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ALDER VALLEY Hired Help

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Royal Blue Bristol MW6G ECW with Alder Valley

During the seventies Alder Valley had recurring vehicle shortages. Besides acquiring secondhand buses from fellow NBC fleets vehicles came on loan from a variety of sources. Here several Royal Blue MW coaches are seen in Alder Valley's yard at Thorn Walk in Reading.

Later on more help came from the South West: Western National 2433 (LDV173P) is a Plaxton Supreme bodied Leopard PSU5C/4R. It had its Royal Blue fleetnames covered by Alder Valley Londonlink stickers. It was well placed on London services, whereas the MWs brought a touch of luxury on local bus routes in and out of Reading.

ALDER VALLEY National Bus Company

The summer of 1974 saw Alder Valley desperately short of functioning vehicles. A sizeable contingent of London Country RTs was hired alongside a host of other buses to keep services running. Nearest the camera in this line up in Reading is RT3253 (LLU611) in LT colours, alongside the Aldershot & District liveried Loline dragged up from the south is another RT with LCBS yellow insignia.

With blinds set for Woodley and a very battered roof RT360 (HLX177) is seen in the Lower Thorn Street yard of Alder Valley in summer 1974. This RT is thought to be ex-Lesney (one of several used for staff transport by the toy maker). RT360 was in an "attractive" blue and battleship grey colour scheme with little eyes below the driver's window!