National Express coaches 1990s

Friday 8 September 1995 (approx. 1440) – A broad smile from the stewardess (or maybe co-driver?) of Midland-Bluebird 618 (N618 USS), a Plaxton Expressliner 2 bodied Volvo B10M, seen leaving the old National Express coach Station, Digbeth, Birmingham when working the 0700 National Express service 593 from Perth (Scotland) to London (due to arrive 1650). It was scheduled to be at Birmingham from 1420 to 1430 so wasn’t too far behind time considering the miles it had covered today. On the left is Northern National 7044 (H330 UWT) working the 1500 service 709 to Newcastle-upon-Tyne 1920 service 709 and on the right is Wessex of Bristol 171 (H72 PWO) working a Friday and Sunday only 1500 service 325 to Luton (arriving 1710). It would return to Birmingham departing Luton at 1805.

Tuesday 2 July 1996 (approx. 1250) – Volvo B10M coaches of National Express contractors seen at Heathrow Airport Central Bus Station (from left to right): Ribble Buses 1122 (J122 AAH), with Plaxton Expressliner I body, which I believe was working the 0645 Liverpool to London service 546; Western National 2254 (L254 UCV), with Plaxton Expressliner 2 body, working the 0545 Penzance to London service 500; and Express Travel L706 PHE, with a Van Hool Alizeé body, working the 1300 Gatwick to Rochdale service 325.

Saturday 19 October 1991 (approx. 1720) – National Express coaches in Wellington Street Coach Station, Leeds. From left to right: Tayside Travel Services LSR186 (C182 RVV), one of a pair of Caetano Algarve bodied Leyland Tigers new to National Express in May 1986 (1000 Edinburgh to Leicester (2005) service 376. In Leeds 1640-1720). Shearings 619 (E619 UNE), a Van Hool Alizeé bodied Volvo B10M new March 1988 (1330 Blackpool to Lincoln (2040) service 381. In Leeds 1720-1800). East Yorkshire 26 (A106 FVN), a Plaxton Paramount 3500 bodied Leyland Tiger new to United Automobile Services in February 1984 (1415 Liverpool to Hull (1910) service 362. In Leeds 1650-1720). Western National 2229 (C975 GCV), a Duple 340 bodied Leyland Tiger new in April 1986 (0645 Newquay to Newcastle-upon-Tyne (2000) service 533. In Leeds 1700-1740). United Counties 82 (C82 PRP), a Plaxton Paramount 3500 bodied Leyland Tiger new in April 1986. (0745 Worthing to Newcastle-upon-Tyne (2030) service 325. In Leeds 1600-1640 but running late). (There were two other coaches in the coach station at the same time namely Stanley Gath of Dewsbury H399 YCP working the 1510 Hull to Manchester National Express service 362 and MacPherson’s of Donisthorpe E346 EVH working the 0755 Aberdeen to Cambridge Scottish Citylink service 236).

Summer 1993 – Express Travel Services 453 (G453 VSL) seen cruising along the A11 Red Lodge by-pass in Suffolk when working the 1030 London-Lowestoft service (arriving 1435) National Express service 597. It would return as the 1615 Lowestoft-London service (arriving 2020). Service 597 was largely worked by Ambassador Travel (Anglia) Limited but during the period of the summer schedules in 1993 this one round trip was worked by an ETS coach between its overnight Scotland-London and London-Scotland runs. 453 is a Plaxton Expressliner I bodied Volvo B10M new in June 190. Now carrying National Express ‘Rapide’ livery when new it carried the blue and white variant and Caledonian Express fleetnames of the National Express Scottish subsidiary.

Sunday 9 August 1999 – First Badgerline (Bristol Omnibus Company) 297 (R297 AYB), a 1998 Plaxton Expressilner bodied Dennis Javelin, arrives in the Roman city of Bath from London (Victoria) when working National Express service 403. It is following a Guide Friday liveried sightseeing bus which is already crossing Pulteney Bridge, the only bridge in Britain with buildings on it according to a local tour guide.

Friday 8 September 1995 (approx. 1505) – East Yorkshire Motor Services 71 (N171 AAG), a Van Hool Alizeé bodied Scania K113CRB new within the past few weeks, was seen leaving the old National Express Coach Station, Digbeth, Birmingham when working the 0825 Weymouth to Hull northbound National Express service 338.

Friday 8 September 1995 (approx. 1505) – A pair of East Yorkshire Motor Services Van Hool Alizeé bodied Scania K113CRBs seen leaving the old National Express Coach Station, Digbeth, Birmingham when working service 338. Leading is 71 (N171 AAG) working the 0825 Weymouth to Hull northbound service whilst 72 (N172 AAG) was working the 0935 Hull-Weymouth southbound service. Both are part of the 1500 interchange. They were only a few weeks old being registered since 1 August 1995.

