Eastern National

Sunday 29 August 1993 – Eastern National Omnibus Company Limited 1121 (HHJ 382Y), an Alexander TE bodied Leyland Leopard new in April 1983, seen in travelling down the main street in Thaxted, Essex when working one of the Essex County Council supported Sunday bus services, service 631 from Saffron Walden to Burnham-on-Crouch. Thaxted is a very interesting old town which saw its greatest days in the 14th and 15th century when it prospered making cutlery. The town is well known for its late 15th century timber framed Guildhall which can be seen in the background of the photograph. The parish church was also built around this time and is one of the largest churches in Essex with a spire that stands 181 feet (55 metres) tall.

Sunday 29 August 1993 – Eastern National Omnibus Company Limited 1121 (HHJ 382Y), an Alexander TE bodied Leyland Leopard new in April 1983, seen in travelling down the main street in Thaxted, Essex when working one of the Essex County Council supported Sunday bus services, service 631 from Saffron Walden to Burnham-on-Crouch. Thaxted is a very interesting old town which saw its greatest days in the 14th and 15th century when it prospered making cutlery. The town is well known for its late 15th century timber framed Guildhall which can be seen in the background of the photograph. The parish church was also built around this time and is one of the largest churches in Essex with a spire that stands 181 feet (55 metres) tall.

Saturday 4 May 1991 - Eastern National Omnibus Company Limited Ford Transit 0708 (D429 AHT) seen turning in to Bridge Street, Bishop’s Stortford. I believe it had a Dormobile body shell completed by Carlyle and was one of a number of such vehicles acquired from the Bristol Omnibus Company that had it from new in January 1986. (Bristol Omnibus fleet number 7428).

Wednesday 23 August 1989 – The focal point for bus departures in Braintree was named the ‘Bus Park’. In this view there are four Eastern National Omnibus Company vehicles and one of Hedingham and District. In the line-up there is a Leyland National 2 (1930); two Alexander TE bodied Leyland Leopards (1125 next to the Leyland National); a Hedingham Duple Dominant bus bodied Bedford; and an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol VR in an advertising livery for Essex Radio (Possibly 3084)

Wednesday 23 August 1989 – A quick shot taken at the top of the hill on High Street, Halstead. Hedingham and District Omnibuses L137 (D137 XVW), a Plaxton Derwent bodied Bedford YMQ new in June 1987, is turning to Market Hill and Hedingham Road. Note the white direction sign showing ‘The Hedinghams 3’ – three miles that is as there are only two Hedinghams, Castle Hedingham and Sible Hedingham. The bus company was based at the latter. This was the 1640 service from Braintree to Great Yeldham. Eastern National Omnibus Company 1812 (VNO 735S), a Leyland National 11351/1R new in August 1977, is working service 311 to Chelmsford via Braintree. Note the two red plates by the offside headlight. The upper plate shows garage code ‘BE’ (Braintree) and the lower plate is the fleet number.

Sunday 29 Sept 2019 – Showbus, Hertfordshire County Showground Preserved former Eastern National Omnibus Company VNO 859, an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol KSW5G that was new in May 1953.

Sunday 6 May 2018 – Ipswich-Felixstowe Historic Vehicle Run Former Eastern National Omnibus Company 1407 (VNO 859), an Eastern Coachworks coach bodied Bristol KSW5G new in 1953.

Sunday 6 May 2018 – Ipswich-Felixstowe Historic Vehicle Run Former Eastern National Omnibus Company 1407 (VNO 859), an Eastern Coachworks coach bodied Bristol KSW5G new in 1953.

Sunday 23 August 2015 - Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol buses at the ETCS Rally at Old Buckenham Airfield. Left: Former Eastern Counties Omnibus Company LKD229 (OVF 229), an LD5G Lodekka new in 1954. Right: Former Eastern National Omnibus Company 1340 (2730 VX), a 1960 MW5G. (New as fleet number 519 later re-numbered to 1340).

Sunday 23 August 2015 - ETCS Rally at Old Buckenham Airfield. Former Eastern National Omnibus Company 1103 (UVX 7S), an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol LH new in September 1977.

Sunday 10 September 1989 - Eastern National Omnibus Company Limited 1640 (RWC 607) seen on display at the British Bus Day Rally at the Norfolk Showground near Norwich restored to its original April 1963 condition. It is an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol FLF ‘Lodekka’ fitted with semi-coach seats for use on the Limited Stop services between London and Southend-on-Sea. They had seating for 37 on the upper deck and 18 on the lower deck plus luggage space at the rear of the lower deck (visible in the photograph).

Sunday 29 Sept 2019 – Showbus, Hertfordshire County Showground Preserved former Eastern National Omnibus Company OWC 182D, an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol MW6G that was new to Tillings Travel in February 1966. Tillings and ENOC were both nationalised and operated under related management.

Sunday 6 May 2018 – Ipswich-Felixstowe Historic Vehicle Run Former Eastern National Omnibus Company 1546 (SVW 274K), an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol RELL new in May 1972.

Sunday 6 May 2018 – Ipswich-Felixstowe Historic Vehicle Run Former Eastern National Omnibus Company 1546 (SVW 274K), an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol RELL new in May 1972.

Wednesday 19 August 2015 - Former Eastern National Omnibus Company 1404 (VHK 177L) seen at the East Anglia Transport Museum, Carlton Colville, near Lowestoft, Suffolk (parked rather tightly in a corner). This coach was the prototype B51 body built in 1972 by Eastern Coachworks which was initially operated in the Tillings Travel fleet. It carries the corporate coach livery of the National Bus Company from the days before the 'National Express' name was introduced.

Wednesday 19 August 2015 - Former Eastern National Omnibus Company 1404 (VHK 177L) seen at the East Anglia Transport Museum, Carlton Colville, near Lowestoft, Suffolk. This coach was the prototype B51 body built in 1972 by Eastern Coachworks which was initially operated in the Tillings Travel fleet. It carries the corporate coach livery of the National Bus Company from the days before the 'National Express' name was introduced.

Saturday 16 March 1996 (1105) – The Badgerline Group, owners of the Eastern National Omnibus Company, and GRT Bus Group, the owners of the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company, merged in April 1995 to become First Group. As with the various large groups vehicle transfers were regularly undertaken. Alexander TE type bodied Leyland Tiger A694 OHJ, new to ENOC in November 1983, is seen here at Mildenhall Church wearing full Eastern National Badgerline livery complete with the badger logo but operating for the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company. It was working the Newmarket to Thetford service 200, a service supported by Suffolk County Council. Operators of such supported services were expected to display a ‘County Connections’ board which included the SCC crest. This bus does, although many didn’t. I personally don’t think the travelling public knew or cared what the board meant.

Saturday 16 March 1996 (1105) – The Badgerline Group, owners of the Eastern National Omnibus Company, and GRT Bus Group, the owners of the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company, merged in April 1995 to become First Group. As with the various large groups vehicle transfers were regularly undertaken. Alexander TE type bodied Leyland Tiger A694 OHJ, new to ENOC in November 1983, is seen here at Mildenhall Church wearing full Eastern National Badgerline livery complete with the badger logo but operating for the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company. It was working the Newmarket to Thetford service 200, a service supported by Suffolk County Council.