1. HOD100 ... Southern National (Royal Blue) 1237, HOD100, seen on the spare ground at the top end of Victoria Coach Station was a Bristol L6A with a Beadle C31F body new in 1948.
Photo taken Sat 28 Jun 1958, London Victoria Coach Station

2. HOD28 ... Former Royal Blue 1226, HOD28, a Bristol L6A with Beadle C31F body, new in 1948 and withdrawn in 1960.
Photo taken Sun 6 Oct 1974, WETC, Winkleigh, Devon

3. HOD30 ... Two preserved Royal Blue Bristol Ls, 1228, HOD30, and 1250, LTA729.
Photo taken Sun 10 Aug 2008, Brislington

4. HOD30 ... Royal Blue were the owners of this AEC engined Bristol L6A carrying attractive but uncommon Beadle bodywork. New to Royal Blue as their 1228, HOD30, in 1948; the bus has been in preservation for over 30 years, far longer than it spent in revenue earning service!
Photo taken Sun 9 Oct 2011, Jerry Croft, Skipton

5. HOD30 ... Former Royal Blue 1228, HOD30, a Bristol L6A with Beadle C31F body, new in 1948. Withdrawn in 1960 it passed, along with HOD28, to a china clay works for staff transport with whom it survived until 1968.
Photo taken early 1974, WETC, Winkleigh, Devon

6. HOD30 ... The Shipley-based Yesteryear Coaches fleet includes former Royal Blue 1228, HOD30, a Bristol L6A with an unusual Beadle C31F body dating from 1948.
Photo taken Sat 24 Jun 2017, Bradley, Skipton

7. HOD30 ... Royal Blue 1228, HOD30, a 1948 Bristol L6A with Beadle coachwork.
Photo taken Sun 14 Oct 2007, Bolton Abbey Station

8. HOD31 ... Western National 1229, HOD31, a Bristol L6A with a Beadle C31F body new in 1949 and part of the Royal Blue fleet.
Photo taken Sat 28 Jun 1958, The Wharf, Newbury

9. LTA750 ... Royal Blue 1411, LTA750, a classic Duple bodied Bedford OB dating from 1949.
Photo taken Sun 13 Jun 2010, Chatsworth

10. LTA908 ... Former Royal Blue 1432, LTA908, with a new owner at Exeter Bus Station in about 1971, a Bedford OB / Duple C27F of 1949.
Photo taken 1971, Exeter Bus Station

11. LTA909 ... Southern National 1433, LTA909, a Duple Vista C29F bodied Bedford OB new in 1949 seen in Royal Blue livery loads for Swanage at Victoria Coach Station.
Photo taken Sat 10 Sep 1960, London Victoria Coach Station

12. LTA727 ... Western National 1248, LTA727, a Bristol L6B with a Duple C33F body was new in 1950.
Photo taken Sun 15 Jun 1958, rear of Hyde Park Road Southdown Garage, Portsmouth

13. LTA729 ... LTA729, a Western National 1250 / Royal Blue Bristol LL6B with Duple C37F body, part of the Colin Billington collection. Taken on the 2012 Royal Blue run from the following Royal Blue coach - a timeless shot.
Photo taken Sun 1 Jul 2012, Somerset

14. LTA759 ... Former Southern National 1420, LTA759, a Bedford OB with Duple C27F body of 1950 is seen operating for Tremains.
Photo taken 1968, off Green Street, Truro

15. LTA898 ... The first of two photographs taken at the Royal Blue Centenary Rally in Bournemouth in 1980 shows preserved ex-Southern National (Royal Blue livery) 1269 LTA898 of 1950.
Photo taken 1980, Bournemouth

16. LTA729 ... Two preserved Royal Blue Bristol Ls, 1228, HOD30, and 1250, LTA729.
Photo taken Sun 10 Aug 2008, Brislington

