I just love Leyland Nationals. It all started when I was stood at a bus stop in September1992 and the mk1 Nationals were pulling up at the bus stop across the road, and as soon as I heard that tick over, that was it, I was hooked and then longed to be a passenger on one. I can't believe more than 20 years on, I'm still hooked.
I love the sounds of this bus, i miss it was always my favourite. And I remember back in winter it was always lwarm on that back seat a real character been a fan since i was kid
Part of the soundtrack to my childhood years in Dover! I remember that distinctive Leyland National sound very clearly. We used to joke that there was a little man peddling away like mad inside that vent at the back end. I used to find all that hissing and whining quite alarming. When the engine was just ticking over it made what we called a "glugging" sound. Me and my friends were a bit eccentric. Most of these buses were in red East Kent livery, but after the company was privatised they adopted the retro maroon and cream colour scheme with the EK logo. Me and my similarly eccentric schoolmates would use the free courtesy buses operated by the local ferry companies to make pointless journeys between Dover Priory station, Dover Western Docks station, the International Hoverport and the Eastern Docks. The drivers didn't seem to mind that we were not genuine cross-Channel travellers. The ferry buses had the additional set of doors in the centre of the carriage. I recall the majority had tan coloured faux leather bench seating. Some were reupholstered with patterned velour. The remarkable thing about these incredibly noisy vehicles is they were bolted together like old liners. Thus repairs were relatively easy to carry out; just removing damaged panels and slotting new ones in their place. And, of course the much hated Pacer train was based on this design. God, I can't believe the useless knowledge I retain in my head!
For several years we had NPD146L and NPD154L in Portsmouth. Both were single door versions. I rode on them in 1994 and 1996 and loved sitting on the back seat listening to that 510 engine scream. Nothing will beat that experience.
In 1995, when leaving Dover after getting off the ferry, I remember seeing a few mk1 Nationals on the L registration in use within the port itself. I was quite pleased to see this, even though in my home town they were still in regular use. I always thought all the NPD ones (ex London County) were single door so maybe this one has been converted to dual door. Some of the gear changes are a bit abrupt and at 4:30, that 510 is really being ragged. I hope it doesn't throw a rod through the block.
For her age she is a fantastic bus to ride in and drive. I know they weren't particularly popular when introduced (is anything new?) bus they were certainly ahead of their time.
We had some of her sisters (NPD141L etc) at Tring Garage, brand new, back around `72. 45 still sounds the same, but where did the centre doors and the moquete seats come from. She must have had a refurb at some time. I though all the old London Country Nationals had bit the dust.
East Kent bought some and converted them to duel door for the docks service. At 4.30 the bus is climbing up the notorious Jubilee Way out of Dover - quite a long hard slog for an old girl like this!
Thanks Wayne. Yes you are quite low in these. Used to drive me mad as a kid. The only windows I could look out of were the ones up the back but that was the smoking area and we never sat there!
Ah ha yes, that's only because she was coming up Jubilee Way out of Dover which is pretty steep, but yes, some of the gear changes certainly do bump a bit!
Jubilee Way is a bit of a strange run and I must admit I tend to avoid it in my buses. 3rd or 4th gear depending on the vehicle at full revs otherwise the speed drops right off. Whilst not massively steep it's the length that doesn't help! Fully automatics are much much worse.
+Jake SCOC that's a fair point, I'm local and I'm a hgv/PSV driver I know it's a pig to drive up it just sounded like that national was about to die lol
Bit of life left in the old girl. Running fairly empty she got off lightly. I've brought full VRs and Metrobuses up there many times and that really does sound distressing lol
I just love Leyland Nationals. It all started when I was stood at a bus stop in September1992 and the mk1 Nationals were pulling up at the bus stop across the road, and as soon as I heard that tick over, that was it, I was hooked and then longed to be a passenger on one. I can't believe more than 20 years on, I'm still hooked.
