Brand New Leyland Nationals

I promised something special today and for me at least I think this fulfils that promise!

I thought that you might like a photo from the past.  This view was taken at the band new Leyland National factory at Lilyhall, near Workington.

Leyland Nationals SCO 421L and 428L had just been completed and were parked outside the factory, ready to be driven down to Plymouth, as part of Plymouth City Transport's large batch of Nationals.  The date is 6th September 1972.  Leyland Nationals were always delivered with their chassis number (or build number) displayed on the route number blind.  After the completion of prototype and development vehicles, chassis numbers for the production series started at no. 101, so SCO 421L was only the 33rd bus built.

I don't think that this early batch of Nationals lasted very long with PCT.

©Peter Murnaghan

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If you have any interesting photos of buses / trains, or any other transport related photos that you want to share then please email them through to photos@plymothiantransit.com and I will post them here. Historical photos or brand new photos welcome - Ideally if you can supply a bit of commentary as well to explain what it is and why its interesting then it will make for a better post and hopefully spark some discussion too! Anything that can help us stuck at home enthusiasts feel a bit better  is a good thing!

Graham

Fancy A New Year Treat?

Leyland National Long 2 Door - Plymouth City Transport

Registration number WDR 663M, fleet number 63.

Works route 9 to City Centre, Efford & Laira.

Scheduled for a January Release RRP £34.50

Group members £23.60 post free

Non members £24.00 plus £2.50 P&P

Register your interest: sales@plymouthcitytransport.co.ukor text 07779004813 - £5 deposit required with all orders

www.plymouthcitytransport.co.uk

Life after Plymouth

Renown posted this on his excellent Flickr account which is reported here with his permission along with his detailed caption:

©Renown (Martyn Hearson)
Way back in 1979, the firm I began working for, W Stonier & Sons Ltd of Goldenhill, Stoke on Trent took delivery of their first Leyland National. Stonier's had been bought by Jim Berresford and his wife (of Berresford Motors, Cheddleton fame) in 1976 and had been the recipients of several 'modern' second hand buses as a result. The flip side was that Stonier's had a new Willowbrook saloon on order and reliable sources say there was a Northern Counties bodied Atlantean also, but in the event they didn't arrive... or at least the 'decker didn't. JAB's viewpoint was that new coaches could be justified, but new buses couldn't.

Anyway, as illustrated above, a youthful ex Plymouth City Transport Leyland National, SCO 427L arrived on approval from a well known Essex dealership as a possible lead to more. In the event, it didn't behave too well, but was never the less popular with crews who'd been used to manual gearboxes and no power steering. Before too long, it expired one night in Cobridge with a seized engine and was never repaired, it's hulk surviving in Parsonage Street yard almost until closure. About the same time half a dozen ex Greater Manchester AEC Swifts arrived (3 for Stonier's, 3 for Berresfords) which gave infinitely better service.

Back to the picture ... it was taken at shift change opposite the old garage in High Street Goldenhill. Early 'A' board gave way to Late 'A' at about 2.35pm, a diagram which saw the bus in service from about 6am to midnight all told.

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Links of interest

• Renown Flickr
• Following Konect's introduction of a new service to compete with Sanders Norwich to Cromer/Sheringham route, correspondent Syd Eades thought he would give both of the services a try yesterday East Norfolk Bus Blog
• Overheard on BBC Radio 4’s PM current affairs programme last week was correspondence from motorists who seemed astounded at the possibility of an increase in fuel duty (of nearly 14p per gallon). Omnibuses
• Its distinctive feature is the "round house" which isn't round; it's octagonal. Public Transport Experience
• Isle of Wight bus operator Southern Vectis has appointed Matt Kitchin as General Manager. The Bus People

National

While searching for something else I cam across this nice shot of a Leyland National sitting at Bretonside Bus Station ©Ian Kirby

