The Leyland National

It is now three-and-a-half decades since the first Leyland National single-deck bus took to our roads. It was the ideal bus for the era concerned, and it therefore came to dominate the British market place. With its distinctive form being seen from Cornwall to the Northern half of Scotland, it formed the service bus backbone of many great fleets. Although developed jointly by Leyland and the National Bus Company, primarily for the NBC’s own use, it found many other buyers amongst the major operators, particularly in its later forms. After the de-regulation of the bus industry in the 1980s, many Leyland Nationals became surplus to requirements, and they were sold to numerous independent operators where they were soon used to run in competition with their former owners. It is only since the start of the new century that the National has ceased to be an everyday sight on our streets.It’s varied and colourful history is illustrated in this pictorial tribute to the marque, being captured by the camera in a range of hues from the original Poppy Red or Leaf Green, to bright pink and multi-coloured versions. The fleets pictured vary from great undertakings like Crossville, Midland Red and United, to the smallest of independent operators.