Secondhand
2nd January 2007

As National Travel South West took greater control over the management of Black & White there was a need to provide more heavyweight express coaches. But the money was not available. It was not helped by the continued failure of the Daimler Roadliners which could not cope with express work, but were perfectly suited for tootling around the Cotswolds on low earning tours work.
Secondhand vehicles were acquired from sister companies around the patch.
The Leyland Leopards came from South Wales (Rhonnda), Midland Red, Ribble, Samuelsons and Southdown, and their quality - leave alone their age - was questionable.
But at least they kept running...unlike the Roadliners.
They were scattered across Black and White and the other National Travel South West fleets where lightweight chassis were being removed to take on the express operations that would one day become National Express.
There were some odd vehicles in the batches, including a handful of short Leyland Leopards from Ribble that proved popular for the failing tours work (despite the need to employ them on express operations to meet the growing demand).
My favourite was Midland Red 5775 (5775 HA), once a prime runner for that company. When Black & White went to collect it from Worcester depot it had been parked among the weeds for three years. And they have grown into the saloon through the seams and underfloor covers.
She stormed down the M5 with wind howling in from everywhere, grass flailing along the aisle in the blast, arrived in Cheltenham and (after a cursory inspection) was condemned to the scrapman. But, brother, didn't she fly!

<-- Index | Showing 1-43 of 43 pictures | Index -->
141 (141 DBO), ex Western Welsh 141 and Wessex National 451
141 (141 DBO), ex Western Welsh 141 and Wessex National 451
640x435
109.155_151.jpg
1976-01-01 00:00:00
 149 (RCY 56H) was originally South Wales 175. It was pictured in Exeter coach station when working the 726 service to Portsmouth. It was an AEC Reliance 8U3ZR with Duple Commander IV C44F bodywork.
149 (RCY 56H) was originally South Wales 175. It was pictured in Exeter coach station when working the 726 service to Portsmouth. It was an AEC Reliance 8U3ZR with Duple Commander IV C44F bodywork.
640x431
115.121S_12-46.jpg
1975-01-01 00:00:00
 190 (XVB 466G) [NTSW], ex Samuelsons, and sporting Greenslades fleetname. It is seen leaving Taunton bus station bound for London with an overload.
190 (XVB 466G) [NTSW], ex Samuelsons, and sporting Greenslades fleetname. It is seen leaving Taunton bus station bound for London with an overload.
640x430
109.132S_1-170.jpg
1978-04-02 00:00:00
 191 (XVB 467G) [NTSW] was ex-Samuelsons
191 (XVB 467G) [NTSW] was ex-Samuelsons
640x425
109.148_20.jpg
1976-01-01 00:00:00
192 (XVB 468G)
192 (XVB 468G)
640x421
109.547_264.jpg
1999-11-30 00:00:00
 193 (EUF 191D), ex Southdown 1191, and CHA 109C, former Midland Red 5906
193 (EUF 191D), ex Southdown 1191, and CHA 109C, former Midland Red 5906
640x420
109.1177Z.jpg
1999-11-30 00:00:00
 214 (CHA 113C) [BW] was new as Midland Red 5813. It was later rebuilt by Heyfordian as its TWL 541T, complete with a Van Hool body.
214 (CHA 113C) [BW] was new as Midland Red 5813. It was later rebuilt by Heyfordian as its TWL 541T, complete with a Van Hool body.
640x425
109.155_20.jpg
1976-01-01 00:00:00
 214 (CHA 113C), ex Midland Red 5813
214 (CHA 113C), ex Midland Red 5813
836x550
109.302_25.jpg
1976-01-01 00:00:00
230 (YTX 322H) was ex Rhonnda 322
230 (YTX 322H) was ex Rhonnda 322
640x411
109.815C_334.jpg
1983-08-01 00:00:00
 230 (YTX 323H)
230 (YTX 323H)
435x480
109.586d_266.jpg
1999-11-30 00:00:00
 231 (YTX 323H) [BW] was new as Rhonnda 323
231 (YTX 323H) [BW] was new as Rhonnda 323
640x418
109.146_20.jpg
1976-01-01 00:00:00
 235 (KCK 982H) [NTSW], ex Ribble 982
235 (KCK 982H) [NTSW], ex Ribble 982
640x421
111.009_8.jpg
1976-01-01 00:00:00
248 (HHA 180L) with Wessex National was formerly Midland Red 180
248 (HHA 180L) with Wessex National was formerly Midland Red 180
640x420
109.840C_348.jpg
1983-10-22 00:00:00
 264 (CHA 116C) in the colours of Webber, Blisland
264 (CHA 116C) in the colours of Webber, Blisland
640x441
109.333S_7-139.jpg
1980-10-01 00:00:00
 264 (CHA 116C), ex Midland Red 5816 (CHA 116C), but lacking the fleetname because Greenslades' management team did not want to be linked with such an elderly coach.
