David Slater (Spoddendale)'s photos with the keyword: OEX 800W

December 1982 – Peeping out from the Fordham Road garage in Newmarket is Eastern Counties Omnibus Company LL800 (OEX 800W), a Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard new in December 1980. It was allocated to Newmarket for a few years and regularly operated on the National Travel/National Express service 097 from RAF Mildenhall/Mildenhall town to London. The garage was located on the site now occupied by the Waitrose store.

Sunday 28 April 1985 (1513) – Work had already started to upgrade the A11 to dual carriageway between Fiveways, Barton Mills and Red Lodge and I took the opportunity to climb a huge pile of earth positioned by the construction company to get this unique photograph. It shows two Ambassador Travel coaches heading westbound past the Bull Inn at Barton Mills. The roadway where the coaches are is still there although it takes a 90 degree turn towards the pub alongside the second coach. The alignment of the dual carriageway was to the right of the camera. Now to the coaches! Leading is LT893 (A101 HNC) working the 1330 Great Yarmouth-Norwich-London National Express ‘Rapide’ service 599, a new service launched this day. ‘Rapide’ services offered featured toilet and refreshment facilities the latter served by a steward/stewardess. Ambassador Travel received four Plaxton Paramount 3200 bodied Leyland Tigers from other National Bus Company affiliates to work on this improved service. Following is LL800 (OEX 800W), a Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard new to Eastern Counties Omnibus Company in December 1980, that was operating the 1455 service from RAF Mildenhall to London.