National Express coaches 1990s

Saturday 29 April 1995 (0810) - R W Chenery of Dickleburgh, Norfolk began operating the National Express ‘Rapide’ service 599 contract effective Sunday 23 May 1993. There were originally four Kässbohrer-Setra coaches assigned to the work made up of three model S215HD (H62-64 PDW) and one model S215HR (D707 NUH later re-registered UPV 337) which had all been new to Bebb Travel of Llantwit Fadre in 1991 and 1986/7 respectively. A fifth coach RYG 684, which was a model S215HD, was added to the fleet when UPV 337 reached an age where it was too old for National Express work - I believe the National Express contract stipulated a maximum age of about 9 years at the time although UPV 337 was kept in reserve by Chenery as a back up and for duplication when required. This photograph taken at the Dickleburgh yard shows (from left to right) UPV 337, RYG 684 and H64 PDW and gives a good representation of the Chenery National Express fleet. H62 PDW and H63 PDW were out on the road, one would have stayed overnight in London to work the first northbound trip on the service and the other would have been working the first trip down to London from Norwich. RYG 684 was always easily distinguishable from the other three S215HD coaches having more white paint on both the frontal area below the Setra grille and the rear bumper. (H64 PDW was subsequently re-registered to 920 ACH and RYG 684 was later registered as K127 OCT).

Friday 13 October 1995 (1358) – During repairs to the westbound carriageway of the A11 at Barton Mills various temporary traffic diversions and a contraflow operation was in force. This ‘being in the right place at the right time’ flook photograph features two Kässbohrer-Setra S215HD of Richard W Chenery working the National Express ‘Rapide’ service 599. On the left is H63 PDW working the 1305 service from Norwich to London and on the right is H62 PDW working the 1200 service from London to Norwich. Both were running a little late so I wouldn’t have expected them to pass each other at this spot. Chenery began operating this service effective Sunday 23 May 1993 using four Kässbohrer-Setra coaches (three model S215HD and one model S215HR) all of which had been new to Bebb Travel of Llantwit Fadre.

Sunday 11 June 1995 – Any regular traveller on the A11 between Barton Mills and Thetford will certainly recognise the war memorial very close to Elveden. The memorial stands at the point where the boundaries of three parishes - Elveden, Eriswell, and Icklingham - meet and honours those from the parishes who served and died during World War One. The memorial was commissioned by philanthropist and businessman Edward Cecil Guinness (created Earl of Iveagh and Viscount of Elveden in 1919), owner of the Elveden Estate and Elveden Hall. Funded by Guinness in conjunction with donations from parishioners the column stands about 39 metres (128 feet) high and commemorates the 48 fallen from the three parishes. Passing by is Richard W Chenery H62 PDW which was working the 1005 Norwich to London (Victoria) National Express ‘Rapide’ service 599. It was one of three Kässbohrer-Setra S215HD coaches (H62-H64 PDW) in the Chenery fleet that were new to Bebb Travel of Llantwit Fadre in April 1991. Chenery worked the National Express services from Norfolk to London for over 20 years having started working service 599 on Sunday 23 May 1993. In December 2014 the new dual carriageway between Barton Mills and Thetford which passes this point was finally opened changing the scene somewhat.

Sunday 20 June 1993 (1402) – R W Chenery of Dickleburgh, Norfolk H62 PDW seen descending Chalk Hill on the A11 approaching Barton Mills when operating the 1200 London (Victoria) to Norwich National Express ‘Rapide’ service 599. It was due to arrive Norwich at 1445. Just visible on the right edge of the photograph is a crop of blue flowered linseed which provided a nice splash of colour in reality which didn’t show as vivid in the photograph. The coach is one of three Kässbohrer-Setra S215HD coaches (H62-H64 PDW) new to Bebb Travel of Llantwit Fadre in April 1991. Chenery began operating the service 599 contract effective Sunday 23 May 1993. The service offered five trips each way with one coach staying overnight in London and, despite only requiring three coaches to work the service, there were four coaches in the fleet carrying National Express livery. The fourth coach (D704 NUH) was another former Bebb Travel vehicle although a S215HR model.

