April 9th 2020: From our archives…. A selection of images from 1996-1998

9/4/2020

We head north to Scotland for our first historic image today as we see ECW-bodied Bristol VRT ANV775J which was in the fleet of Clan Coaches of Kyle of Lochalsh. It is pictured at Eilean Donan Castle. It was new to United Counties and was operated by Clan Coaches between 1989 and 1998.

We stay with Bristol VRTs for our next two images and see First Western National’s 1140 (AFJ705T) at Newquay depot in June 1996 carrying an all over livery scheme for the Royal Air Force whilst further east in Canterbury in October of the same year and carrying East Kent livery amidst a sea of Stagecoach stripes is 7675 (BJG675V).

Scarborough and then local operator Applebys in June 1996 brings us an older Bristol in the shape of an FLF with 869NHT working the Seafront service. This was one of four convertible examples originally delivered to Bristol Omnibus for Weston-Super-Mare sea front services.

We end our Bristol selection with an image of Bristol RELH BHN687N which was new to United Automobile but which in the 1990s was operated by Nuneaton-based operator Wheels.

Moving to the East of England, Road Car is generally associated with operations in Lincolnshire but the privatised company also picked up a number of contract services into Northamptonshire. This resulted in Road Car vehicles also appearing in Peterborough. Leyland National 2 213 (LRB213W) was new to Trent but was acquired by Road Car from Nottingham and was pictured in February 1998.

Remaining in Peterborough we see OTD827R in the Mark Bland fleet. This Plaxton Supreme Express-bodied Leyland Leopard was new to Lancashire United being taken over by Greater Manchester. It was pictured in April 1996.

Staying with coaches for our final image today, carrying the Foxhound livery and branding used for some vehicles by Midland Fox, 236 (P406DUG) is a Leyland Leopard with Plaxton Paramount 3200 bodywork and was pictured in Coventry in April 1997. It was new to Wallace Arnold.