THE LONDON & HOME COUNTIES BUS IMAGE GALLERY
Sold Eastern National buses
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 Painted to celebrate 100 years of Bristol Commercial Vehicles in 2008, former Eastern National 3116 (XHK221X) was still so decorated in 2013. It is seen at the Bristol Bus Rally in August 2013 still with Abus, a keen Bristol operator who acquired the bus from Badgerline in 2002 with whom it had been since 1992 as 5562. The ECW bodied VRTSL3 even had a spell with Thamesway before heading west and had actually been ordered for Southdown. |
 Enjoying the sunshine at the 2015 Alton Bus Rally is preserved Eastern Counties Bristol RELH6G RE869 (RPU869M) with the final, and arguably the most elegant, of ECW coach bodies. The coach was originally 454 with Eastern National.
Picture ref B386 |
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 EASTERN COUNTIES |
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 The Eastern Counties RELH was not the only former Eastern National bus at Alton. Also putting in an appearance was this ECW coach seated Leyland Olympian, originally 4012 (C412HJN). The bus passed on to Western National in Barbie livery as 34812. When disposed of it was acquired by Routemaster Buses, but passed swiftly on to the St Michaels' Entertainers Dance Troupe of Crewe who had the bus painted into this allover black livery which led to the nickname of "The Stealth Olympian". It i believed the bus had recently been acquired for preservation and it remains to be see if the new owners will restore her to Western National First livery or one of the green and yellow liveries worn with Eastern National or Barbie 2, which it also wore in Essex.
Picture ref B373 |
 Southend 244 (FOP429), new in 1945 to Birmingham Corporation has had a chequered history: It was acquired by Canvey & District in 1949, passing to Westcliff-on-Sea and in turn to Eastern National as the various undertakings were taken over. It was bought by Southend in 1955 and converted to open-top in 1956, it continued in service until 1970 and is now preserved at the Castle Point Transport Museum. It is seen here at North Weald in 2007. |
 Eastern National converted several of its WNO registered KSW5G lowbridge buses to open top for runs along the Essex coast, particularly in the seaside towns of Southend and Clacton. Like all open toppers they survived in the fleet well beyond their closed top contemporaries, probably something to do with having a very easy life during teh winter. Former 4206 (WNO484) even found a second life with United Welsh as their 500. It is seen here preserved in United Welsh livery and giving very popular rides on a sunny day in June 2013 at the running day and open day at the Barry Island Bus Museum. |
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