264 (CHA 116C), ex Midland Red 5816 (CHA 116C), but lacking the fleetname because Greenslades' management team did not want to be linked with such an elderly coach.
640x425
109.149_20.jpg
1976-03-01 00:00:00
 291 (SBF 218J) was new to Harper, Heath Hayes and became Midland Red 2269 with whom it is seen on return from NTSW. Alongside is PMT 905 (905 UVT) which was considered for Midland red operations, but sold straight on for scrap.
291 (SBF 218J) was new to Harper, Heath Hayes and became Midland Red 2269 with whom it is seen on return from NTSW. Alongside is PMT 905 (905 UVT) which was considered for Midland red operations, but sold straight on for scrap.
640x425
109.337_197.jpg
1979-01-01 00:00:00
332 (RHY 761M) began life with Bristol Omnibus. After serving with National Travel South West it gave further good service to Shamrock & Rambler, Hants & Dorset and Wilts and Dorset in whose fleet it was then running as its 3019.
332 (RHY 761M) began life with Bristol Omnibus. After serving with National Travel South West it gave further good service to Shamrock & Rambler, Hants & Dorset and Wilts and Dorset in whose fleet it was then running as its 3019.
640x421
109.1017C_408.jpg
1984-06-01 00:00:00
 333 (RHY 762M) still showing its Bristol Omnibus fleetnumber (2303)
333 (RHY 762M) still showing its Bristol Omnibus fleetnumber (2303)
640x421
109.157a_221.jpg
1999-11-30 00:00:00
 333 (RHY 762M), formerly Bristol OC 2303, with (beyond it) National Travel West 1253
333 (RHY 762M), formerly Bristol OC 2303, with (beyond it) National Travel West 1253
640x417
109.156_221.jpg
1980-09-01 00:00:00
 367 (RHY 767M) was originally Bristol 2179. It was later renumbered 97.
367 (RHY 767M) was originally Bristol 2179. It was later renumbered 97.
640x421
109.952C_363.jpg
1984-02-01 00:00:00
367 as 97 (RHY 767M) [NTSW] was ex-Bristol 2179
367 as 97 (RHY 767M) [NTSW] was ex-Bristol 2179
510x480
109.074_188.jpg
1979-02-01 00:00:00
 369 (RHY 769M) began life as Bristol OC's 2181. It is waiting for departure at Plymouth Bretonside when serving with Wessex National.
369 (RHY 769M) began life as Bristol OC's 2181. It is waiting for departure at Plymouth Bretonside when serving with Wessex National.
640x421
109.1396C_416.jpg
1984-08-20 00:00:00
 381 (BGY 581T) went to Wessex after repainting. here it is seen in
381 (BGY 581T) went to Wessex after repainting. here it is seen in "as received" livery from National Travel London. It was an AEC 603ZR Reliance
640x412
115.286C_361.jpg
1984-02-01 00:00:00
 381 (BGY 581T) with Wessex National, but photographed in Digbeth coach station.
381 (BGY 581T) with Wessex National, but photographed in Digbeth coach station.
640x421
115.295C_387.jpg
1984-05-06 00:00:00
382 (BGY 382T) and 398 (YEL 98Y) [NTSW] awaiting a good clean
382 (BGY 382T) and 398 (YEL 98Y) [NTSW] awaiting a good clean
640x422
113.264C_469.jpg
1985-02-20 00:00:00
 385 (BGY 585T) and 382 (BGY 582T), ex National Travel London AEC 6U3ZR Reliance/Plaxtons
385 (BGY 585T) and 382 (BGY 582T), ex National Travel London AEC 6U3ZR Reliance/Plaxtons
640x421
115.284C_357.jpg
1983-12-01 00:00:00
 395 as 95 (RHY 765M) [NTSW] used to be Bristol 2177
395 as 95 (RHY 765M) [NTSW] used to be Bristol 2177
640x425
109.154_187.jpg
1978-11-03 00:00:00
 400 (BPR 100Y) [NTSW] was new to Shamrock & Rambler as its 3100
400 (BPR 100Y) [NTSW] was new to Shamrock & Rambler as its 3100
640x423
109.1502C_469.jpg
1985-02-20 00:00:00
407 (ELU 600J) was a former Timpson AEC Reliance 6MU4R with Plaxton Elite C43F bodywork.