Leyland National 1151/1R Bretonside Bus Station, Plymouth 4th February 1989

they really did suit this livery,

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Recommended Links

• If anyone had told me a few years ago I'd spend months trying to hunt down a DART, I would have thought they were mad. (YOU are!!) PTOTPA
• Today sees a different landscape in London: one (virtually) devoid of articulated buses… and the continued storage off-lease of unwanted bendies, as someone tries to figure out exactly what to do with the surplus. Omnibuses
• Does a ticket really need so much information or is someone, somewhere, having a laugh? The bus passenger is paying for all this nonsense Public Transport Experience
• “Meanwhile, National Express has said its ten bendy buses were safe—despite the mayor of London fulfilling his pledge to banish bendy buses from the streets of London. Omnibuses
• In 1997-8, Southern National replaced the Bristol VRs on the Weymouth - Taunton route 31 with Dennis Dart SLFs. Southern England Bus Scene
• Dawlish Water TGP
• No trip out on Saturday this week, but I did make it to Huddersfield on Wednesday PTOTPA

Progress halted

I'm still here even if this isnt...

© Jos van Hemert, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. PCT Leyland National 66 - Ply., Exeter St - 07-1977

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This scene has been completely transformed since this photo was taken. The bus itself has long gone from Plymouth, and indeed has long departed to the big bus depot in the sky. The ugly car park in the back ground is now a smart (although some say ugly) shopping mall. Even the concrete lamppost to the right and the old style bus stop flags have been updated over the years. We now have much better bus stop shelters although we also have annoying bollards along the pavement to discourage cars from parking on the pavement.
Another transformation: This year I have been able to replace my camera with a much better model and have been able to take much clearer photos and even videos. I have also replaced my extremely slow PC with a brand new super wizzy PC which when it works is brilliant. Sadly this purchase has not had the best of starts as it had to be returned to mesh for them to sort out. The good news is that it is now back having had faulty RAM replaced. The bad news is that it still does not seem in good health and has crashed several time so I have a feeling I wont be seeing the back of the old machine just yet...
Unless it does settle down quickly there may be more gaps in coverage over the next week or so.

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PTOTPA: University shuttle service
Omnibuses: In the spirit of deregulation
Uncle Terry: 134 I wonder...
TGP Projects: Lightroom
Uncle Terry: 135 Where's Terry
Omnibuses: In Code
TGP Dads Daily: Tinside Lido

Celebrating National Service

©Jos Van Hemert: PCT Leyland National 70+72 - Ply., Garage PCT - 07-1982
It seems so long ago that Plymouth Citybus had a large Leyland National fleet. Never much loved when they were around (by Citybus at least) yet these days a ride on one is a real treat! These buses did seem to have a good turn of speed which was always lacking on the Atlanteans. The suspension was something else - if you sat on the back seat you were bounced around so much you needed travel sickness tablets!
Sadly none of the Plymouth Nationals seem to have survived, even though most of them were eagerly snapped up by other operators when Citybus disposed of them at quite a young age. More of Jos' photos on his Fotopic site

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A Transport of Delight: Eurotunnel buy GBrF

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Twitter 21 June:
PLYMOUTH CITYBUS: Road closed due to burst water main, Tamerton Foliot Rd at Whitleigh Cross. Services 40,41,46&47 diverted to and from Looseleigh Ln.

Unrepeatable Scene

A Leyland National in New George Street

©Jos van Hemert.Plymouth City Transport 61 New George Street July 1980

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A great shot of a bus that no longer exists in a location that buses don't go and even if they did it does not look like this anymore! Littlewoods has long gone too and this store is now TJ Hughes. The area is now a pedestrian zone although there is now on street parking along sections of New George Street. I am pretty sure that buses were not regularly using New George Street at this time so I can only assume it was for an event taking place on Royal Parade as buses were often diverted through the City Centre when the Parade was closed. Thanks to Jos for allowing me to use his photos. Expect to see more over the coming weeks!

www.jossphotos.fotopic.net

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A Transport of Delight: Mass Default What will happen in 2016/7?
Omnibuses: From the company postbag A brilliant look at what bus companies have to put up with!
Omnibuses Dorset: Bowing out The end of an era in Dorset
Uncle Terry: 122- time to grasp the nettle
Leon Daniels: New Temsa bus launched
In the news: Changes at the top of First Group

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Twitter 11th June:
FIRST: Saltash Regatta Parade 19th June: From 1030 - 1130 Fore Street will be closed & services 1/1A & 76 diverted via New Rd & North Rd from 1015.