I love the sounds of this bus, i miss it was always my favourite. And I remember back in winter it was always lwarm on that back seat a real character been a fan since i was kid
Part of the soundtrack to my childhood years in Dover! I remember that distinctive Leyland National sound very clearly. We used to joke that there was a little man peddling away like mad inside that vent at the back end. I used to find all that hissing and whining quite alarming. When the engine was just ticking over it made what we called a "glugging" sound. Me and my friends were a bit eccentric. Most of these buses were in red East Kent livery, but after the company was privatised they adopted the retro maroon and cream colour scheme with the EK logo. Me and my similarly eccentric schoolmates would use the free courtesy buses operated by the local ferry companies to make pointless journeys between Dover Priory station, Dover Western Docks station, the International Hoverport and the Eastern Docks. The drivers didn't seem to mind that we were not genuine cross-Channel travellers. The ferry buses had the additional set of doors in the centre of the carriage. I recall the majority had tan coloured faux leather bench seating. Some were reupholstered with patterned velour. The remarkable thing about these incredibly noisy vehicles is they were bolted together like old liners. Thus repairs were relatively easy to carry out; just removing damaged panels and slotting new ones in their place. And, of course the much hated Pacer train was based on this design.
God, I can't believe the useless knowledge I retain in my head!
For several years we had NPD146L and NPD154L in Portsmouth. Both were single door versions. I rode on them in 1994 and 1996 and loved sitting on the back seat listening to that 510 engine scream. Nothing will beat that experience.
In 1995, when leaving Dover after getting off the ferry, I remember seeing a few mk1 Nationals on the L registration in use within the port itself. I was quite pleased to see this, even though in my home town they were still in regular use. I always thought all the NPD ones (ex London County) were single door so maybe this one has been converted to dual door. Some of the gear changes are a bit abrupt and at 4:30, that 510 is really being ragged. I hope it doesn't throw a rod through the block.
I can't believe this beautiful old bus is nearly 42 years old now.
For her age she is a fantastic bus to ride in and drive. I know they weren't particularly popular when introduced (is anything new?) bus they were certainly ahead of their time.
There's another ex London Country NPD one about that was for sale last year - although that was a Greenway.
We had some of her sisters (NPD141L etc) at Tring Garage, brand new, back around `72. 45 still sounds the same, but where did the centre doors and the moquete seats come from. She must have had a refurb at some time. I though all the old London Country Nationals had bit the dust.
Years ahead of their time
East Kent bought some and converted them to duel door for the docks service. At 4.30 the bus is climbing up the notorious Jubilee Way out of Dover - quite a long hard slog for an old girl like this!
Nice soundtrack. You do sit quite low in a National. Still looks good👍
Thanks Wayne. Yes you are quite low in these. Used to drive me mad as a kid. The only windows I could look out of were the ones up the back but that was the smoking area and we never sat there!
She sure is a screamer, but they were the most fun. I still miss driving them.
Beautiful bus
Ah ha yes, that's only because she was coming up Jubilee Way out of Dover which is pretty steep, but yes, some of the gear changes certainly do bump a bit!
That is a lot of thrash from one bus!
Well she's coping pretty well indeed. These mk1s were pretty quick in day I guess and even by today's standards would leave a Dennis Dart behind.
لؤش ماتعيدون باصات الليلند بكل انواعه بربطانيه الي االخدمه بدل volvoالسويديه
driving the old girl a bit hard!!!!!!!!
surprised that didn't go bang going up Jubilee Way.. even up that hill there's no excuse for making it scream like that..
Jubilee Way is a bit of a strange run and I must admit I tend to avoid it in my buses. 3rd or 4th gear depending on the vehicle at full revs otherwise the speed drops right off. Whilst not massively steep it's the length that doesn't help! Fully automatics are much much worse.
+Jake SCOC that's a fair point, I'm local and I'm a hgv/PSV driver I know it's a pig to drive up it just sounded like that national was about to die lol
Bit of life left in the old girl. Running fairly empty she got off lightly. I've brought full VRs and Metrobuses up there many times and that really does sound distressing lol
+Jake SCOC I like a Bristol, lovely to drive..it was probably one of yours I saw the other day at Woodnesborough?
Inside then yes outside then no lol. We've only had the DMS out for a run this year. VRs still sleeping.