrated at Chapel St Leonards this afternoon.

National Express at Butlins

2009-08-21T16:00:00.004+01:00

As the summer season approaches its theoretical climax, quite a few coaches appeared today:

660 (Bradford)

OUI 9979 (Linburg)
OUI 5446 (Linburg)

661 (Birmingham)

W372 RKS (Skyline)
PN04 PFY (Skyline)
A2 EXC (Elcock Reisen)

662 (Liverpool)

YJ04 HHB (Selwyns)
Y468 HUA (Selwyns)

663 (Newcastle)

FJ08 KMV (Go Northern)

664 (Preston)

WX 9548 (Travellers Choice)

Skyline's PN04 PFY departs Butlins on a duplicate 661

Elcock Risen's A2EXC departs from Butlins on a duplicate 661

Selwyns YJ04 HHB departs from Butlins on the 662
Go Northern's Levante FJ08 KMV at Butlins

Travellers Choice WX 9548 at Skegness on the return service 664 to Preston

Butlins Road Train

2009-08-21T15:45:00.003+01:00

The Butlins Road Train provides inter-camp transport. It is seen below between duties.

16918

2009-08-21T15:30:00.002+01:00

Stagecoach's 16918 was transferred to Skegness in May as an additional vehicle was required to operate the extended service 9's to Louth. It is illustrated below at the Skegness bus station compound between duties.

Service 10

2009-08-19T21:32:00.001+01:00

Service 10 (Louth - Lincoln) continues to see a variety of vehicles as can be seen below, the upper picture of 23955 was taken on 13th August and the lower one of 19073 this morning.

Riding the 156

2009-08-19T21:10:00.001+01:00

In my opinion, the 156 is by far the most scenic route operated by Stagecoach in Lincolnshire. It consists of one journey each way between Caistor and Louth on Wednesdays and Fridays. A few pictures taken on the 1400 departure from Louth today - some from the unusual perspective of the rear window!

21018 shortly before departure on the 156

Looking through the rear window as the bus climbs the steep gradients at Kirmond-le-Mire - I remember well doing this on the ex-Scottish Alexander-bodied Leopards in the Road Car era on the service 25 (Louth - Grimsby via Binbrook) and they fared rather better up this hill than did the more modern 21018 today!

On leaving Brookenby (formerly RAF Binbrook) there's another steep climb. Last time I did this route some years ago was on an ECW-bodied Leyland Olympian which struggled with the gradient to say the least!

A view back towards the picturesque village of Thoresway

Increase in Passengers

2009-08-19T17:00:00.000+01:00

This season has so far seen a marked increase in the number of passengers using Stagecoach services in the area. Most significant is the visible increase in the number of OAP Free Pass holders.

Even early on in the Holiday Season, the numbers of passengers using OAP Passes rose dramatically as illustrated in this photo of a service 3 at Fantasy Island on 19th May

The extended service 9's have proven to be very popular - a number of people now taking advantage and travelling across Mablethorpe to Louth. From observations, and evident in the photograph below taken at Louth on the 15th July, the majority are OAP Free Pass holders.

A good illustration of the popularity of OAP passes. 15th July at Louth bus station, at least 100 are gathered to catch buses home to various destinations
The Fantasy Island stop on the Old Roman Bank at Ingoldmells is the busiest in the area. Here a large group of passengers await the next service to Skegness on 16th August. Despite the high frequency of services, this is not an uncommon sight this summer
Saturdays tend to be the busiest day of the week with a combination of Pass Holders, Day Trippers and also conveying passengers for Butlins from arriving East Midlands Trains services on Butlins changeover day. This is aptly ilustrated by this fully loaded service 1 on 8th August

Routemaster

2009-08-18T02:00:00.002+01:00

A rather unusual discovery in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds today was this Routemaster. WLT 742 was new to London Transport in April 1961 as their RM742. Allocated to Holloway depot it was used on routes 17, 63, 127, 143, 214, 239, 253, 271, 276 and N93. Following overhaul at Aldenham in October 1965, it was transferred to Muswell Hill depot in November 1965 and then to Wood Green Depot in November 1965. After withrawal fro service in November 1986, it was sold to the York & County Press in January the following year, and was converted to partial open top for use as a promotional vehicle. It now resides in a private yard at Fulletby where it is currently being converted into a mobile home. The pictures below were taken this morning.

