UPB 312S

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UPB 312S was new to London Country Bus Services Ltd (LCBS), a subsidiary of the National Bus Company (NBC), receiving fleet number SNB312 and painted in NBC leaf green livery. She is fitted with a Leyland 510 engine and is a 10.3 metre, series A Leyland National. She entered service with LCBS at their St Albans Garage in November 1977. At the same time, others from that batch entered service at St Albans, Hatfield and Hemel Hempstead Garages, to bring about the elimination of crew-operated Routemasters in that area of Hertfordshire.

Upon the split of LCBS in September 1986 she passed to London Country North East (LCNE), still at St Albans and retaining her fleet number of SNB312. On 9th January 1989 LCNE was split into two parts. The eastern part became County Bus & Coach Co Ltd and the western part Sovereign Bus & Coach Co Ltd with SNB312 passing to Sovereign, still at St Albans. Later in 1989 she passed to County Bus, still as SNB312. Now based at Harlow she received County livery with Town Link fleetnames. She finished her service career as a driver trainer at Ware Garage, being withdrawn in 1996. She was notable as being the last National of London Country origin in use in the “North East” area. After withdrawal she was stored at Stamford Hill garage in North London.

A chance conversation between Eddie Knorn of Melbourn, Cambridgeshire and a manager at Cowie Group, by then, 312’s owner, led to Eddie buying her for preservation in March 1997. That year saw rally appearances at two former homes, St Albans and Harlow, still in well-worn County Bus livery. May 2000 saw her debut in London Country NBC leaf green livery, with a white stripe. Since then, further improvements have been made, including interior posters and a fishtail exhaust. SNB312 has been restored to represent a typical in-service London Country National in the late 70s / early 80s. She is a regular participant at Country Bus Rallies running days which are held at various locations in the former London Country operating area.

She is part of Eddie Knorn's collection of former London Country buses that were allocated to St. Albans garage. For more information on UPB 312S and the other former St. Albans buses in Eddie's collection visit his website at: www.stalbansbuses.org.uk

Preserved UPB 312S is pictured in Mike Nash's yard during the Cobham Bus Museum Rear Engine Running Day on the 30th August 1999. She is in as acquired County Bus livery with Townlink fleetnames.

© Photograph by Andy Moore.

Preserved former London Country SNB312 - UPB 312S, pictured at the North Weald Bus Rally on the 27th June 2004. She carries London Country NBC leaf green livery.

© Photograph by Paul Barrett.

An offside view of preserved former London Country SNB312 - UPB 312S, pictured at the Showbus Rally, Duxford on the 26th September 2004. She carries London Country NBC leaf green livery.

© Photograph by Paul Barrett.