Showbus 2002

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eastbourne_55.jpg (80140 bytes) Jubilee buses seemed to be the theme of this year's Showbus. I didn't photograph many as I don't think Gold looks good on any vehicle. This is Eastbourne 55, a DAF SB120 with Wrights Cadet bodywork.
bh866.jpg (55634 bytes) Brighton & Hove 866 (PK02 RDO) Prince Phillip, a Dennis Trident with Plaxton President bodywork new in 2002. The bus is showing the destination 'Gateshead Metro Centre' - probably someone at Go Ahead got a little carried away?
sce952.jpg (82917 bytes) I don't like either Stagecoach livery particularly but have to admit that I prefer this Jubilee livery to all-over gold. This is Stagecoach East 952 (JAH 552D), a  1966 Bristol FLF with ECW bodywork
ekcfn104.jpg (159987 bytes) One of the older vehicles I photographed was East Kent Leyland Tiger PS1 with Park Royal C32R bodywork registered CFN 104
av251.jpg (89319 bytes) The Leyland National has now (to my mind) attained classic bus status. This is Alder Valley 251, new in 1976
lnsubex.jpg (81094 bytes) This is Leyland National Suburban Express demonstrator RRM 148M, new in 1973
md3556.jpg (136493 bytes) Maidstone & District 3556, christened Samantha for reasons best known to its owner. The bus is showing blinds for a Tunbridge Wells local service.
lcsnb312.jpg (76806 bytes) London Country SNB312 (UPB 312S), a 1977 Leyland National I last saw at the Dorking Classic Bus Running Day in 2000
carterstitan.jpg (94917 bytes) Taking part in the Clash of the Titans area was a late entry from Carters of Colchester.
ek7285.jpg (97830 bytes) Nearby was Stagecoach East Kent 7285, formerly T1125. This livery is an improvement on the first offering from Stagecoach, but this bus would still look better in maroon and cream.
ek246.jpg (68652 bytes) Looking better in maroon and cream is Stagecoach East Kent 246, a 1993 Volvo Olympian with Northern Counties bodywork.
ekvjg187j-lc.jpg (77227 bytes) Looking even better is East Kent AEC Swift 5P2R with Marshall bodywork, registration VJG 187L. 
Photo: Leslie Chatfield
Eastern Counties LFL557, a Bristol Lodekka FL6G with ECW bodywork.
ecocsd.jpg (116291 bytes) Eastern Counties LS789 (5789 AH) is a 1959 Bristol MW6G with ECW bodywork. Alongside is LL718, a KNG 718 is a 1950 Bristol LL5G with ECW bodywork.
ecocrs678.jpg (105315 bytes) Eastern Counties RS678 (KVF 658E), a 1967 Bristol RESL6G with ECW bodywork
ecoc687.jpg (106353 bytes) Eastern Counties 687 (NIL 3957) is a 1977 Leyland National, converted to a Greenway (with East Lancs body).
ecoc60.jpg (77849 bytes) Superoute 66? Perhaps not - this is Eastern Counties 60 (G128 YEU), a 1989 Leyland Olympian with Alexander bodywork.
envno859.jpg (76881 bytes) Eastern National 1407 (VNO 859), a 1953 Bristol KSW56 with ECW bodywork. The bus is showing blinds for service 88 between Colchester and Halstead.
enoc1516.jpg (92940 bytes) Eastern National 1516 (FWC 439H), a 1969 Bristol RELL6G with ECW bodywork

Eastern National 1516 Web Site

ipswich18.jpg (66722 bytes) Ipswich Buses 18 (RDX 18R), a 1976 Leyland Atlantean with Roe bodywork.
This Volvo Ailsa with Alexander bodywork is not heading for incarceration but a suburb of Rochester. LKP 3385P was new to Maidstone & District in 1985 and carries fleet number 5385.
norgreen502.jpg (121884 bytes) Norfolk Green 322 (KYO 622X) is an ex-London Metrobus. I'm sure someone out there can tell me who it came from.
rambler.jpg (123991 bytes) Not many people outside of Maidstone or the South Coast will have seen one of these in service. This is a Bedford JJL with Marshall DP24F bodywork, a former demonstrator which passed to Maidstone Borough Transport and onwards to Bournemouth. It is shown here in its final operator livery - Rambler of Hastings. The bus is now in preservation.
ucoc450.jpg (118903 bytes) United Counties 450 (VV5696) is a 1937 Bristol JO5G with ECW bodywork.
yarmouth66.jpg (79522 bytes) All Leyland, all of the time. Great Yarmouth 66 (EX6566) is an all-Leyland PD2, new in 1950
phoenix6014.jpg (67910 bytes) I saw the back of one of Phoenix's buses in Chelmsford earlier this year and thought First Eastern National had introduced a more sensible livery. Unfortunately, it was not to be. This is Phoenix Student Travel 6014 (C44 CHM), a 1986 ex London (L44) Leyland Olympian ONLXB/1RH with ECW bodywork. This company operates school/college services in the Maldon area.
sdqm409.jpg (57868 bytes) Full frontal of one of the more famous full frontals. This ex Southdown Queen Mary Leyland PD2 with Northern Counties bodywork dates from 1964 and carries fleet number 0409 in the Stagecoach Coastline fleet. The bus is registered 409 DCD.
Photo: Philip Chatfield
cambus626.jpg (138161 bytes) I couldn't stop photographing buses even in the car park. This is Stagecoach East 626 (P826 GMU), a Volvo Olympian with Northern Counties H49/31F bodywork. The bus is one of a number transferred from Stagecoach London, most of which are used on Cambridge Park & Ride services in special liveries. This example carries Stagecoach standard livery and is seen on the free bus service between Cambridge Station and Duxford Imperial War Museum.

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This page was updated on 25/05/2008

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