17. LTA895 ... LTA895 was brought out for us to inspect on the last morning of the 2015 Royal Blue run. We were following the old A30 route and this vehicle is based near Summercourt. It's in working order but has lost it's seats and fittings to some more modern 8 seats or so. Dating from 1951 it's a Bristol LL6B with Duple C37F body. I last saw it in 1974.
Photo taken Sun 21 Jun 2015, A field near Summercourt

18. LTA898 ... LTA898 is a Bristol LL6B with Duple C37F body, new to Royal Blue / Southern National in 1951 as fleet number 1269. It was made famous when it appeared in the jigsaw puzzle in front of The Greyhound Inn at Corfe Castle.
Photo taken Thu 31 Jan 2013, private site in Staffordshire

19. LTA898 ... LTA898 is a Bristol LL6B with Duple C37F body, new to Royal Blue / Southern National in 1951 as fleet number 1269.
Photo taken Thu 20 May 2021, private site near Coventry

20. LTA898 ... Update on Bristol LL LTA898 - Roger Burdett has decided to have the chassis sandblasted rather than rubbing down by hand, so here is a picture of the vehicle ready for the sandblasting.
Photo taken Thu 3 Mar 2022, private site near Coventry

21. LTA898 ... LTA898 update as promised.
Photo taken Fri 7 Mar 2025, private site near Coventry

22. LTA898 ... Here's the latest picture of Royal Blue Bristol L registration LTA898. I first saw it in 2013 and was told it should be ready in about 3 years. Well some 13 years later and after a lot of money, time and effort it has moved around the restoration site on it's own.
Photo taken Fri 6 Feb 2026, private site near Coventry

23. LTA867 ... Royal Blue 1279, LTA867, a Bristol LS6G with ECW C41F body, new in July 1952, seen in Hounslow en-route to London Victoria Coach Station.
Photo taken Wed 20 Aug 1952, Hounslow

24. LTA872 ... Western National 1284, LTA872, a Bristol LS6G with the early style of ECW C39F body new in 1952 is seen here in Plymouth in Royal Blue livery.
Photo taken Sun 19 May 1968, Plymouth

25. LTA873 ... Royal Blue 1285, LTA873, a Bristol LS coach built 1952, location unknown.
Photo taken early 1960s

26. MOD973 ... Now fully restored, it was great to see Southern National / Royal Blue 1286, MOD973, on this year's Royal Blue run. It's a Bristol LS6G - one of the earlier LS coach designs and entered service in 1952 with ECW C41F body. Changed over to Western National in 1962, it was withdrawn by them in 1968.
Photo taken Sun 19 Jun 2016, Lulworth Cove

27. MOD978 ... Here's a Bristol LS, with roof pod, that doesn't normally see the light of day. Ongoing restoration continues including the first time since 1977 that it has new curved quarter light front windows. MOD978 is a 1952 Bristol LS6G with ECW C41F bodywork which was changed later to C39F. It started life with Southern National / Royal Blue. The rebuilding of the front end is well advanced and I can't wait to see it back on the roads.
Photo taken Thu 16 Apr 2015, private site near Bristol

28. MOD978 ... Southern National, Bournemouth 1291, MOD978, was a Bristol LS6G with an Eastern Coachworks C41F body new in 1952, seen in Yeovil.
Photo taken Sat 18 May 1968, Yeovil

29. OTT43 ... Homeward Bound are Western National Bristol LS6G 2200, OTT43 with ECW C41F body and Bristol L6A 1228, HOD30, with Beadle C31F body, picture taken from leading Royal Blue coach.
Photo taken Sun 1 Jul 2012, Somerset

30. OTT43 ... Royal Blue 2200, OTT43, a 1953 Bristol LS6G with ECW body heads towards Kirkby Stephen. The vehicle has the famous Royal Blue roof mounted luggage rack, a feature of Royal Blue coaches until the late nineteen fifties.
Photo taken Sun 4 Apr 2010, Kirkby Stephen

