THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND BUS IMAGE GALLERY
Hants & Dorset
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 Coach seated Leyland National 3724 (TEL489R) is a throw back to the days of the NBC MAP project, the first time survey data was used to analyse bus networks across the country. The result was a recasting of routes, some unchanged for many years, and the introduction of local names, like Antonbus on this Salisbury bound National. |
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 No mistaking the statue of King Alfred in Winchester, once home to King Alfred Motor Services. Sadly the illustrious fleet was bought out by Hants & Dorset and their two regal tone green and cream livery banished in favour of this - the most drab livery ever as the dead hand of NBC rolled out its corporate livery on its highly standardised nationwide fleet of Leyland Nationals. One of the early models, 3633 (GFX972N) did not even get a white waistband to releave the monolithic red slab. These days substitute TfL for NBC. |
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 Seen reversing outside Reading Station is another drab red National, 3607 (NEL850M), thought to be on rail replacement work. |
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 Somewhat surprisingly dual door early London Country National LN11 (NPD111L) found a second life with Hants & Dorset, as their 3627, and is seen being used on the X68 express from Poole to Andover. Whilst H&D liked dual door singledeckers, the second door on the X68 was probably not used much on the express run, but at least it got a white band n repaint from green as it too was new without one. |
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 National 3607 did get a white band in later life, seen here with Basingstoke MAP branding for Venturebus. Venture used to be part of the Red & White group and when the group was nationalised in 1950 the Basingstoke operation passed to Wilts & Dorset becoming Hants & Dorset when the two "& Dorset" companies were merged by the National Bus Company. |
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