Monday 2 June 1997 (approx. 1515) – East Yorkshire Motor Services 62 (L62 VAG), a Plaxton Expressliner 2 bodied Volvo B10M-62, seen at Milton Keynes Coachway when working the 1145 Hull to London National Express service 562. The stewardess from the ‘Rapide’ branded coach gives guidance to a Dutchman who was meeting someone from South Shields on service 526.

Sunday 15 August 1993 – NXI 9005, one of the original Plaxton Expressliner bodied Volvo B10Ms delivered to National Express in April 1989, is seen heading away from Fiveways roundabout at Barton Mills when working the 1615 Lowestoft-London service 597 (arriving 2020). This service began with the Summer 1993 timetables on Sunday 23 May 1993 and was largely worked by Ambassador Travel (Anglia) Limited. However, the 1030 London-Lowestoft service (arriving 1435) returning as the 1615 Lowestoft-London service (arriving 2020) runs were worked by Scottish based Express Travel Services. The working was sandwiched between overnight Scotland-London and London-Scotland runs.

Monday 2 June 1997 (approx. 1430) – Express Travel Services K505 WNR, a 1993 Plaxton Expressliner 2 bodied Volvo B10M-62, seen at Milton Keynes Coachway when working National Express service 325 to Rochdale (1200 ex Gatwick??).

Sunday 11 July 1993 – The Lowestoft-London National Express service 597 began with the Summer 1993 timetables on Sunday 23 May 1993 and was largely worked by Ambassador Travel (Anglia) Limited. However, the 1030 London-Lowestoft service (arriving 1435) returning as the 1615 Lowestoft-London service (arriving 2020) runs were worked by Scottish based Express Travel Services. The working was sandwiched between overnight Scotland-London and London-Scotland runs. In this view we see Express Travel Services 112 (H112 OON) cruising along the A11 at Barton Mills in Suffolk at 1820 heading to London. It is a Plaxton Expressliner bodied Volvo B10M that had been new in March 1990 to National Express owned Roadmaster Travel Services. The light coloured building was the Dog and Partridge Inn now a private residence.

Monday 2 June 1997 (approx. 1440) – East Midland Motor Services 659 (J420 HAS) was operating the 1245 National Express ‘ Air Link’ service 230 from Nottingham to Gatwick Airport when seen at Milton Keynes Coachway. It had only recently been transferred to East Midland from Busways of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, both companies owned by Stagecoach, and still carried lettering for the ‘Air Link’ services from the North East. It was a Plaxton Excalibur bodied Volvo B10M new to Parks of Hamilton in March 1992. I believe it had carried registration KSU 462 during its time at Busways.

December 1999 – Full rear end advertising carried by Durham Travel Services 56 (P56 XNL), a Plaxton Expressliner bodied Volvo B10M new in December 1996. It was seen at King Street, Mildenhall when working the 0735 Holt (Norfolk) to London National Express service 495.

Monday 2 June 1997 (approx. 1515) – Two London bound National Express services seen at Milton Keynes Coachway (near junction 14 of the M1 Motorway in Buckinghamshire). Both are Plaxton Expressliner 2 bodied Volvo B10Ms. Left is Durham Travel Services 22 (N22 DTS) operating the 1020 service 526 from South Shields and right is East Yorkshire Motor Services 62 (L62 VAG) operating the 1145 service 562 from Hull. The stewardess from the DTS coach is stood by the door of her coach. Their arrival at Victoria was scheduled for 1650.

Monday 2 June 1997 (approx. 1425) – Durham Travel Services 3 (L3 DTS) taking on passengers at Milton Keynes Coachway when working the 1300 National Express London to Whitby service 563. It was due in Whitby at 2005. A Van Hool Alizeé bodied Scania K113CRB new in October 1993.

Friday 12 November 1993 (0740) – With the commencement of the National Express Winter 1993/1994 timetables began on Monday 1 November 1993 the Cambridge to Glasgow service 752 service was extended to start at Bury St. Edmunds. The contracted operator was Durham Travel Services and their 33 (G33 TCU, a Plaxton Expressliner I bodied Volvo B10M new in February 1990, was seen in the Rookery bus station in Newmarket when working the daily northbound trip that had left Bury St. Edmunds at 0720. It was due in Glasgow at1820 travelling via Kettering, Corby and the East Midlands.

Friday 4 September 1992 – The hostess checks the tickets of the passengers boarding Dorset Travel Services 338 (H338 KPR) at Heathrow Airport as a second hostess from another DTS coach looks on. The coach is a Plaxton Expressliner bodied Volvo B10M new in November 1990.

Friday 8 September 1995 (approx. 1410) – Dorset Travel M336 LFX, a Van Hool Alizeé bodied Volvo B10M rounds the Bull Ring in central Birmingham on the approach to Digbeth Coach Station. It was working the 0820 Bournemouth to Halifax 1915 National Express service 335. Due in Digbeth at 1410 it would stay until 1500 forming part of the 1500 interchange departures.