Ambassador Travel 918 (C918 BPW) on the A11 at Barton Mills – 8 Apr 1990 (115-23)

Palm Sunday 8 April 1990 – Ambassador Travel MCW Metroliner 918 (C918 BPW) speeds along the A11 at Barton Mills when working the 0750 Lowestoft to London National Express ‘Rapide’ service 599. The signpost tells it has (about) 72 miles to go. It was just after 1000 and the scheduled arrival time at Victoria was 1205.

Ambassador’s first three Metroliners (A666-8 XDA) came as a transfer from Midland Red Express when quite new in 1984 were not to ‘Rapide’ specification which included toilet and catering facilities.
In 1986 four further Metroliners were added to the fleet made up of a former Shamrock and Rambler vehicle (A119 KBA) along with three ‘Rapide’ specificiation vehicles new in March that year (C915-918 BPW) of which 918 was one.

They were quite impressive vehicles but sadly 918 looks rather down at heel for being just four years old.