6C

2009-08-18T02:00:00.001+01:00

Translinc's Optare YJ06 YSN is seen joining the A158 at High Toynton whilst working a service 6C from Louth to Horncastle this morning.

"Bus Rally"

2009-08-16T23:00:00.000+01:00

Not the usual destination seen on buses in Skegness! Stagecoach in Chesterfield's 16495 was seen today at the compound in the bus station with its blind displaying "Bus Rally"!

National Express at Butlins

2009-08-15T02:00:00.000+01:00

Noted today were the following:

(660) Bradford

OUI 5446 (Linburg)
OUI 9978 (Linburg)

(661) Birmingham

W372 RKS (Skyline)
Y3 AEJ (Skyline)

(663) Newcastle

CU 6860 (Go Northern)

Louth Depot

2009-08-14T02:30:00.000+01:00

Almost one year since it closed, a visit today revealed that the former Stagecoach depot at Orme Lane in Louth, is still intact (complete with Stagecoach sign!) and up for sale.

Low Season Timetable

2009-08-11T19:36:00.000+01:00

The Stagecoach low season timetables for the Skegness area are due to come into effect on 7th September. The main changes are as follows:

1 - operates every 20 minutes between Skegness and Chapel St Leonards bus stations (currently operates every 10 minutes).

1A - operates every 20 minutes between Skegness and Ingoldmells bus stations (currently operates between Chapel St Leonards bus station and Chapel Point with certain journeys in the morning/evening extended to/from Skegness).

3 - Operates every 10 minutes between Skegness bus station and Anchor Lane (Hardy's) (currently operates every 7-8 minutes).

Unlike previous years, the extension of service 1's to Chapel Point has been dropped and this location will only be served by the Stagecoach service 9 and Hunts service 7 (Alford runs). Additionally the demand-responsive Call Connect service also serves Chapel Point.

The new timetables may be viewed by clicking here.

Quiet day on LCLR

2009-08-09T15:11:00.000+01:00

It was a quiet day when we visited the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway this afternoon, with few customers apparent as illustrated in the photo below.

Readers of this blog are reminded that the railway is open every Sunday during August and a train will be operating along the route on these days. For further information, please visit the LCLR's website by clicking here.

Addlethorpe Minibus returns

2009-08-09T02:00:00.000+01:00

Addlethorpe Minibus resumed operation today. A mechanical problem with the company's only vehicle, KB02 DLV, meant that the service was not run for several days.

The picture illustrates the vehicle as it enters Sea Lane in Ingoldmells.

14/08/09 - Another day of non-operation occurred today

Nattional Express at Butlins

2009-08-08T02:00:00.000+01:00

The following were noted today:

(660) Bradford

OUI 7745 (Linburg)

(661) Birmingham

W372 RKS (Skyline)
PN04 PFY (Skyline)
W648 FUM (Hills)

(662) Liverpool

SEL 23 (Selwyns)

(663) Newcastle-upon-Tyne

574 CPT (Go Northern)

(664) Preston

WX 9548 (Travellers Choice)

Again a disappointingly low number of coaches for the peak holiday season. One highlight was 574 CPT which arrived displaying "Northern General" as its destination!

Ocean Liner Express

2009-08-05T02:00:00.000+01:00

The inaugural Ocean Liner Express, a charter train operated by UK Railtours, has been cancelled.

The train was to have run from London (King's Cross) to Skegness tomorrow but will not now operate due to the carriages being unavailable.

