National Express coaches 1980s

Thursday 7 September 1989 - S.U.T. Limited of Sheffield operated National Express services through Mildenhall for a time. SPY 372X was a Plaxton Supreme bodied Leyland Leopard PSU5C/4R that had been new to Martindale Coaches of Ferryhill in March 1982. After sale by Martindales this coach was operated by different ATL Holdings group companies including Yelloway Motor Services of Rochdale. It had carried National Express livery but by now was painted in a light cream or off white colour. Liverpool bound on National Express service 350.

Thursday 7 September 1989 - S.U.T. of Sheffield operated National Express services through Mildenhall for a time. SPY 372X was a Plaxton Supreme bodied Leyland Leopard PSU5C/4R that had been new to Martindale Coaches of Ferryhill in March 1982. After sale by Martindales this coach was operated by different ATL Holdings group companies including Yelloway Motor Services of Rochdale. It had carried National Express livery but by now was painted in a light cream or off white colour. Liverpool bound on National Express service 350.

Thursday 1 June 1989 - During late May/early June 1989 the King Street lay-by in Mildenhall was temporarily closed for repaving. During the period of the closure buses and coaches stopped outside the Budgens store in St. Andrew’s Street. The lay-by and shelter is visible in the background. The coach is S.U.T. of Sheffield A341 YDT, a Jonckheere Jubilee bodied Volvo B10M new to National Travel (East) in May 1984, that was operating the 0715 Norwich to Blackpool National Express service 352. There was a National Express inspector carrying out a spot check this morning. This was one of ten such coaches (A332-341 YDT) received by National Travel (East) in the Spring of 1984 delivered in a contract livery for tour operator Intasun.

Saturday 11 February 1989 (1317) – S.U.T. of Sheffield operated the National Express service 351 through Mildenhall for a time. A339 YDT was running about 25 minutes late when seen at King Street, Mildenhall operating the 1010 service from Lowestoft to Manchester. Between Lowestoft and Cambridge this departure slotted into the two hourly frequency schedule mainly covered by service 747. This particular timing was always popular with riders bound for Newmarket and Cambridge for the afternoon and there had been quite a crowd of waiting passengers including Jane (Sparrow) and John (surname?) at the kerbside. The initials S.U.T. were derived from the well respected name of Sheffield United Tours, a company which was absorbed into National Travel (East). The post privatisation owners used names like N.T.E and S.U.T. The coach is a Jonckheere Jubilee bodied Volvo B10M registered in May 1984, one of ten such coaches (A332-341 YDT) new to National Travel (East) in the Spring of that year delivered in a contract livery for tour operator Intasun.

Sunday 21 February 1988 (approx. 1120) - S.U.T. of Sheffield operated the National Express service 351 through Mildenhall for a time. A309 XHE seen King Street, Mildenhall when operating the 0900 Great Yarmouth to Blackpool service. Between Great Yarmouth and Cambridge this departure slotted into the schedule mainly covered by service 747. The initials S.U.T. were derived from the well respected name of Sheffield United Tours, a company which was absorbed into National Travel (East). The post privatisation owners used names like N.T.E and S.U.T. This coach was one of ten such vehicles (A305-314 XHE) received by National Travel (East) in late 1983 to operate a Club 18-30 Holiday contract and wore the Club 18-30 livery and fitted out with 7 reclining seats and 42 convertible sleeper type seats. New November 1983. The white hoarding in the background surrounds the site that would later occupy Willow House, Ritz Video (later Blockbuster then Costa), Computer Scene (later En Thai Sing). The roof of the Budgens store (now Wilko) is on the right.

Sunday 21 February 1988 (approx. 1120) - S.U.T. of Sheffield operated the National Express service 351 through Mildenhall for a time. A309 XHE was seen King Street, Mildenhall when operating the 0900 Great Yarmouth to Blackpool service. Between Great Yarmouth and Cambridge this departure slotted into the schedule mainly covered by service 747. The initials S.U.T. were derived from the well respected name of Sheffield United Tours, a company which was absorbed into National Travel (East). The post privatisation owners used names like N.T.E and S.U.T. This coach was one of ten such vehicles (A305-314 XHE) received by National Travel (East) in late 1983 to operate a Club 18-30 Holiday contract and wore the Club 18-30 livery and fitted out with 7 reclining seats and 42 convertible sleeper type seats. New November 1983.

Wednesday 31 May 1989 - During late May/early June 1989 the King Street lay-by in Mildenhall was temporarily closed for repaving. During the period of the closure buses and coaches stopped outside the Budgens store in St. Andrew’s Street. The lay-by and shelter and visible on the left in the background. S.U.T. Limited of Sheffield A339 YDT was operating the 0715 Norwich to Blackpool National Express service 352. It is a Jonckheere Jubilee bodied Volvo B10M one of ten such coaches (A332-341 YDT) new to National Travel (East) in the Spring of 1984 delivered in a contract livery for tour operator Intasun. (This one registered in April 1984). The coach behind was a duplicate operated by Viking Coaches of Heywood XPD 976, a Plaxton Supreme IV bodied Volvo B58 new to Waterhouse Tours (44) of Polegate in April 1980 registered CDY 944V.

