THE SOUTH WEST OF ENGLAND BUS IMAGE GALLERY
Royal Blue | National Bus Company era
 |
 |
 A picture believed sent in by the owner of the RELH6G, 1459 (OTA631G), seen with a Royal Blue OB, later owned by Premier of Watford. The OB, 1428 (LTA904), was exhibited at the first in the series of bus rallies which became SHOWBUS, at Brunel University in 1974. At that time the coach was just acquired for preservation and in a non descript grey paint scheme. |
 At SHOWBUS 2002 at Duxford, posed alongside former United Counties VRTSL6G in Wellingborough Motor Omnibus commemorative colours 757 (UBD757H), is contemporary Royal Blue RELH6G 1468 (RDV419H) in a livery worn in its latter days of service: Western National NBC dual purpose colours. A far cry from the splendour of the scheme applied to the original Royal Blue RELH coaches. |
 At the Alton rally in July 2015 preserved RELH6G 2380 (OTA640G) in full NATIONAL white livery was parked alongside ECW bodied Leyland Olympian, Hampshire Bus 3835 (A686MWX) in contemporary NBC bus livery. However the Olympian is not what it seems. Most of its service life was with York West Yorkshire as their 3835. It was acquired by Mortons and was part of their heritage fleet. It has never worked for Hampshire Bus
Picture ref B424 |
 This late seventies gathering of National Express coaches is probably at the Cheltenham hub. Headed for Plymouth is a likely new Plaxton Panorama Elite bodied Bristol RELH6G, possibly 2392 (UTT561J).
Oicture ref H533 |
 Royal Blue 2452 (SFJ152R) was amongst the first of a new order for the Royal Blue fleet. As Leyland Bus rationalised its offerings the RELH was phased out in favour of the Leyland Leopard, here with Plaxton Supreme coachwork. The coach is almost in full National Express livery, with Royal Blue fleetnames in small red letters near the front. The vehicle is seen on one of its first rally appearances at Millennium Showbus with its fleet number plate on the grill, but yet to acquire fleetnames. |
 Western National 2433 (LDV173P) was one of many vehicles drafted in to help the ailing Alder Valley fleet in early NBC days. This Plaxton Supreme bodied Leopard has had its Royal Blue fleetnames covered by Alder Valley Londonlink markings. |
 A battalion of Royal Blue coaches was helping out beleagured Alder Valley lined up in the Thorn Walk depot yard in Reading. From left to right, we have 1398 (736MDV), 2268 (57GUO), 1404 (742MDV), 2270 (253KTA) and 2243 (622DDV). The one at right angles on the extreme right is not identified, but 2270 was to pass into preservation restored to traditional livery.
Oicture ref H538 |
At the West of England 1998 rally near Weston-super-Mare, 1472 (RDV423H), displays the semi-corporate livery adopted by the Western fleets in the early days of NBC and before the corporate National Express identity was developed. The different companies adopted a white base livery with a couloured band and 'Macrogamma Bold' fleetnames. Royal Blue, not surprisingly had a dark blue band, Black & White got black, Red & White got red, Grey Cars got grey, Bristol Greyhound had magenta, Greenslades a pale jade.
|
Stored at Western Greyhound's interesting Summercourt depot in June 2005 was this former Royal Blue rarity, a 1973 Bristol LH with Marshall 39 seat coachwork, 1318 (BDV318L). These small coaches were purchased primarily for Dartmooor excursions, following in the steps of the Bristol SUL4A model.
|
Pulling into Victoria Coach Station in full NATIONAL livery in the late seventies was sister vehicle 1321 (NTT321M), a far cry from Dartmoor tours and obviously not a daily occurence.
Picture ref H550 |
 An early shot of an RELH6G in NATIONAL livery outside the Granada cinema in Slough. The car driver was not the most popular person that day!.
Oicture ref H562 |
 Earlier in the year 2380 had been seen at the May Buckinghamshire Railway Bus Gathering at Quainton. |
|
|