Sunday best: ETT319Y

Plymouth Health Authority Leyland National 2

©AecRegent: This National 2 was used by the Plymouth Health Authority, but I could not find out its actual use. An interesting addition. I have been meaning to show this great shot of Plymouth Health Authority's Leyland National ETT319Y since I came across it. I have spent a fair bit of time trying to upload my recent photos taken last weekend, just down the road from where this photo was taken. It was often to be found parked up here on Western Approach where it was used on a shuttle service to Moorhaven Hospital near Ivybridge. This was the second Leyland National used on this service although I cant for the life of mew remember the registration of the previous one. It was replaced by a fairly plain white Mercedes Bread minibus in 1988 I believe. The bus then went to Nottingham City Transport.

Further Reading Omnibuses: Foot shooting Omnibuses: Bolt from the Blues PTOTPA: Advert First on Twitter / Facebook 28 Jan 2010 17:28 JANUARY SALE ENDS SUNDAY! Don't miss a bargain with selected First 3 or 6 month season tickets reduced by upto £75 - but only until Sunday! Buy on line or from the Travel Shops in Plymouth, Truro, Penzance, Camborne or Barnstaple Bus Stations (please see Travel Shop section of website for opening hours). Click here for more info and to buy on line 29 Jan 2010 12:29 Don't forget we also have a Facebook page with info & photos of First buses in Devon & Cornwall. Become a fan. 14:55 Don't forget a new timetable is in operation for the X80/X81 (Plymouth - Lee Mill - Ivybridge - South Brent - Dartington - Totnes - Paignton - Torquay) from Sunday 31st January. Click here to view http://bit.ly/b7hFor A new service 64/65 timetable (Torquay Middle Warberry Rd - Town Centre - St Marychurch - The Willows - Torbay Hospital) also operates from Monday 1st February. Click here to view 15:00 Do you know a young person who deserves to be recognised for something special? Last year The Herald, proudly sponsored by First Devon and Cornwall, launched the Stephanie Hammacott award, to honour a brave, inspirational or community spirited youngster or perhaps someone who does that little bit extra at school or in a club. The accolade was created in honour of little nine-year-old Stephanie, who died during the gas blast in Southway in January 2008.LINK Citybus on Twitter / Facebook 30 Jan 2010 12:14 Serious congestion in the Drakes Circus area means all buses approaching the City from Exeter Street are diverting across the Viaduct. Passengers waiting in Mayflower Street or Western Approach can catch any bus to Royal Parade to catch up with their own service.

Sunday Best: AFJ755T

Another Leyland National this time from Western National in the smart blue and cream livery.
This Western National Leyland National is seen near the Princess Gardens with the Pavilion in the background. After being sold from NBC ownership, Western National tried out various colour schemes, and by 1989 had settled on this cream and blue with red stripe livery. With the fleetname it was "stick it on big, whatever". It appears that this bus did not have a blind for this route; notice the paper stickers in the winscreen. This was March 1989. ©AEC Regent

Sunday Best: WDR672M

I will leave it to to Renown to caption this picture:
From an enthusiasts point of view, one thing which early Leyland Nationals could do that was unusual in a world unaccustomed to air suspension, was to corner in spectacular fashion. My first ride on a PMT example stays in my mind as we keeled over on a roundabout in Newcastle under Lyme. I recall literally looking up at passengers sitting on the offside of the bus. Not quite in that league, here Plymouth No. 72 WDR 672M leans into a roundabout a hundred yards or so towards the City centre from Bretsonside bus station.
Great photo!

