David Slater (Spoddendale)'s photos

Sunday 12 May 2024 – Mid Norfolk Railway Bus and Coach Day, East Dereham Royal Blue was a coach operator jointly owned by the Western National Omnibus Company and the Southern National Omnibus Company. Preserved Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol RELH LDV 467F was new in March 1968 to Southern National (with fleet number 2375) and was later transferred to Western National. Preserved in the livery style adopted by the coach operators of the south-western area of the National Bus Company circa 1970 prior to the formation of National Travel. I had a return trip on this coach from East Dereham railway station to County School railway station about 6.5 miles journey. It was a great ride offering the sights and sounds of travel on a 56 year old coach.

Sunday 12 May 2024 – Mid Norfolk Railway Bus and Coach Day, East Dereham I had a trip on board Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol RELH LDV 467F which was new in March 1968 to the Southern National Omnibus Company with fleet number 2375. Preserved in the Royal Blue livery of the style adopted by the coach operators of the south-western area of the National Bus Company circa 1970 prior to the formation of National Travel. Royal Blue was a coach operator jointly owned by the Western National Omnibus Company and the Southern National Omnibus Company. The latter was later subsumed into Western National. In this forward view of the cab area the driver was approaching to take the coach to the former County School railway station about 6.5 miles north of East Dereham near North Elmham. County School station opened in the 1880s to serve a school established about ten years earlier that provided education for the sons of farmers, tradesmen and such in the rural area. It was a great ride offering the sights and sounds of travel on a 56 year old coach. The USB plug point is a later addition!

Sunday 12 May 2024 – Mid Norfolk Railway Bus and Coach Day, East Dereham Two Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol RE vehicles seen at County School railway station having brought visitors on a 6.5 miles ride from East Dereham station of the preserved Mid Norfolk Railway where the rally was centred. The trip took us to the isolated former County School railway station which features a museum and tea room. County School station opened in the 1880s to serve a school established about ten years earlier that provided education for the sons of farmers, tradesmen and such in the rural area. Left is FWC 439H, a service bus model RELL (Rear Engine Long Low frame) new to the Eastern National Omnibus Company in December 1969 as their 1516. Right is LDV 467F, a coach model RELH (Rear Engine Long High frame) new to the Southern National Omnibus Company in March 1968 as their 2375. Preserved in the Royal Blue livery of the style adopted by the coach operators of the south-western area of the National Bus Company circa 1970 prior to the formation of National Travel. I rode both ways on LDV 467F which gave a great ride offering the sights and sounds of travel on a 56 year old coach.

Sunday 12 May 2024 – Mid Norfolk Railway Bus and Coach Day, East Dereham Two Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol RE vehicles seen at County School railway station having brought visitors on a 6.5 miles ride from East Dereham station of the preserved Mid Norfolk Railway where the rally was centred. The trip took us to the isolated former County School railway station which features a museum and tea room. County School station opened in 1884 to serve a school established about ten years earlier that provided education for the sons of farmers, tradesmen and such in the rural area. Right is FWC 439H, a service bus model RELL (Rear Engine Long Low frame) new to the Eastern National Omnibus Company in December 1969 as their 1516. Left is LDV 467F, a coach model RELH (Rear Engine Long High frame) new to the Southern National Omnibus Company in March 1968 as their 2375. Preserved in the Royal Blue livery of the style adopted by the coach operators of the south-western area of the National Bus Company circa 1970 prior to the formation of National Travel. I rode both ways on LDV 467F which gave a great ride offering the sights and sounds of travel on a 56 year old coach.

Sunday 12 May 2024 – Mid Norfolk Railway Bus and Coach Day, East Dereham I had a trip on board Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol RELH LDV 467F which was new in March 1968 to the Southern National Omnibus Company with fleet number 2375. The trip was to the former County School railway station about 6.5 miles north of East Dereham near North Elmham. County School station opened in the 1880s to serve a school established about ten years earlier that provided education for the sons of farmers, tradesmen and such in the rural area. It was a great ride offering the sights and sounds of travel on a 56 year old coach. Note the features such as what were dubbed ‘jet vents’ back then. In the early 1960s sliding opening windows were considered old hat and ‘forced air ventilation’ became en vogue with air blowers mounted in the (open aspect) luggage racks. Often these suffered damage or were broken by ham-fisted passengers. The cramming of a tissue in the vent would close it off when cold air became an annoyance! The reading lights above the windows were the forerunners of individual passenger reading lights also mounted in the luggage racks. One feature which has thankfully become redundant on coaches nowadays are the ash trays mounted in the rear of each seat. Part of an example is just about visible on the bottom edge of the photograph. Obnoxious things they were! Not only did copious amounts of dust and ash float around during the emptying process but they were also used by passengers to dispose of the remains of the soft fruit conveyed by them on their journeys. A ‘tee key’ or ‘budget key’ was a useful device to rake out the fag ends and debris from the ash trays when cleaning a coach.