Funk Bus

2009-08-03T02:10:00.000+01:00

Not a PCV, but still of interesting is the Funk Bus (FX08 PGZ), noted today at Chapel St Leonards. It's owned by the East Lindsey District Council who describe it as follows:

Inspired by this challenge, a state-of-the-art new mobile youth vehicle ‘Funk-Bus’ has been created with input from young people working alongside us.

The Funk-Bus will tour 24 rural and isolated communities in the area, delivering a range of ‘play’ experiences for 11 to 19 year olds. Teenagers from across East Lindsey shared their views on what they wanted to see on the finished bus and, as a result, the latest computers and interactive equipment are being installed, along with more traditional games and creative resources.

The Funk-Bus will contain the following equipment;

Play Station 3
Xbox 360
Nintendo Wii
Wii Fit Dance mat
32 inch plasma TV
Two 26 inch plasma TVs
Free view TV
PC with Internet access
Music juke box
Arts corner

(Above text from http://www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/leisure/funk_bus/)

National Express at Butlins

2009-08-01T02:00:00.000+01:00

The following were noted today:

(660) Bradford

OUI 9980 (Linburg)
OUI 7745 (Linburg)

(661) Birmingham

W372 RKS (Skyline)
PN04 PFY (Skyline)
N8 SHS (Nash's)

(662) Liverpool

SEL 36 (Selwyns)

(663) Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Y785 MFT (Go Northern)
OK02 AOL (Abbott's)

Boston IT

2009-07-30T13:53:00.000+01:00

A trip to Boston today enabled us to get a few shots of the IT town service operated by Brylaine Travel. Despite the controversy of the buses using the pedestrianised Strait Bargate in the town centre (please click here for more information), overall it appears to have been very successful.

Disappointingly, the destination displays are less than helpful. "INTO TOWN" as a destination is not exactly much use to non-locals - and reminiscent of the days of Lincolnshire Road Car vehicles when they worked town routes and rather unhelpfully displayed "SERVICE"!

On the day of our visit, it seemed to work well - apart from one vehicle which had to reverse three times to activate the traffic light on the bus lane on Haven Bridge!

Timetables for the route can be seen by clicking here.

MX08 DHF enters Strait Bargate on the IT6 to the Bladon Estate

YJ08 PHX is illustrated working an IT2 to Fenside

The same vehicle illustrated as it progresses along Strait Bargate. Audible warning alarms and a slow speed ensures that there is no conflict with pedestrians

Vehicles operate in both directions along Strait Bargate. YJ08 PHV is seen after working amn IT6 from the Bladon EstateMX08 DHF is seen emerging from Strait Bargate on the IT3 to Robin Hood Walk

Willoughby

2009-07-28T02:00:00.000+01:00

The remains of Willoughby station on the East Lincolnshire Line, closed to all traffic from 5 October 1970.

The location of the level crossing looking west

A view from the opposite direction

The station house and trackbed looking towards Firsby
The trackbed looking north and the junction with the Mablethorpe Branch. No sign of the once smart station pictured when open in the bottom photograph

Surf Special

2009-07-26T02:05:00.002+01:00

The East Midlands Trains relief coach service between Butlins and Grantham now appears to have been given the name "Surf Special"!

Stagecoach in Lincolnshire 16920 at Skegness bus station on the 1120 to Grantham52381 at Butlins after working the 1205 from Grantham

Midland Mainline HST

2009-07-26T02:00:00.000+01:00

The HST relief train from Nottingham today was formed entirely of Midland Mainline liveried stock, a first for Skegness.

43066 arrives at Skegness with the 0807 from Nottingham

43059 departing from Skegness with the 1705 to Nottingham

X12

2009-07-26T01:30:00.000+01:00

Stagecoach in Peterborough are again operating their X12 service from Peterborough to Skegness on Saturdays, Sundays and August Bank Holiday Monday, from today until 30 August. To see the timtable, please click here (PDF).