407 (ELU 600J) was a former Timpson AEC Reliance 6MU4R with Plaxton Elite C43F bodywork.
640x401
115.169S_7-79.jpg
1979-03-01 00:00:00
 419 (KCK 989H) after sale to Silcox, Pembroke Dock
419 (KCK 989H) after sale to Silcox, Pembroke Dock
640x421
110.160Cb_487.jpg
1999-11-30 00:00:00
 419 (KCK 989H) was named Rouen during its time on the South Coast with Shamrock and Rambler. It was new to Ribble (989) and is here seen in the ownership of Silcox, Pembroke Dock (89) who seemed to have a penchant for ex NTSW vehicles.
419 (KCK 989H) was named Rouen during its time on the South Coast with Shamrock and Rambler. It was new to Ribble (989) and is here seen in the ownership of Silcox, Pembroke Dock (89) who seemed to have a penchant for ex NTSW vehicles.
640x421
111.068C_391.jpg
1984-06-01 00:00:00
 421 (KCK 999H) (Shamrock and Rambler named it Honfleur) was previously Ribble 999
421 (KCK 999H) (Shamrock and Rambler named it Honfleur) was previously Ribble 999
640x425
111.010._188.jpg
1978-10-30 00:00:00
423 (MHL 226F) with Shamrock and Rambler was originally Hebble 26. It was a Bedford VAM70 iwht Plaxton Panorama 65 bodystyling, and is seen on layover in Cheltenham coach station.
423 (MHL 226F) with Shamrock and Rambler was originally Hebble 26. It was a Bedford VAM70 iwht Plaxton Panorama 65 bodystyling, and is seen on layover in Cheltenham coach station.
640x425
073.028_20.jpg
1976-01-01 00:00:00
 451 (EUF 193D) was formerly Southdown 1193
451 (EUF 193D) was formerly Southdown 1193
640x401
109.068S_1-148.jpg
1976-04-01 00:00:00
 453 (153 DBO) after conversion from Western Welsh tours service to Wessex National heavyweight.
453 (153 DBO) after conversion from Western Welsh tours service to Wessex National heavyweight.
640x401
109.071S_1-76.jpg
1976-01-01 00:00:00
 460 (CHA 81C) [BW] is ready to leave Exeter coach station for Plymouth on the 665 route from Aust Services , was Midland Red 5781
460 (CHA 81C) [BW] is ready to leave Exeter coach station for Plymouth on the 665 route from Aust Services , was Midland Red 5781
640x444
109.047S_1-145.jpg
1976-01-01 00:00:00
461 (KCK 977H) was new to Ribble (977) and is seen after serving with Wessex National. It is here seen post-cqusition by Silcox, Pembroke Dock
461 (KCK 977H) was new to Ribble (977) and is seen after serving with Wessex National. It is here seen post-cqusition by Silcox, Pembroke Dock
635x480
109.1045Cb_391.jpg
1984-06-18 00:00:00
 3015 (HHA 183L) was formerly Midland Red 183
3015 (HHA 183L) was formerly Midland Red 183
640x421
109.823C_357.jpg
1983-08-17 00:00:00
 363 (LHU 663L) was new as Bristol 2166
363 (LHU 663L) was new as Bristol 2166
640x421
109.1515C_482.jpg
1999-11-30 00:00:00
 BGY 589T after it was acquired by Yardleys of Birmingham
BGY 589T after it was acquired by Yardleys of Birmingham
640x406
115.376C_499.jpg
1999-11-30 00:00:00
KCK 976H was new as Ribble 976, but here is seen with Silcox, Pembroke Dock
KCK 976H was new as Ribble 976, but here is seen with Silcox, Pembroke Dock
640x421
111.091Ca_487.jpg
1999-11-30 00:00:00
 KCK 987H after sale to Silcox, Pembroke Dock
KCK 987H after sale to Silcox, Pembroke Dock
640x410
111.090C_487.jpg
1999-11-30 00:00:00
 National Travel South West Leopard, ex Southdown, leaves Cheltenham
National Travel South West Leopard, ex Southdown, leaves Cheltenham
640x421
109.scan0002_8.jpg
1999-11-30 00:00:00
© 1998-2009 Alan O. Watkins - All copyrights rest with the Author
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