Sunday 12 May 2024 – Mid Norfolk Railway Bus and Coach Day, East Dereham The seating on board preserved Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol RELH LDV 467F which was new in March 1968 to the Southern National Omnibus Company with fleet number 2375. I had a return trip on this coach from East Dereham railway station to County School railway station about 6.5 miles journey. It was a great ride offering the sights and sounds of travel on a 56 year old coach. One feature which has thankfully become redundant on coaches nowadays are the ash trays mounted in the rear of each seat. Part of an example is just about visible on the bottom edge of the photograph. Obnoxious things they were! Not only did copious amounts of dust and ash float around during the emptying process but they were also used by passengers to dispose of the remains of the soft fruit conveyed by them on their journeys. A ‘tee key’ or ‘budget key’ was a useful device to rake out the fag ends and debris from the ash trays when cleaning a coach.

Sunday 12 May 2024 – Mid Norfolk Railway Bus and Coach Day, East Dereham On board preserved Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol RELH LDV 467F which was new in March 1968 to the Southern National Omnibus Company with fleet number 2375. Note the features such as what were dubbed ‘jet vents’ back then. In the early 1960s sliding opening windows were considered old hat and ‘forced air ventilation’ became en vogue with air blowers mounted in the (open aspect) luggage racks. Often these suffered damage or were broken by ham-fisted passengers. The cramming of a tissue in the vent would close it off when cold air became an annoyance! The reading lights above the windows were the forerunners of individual passenger reading lights also mounted in the luggage racks. I had a return trip on this coach from East Dereham railway station to County School railway station about 6.5 miles journey. It was a great ride offering the sights and sounds of travel on a 56 year old coach.

Sunday 12 May 2024 – Mid Norfolk Railway Bus and Coach Day, East Dereham Royal Blue was a coach operator jointly owned by the Western National Omnibus Company and the Southern National Omnibus Company. Preserved Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol RELH LDV 467F was new in March 1968 to Southern National (with fleet number 2375) and was later transferred to Western National. Preserved in the livery style adopted by the coach operators of the south-western area of the National Bus Company circa 1970 prior to the formation of National Travel. I had a return trip on this coach from East Dereham railway station to County School railway station about 6.5 miles journey. It was a great ride offering the sights and sounds of travel on a 56 year old coach.

Sunday 12 May 2024 – Mid Norfolk Railway Bus and Coach Day, East Dereham Royal Blue was a coach operator jointly owned by the Western National Omnibus Company and the Southern National Omnibus Company. Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol RELH LDV 467F was new in March 1968 to Southern National (with fleet number 2375) and was later transferred to Western National. Preserved in the livery style adopted by the coach operators of the south-western area of the National Bus Company circa 1970 prior to the formation of National Travel. Sanders Coaches of Holt SNT 925H, a Plaxton Panorama Elite bodied Bedford VAL70 new in June 1970 to Foxhall of Bridgnorth.

Sunday 12 May 2024 – Mid Norfolk Railway Bus and Coach Day, East Dereham The Mid Norfolk Railway East Dereham Station seen from the upper deck of Konectbus/Hedingham/Chambers Go Ahead 502 (LF52 ZNE). It is a Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL that was new to London General (WVL93) in August 2013 as a normal covered top bus. Now a convertible open topper which was working the Park & Ride shuttle for the event. The vehicles in the view are: Konectbus 248 (LX13 CZA), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro200D new to East London Bus (36558) in August 2013 Konectbus driver training bus 9645 (LX57 CJJ), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400 bodied Trident new to London General in November 2007 Dan’s Coach Travel (Dan Trent) T125 OAH, a Wright Renown bodied Volvo B10BLE that was new to Ambassador Travel in March 1999 Preserved former Eastern National Omnibus Company 1516 (FWC 439H), an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol RELL new in December 1969 Preserved AJN 825, an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol K5G that was new to Westcliff-on-Sea Motor Services in 1939

Sunday 12 May 2024 – A line up of vehicles taking part in Mid Norfolk Railway Bus and Coach Day at East Dereham seen from the upper deck of Konectbus/Hedingham/Chambers Go Ahead 502 (LF52 ZNE). It is a Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL that was new to London General (WVL93) in August 2013 as a normal covered top bus. Now a convertible open topper which was working the Park & Ride shuttle for the event. The line up left to right: HAC 628D, preserved former Stratford Blue (Stratford-upon-Avon Blue Motors) Marshall bodied Leyland Leopard L2 new in June 1966 YR16 JCR, Jubilee Coaches, Rollesby, Great Yarmouth Mercedes-Benz Tourismo N237 HWX, a Plaxton Première 350 bodied Volvo B10M new to Wallace Arnold Tours in June 1996 YR59 FYT, Ipswich Buses 29, a Scania OmniCity new to London United (SP12) in November 2009. Heritage livery to mark 120 years of Ipswich Transport HPW 133, preserved former Eastern Counties Omnibus Company LKH133, an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol K new in May 1949 KYY 912, preserved former London Transport RT3183, a Weymann bodied AEC Regent III. Country area green livery G293 KWY, preserved former Sovereign Bus & Coach Leyland Lynx LX112L new to Keighley & District (201) in November 1989 MRT 9P, preserved former Ipswich 9, a Roe bodied Leyland Atlantean AN68/1R was new in May 1976 as a normal covered top bus 254 CLT, AEC/Park Royal Routemaster new to London Transport (RMF1254) LDV 467F, preserved Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol RELH new in March 1968 to Southern National. Preserved in 1970s Royal Blue livery SNT 925H, Sanders Coaches of Holt, a Plaxton Panorama Elite bodied Bedford VAL70 new in June 1970 to Foxhall of Bridgnorth