18420 (illustrated at Skegness bus station today) and 18421 did the first two runs

South Sidings

2009-07-26T01:00:00.000+01:00

After some 40 years of dereliction, a section of the area which was once occupied by the south group of sidings at Skegness is being built on. The photograph below illustrates the new dwellings being constructed.

Addlethorpe Minibus

2009-07-25T02:00:00.000+01:00

A new bus service between Addlethorpe and Skegness commenced today. The 44 runs hourly (Tuesday and Wednesday excepted).

The VOSA notice

The very first service is seen at Lumley Road, Skegness. The vehicle, KB02 DLV, is a Ford Transit 350 with B15F body.

EMT Relief Bus

2009-07-19T01:00:00.003+01:00

East Midlands Trains are operating a relief bus service on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays between Butlins and Grantham railway station from today until 31 August. To see the timetable, please click here (PDF).

52357 seen this morning on at Skegness bus station on the 1020 to Grantham

Green Bus

2009-07-19T01:00:00.001+01:00

A couple of unusual visitors at Skegness today were two double-deckers owned by Green Bus of Birmingham, which provides 23 bus services for pupils to a number of schools in the area. The company will also be trialling the next generation of bus pass (RFID) as well as developing a thumb print reader. Further information about them can be found by clicking here.

R363 and R364 LGH, are illustrated at the Skegness Coach Station shortly after arrival. They are both Volovo Olympians with Northern Counties Palatine II bodies and were new to London General in 1997.

Additional Trains

2009-07-19T00:00:00.000+01:00

Today saw EMT commence operating a relief train from Nottingham to Skegness using an HST set. The train does two return trips and will run every Saturday and August Bank Holiday Monday, until 5 September.

Nottingham	Depart	08:07	14:06
Sleaford	Depart	08:54	15:21
Boston	Depart	09:21	15:44
Skegness	Arrive	10:22	16:45

Skegness	Depart	11:28	17:05
Boston	Depart	12:25	18:05
Sleaford	Depart	12:49	18:26
Nottingham	Arrive	13:43	19:14

43055 is seen at Skegness after working the 0807 from Nottingham this morning. 43073 was at the rear.

Network Rail Special

2009-07-18T02:00:00.000+01:00

A Network Rail special train visited Skegness this morning. 37218 and 37611 worked top and tail on1Q14 0451 from Derby RTC. It arrived here at 0839 and departed at 0932.

With 37218 leading, the photograph below illustrates the train shortly after arrival at Skegness

Some video footage of the train departing from Skegness with 37611 leading and some quite impressive sound effects!

Possibly the most unusual item carried on a bus recently?

2009-07-13T02:00:00.000+01:00

Here's something you don't see every day - a fully inflated dinghy with accompanying passenger on Stagecoach's service 1 today!

Grayscroft Neoplan

2009-06-26T02:00:00.000+01:00

A new addition to the Grayscroft fleet this month is Neoplan Starliner T2 FEG. It is illustrated below still in Fraser Eagle livery alongside Stagecoach GU52 WSX and sister Neoplan YR02 UOC.

15/08/09 - the vehicle is currently at Pickering being repainted into fleet livery.

1A

2009-05-31T18:15:00.000+01:00

Stagecoach service 1A (Chapel St Leonards Bus Station - Chapel Point) is generally (but not always!) operated using an open top vehicle. Today, 15991 was employed on this duty and is illustrated at Chapel St Leonards Bus Station.

Railtourer

2009-05-31T18:00:00.000+01:00

Railtourer operated a charter from Skegness to Hull yesterday with 37516 and 47760 working "top and tail". The train then returned empty to Carnforth this morning at 1120 as 5Z58.

47760 at Skegness this morning

37516 at the front

Video of the ECS departing from Skegness

High Season timetable

2009-05-26T02:00:00.000+01:00

The Stagecoach High Season timetable for the Skegness area comes into effect today and runs until 6th September.