31. OTT43 ... Povey, New Malden OTT43, a Bristol LS6G new as Western National 2200 in August 1953 with an Eastern Coachworks C41F body seen at the Hillingdon Rally.
Photo taken Sun 24 Jun 1979, Showbus 79 Rally, Hillingdon

32. OTT44 ... Western National 2201, OTT44, seen here entering Gloucester Green Bus Station, Oxford was a Bristol LS6G with an Eastern Coachworks C39F body new in the Royal Blue fleet in January 1953.
Photo taken April/May 1966, Gloucester Green Bus Station, Oxford

33. OTT44 ... Western National, Bournemouth 2201, OTT44, was a Bristol LS6G with an Eastern Coachworks C41F body, new in 1953, which was seen in Yeovil.
Photo taken Sat 18 May 1968, Yeovil

34. OTT94 ... HF Cheek (Elms Coaches) OTT94 was a Bristol LS6G with ECW C41F bodywork, one of seven new in August and September 1953 to Southern National (as their 1293-9) for Royal Blue services.
Photo taken Sat 4 Oct 1969, Elms Garage, Westfield Lane, Kenton, Middlesex

35. OTT96 ... Seen at Victoria Coach Station having operated as a Royal Blue relief car to London is OTT96 which was number 1297 in the Southern National fleet.
Photo taken Sat 9 May 1959, London Victoria Coach Station

36. OTT98 ... Southern National 1299, OTT98, a Bristol LS6G with ECW C41F body, preserved by WHOTT and in the care of John Grigg and BVBG.
Photo taken Sat 30 Jun 2012, Salcombe

37. OTT98 ... Former Royal Blue (Southern National) 1299, OTT98, a Bristol LS6G with E.C.W. C39F body, new in 1953.
Photo taken Sat 16 May 1970, Premises of North's (dealer), Sherburn-in-Elmet

38. VDV746 ... Royal Blue coach 2203, VDV746, a Bristol LS6G with ECW C41F body, new in 1957.
Photo taken c. 1960, London Victoria Coach Station

39. VDV749 ... Ensign's ex-Royal Blue Bristol LS coach VDV749 at Canewdon on the morning working of service 12 from Southend.
Photo taken Sun 1 Jan 2012, Canewdon

40. VDV749 ... Ensign's VDV749 makes a photostop outside Sutton Cemetery on its return journey to Southend.
Photo taken Sun 1 Jan 2012, Sutton Cemetery, Southend

41. VDV749 ... Bristol LS6G VDV749, former Royal Blue 2206, seen in service on A435 during the Wythall Easter Bristol event being driven by Roger Burdett who also bought along his Bristol MW 56GUO.
Photo taken Sun 31 Mar 2024, A435 near Wythall

42. XUO720 ... Go on Pop, don't turn away, give Gran a bunk up! Given the effort involved, I hope that Maud is climbing onto the correct coach, 'cos this one is only going as far as Salisbury from Victoria Coach Station. Royal Blue (Western National) 2237, XUO720, a Bristol MW6G ECW C41F new 5/58.
Photo taken London Victoria Coach Station

43. XUO721 ... Western National XUO721, 2238 in the Royal Blue fleet, was a Bristol MW6G with an Eastern Coachworks C41F body new in 1958 and was heading for Birmingham on an Associated Motorways service when seen in Newbury.
Photo taken Sat 25 Oct 1958, The Wharf, Newbury

44. 615DDV ... Royal Blue 2248, 615DDV, was a Bristol MW6G with ECW C39F bodywork which was new in June 1960 to Southern National. It is seen outside Camborne depot which adjoined the town's bus station.
Photo taken mid 1970s, Camborne Bus Station

45. 617DDV ... 617DDV is a 1960 Bristol MW / ECW C39F and was new to Southern National / Royal Blue as 2250 based at Bournemouth. Transferred to WN in 1969 and withdrawn after the 1975 season. It has had several owners in preservation - the current owner acquiring it in 2013 since when it has been repainted.
Photo taken Sat 20 Sep 2014, Kingsbridge

46. 617DDV ... Southern National/Royal Blue 2250, 617DDV, a Bristol MW6G with Eastern Coachworks C39F body, new in 1960.
Photo taken July 1969, near Woolacombe, Devon ?

