19 November 2014

34812 is Back and Black


Believe it or not, this is post number 2750 on Plymothian Transit so its nice that we can report an old favourite is back in Plymouth: Ex Eastern National Leyland Olympian C412 HJN has now passed into the ranks of preservation with Laurence Mayhew, having continued to be used for her original purpose, earning her living right up until last month with the Saint Michael's Entertainers dance troupe, ending her 28 year working life. C412 was new to a newly privatised Eastern National in 1986 and was used on the then premier service X51 linking Southend on Sea with Oxford Circus, London. She continued to work at many depots across Essex including primarily Chelmsford and Clacton, before passing to First Devon and Cornwall upon the withdrawal of Torpoint's last remaining Bristol VRs in 2005 and 2006. This is where she saw out her last years in public service, having been specially modified to operate across the Torpoint Ferry on Rame Peninsula services, meaning she continued to work hard for a living right up until withdrawal in 2009. Since then she has toured the length and breadth of the country with the aforementioned Dance Troupe, and has been well loved and cherished. This will indeed most certainly continue as she starts her new life back in the South West.You can follow her progress on her own Facebook Page
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There is also a potted history of this fine old bus on the PCTPG siteIf you check back on Laurence's Flickr sets you will see he has taken rather a lot of photos of this bus and get the general idea that he always liked this bus! Well done on saving this one and we hope you really enjoy your new bus. IMG_00002969
Photo credit: © Jason Beverley
First Devon and Cornwall Leyland Olympian C412 HJN is seen in Cawsand
2 January 2003 © Laurence Mayhew
Leyland lean
4 November 2006

Photo credit: Nick Rice under Creative Commons Licence.
First Devon and Cornwall 34812 C412HJN 2 April 2008

In The News

  • The Herald: Moves to re-open old railway line near Plymouth a step closer The reinstatement of the railway line is identified as critical infrastructure in the West Devon Core Strategy, which was adopted in 2011. The line, which would provide a direct link between Tavistock and Plymouth, is required to support development in Tavistock, reduce traffic on the A386 and provide greater travel opportunities.

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1 comment:

  1. Just seen the potted history you refer to. So this means PCT Preservation Group are moving forwards and now taking in former WN vehicles? A bit of Joint Services preservation! Fantastic well done Laurence and well don't PCT Preservation Group. Martyn

    ReplyDelete

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