YPL 433T

Chassis Number:

Registration:

Type:

Seating:

New:

Original Operator and Fleet Number:

Current Owner:

Further Information:

YPL 433T was new to London Country Bus Services Ltd (LCBS), a subsidiary of the National Bus Company (NBC), in January 1979, receiving fleet number SNB433. The bus is fitted with a Leyland 510 engine and is a 10.3 metre, series B Leyland National and was therefore built without the characteristic roof mounted pod. The bus entered service from Leatherhead (LH) garage in January 1979 painted in London Country NBC leaf green livery. It was subsequently repainted with a Colourbus advert for 'Osten Lamden'. In January 1984 it was repainted back into NBC leaf green livery.

Upon the split of LCBS in September 1986 the bus passed to London Country South West (LCSW) remaining at Leatherhead garage and retaining its fleet number of SNB433. In February 1987 the bus was transferred to Dorking (DS) garage. In February 1988 LCSW was taken over by Drawlane, although this did not effect the bus.

During April 1989 LCSW was renamed London & Country (L&C) and a new livery of two tone green with a red band and London & Country fleet names was introduced with the buses gradually being repainted into this attractive new livery. In March 1990 the bus was transferred to Guildford (GF) garage. The bus was repainted into London & Country livery in September 1990. It was transferred back to Leatherhead (LH) garage in August 1991.

The bus was withdrawn from service by L&C around June 1997 and sold to dealer Ripley, Carlton in July 1997. It was then purchased by Clayton, Pudsey, trading as 'R&B', in August 1997. Later the same month it was sold to Lynn, Horsforth, trading as Optional Bus, Leeds, where it received the fleet number 1433. Optional Bus had purchased some former London & Country Leyland Nationals and Leyland Atlanteans and all still carried London & Country livery, therefore to save on the cost of repaints the company decided to adopt this as their fleet livery. This resulted in buses in full London & Country livery operating in service in Leeds, albeit with Optional Bus fleet names. After withdrawal from service by Optional Bus the bus was sold to dealer Thames Valley Bus Sales (Mike Nash), Weybridge in September 1999. Mike used the bus in his 'loan fleet' and it is known to have been used on loan by Thames Travel of Goring in January 2000.

The bus was purchased from Thames Valley Bus Sales for preservation by Chris Brown of Greenhithe and Dave King of Reading in December 2001. The bus was repainted into London & Country livery in early 2004 and subsequently advertised for sale. The bus was sold to a student at Bath University who planned to convert it to a mobile home, however following a change of plan the bus was subsequently sold to someone in Saltash who converted it to a mobile shop. Unfortunately the interior of the bus was stripped out as part of the conversion.

In February 2006 the bus was again purchased for preservation, this time by Mick Berg of New Haw and Andy Bedford. They planned to refit the seats and the rest of the interior to restore the bus to original condition. However, following their purchase of sister vehicle SNB449, which is complete and in much better condition than SNB433, plans have now changed and SNB433 may now be used for spares. Be sure to check back in the future to find out what happens to the bus.

The Webmaster would like to thank Mick Berg for providing the photos.

Pictured in Thames Valley Bus Sales yard on the 28th October 2001 is YPL 433T in Optional Bus livery.

© Photograph by Anthony Poulton.

YPL 433T is pictured on static display at the North Weald Bus Rally on the 27th June 2004 when it was preserved by Chris Brown and Dave King. It had recently been repainted into the smart London & Country livery.

© Photograph by Paul Barrett.

A nearside view of YPL 433T at the North Weald Bus Rally on the 27th June 2004.

© Photograph by Paul Barrett.

YPL 433T is pictured during its journey back into preservation on the 28th February 2006. The bus is now preserved by Mick Berg and Andy Bedford. It still carries London & Country livery although the interior has unfortunately been ripped out by the previous owners.

© Photograph by Mick Berg.