LN, LNB, SNB, SNC (Leyland National) 

 

Dunton Green was one of the first garages in LBCS and the UK to take delivery of the Leyland National, a type specifically designed for the National Bus Company. Whatever may have been wrong with British industry in the 1970s, the design of this vehicle was superb, and the build quality at worst acceptable.  After a few teething problems, the bus soon became the backbone of London Country operations, the company buying over 500 in total, a number which exceeded even that of the great RF. Like the RF, they were a joy to drive. Most didn't have the RFs standard of seating or upholstery, but the seats were reasonably comfortable and with fair leg room, and in the SNC suburban coach variant, designed for Green Line work, had coach type seats. One or two soldier on today, nearly 30 years after the first was delivered, which speaks for itself.  As a driver I preferred the Leyland National to any other bus except the RF.

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On railway subsitution work at Woldingham, SNB248 shows the remarkable characteristics of the vehicle suspension, by balancing on three wheels.

A close-up, clearly showing the nearside front wheel off the ground.

LNB68 at Orpington Station, alongside RT2494, over twenty years its senior, at Orpington Station.

 In a classic pose, SNB263 pauses at Knockholt (Crown) on a circular 471 journey from Orpington via Cudham Knockholt and Pratts Bottom back to Orpington Station.  May 1977

LNB63 at Orpington Station on route 493, the usual haunt of the longer 11.3m examples.  September 1974.

Even at the time this photo was taken (September 1974), Leyland Nationals were already substituting for RPs on the 704 and 705 Green Line. SNC102 pauses at Farnborough Green.  Despite the blind, this is not a relief but a scheduled working.

SNB250 waits at Noah's Ark (Kensing) 28-7-77

LNB63 on its scheduled haunt of route 493.  Orpington Station September 1977

LNB63 at Green Street Green (Rose and Crown) September 1977

Another view of LNB63 at Green Street Green. September 1977

SNB258 at Farnborough 10-8-77

SNB105 at Chelsfield Station 17-8-77

Dusk falls as SNB105 waits at Chelsfield Station with a most informative blind.  The bus will work from Chelsfield Station via Orpington Station and Ramsden Estate before terminating at Wilmington Avenue, Orpington.

SNB105 again, this time at Hitchen Hatch Lane, Sevenoaks, on one of the two afternoon journeys on route 454a between Sevenoaks Bus Station and Sevenoaks Railway Station which worked this way.

SNB282 at Sevenoaks Bus Station on 1-8-77 on route 401 (operated by Swanley Garage) a few days before this once important trunk service was withdrawn.

SNB248 at Warren Road, Green Street Green, with the evening working on the rare route 431a. 2-8-77

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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