JHJ 150V

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She is very unusual being that she has had only one owner from new until she was purchased for preservation. She also kept the same fleet number throughout her working life.

New to Eastern National, a subsidiary of the National Bus Company (NBC), in November 1979, she received the fleet number 1924. As part of the privatisation of the NBC the company was sold to its management on Christmas Eve 1986. In April 1990 the company was sold to Badgerline Holdings Limited. Then in 1995 Badgerline Group merged with GRT Bus Group to become FirstBus. In order to reflect the diversification of its interests FirstBus was renamed FirstGroup in December 1997 and the company was renamed First Eastern National. Despite all these changes JHJ continued in service, before becoming a Driver Training Bus and then finally the last Leyland National with First Essex Buses as the company was by then known. She was eventually replaced as a Driver Trainer by a Leyland Lynx and was withdrawn in July 2003. She was then sold to Steve Smith of Benfleet for preservation.

5First Eastern National 1924 - JHJ 150V

First Eastern National 1924, JHJ 150V, pictured at North Weald Bus Rally on the 21st July 2002. She is the company's last remaining Leyland National and she is used for Driver Training duties.

© Photograph by Anthony Poulton.

5First Eastern National 1924 - JHJ 150V

First Eastern National 1924, JHJ 150V, pictured at its first inspection by Steve Smith at the Driving School in Chelmsford on the 28th July 2003.

© Photograph by Steve Smith.

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Preserved former First Eastern National 1924, JHJ 150V, pictured on the 12th March 2004.

© Photograph by Steve Smith.

Preserved JHJ 150V >>>>

A rear view of JHJ 150V on the 12th March 2004 showing her modified rear lights.

© Photograph by Steve Smith.