Thursday 1 June 1989 - During late May/early June 1989 the King Street lay-by in Mildenhall was temporarily closed for repaving. During the period of the closure buses and coaches stopped outside the Budgens store in St. Andrew’s Street. S.U.T. Limited of Sheffield A341 YDT was operating the 0715 Norwich to Blackpool National Express service 352. It is a Jonckheere Jubilee bodied Volvo B10M one of ten such coaches (A332-341 YDT) new to National Travel (East) in the Spring of 1984 delivered in a contract livery for tour operator Intasun. (This one registered in May 1984).

Thursday 1 June 1989 - During late May/early June 1989 the King Street lay-by in Mildenhall was temporarily closed for repaving. During the period of the closure buses and coaches stopped outside the Budgens store in St. Andrew’s Street. S.U.T. Limited of Sheffield A341 YDT was operating the 0715 Norwich to Blackpool National Express service 352. It is a Jonckheere Jubilee bodied Volvo B10M one of ten such coaches (A332-341 YDT) new to National Travel (East) in the Spring of 1984 delivered in a contract livery for tour operator Intasun. (This one registered in May 1984).

Saturday 30 December 1989 – Wessex of Bristol 203 (B224 WEU) was a Duple Laser 2 bodied Leyland Tiger TRCTL11/3RH that was new in December 1984. It was seen at King Street, Mildenhall when working the 0935 Cromer to Bristol National Express service 747. (Whilst I can’t recall the source, I have a note that this coach was intended to be for the Bristol Omnibus Company as their 2224 but was exchanged with Wessex for ADD 50Y, the prototype Leyland Olympian coach).

Sunday 1 November 1987 (1120) – For a brief time the 0900 Great Yarmouth to Blackpool National Express service 351 was worked by Easey Travel of March, Cambridgeshire shared with Lancaster City Transport, one trip daily each operator alternating. On the first day of the Winter 1987/1988 timetables Plaxton Supreme bodied Leyland Tiger NGL 624X was seen passing the War Memorial in Mildenhall heading for the north of England. The arrival time in Blackpool was scheduled for 2005. The coach had been new to Ede of Par, Cornwall in March 1982. Easey was actually the family name of the proprietor of the business, a perfect name for a travel or indeed any other service business!

Sunday 29 October 1989 (0850) – The first National Express service 305 working through Mildenhall at the start of the Winter 1989/1990 timetables gave the town a link with Birmingham with a trip forming part of the 747 timetable east of Cambridge. Premier Travel Services Plaxton Paramount bodied Volvo B10M 360 (E360 NEG) was seen on a damp and gloomy Sunday morning at King Street lay-by when working the 0715 service from Norwich to Birmingham.

Tuesday 24 October 1989 – Tayside Public Transport Company Limited 312 (666 TPJ) seen loading at Drummer Street coach station in Cambridge as the joint National Express/Caledonian Express service 377 to Dundee. A few weeks earlier National Express acquired the Scotland-England services of Stagecoach and set up Caledonian Express north of the border. They were allowed to use the Stagecoach name for an agreed period and so this coach carries the two Scottish brandings. The acquisition came at the same time that the agreement between National Express and Scottish Citylink (and their predecessors) spanning more than 60 odd years, came to an end. As a result Scottish Citylink created its own services to English provincial towns and cities in competition. Service 377 had been a joint service between National Express and Scottish Citylink and my notes state that the new arrangements began on 23 October 1989. The coach is an Irizar Pyrenean bodied Volvo B10M new in March 1987 as D312 ETS.

Tuesday 24 October 1989 – Tayside Public Transport Company Limited 312 (666 TPJ) seen loading at Drummer Street coach station in Cambridge as the joint National Express/Caledonian Express service 377 to Dundee. A few weeks earlier National Express acquired the Scotland-England services of Stagecoach and set up Caledonian Express north of the border. They were allowed to use the Stagecoach name for an agreed period and so this coach carries the two Scottish brandings. The acquisition came at the same time that the agreement between National Express and Scottish Citylink (and their predecessors) spanning more than 60 odd years, came to an end. As a result Scottish Citylink created its own services to English provincial towns and cities in competition. Service 377 had been a joint service between National Express and Scottish Citylink and my notes state that the new arrangements began on 23 October 1989. . The coach is an Irizar Pyrenean bodied Volvo B10M new in March 1987 as D312 ETS.

Tuesday 24 October 1989 – Tayside Public Transport Company Limited 312 (666 TPJ) seen loading at Drummer Street coach station in Cambridge as the joint National Express/Caledonian Express service 377 to Dundee. A few weeks earlier National Express acquired the Scotland-England services of Stagecoach and set up Caledonian Express north of the border. They were allowed to use the Stagecoach name for an agreed period and so this coach carries the two Scottish brandings. The acquisition came at the same time that the agreement between National Express and Scottish Citylink (and their predecessors) spanning more than 60 odd years, came to an end. As a result Scottish Citylink created its own services to English provincial towns and cities in competition. Service 377 had been a joint service between National Express and Scottish Citylink and my notes state that the new arrangements began on 23 October 1989. . The coach was an Irizar Pyrenean bodied Volvo B10M new in March 1987 as D312 ETS.

One of the best buys was the twice yearly National Express coach guide. The covers varied with each issue.

One of the best buys was the twice yearly National Express coach guide. The covers varied with each issue.

Saturday 15 July 1989 – A very pristine Yorkshire Traction Company Plaxton Paramount 3500 bodied Leyland Royal Tiger eases off Bay 19 at Peterborough bus station when working the 0930 National Express service 350 from Liverpool to Clacton-on-Sea. 74 (374 YTC) was delivered as A74 YDT in April 1984.