Southend Transport had a history of using any available bus at times of need, leading to the sight of open toppers out in the depths of winter, such as 371 seen in Central Bus Station about to work a 1 to Rayleigh Station on January 26, 1987.
A very cold looking James Sadd shows off the Setright ticket machines still in use by conductors (OMO buses had used Almex machines since decimalisation in 1971).
James' recollections of conducting on the X1 service can be read here.

Photo taken by Richard Delahoy, Monday 26 January 1987, Southend Central Bus Station