Sunday 16 January 1994 (1112) – Just east of Fiveways at Barton Mills during the replacement of the road bridge crossing a large watercourse. R W Chenery of Dickleburgh, Norfolk H62 PDW was operating the 1200 London (Victoria) to Norwich National Express ‘Rapide’ service 599 and the coach is seen entering a temporary loop around the closed main road. At the time the A11 was only single carriageway between Barton Mills and Thetford and it was to be a further 20 years before the long awaited dual carriageway was opened between the two locations (in December 2014). Chenery began operating the service 599 contract effective Sunday 23 May 1993 using four Kässbohrer-Setra coaches, three model S215HD like this and one model S215HR, all of which had been new to Bebb Travel of Llantwit Fadre.

Monday 8 November 1993 (approx 2145) – Seen back at the Dickleburgh (Norfolk) premises of R W Chenery after working the Norwich-London/London-Norwich National Express ‘Rapide’ service 599 is H62 PDW. Chenery began operating effective Sunday 23 May 1993 using four Kässbohrer-Setra coaches (three model S215HD like this and one model S215HR) which had been new to Bebb Travel of Llantwit Fadre. The coach had completed the 1700 service from Victoria to Norwich (due 2020). The driver had fuelled and cleaned the coach and was almost ready to park it for the night. (The band across the black sky is a scanning fault).

Monday 8 November 1993 (approx 2145) – R W Chenery of Dickleburgh (Norfolk) has been a keen Kässbohrer-Setra user for many years. This evening view at the Dickleburgh premises shows (from left to right) are 5092 EL (formerly PKW 322X new to Carnell’s of Sheffield) and XBL 333 new to Chenery in 1984 – both are in the company’s silver and blue livery. On the right with all lights aglow is H62 PDW sporting National Express livery. Chenery began operating the Norwich-London National Express ‘Rapide’ service 599 effective Sunday 23 May 1993 using three model S215HD like this and one model S215HR all of which had been new to Bebb Travel of Llantwit Fadre. The coach had completed the 1700 service from Victoria to Norwich (due 2020). The driver had fuelled and cleaned the coach and was almost ready to park it for the night. (The band across the black sky is a scanning fault).

Monday 2 August 1993 (approx 1900) – R W Chenery of Dickleburgh (Norfolk) H62 PDW, a Kässbohrer-Setra S215HD carrying National Express livery for the operation of the Norwich-London service 599. The drivers were cleaning the coach upon its return to Dickleburgh having worked the 0720 service from Norwich to London returning on the 1430 service today. Chenery began operating effective Sunday 23 May 1993. Four Kässbohrer-Setra coaches (three model S215HD and one model S215HR) were added to the Chenery fleet for the contract all of which had been new to Bebb Travel of Llantwit Fadre. The destination and service number details were displayed on reversible slot-in boards.

Monday 2 August 1993 (approx 1900) – R W Chenery of Dickleburgh (Norfolk) H62 PDW, a Kässbohrer-Setra S215HD carrying National Express livery for the operation of the Norwich-London service 599. The drivers were cleaning the coach upon its return to Dickleburgh having worked the 0720 service from Norwich to London returning on the 1430 service today. Chenery began operating effective Sunday 23 May 1993. Four Kässbohrer-Setra coaches (three model S215HD and one model S215HR) were added to the Chenery fleet for the contract all of which had been new to Bebb Travel of Llantwit Fadre. The destination and service number details were displayed on reversible slot-in boards.

Monday 2 August 1993 (approx 1900) – R W Chenery of Dickleburgh (Norfolk) H62 PDW, a Kässbohrer-Setra S215HD carrying National Express livery for the operation of the Norwich-London service 599. The drivers were cleaning the coach upon its return to Dickleburgh having worked the 0720 service from Norwich to London returning on the 1430 service today. Chenery began operating effective Sunday 23 May 1993. Four Kässbohrer-Setra coaches (three model S215HD and one model S215HR) were added to the Chenery fleet for the contract all of which had been new to Bebb Travel of Llantwit Fadre.

Monday 2 August 1993 (approx 1900) – Interior view on board R W Chenery of Dickleburgh (Norfolk) H62 PDW, a Kässbohrer-Setra S215HD. The coach carries National Express livery for the operation of the Norwich-London service 599 and today had worked the 0720 service from Norwich to London returning on the 1430 service. Chenery began operating effective Sunday 23 May 1993. Four Kässbohrer-Setra coaches (three model S215HD and one model S215HR) were added to the Chenery fleet for the contract all of which had been new to Bebb Travel of Llantwit Fadre.

