lrlond

BY "LINCOLNSHIRE"

TO LONDON

Photographs : LEYTR Archives

The Lincolnshire Road Car commenced operating express services in the mid to late 1930's. No less than four went to London which, in common with other express routes, each were identified by a letter rather than a route number. They were:

B : Cleethorpes - Market Rasen - Lincoln - Peterborough - London

C : Cleethorpes - Brigg - Lincoln - Peterborough - London (summer only)

D : Cleethorpes - Skegness - Boston - Peterborough - London (summer only)

E : Lincoln - London

The Second World War resulted in these being suspended over that period and it around a decade after this finished before normal service was resumed with the exception of route E. Service C was also withdrawn c. 1960 leaving B and D. These continued up until the establishment of the National Express coach network when, from October 1973,when the express operations were still undertaken by the LRCC on behalf of National Express, although the routes had been amended and route numbers replaced letters, viz.

460 : Grimsby - Lincoln - Peterborough - Baldock - London

462 : Grimsby - Lincoln - Peterborough - London

466 : Boston - Peterborough - London

470 : Grimsby - Boston - Spalding - Peterborough - London

The following (summer 1974) timetable saw the introduction of additional routes. A 464 overnight fridays only run from Cleethorpes to London via Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Lincoln which returned overnight the next day. A 468 also linked Cleethorpes with London via Louth, Skegness and Peterborough. Finally a 469 ran on Saturdays only from Butlin's Camp and Ingoldmells, calling at Skegness and then operated non-stop to London. By summer 1975 the 470 only operated as between Grimsby and Peterborough where connections were made with the 460 to London. Also the Saturday 468 journey was extended to/from New Holland via Immingham.

The LRCC (or Road Car as they are now known) have not operated express runs for many years. The following photographs therefore attempt to recapture a lost era as well as depicting the variety of vehicles which were used on these services.

An early view of 1843 (EBE 409) at Smithfield.

Leyland 573 (BBE770) parked near Victoria ?

739 / 2008 (FFW 193) is a Bristol L6A with ECW DP31R body and was new to the LRCC in 1949. It is seen in London on the express run D to Cleethorpes in this 1950's view. According to the 1955 timetable this service departed from Victoria Coach Station daily between July 2nd and September 25th and departed from London at 9 30am, with some 27 calling points and a 10 minute refreshment stop at Baldock (Templar Cafe) and a 30 minute one at Peterborough (Bus Station) eventually arriving in Cleethorpes Market Place at 7 1pm.

986 (KBE 177) was a Bristol LS6G with an ECW C39F body. It's fleet number changed a few times 2255 in 1953, 2805 in 1958, and finally to 2005 in 1966. One advantage of this is that it makes dating the photograph easier - in this case it was taken between 1953 and 1958 whilst at London on a working to Skegness. The extra roof lights made these vehicle very light inside and pleasant to travel on. KBE 177 was withdrawn in 1971.

2213 (MFU 407) is a Bristol LS5G with ECW DP41F body and was new to the LRCC in May 1955. 2213 was renumbered 3002 in 1958 and again to 2652 in 1962, and renumbered yet again in 1966 to 2052. This view was taken between 1955 and 1958 after arrival at London on route B.

A later view of the same vehicle as 2202 after repainting (so dating the photo between 1958 and 1962). It is seen in London wearing a rather interesting headboard depicting some of the calling points of service B to Cleethorpes. The bus was reseated to B43F in 1966 and withdrawn from the fleet in 1970.

2602 (OFW 799) is a Bristol SC4LK with ECW DP33F body which was later altered to B35F in 1971 being withdrawn from the fleet in 1972 and was for a time after used by the Edlington School in Derby. In common with other vehicles deployed on coaching duties, it wore a cream and green colour scheme, the reverse of the standard bus livery.

2813 (RFU 687) is a significant vehicle in that it was the first Bristol MW5G to be purchased by the LRCC in July 1958 and lasted in the fleet until 1970. It is seen whilst parked at Victoria Coach Station.