UCO46L Leyland National

©Terry Clark

These two photos of former Plymouth Leyland National UCO46L were posted by Terry Clark - and are reproduced here with his permission. Plymouths Nationals were dispatched elsewhere early on in their working lives and were to be found all over the country with quite a few lasting really well. UCO46L became an Exhibition Unit and is pictured above at Southend Bus Rally date unknown - but after 1990 when Thamesway was formed.

©Richard Haughey

Richard then also posted this photo of the same bus still with Eastern National, also as an Exhibition Unit, looking very much an NBC product.

Thanks to both Terry and Richard for permission to use their photos

Leyland Nationals Part 2

© Peter Horrex

It was Peters posting of this photo on one of the Google groups that prompted a lot more Leyland National interest within the group. It seems so long ago that the Leyland National was part of the Plymouth transport scene. Just as Darts are everywhere now, so the Leyland National was back in its heyday.

WDR665M is also pictured below when still with Plymouth - looking well past its best!

© aecregent

Perhaps the most fondly remembered livery is this one - the dual purpose version that later became Plymouth City Coach livery

© Jos Van Hemert

Terry Partridge has done his research on these specials...

Two were converted

65 12/81 as DP41F

62   5/84 as  DP40F

73 was converted as the mobility bus in 11/85 B25DL

All three survived to enter PCB ownership but by then were numbered 362/365/373

362 WDR 662M became an exhibition bus

Withdrawn towards the end of 1989

365 went via Ripley to ND

373 went via Ripley to Kinch, Barrow-on-Soar

There are some great photos of the Leyland Nationals on aecregents Flickr set here taken around 1983.

Leyland Nationals

Every now and again you find out that you didnt know as much about something as you thought you did! A couple of photos posted on the South West Buses Google Group by Mark Webber of brand new Leyland Nationals with Plymouth City Transport.

It may be of interest to know that when the last batch of Leyland nationals were delivered to Plymouth, they were fitted with the wrong registration plates. They arrived from Leyland with NDR prefixes instead of the WDR ones they were allocated and carried in service.

Pictures from this period were rare for me as my Kodak camera took 12 photos on  roll film, which meant saving up until you could afford to take it to a chemist to have the film developed before you could see your pictures. Not the same these days i'm glad to say!

Here is a picture of 62 as NDR 662M taken at Milehouse on the day it was delivered, still bearing the works ID number on the blinds.

©Mark Webber

This is a further shot of 61,65 and 64 as new on delivery day with the wrong registrations.

Forgive the camera angle as it was a tall wall and I was a lot smaller then!!

You may also recall that these buses entered service in the all over red livery, the cream roofs were added by Milehouse later on.

Well all this was new to me! I do recall them being in all over red for a while though. Thanks to Mark for allowing me to post here.

More Leyland Nationalism tomorrow!

Ferrybus then and now

©aecregent (Flickr blog this)

In a special livery for its route incorporating the Torpoint ferry is this ex Midland Red National, here with Western National in Plymouth's Royal Parade. Today, First operates this route with buses in a special livery.

This same bus can be seen in its Midland Red livery here along with aec's other excellent photos.

Of course these days the routes are under the Tamarlink banner:

National Pride

Over the next few days I will be posting more photos from the bus rally held this weekend just gone. Its hard to imagine that Plymouth was once the Leyland National stronghold that it was. We brought them in big numbers and then got rid of them just as quickly. Never a big favorite of bus enthusiasts at the time, they now get a lot of attention when they appear in preservation, especially when they turn out as nicely as this one. Owned by Terry Partridge seen chatting to the driver as part of the Inner Circle collection.
More photos in another Tabblo here.

Life after Plymouth

Thanks to Peter Horrex again for this excellent photo of WDR665M Leyland National in the wonderful green and cream of Southern National taken at Yeovil in 1997.
This was new to Plymouth City Transport as a dual door bus and later converted to a very comfortable 'dual purpose' coach.
For more of Peters photos visit his fotopic British Buses
or you can visit the Google groups which he runs
http://groups.google.co.uk/group/UK-Bus-Photo
http://groups.google.co.uk/group/London-Bus-Scene
http://groups.google.co.uk/group/The-Girl-in-the-Street