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. (Sat 28/6/58, 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 Former Royal Blue 1226, HOD28, a Bristol L6A with Beadle C31F body, new in 1948 and withdrawn in 1960. (Sun 6/10/74, WETC, Winkleigh, Devon)

3. HOD30 ... Two preserved Royal Blue Bristol Ls, 1228, HOD30, and 1250, LTA729. (Sun 10/8/08, 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! (Sun 9/10/11, 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 Withdrawn in 1960 it passed, along with HOD28, to a china clay works for staff transport with whom it survived until 1968. (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. (Sat 24/6/17, Bradley, Skipton)

7. HOD30 ... Royal Blue 1228, HOD30, a 1948 Bristol L6A with Beadle coachwork. (Sun 14/10/07, 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. (Sat 28/6/58, The Wharf, Newbury)

9. LTA750 ... Royal Blue 1411, LTA750, a classic Duple bodied Bedford OB dating from 1949. (Sun 13/6/10, 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. (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. (Sat 10/9/60, London Victoria Coach Station)

12. LTA727 ... Western National 1248, LTA727, a Bristol L6B with a Duple C33F body was new in 1950. (Sun 15/6/58, 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. (Sun 1/7/12, Somerset)

14. LTA759 ... Former Southern National 1420, LTA759, a Bedford OB with Duple C27F body of 1950 is seen operating for Tremains. (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. (1980, Bournemouth)

16. LTA729 ... Two preserved Royal Blue Bristol Ls, 1228, HOD30, and 1250, LTA729. (Sun 10/8/08, 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. (Sun 21/6/15, 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. (Thu 31/1/13, 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. (Thu 20/5/21, 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. (Thu 3/3/22, private site near Coventry)

21. LTA898 ... LTA898 update as promised. (Fri 7/3/25, 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. (Fri 6/2/26, 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. (Wed 20/8/52, 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. (Sun 19/5/68, Plymouth)

25. LTA873 ... Royal Blue 1285, LTA873, a Bristol LS coach built 1952, location unknown. (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. (Sun 19/6/16, 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. (Thu 16/4/15, 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. (Sat 18/5/68, 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. (Sun 1/7/12, 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. (Sun 4/4/10, 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. (Sun 24/6/79, 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. (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. (Sat 18/5/68, 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. (Sat 4/10/69, 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. (Sat 9/5/59, 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. (Sat 30/6/12, Salcombe)

37. OTT98 ... Former Royal Blue (Southern National) 1299, OTT98, a Bristol LS6G with E.C.W. C39F body, new in 1953. (Sat 16/5/70, 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. (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. (Sun 1/1/12, Canewdon )

40. VDV749 ... Ensign's VDV749 makes a photostop outside Sutton Cemetery on its return journey to Southend. (Sun 1/1/12, 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. (Sun 31/3/24, 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. (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. (Sat 25/10/58, 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. (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. (Sat 20/9/14, Kingsbridge)

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

47. 625DDV ... Royal Blue 625DDV, a Bristol MW with ECW bodywork new in 1960. (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. (Sat 21/6/14, 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. (Sat 16/6/73, 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. (Fri 20/6/14, 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. (Sat 20/6/15, St. Ives Cornwall)

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

53. 253KTA ... Royal Blue 2270, 253KTA, a 1962 Bristol MW6G with ECW C39F body (Thu 21/5/64, London Victoria Coach Station)

54. 766MDV ... Former Royal Blue coach 2278, 766MDV, a Bristol MW5G with ECW C39F body which entered service in 1963. (Sun 20/7/03, Alton)

55. 759MDV ... Southern National 1410, 759MDV, a Bristol MW with C39F ECW body from 1963 preserved and driven by Peter Delaney (Sat 30/6/12, 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. (April/May 1966, Gloucester Green Bus Station, Oxford)

57. 766MDV ... 766MDV, preserved Royal Blue (SN) Bristol MW6G with ECW C39F new in 1963 (Mon 27/8/07, 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. (August 1966, Kingsway, Portslade)

59. 837SUO ... A second shot of Royal Blue 2351, 837SUO, a Bristol RELH6G with ECW C45F body. (Tue 11/8/64, 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. (Thu 21/5/64, 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 (Sun 2/4/06, 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. (Sat 20/6/15, St. Ives, Cornwall)

63. 837SUO ... Western National (Royal Blue) 2351, 837SUO, a Bristol RELH6G with ECW C45F body, new in 1964. (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, (Sun 1/7/12, 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. (Fri 20/6/14, London Victoria Coach Station)

66. EDV505D ... Western National EDV505D, a Bristol MW6G with ECW C39F body, new in June 1966. (Sun 5/9/10, 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. (2006, Ramsey, Essex)

68. LDV467F ... Preserved Bristol RE LDV467F, entered service with Southern National in 1968 as 1457. (Sun 17/7/22, 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. (Sat 21/6/14, 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. (Sat 21/9/13, 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. (Sun 19/7/09, Elland Road, Leeds)

72. OTA641G ... Royal Blue 2381, OTA641G, a Bristol RELH6G built in 1969 with ECW C45F bodywork. (June 1969, PMT Newcastle Garage / Four in Hand Cafe, Liverpool Road, 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. (Thu 22/5/14, 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. (1971, Manchester Central Station Approach)