47. 625DDV ... Royal Blue 625DDV, a Bristol MW with ECW bodywork new in 1960.
Photo taken August 1973, Hyde Park Road, Portsmouth

48. 625DDV ... Former Royal Blue 1960 Bristol MW6G/ECW C39F 2246, 625DDV, seen in Blandford Forum on the second day of the three day Royal Blue Run.
Photo taken Sat 21 Jun 2014, Marsh and Ham public car park, Blandford Forum

49. 541CFJ ... Seen at Victoria Coach Station, during the time when the roofed portion was being extended, is 541CFJ, an A.E.C. 2MU3RV Reliance with a Harrington Cavalier C36F body. New to Greenslades, Exeter, it is seen in Royal Blue livery with new fleet number 404.
Photo taken Sat 16 Jun 1973, London Victoria Coach Station

50. 56GUO ... ex Royal Blue 2267, 56GUO a 1961 Bristol MW6G with ECW C39F body, seen in Winchester on the first day of the 3 day Royal Blue Run 2014.
Photo taken Fri 20 Jun 2014, The Broadway, Winchester

51. 56GUO ... On the second afternoon of the 2015 Royal Blue run and with the help from First group who still had to run service buses of 6 per hour, the organisers arranged for coaches to come down to St Ives bus station in small groups for pictures - not the easiest of things to do with crowds etc but here is one of my shots. The aim was where possible to recreate pictures of the coach and St Ives Bay / harbour. 56GUO is a Bristol MW6G dating from 1961 with a ECW C39F body. In 2010 it became part of the Roger Burdett collection but is on long term loan to his close friend and best man, Graham Clifford. The vehicle was also driven during the weekend by Steve Morris of Quantock heritage and for this trip into St. Ives it was driven by Alex Lawson from WYRCC preservation group. The vehicle is based near Brighton.
Photo taken Sat 20 Jun 2015, St. Ives Cornwall

52. 56GUO ... Fareline 56GUO, Bristol MW6G / ECW C39F coach, named "The Royal", ex Royal Blue, new to them in 1961.
Photo taken September 1981, Felixstowe

53. 253KTA ... Royal Blue 2270, 253KTA, a 1962 Bristol MW6G with ECW C39F body
Photo taken Thu 21 May 1964, London Victoria Coach Station

54. 766MDV ... Former Royal Blue coach 2278, 766MDV, a Bristol MW5G with ECW C39F body which entered service in 1963.
Photo taken Sun 20 Jul 2003, Alton

55. 759MDV ... Southern National 1410, 759MDV, a Bristol MW with C39F ECW body from 1963 preserved and driven by Peter Delaney
Photo taken Sat 30 Jun 2012, Teignmouth

56. 765MDV ... Southern National 2277, 765MDV, new in March 1963 in the Royal Blue fleet and seen here at Gloucester Green Bus Station, Oxford, was a Bristol MW6G with an Eastern Coachworks C39F body.
Photo taken April/May 1966, Gloucester Green Bus Station, Oxford

57. 766MDV ... 766MDV, preserved Royal Blue (SN) Bristol MW6G with ECW C39F new in 1963
Photo taken Mon 27 Aug 2007, Stokes Bay Gosport

58. 766MDV ... Seen en-route on the summer Saturdays only service from Cheltenham to Brighton in about 1966 is Royal Blue Bristol MW No 2278, 766MDV.
Photo taken August 1966, Kingsway, Portslade

59. 837SUO ... A second shot of Royal Blue 2351, 837SUO, a Bristol RELH6G with ECW C45F body.
Photo taken Tue 11 Aug 1964, London Victoria Coach Station

60. 837SUO ... Royal Blue 2351, 837SUO, a Bristol RELH6G with ECW C45F body, was the first of this type in the fleet and was brand new when this picture was taken.
Photo taken Thu 21 May 1964, London Victoria Coach Station