Monday 28 June 1993 (approx 1900) – Seen at the Dickleburgh (Norfolk) premises of R W Chenery is H62 PDW, a Kässbohrer-Setra S215HD carrying National Express livery for the operation of the Norwich-London service 599 which Chenery began operating effective Sunday 23 May 1993. Four Kässbohrer-Setra coaches (three model S215HD and one model S215HR) were added to the Chenery fleet for the contract all of which had been new to Bebb Travel of Llantwit Fadre. The destination and service number details were displayed on reversible slot-in boards.

Monday 28 June 1993 (approx 1900) – Seen at the Dickleburgh (Norfolk) premises of R W Chenery is H62 PDW, a Kässbohrer-Setra S215HD carrying National Express livery for the operation of the Norwich-London service 599 which Chenery began operating effective Sunday 23 May 1993. Four Kässbohrer-Setra coaches (three model S215HD and one model S215HR) were added to the Chenery fleet for the contract all of which had been new to Bebb Travel of Llantwit Fadre. The destination and service number details were displayed on reversible slot-in boards.

Sunday 16 January 1994 (1353) – R W Chenery of Dickleburgh, Norfolk H63 PDW approaching Fiveways at Barton Mills when operating the 1305 Norwich to London (Victoria) National Express ‘Rapide’ service 599. The coach had just crossed a temporary pontoon bridge and was travelling on a temporary roadway created whilst the normal road bridge spanning a watercourse was rebuilt following structural weakness. At the time the A11 was only single carriageway between Thetford and Barton Mills and it was to be a further 20 years before the long awaited dual carriageway was opened between the two locations (in December 2014). Chenery began operating the service 599 contract effective Sunday 23 May 1993 using four Kässbohrer-Setra coaches (three model S215HD like this and one model S215HR) which had been new to Bebb Travel of Llantwit Fadre.

Thursday 9 September 1993 (approx. 1800) – The driver of R W Chenery of Dickleburgh, Norfolk H63 PDW loads the luggage and the stewardess checks the tickets of the small number of passengers travelling from Norwich to London (Victoria) on the 1805 National Express ‘Rapide’ service 599. Chenery began operating the service 599 contract effective Sunday 23 May 1993 adding four Kässbohrer-Setra coaches (three model S215HD and one model S215HR) to the fleet which had been new to Bebb Travel of Llantwit Fadre. The destination and service number details were displayed on reversible slot-in boards.

Thursday 9 September 1993 (approx. 1800) – R W Chenery of Dickleburgh, Norfolk H63 PDW seen loading at Surrey Street bus station in Norwich on the 1805 National Express ‘Rapide’ service 599 to London (Victoria). Chenery began operating the service 599 contract effective Sunday 23 May 1993 adding four Kässbohrer-Setra coaches (three model S215HD and one model S215HR) to the fleet which had been new to Bebb Travel of Llantwit Fadre

Sunday 15 August 1993 (1100) – R W Chenery of Dickleburgh, Norfolk H63 PDW, a Kässbohrer-Setra S215HD, had accelerated to top speed after leaving Fiveways roundabout at Barton Mills when operating the 1005 Norwich to London (Victoria) Norwich National Express ‘Rapide’ service 599. Normally I wouldn’t have been able to stand at this point to take a photograph but the eastbound carriageway was closed until around 1200 noon as a result of an accident in the early hours of this particular day. Chenery began operating this service effective Sunday 23 May 1993. Four Kässbohrer-Setra coaches (three model S215HD and one model S215HR) were added to the Chenery fleet for the contract all of which had been new to Bebb Travel of Llantwit Fadre.

Sunday 15 August 1993 (1100) – R W Chenery of Dickleburgh, Norfolk H63 PDW, a Kässbohrer-Setra S215HD, had accelerated to top speed after leaving Fiveways roundabout at Barton Mills when operating the 1005 Norwich to London (Victoria) National Express ‘Rapide’ service 599. Normally I wouldn’t have been able to stand at this point to take a photograph but the eastbound carriageway was closed until around 1200 noon as a result of an accident in the early hours of this particular day. Chenery began operating this service effective Sunday 23 May 1993. Four Kässbohrer-Setra coaches (three model S215HD and one model S215HR) were added to the Chenery fleet for the contract all of which had been new to Bebb Travel of Llantwit Fadre.