NPD 108L

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NPD 108L was rescued for preservation by Mike Nash in September 1998 and despite having been standing for some years required very little attention for a speedy MOT. It is without doubt the earliest surviving London example being new to London Country Bus Services (LCBS) as fleet number LN8 on the 1st November 1972, the 116th production Leyland National built. However, it has a most unusual history in that it never actually turned a wheel in service for its original operator! Instead it was immediately loaned with LN’s 9-11 to Nottingham City Transport for evaluation by them on inner city services. When the four were returned in September 1973, only LN9 was retained by LCBS, LN’s 8,11 and 12 passing to Hants & Dorset (H&D) later the same month in exchange for three former King Alfred Metro-Scania’s which joined London Country’s native examples at Stevenage on the SuperBus services in that town. Thus LN8’s livery changed from London Country NBC leaf green to Nottingham City Transport and to Hants & Dorset NBC poppy red after having completed just one year of service!

Whilst with Hants & Dorset as their fleet number 3625, it had a lengthy stay at Winchester depot and completed nine years of service before passing to Alder Valley on the 23rd December 1982 in yet a further exchange, this time for single door National, KCG 616L. Here it joined a fleet of some 180 sisters but was never to see further PSV service as it was converted at the former Aldershot & District works in Halimote Road, Aldershot into their ‘Infobus’ a mobile information vehicle, in similar fashion to London Country’s LN7 which had become ‘Infomotion’. Initially turned out in the NBC’s striking black, red and white ‘venetian blind’ livery, it later received Alder Valley’s attractive post deregulation green and yellow livery. It was based at Aldershot depot and received fleet number 68. However it saw only limited use at special events for corporate customers and generally enjoyed a somewhat reclusive existence. Then on the 23rd May 1992 it passed to the prestigious coaching company, Cantabrica of Watford, who used it until 1995 as a mobile booking office and waiting room at Scratchwood Services on the M1, though it would return to its home depot each evening. Since then it had gathered dust at their depot on the A41 until its rescue for preservation by Mike Nash in September 1998, thanks to a tip off from fellow LNG member Keith Wright who had himself at that time just rescued prototype Leyland National FRM 499K, appropriately thanks to a similar tip off from Mike!

Even by Leyland National standards LN8 is in remarkable condition structurally for a vehicle now approaching 33 years of age, and mechanically all it required for the MOT was a top-plate for one of the rear suspension air-bags and some electrical attention. The interior still requires a little tidying, but it will remain part of the owners’ private collection and attends occasional special events each year such as the British F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone at which it has become a familiar sight parked at Club Corner on five occasions now, as luxury (!) motorhome for the owner’s notorious karting team, The Weybridge All-Stars! The decision to have it repainted into the yellow and blue Stevenage Superbus livery in Spring 2001 was prompted by the fact that a number of the early LCBS Nationals carried these distinctive colours when new, but it has never before re-appeared on a preserved bus.

The Webmaster would like to thank Mike Nash for providing the vehicle history and photos.

London Country LN8 - NPD 108L on loan to Nottingham City Transport is pictured in Nottingham sometime in 1972 or 1973. She is painted in Nottingham City Transport 'Central Area Service' livery.

© Photograph Anthony Poulton collection.

Hants & Dorset 3625 - NPD 108L is pictured in Winchester Bus Station in Hants & Dorset NBC poppy red livery.

© Photograph Mike Nash collection.

Alder Valley 68 - NPD 108L is pictured at a rally in Alder Valley NBC black, red and white ‘venetian blind’ livery. This livery would normally only be applied to coaches and dual-purpose vehicles, but this was no ordinary bus as it had been converted by Alder Valley to 'Infobus' a mobile information vehicle. Apologies for the poor quality of the picture. It is difficult to see in this view but the board on the side of the bus reads "ALDER VALLEY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT" and the front destination display is painted yellow with the word "INFORMATION" in black lettering.

© Photograph Paul Barrett collection.

Alder Valley 68 - NPD 108L 'INFOBUS' is pictured at Aldershot depot in Alder Valley post deregulation green and yellow livery sometime between 1988 and 1992.

© Photograph Paul Barrett collection.

Alder Valley 68 - NPD 108L 'INFOBUS' is pictured in Brighton in Alder Valley post deregulation green and yellow livery on the 16th June 1991.

© Photograph Paul Barrett collection.

Preserved NPD 108L in as acquired Cantabrica blue and red livery is pictured at the Cobham Bus Rally at Brooklands Airfield on the 11th April 1999.

© Photograph by Mike Nash.

Preserved NPD 108L in London Country Stevenage 'Super Bus' yellow and blue livery is pictured at the Alton Running Day & Bus Rally on the 18th July 2004.

© Photograph by Paul Barrett.

Preserved NPD 108L in London Country Stevenage 'Super Bus' yellow and blue livery is pictured at the Cobham Bus Rally on the 3rd April 2005.

© Photograph by Paul Barrett.