In the early part of 1979, ST hired a number of buses pending delivery of the V registered batch of Fleetlines. Ensign Bus supplied 4 ex-Nottingham Atlanteans, whilst fellow municipality Reading Transport loaned 3 of these Pennine bodied Bristol RESLs. 288, NDP288G, stands at the Kent Elms terminus covering for a missing EN trip on service 6 to Southend.
Peter was less than impressed, as the bus had no ticket machine mounting. The 3 REs only stayed a month or so, 288 returning to Reading on the end of a tow bar after an engine fire.

Photo from the Peter Cackett collection, photographer unknown, taken Jan/Feb 1979, Eastwood, Broomfield Ave