It includes a lot of changes, which are summarised below:

1 : Operates daily every 10 minutes between Skegness and Chapel St Leaonards Bus Stations - extension between Chapel St Leonards bus station and Chapel Point withdrawn and replaced by the 1A.

1A: With a few exceptions in the morning/evening which are extended to/from Skegness, this operates to a 20 minute frequency daily between Chapel Bus Station and Chapel Point.

3: Frequency increased to every 7/8 minutes.

6A: New hourly service from Skegness to Burgh-le-Marsh. It is routed outward via the Southview Park, thence along the new Burgh bypass, and back into Burgh village and thence to Skegness via the Southview Park.

9: On weekdays, most Skegness - Mablethorpe and v.v. journeys have been extended to/from Louth replacing the service 10 between Mablethorpe and Louth (curtailed to operate between Lincoln and Louth). On Sundays a two hourly service operates between Skegness and Mablethorpe, an improvement to the corresponding timetable last summer.

Illustrated below is 16942 at South View Park on the inaugural 6A run from Skegness this morning.

Skegness HST

2009-05-25T16:09:00.000+01:00

To provide additional capacity for customers travelling to Skegness this summer, East Midland Trains are to utilise one of their HST sets on Saturdays (July 18th - September 5th), providing two return trips from Nottingham to Skegness. A trial run which was to have taken place on 17th May was postponed and instead took place on 23rd May. The same HST worked additional relief trains from Nottingham to Skegness today - and we were there to record its arrival at Skegness.

This is not the first HST to work to Skegness, as Hertfordshire Railtours operated a charter from St Pancras to Skegness using one on 22nd February 1992. A photo of this arriving at Skegness with 43051 leading can be seen below.

26123

2009-05-21T18:05:00.000+01:00

Stagecoach 26123 is illustrated at Sea Lane in Ingoldmells on it's return jouney on the service 1 from Chapel St Leonards to Skegness.

Poker Bus

2009-05-17T02:00:00.000+01:00

Noted today in a yard in Ingoldmells was MCW, GYE 592W, new to London Transport in 1978, it subsequently passed to London United in 1994 and latterly was in the hands of Wandsworth College. It has now been converted to the Poker Bus and contains a longe area, bar and downstairs toilet and is available for hire for Hen/Stag Nights and Poker tournaments!

20/08/09 - The website http://www.pokerbus.co.uk/ appears to be down and the vehicle has not been seen for some weeks, so it appears that this may already have ceased trading.

South West Trains

2009-05-16T18:39:00.000+01:00

158882 visited Skegness today on a service from Nottingham. This is currently on loan to East Midlands Trains from South West Trains.

National Express at Butlins

2009-05-15T18:00:00.002+01:00

The Butlins services commenced operating Mondays and Fridays from 20th April to (and including) 2nd November.

As with last year, it comprises of four services:

660: Bradford to Butlins

661: Birmingham to Butlins

662: Liverpool - Butlins

663: Newcastle-upon-Tyne - Butlins

664: Preston - Skegness

The 661 continues to be operated on behalf of National Express by Skyline, the 663 by Go Northern and the 664 by Travellers Choice.

Two changes of operator have taken place in that the 660, previously operated by Tate's, is now in the hands of Linburg and the 662, formerly with Clynnog & Trefor, is now operated by Selwyns.

Linburg's OUI 5446 is seen erroneously dropping passengers off at Skegness bus station earlier today. It should have called at the neighbouring coach stop instead!

Network Rail Inspection

2009-05-14T02:00:00.000+01:00

37423 arrived at Skegness today, having worked the 2Z16 0926 from Doncaster. It consisted of a single carriage with various Network Rail officials on board. It is due to depart tomorrow at 0821 when it works the 2Z17 to Wakefield Westgate.

Where does the 39 refuel?

