THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND BUS IMAGE GALLERY
City of Portsmouth Transport Department
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 Red Rover's initial trio of Nottingham Nationals, 132-134 dating from 1973, were exchanged for 1976 machines from Portsmouth which were conveniently numbered 152-154. The Nottingham was driven down to the south coast and swapped for the Portsmouth buses, the old Red Rover Nationals going for scrap in their stead. Freshly arrived at Aylesbury after the swap are former Portsmouth 114 and 111 (KCR114P & KCR111P), to become Red Rover 154 and 153.
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 Here Portsmouth 103 (KCR103P) is receiving attention on the Red Rover hoist in the yard prior to being transformed into 152.
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 Rail replacement services could be fun and this one was particuarly memorable shuttling passengers between Gerrards Cross and High Wycombe via Beaconsfield and the M40. Several Keith Coaches were deployed along with Red Rover 153. Whoever had drawn up the timetable from the rail side had allowed far too much time for 152, the speed with which it could disgorge a full load via its dual doors meant it was doing two round trips to their one. It was also an impressive performer on the M40 from Beaconsfield on the long downhill towards Loudwater. In those days buses could use the outside lane of a motorway and 152 did, leaving cars in its wake!
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 More pedestrianly 153 is seen at the main terminus in Buckingham on route 2 to Aylesbury.
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 Seen at the end of Red Rover's days National 152 is parked alongside Plaxton Supreme Express IV bodied Bedford YMT 142 (BBW142V) in the Bicester Road yard. Linked to Luton & District ownership is the London Country North West Leyland National interloper. |
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