61. 837SUO ... Preserved Royal Blue 2351, 837SUO, a Bristol RELH6G with ECW C45F body, new in May 1964, was the first of this type in the fleet
Photo taken Sun 2 Apr 2006, Wisley Aerodrome

62. 837SUO ... Royal Blue 2351, 837SUO, a Bristol RELH6G with ECW C45F body, is captured at St. Ives bus station - also known as Malakoff bus station.
Photo taken Sat 20 Jun 2015, St. Ives, Cornwall

63. 837SUO ... Western National (Royal Blue) 2351, 837SUO, a Bristol RELH6G with ECW C45F body, new in 1964.
Photo taken September 1964, Bournemouth Pier

64. EDV502D ... Western National 1420, EDV502D, a Bristol MW6G with ECW C39F body, ending it's life as a school bus where it was known as the Foster Flyer. Preserved by John Handford who has kept the tables fitted by the school, hence the reverse seating part way down the vehicle,
Photo taken Sun 1 Jul 2012, private property in Devon

65. EDV502D ... Bristol MW6G EDV502D seen awaiting start of Royal Blue Run. It had just arrived from its base in Coventry and I include it because it now has the correct style and colour for the Western National lettering.
Photo taken Fri 20 Jun 2014, London Victoria Coach Station

66. EDV505D ... Western National EDV505D, a Bristol MW6G with ECW C39F body, new in June 1966.
Photo taken Sun 5 Sep 2010, Bus & Coach Wales Event, Merthyr Tydfil

67. LDV467F ... First of three pictures of former Southern National RE coach LDV467F, now owned by Mark Stokes for preservation and restoration. It was built in December 1967, a Bristol RELH6G with ECW C45F body, for Southern National with fleet number 1457.
Photo taken 2006, Ramsey, Essex

68. LDV467F ... Preserved Bristol RE LDV467F, entered service with Southern National in 1968 as 1457.
Photo taken Sun 17 Jul 2022, Anstey Park, Alton

69. OTA632G ... Preserved Southern National 1376, OTT85 and Royal Blue 2372, OTA632G seen parked in the oddly named Marsh and Ham car park in Blandford Forum on day two of the Royal Blue Run 2014 with some of the other participants in the run behind these two fine coaches.
Photo taken Sat 21 Jun 2014, Marsh and Ham public car park, Blandford Forum

70. OTA640G ... A rather more modern vehicle present at the Kingsbridge Running Day was Royal Blue Bristol RE/ECW coach 2380, OTA640G. This did not operate on any local routes (rather too long and wide for the local lanes), but ran a connecting service from and to Totnes before and after the event. It is seen here in Totnes on its way back to Coventry, where it is based.
Photo taken Sat 21 Sep 2013, Totnes

71. OTA640G ... Following the adoption of white as the colour for NBC coaches Royal Blue became just a fleet name rather than a statement of fact. Southern National 2380, OTA640G, is a 1969 Bristol RELH6G with 45 seat ECW body.
Photo taken Sun 19 Jul 2009, Elland Road, Leeds

72. OTA641G ... Royal Blue 2381, OTA641G, a Bristol RELH6G built in 1969 with ECW C45F bodywork.
Photo taken June 1969, Newcastle-under-Lyme

73. OTA645G ... Former Midland Red D9 5415, EHA415D, new in 1966, and former Royal Blue Bristol RELH6G OTA645G, new in 1969, both in the ownership of Midland Red Coaches.
Photo taken Thu 22 May 2014, Mallory Park Circuit, Leicestershire

74. OTA645G ... Royal Blue (Western National) 2385, OTA645G, a Bristol RELH6G with ECW body, new in 1969, and Southdown 1236, LCD236F, a Leyland Leopard PSU3/3RT with Plaxton Panorama I C49F body, new in 1968.
Photo taken 1971, Manchester Central Station Approach