Sunday 12 May 2024 – Mid Norfolk Railway Bus and Coach Day, East Dereham East Dereham Station forecourt seen from the upper deck of Konectbus/Hedingham/Chambers Go Ahead 502 (LF52 ZNE), a Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL that was new to London General (WVL93) in August 2013 as a normal covered top bus. Now a convertible open topper which was working the Park & Ride shuttle for the event. Other vehicles in the view include: Konectbus 248 (LX13 CZA), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro200D new to East London Bus (36558) in August 2013 Konectbus driver training bus 9645 (LX57 CJJ), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400 bodied Trident new to London General in November 2007 Dan’s Coach Travel (Dan Trent) T125 OAH, a Wright Renown bodied Volvo B10BLE that was new to Ambassador Travel in March 1999 Preserved former Eastern National Omnibus Company 1516 (FWC 439H), an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol RELL new in December 1969 Preserved former H C Chambers and Son of Bures, Suffolk G864 XDX, an Alexander bodied Leyland Olympian new to Chambers in November 1989 Don’s Coaches of Dunmow F602 MSL, an Alexander R bodied Leyland Olympian new to Hampshire Bus in August 1988 Preserved AJN 825 is an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol K5G that was new to Westcliff-on-Sea Motor Services in 1939

Sunday 12 May 2024 – Mid Norfolk Railway Bus and Coach Day, East Dereham Preserved Duple Vista bodied MYB 33 was new to Safeway Services, South Petherton in October 1950. Seen from on board LDV 467F, an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol RELH new to the Southern National Omnibus Company in March 1968 as their 2375.

Sunday 12 May 2024 – A line up of vehicles taking part in Mid Norfolk Railway Bus and Coach Day at East Dereham seen from the upper deck of Konectbus/Hedingham/Chambers Go Ahead 502 (LF52 ZNE). It is a Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL that was new to London General (WVL93) in August 2013 as a normal covered top bus. Now a convertible open topper which was working the Park & Ride shuttle for the event. The line up right to left: AJN 825, preserved Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol K5G that was new to Westcliff-on-Sea Motor Services in 1939 G864 XDX, preserved former H C Chambers and Son of Bures, Suffolk Alexander bodied Leyland Olympian new to Chambers in November 1989 R364 LGH, a Northern Counties bodied Volvo Olympian that had been new to London General in December 1997 as their NV164. Preserved in London Country Bus Services livery HAC 628D, preserved former Stratford Blue (Stratford-upon-Avon Blue Motors) Marshall bodied Leyland Leopard L2 new in June 1966 YR16 JCR, Jubilee Coaches, Rollesby, Great Yarmouth Mercedes-Benz Tourismo N237 HWX, a Plaxton Première 350 bodied Volvo B10M new to Wallace Arnold Tours in June 1996 YR59 FYT, Ipswich Buses 29, a Scania OmniCity new to London United (SP12) in November 2009. Heritage livery to mark 120 years of Ipswich Transport. YYB 118, preserved former Hutchings and Corneleus Services Limited Harrington bodied Dennis Lancet UF new August 1957. MRT 9P, preserved former Ipswich Buses 9, a Roe bodied Leyland Atlantean AN68/1R new in May 1976 as a normal covered top bus 254 CLT, AEC/Park Royal Routemaster new to London Transport (RMF1254) LDV 467F, preserved Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol RELH new in March 1968 to Southern National. Preserved in 1970s Royal Blue livery SNT 925H, Sanders Coaches of Holt, a Plaxton Panorama Elite bodied Bedford VAL70 new in June 1970 to Foxhall of Bridgnorth

Sunday 12 May 2024 – Mid Norfolk Railway Bus and Coach Day, East Dereham Visitors could travel on many of the vehicles entered in the rally. This was the departure board showing the vehicles doing the runs.

Sunday 5 May 2024 – Christchurch Park, Ipswich before taking part in the 2024 Ipswich-Felixstowe Historic Vehicle Run. Former Eastern Counties Omnibus Company RE896 (SVF 896G), a 1969 Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol RELH6G.

Sunday 5 May 2024 – Christchurch Park, Ipswich before taking part in the 2024 Ipswich-Felixstowe Historic Vehicle Run. Former Eastern Counties Omnibus Company LS789 (5789 AH), an Eastern Coachworks coach bodied Bristol MW5G new in May 1959.

Sunday 5 May 2024 – Christchurch Park, Ipswich before taking part in the 2024 Ipswich-Felixstowe Historic Vehicle Run. Former Eastern Counties Omnibus Company LS789 (5789 AH), an Eastern Coachworks coach bodied Bristol MW5G new in May 1959.