Leyland National buses

[Trickyvee]

Re: Leyland National buses

Oh yes I am pretty sure all single deckers were Leyland nationals around where I lived. You are right about the noise. I used to hate being in bus stations where they were idling because they'd do that loud and unexpected hiss of the air breaks every once in a while. I used to jump out of my skin!

another bus I have fond memories of is the Bristol RV double decker. There are some in sf's clip. These were around up until the late 90s where I lived. They seemed much lighter and more clattery that their sturdy Leyland Atlantean rivals. Ours were often fitted with smooth plastic fake leather seats and had a metallic, dusty smell like old phone boxes. Many a time I've bounced around in a Bristol RV!

Re: Leyland National buses

Found this on the tube of you an all....the sounds bring it all back...

Re: Leyland National buses

Had to Google for an image but suddenly it brought back memories of them...rode in them as a kid. Alder Valley Bus Company (combine of Aldershot and District with the Thames Valley Traction Company) which operated in Reading as well had LOADS of them, in red. When they became Bee Line they became yellow and greeny greyish in parts like the back engine cover area. They also had the double deckered Bristol VR bus in both companies...I remember how noisy the National was, how old they seemed and liked them. I liked the fact the driver took your cash and issued the ticket - by hand. The little trays by the ticket machine, and some cash nominally being in the tray still. I can even remember the smell inside them - of the fabric on the seats - well, Alder Valley / Bee Line did update the interiors a bit but it all seemed old even them - the weird colour combinations on the fabric like black / white / yellow / orange etc in geometric 1970s patterns...We used to get them if a Reading Transport (as it was then known, now Reading Buses as a operating brand name and Reading Transport Ltd being the overall company name) didn't arrive - they operated along a lot of the same routes.

2012 is also the 40th anniversary of the National. Weirdly, when we went to Sri Lanka in 1984 they also had LOADS of Nationals still in London Red colour running around, they must have bought loads in bulk to bolster and replace the ageing fleets - I found out that they'd privatised it all in 1979 so all the buses I did see back then must have been from franchised firms, maybe some had different logos on them but all I remember is that they were red...its all State Run again now, which is good.

I miss travelling in those buses...whats interesting is a lot of former drivers of Nationals hated them...from the shape to the problems in build and engine...

[80sChav]

Re: Leyland National buses

Leyland Nationals - what great Buses!! They sure were built to last I think, as was all Leyland Buses - but the National's more so, which was proved when so many was converted to Leyland Greenway's.

I doubt there will ever be a Bus that can be an equal to a Leyland National, that was created in such a basic style but had it's own unique charm and appreciation that made it so great.

[Richard1978]

Re: Leyland National buses

Stockport had some until the late 1990s.

The back lit "exact change only" sign next to the destination blinds was a nice touch.

Much easier too see than the normal flap above the driver's head.

[shilton dipper]

Re: Leyland National buses

I went to a festival of Transport last weekend.........there were lots of old buses........I love the old double deckers where you get on at the back, the long shiny metal pole, the windy stairs and the old bell ............now i remember going on those when i was a small child in the late 60s, very early 70s ........fab!

[Powdered toast man]

I saw one on the road today for the first time in(in all it's handsome, rugged glory) roughly 15 years and it bought a whole load of childhood memories of riding on a Leyland National as a kid. From the noisy but distinctive sound of it's engine and transmission, the leather straps for standing passengers to hold, to the leather seats and the way the change in the driver's compartment would rattle as the bus went over a bump! How I just love these old buses. Then Midland Red got rid of them in the late 1980s and they were replaced by Mercedes=Benz 'Hopper' mini buses which were rubbish. I don't know a lot about buses but to see one of these lovely old beasts really gave me a much-needed happiness boost! Who else had Nationals in their home town?