2009-05-08T02:00:00.000+01:00

A lesser known fact - Brylaine's Optare FY02 VHF, apparently refuels at the Total Garage in Skegness before working a day on the 39 Town Service!

Last year of the MCW's

2009-05-06T02:00:00.002+01:00

2009 is to be the final year of MCW operation in the Stagecoach in Lincolnshire fleet. At the time of writing it is not certain as to what will replace them in spring/summer 2010.

15958 earlier today departing from Anchor Lane

New Depot

2009-05-06T02:00:00.000+01:00

Work continues on the new Stagecoach depot located in Middlemarsh, two miles from Skegness along the A158. This will replace the existing premises at Grosvenor Road and should be open in September.

X51

2009-05-04T02:00:00.003+01:00

Stagecoach resumed operation of the service X51 (Cleethorpes Pleasure Island - Skegness) from today, and it operates Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from May to September inclusive.

Barton returns!

2009-05-04T02:00:00.001+01:00

Two preserved Barton coaches which visited Skegness on 3 May. KAU 564V (left), a Leyland Leopard with Plaxton C53F body, was new to Barton in July 1980 and allocated fleet number 564. It displays the X9 route number on the blinds, a reminder of Barton's once famous route between Long Eaton and the Lincolnshire coast and when they even had their own bus station in Skegness! The vehicle is currently owned by Confidence (of Leicester). Beside it is RVO 668L, another Plaxton-bodied Leyland Leopard, new to Barton in July 1973 and allocated fleet number 1246. It is owned by The Barton 1246 Society and you can find out more information about them by clicking here.

Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway

2009-05-04T02:00:00.000+01:00

Today saw the start of services on the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway at the Water Leisure Park in Ingoldmells. Ex-WD diesel "Major" provided regular trips along the relaid track hauling one of the Ashover carriages.

Below are some photographs and a video of the event.

Future running days for the LCLR are: Sunday 24th May, Sundays 19th & 26th July, Sundays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th August.

2009-04-26T02:00:00.000+01:00

Butlins at Ingoldmells plays host to the Motorcycle News event this weekend, which draws thousands of enthusiasts from all over the country. Along with trade stands, shows and suchlike, were some impressive displays of stunt riding performed by Dave Wiggins and Gary Taylor, the latter being the only UK rider to have completed a motorcycle backflip.

A few action photographs taken today be seen below:

Bellamy

2009-04-25T19:02:00.000+01:00

Bellamys summer 200 Service between Nottingham and Mablethorpe commenced on the 3rd April and runs to & including 9th October, and this year operates daily.

Bellamy's S45 KSM is a regular performer on the service 200 and is seen at Chapel St Leonards bus station this afternoon

Open Top

2009-04-25T02:00:00.001+01:00

Open top operation at Skegness commenced with the Low Season timetable on 6th April. 15934, which last year ran as a closed top, has now been converted to open top replacing 15956 which is withdrawn due to bodywork deterioration, and currently resides in a corner of the depot gradually being dismantled of all re-usable parts.

The operational open top fleet at Skegness is as follows:

15934 (NOA 439X)
15952 (WOI 3002)
15958 (BLZ 1423)
15972 (PIW 4456)
15977 (BLZ 1424)
15991 (TIL 7901)
15994 (WOI 3001)

15934 illustrated in the bus station compound at Skegness in summer 2008

15934 seen this afternoon at the Hardy's Animal Farm terminus now minus its roof

The remains of 15956 at Skegness depot this morning

Low Season Timetable

2009-04-06T17:02:00.000+01:00

Stagecoach's Low Season timetable for Skegness became operative from today and is effective until (and including) 24th May. The main changes are:

1 (Skegness - Chapel Point): Operates every 20 minutes
1A (Skegness - Ingoldmells Bus Station) Operates every 20 minutes
3 (Skegness - Anchor Lane): Operates every 10 minutes.

One significant difference to last summer is that service 3's now operate further along Anchor LAne and terminate at the approach road to Hardy's Animal Farm