3019 (SFU 846), a Bristol MW5G with ECW DP41F body, was new to the LRCC in 1958. It was renumbered to 2669 in 1962, and to 2069 in 1970. It was reseated to B43F in March 1970 and was withdrawn in 1977. It is seen here in a phototgraph taken between 1958 and 1961 on route C from Cleethorpes turning into Sempley Place near Victoria Coach Station. The C route operated from Cleethorpes at 10 45 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays via Brigg, Lincoln, etc. arriving at Victoria at 7 48pm. This route was withdrawn c. 1960/61.

2685 (DFE 169D), another Bristol MW5G, which was new to the LRCC in 1966, is seen on route D en-route to Skegness. The fact that nobody is on board indicates the vehicles is on a refreshement stop at Peterborough bus station, a fact confirmed by the Midland Red vehicles which are on a Midlands to Coast (or v.v.) run. The vehicle was renumbered to 2085 in 1973 having had its dual purpose seating replaced by 45 bus seats in January of that year. It was withdrawn in 1979.

2678 (WFE 415) was another significant vehicle in being the first Bristol RELH6G with ECW C47F body purchased new by the LRCC in February 1964 along with 2678 (WFE 416) just visible on the right. WFE 415 was renumbered 1425 in 1968 and then 1280 in 1971. It was reseated to DP51F in 1971and withdrawn in 1980 being scrapped shortly after. It is seen here on route D whilst its sister is on route B.

2822 (WVL 515) arrives at London Victoria. Another artefact of a bygone era of transport is illustrated by the British Overseas Aiirways Corporation building in the background.

Bristol RELH6G 1431 (CVL 850D) is seen on route D to Skegness during a refreshment stop at Peterborough.

1601 (EFE 445E) was one of five Bedford VAM14's with Duple C45F bodies acquired in 1968/9. Their life with the LRCC was relatively short and this example, along with sister 1602, were sold to Southern Vectis in 1973. In this photograph, 1601 is seen at Victoria Coach Station and, from the label in the window, appears to have been on hire to Associated Motorways.

1657 (JVL 363G), a Bristol LH6P with ECW DP 41F body was new to the Company in July 1969. It was withdrawn in 1980.

A colour view of 1654 (GVL 910F), another Bristol LH6P with ECW DP41F body after. It was new to the Company in 1968 and withdrawn in 1980. It is seen at Victoria Coach Station after arrival on route B.

1666 (KVL 452H) is seen at London prior toworking the service D to Cleethorpes.

1434 (LFE 143H) a Bristol RELL6G with ECW DP47F body, was new to the LRCC in 1970. It is seen in this view from the arly 1970's leaving central London on route B to Cleethorpes.

October 1973 saw the end of the lettered services and their replacement by National Express routes. 1434, pictured in the previous view, was repainted in preparation for this although the services had yet to start and the old B service was in its final days in this view at Victoria Coach Station.

Another RE, this time 1433 (LFE 142H ) which is seen on the National Express Saturday only 468 route from Victoria to New Holland in 1975.

1439 (PFE 716K) is illustrated at Victoria Coach Station on June 10th, 1972. Sadly, the coach was written off after an accident at Laceby Cross Roads when it was just over six months old.

(Photo : Richard Belton collection)

1408 (TFE 405L), a Bristol RELH6G with Plaxton C47F body was new to the LRCC in July 1973. It is seen at Peterborough whilst working the 471 Victoria to Lincoln service with an Eastern Counties Bristol RE in the background.

A busy afternoon at the Drummond Road bus station in Skegness during summer 1976. Nearest is 1409 Bristol RE / Plaxton (GVL 557M) and Ford / Plaxton 1615 (NFE 514J) as a duplicate, both on the 469 Saturday run from Butlin's to London Victoria.

In 1973, the LRCC purchased four new Plaxton bodied Bristol RELH6Gs. Illustrated here on route 466 is 1405 (TFE 402L).

1408 (TFE 405L) was another of the batch of Plaxton bodied REs. It is seen at Peterborough whilst en route to London on the National Express 460 Cleethorpes - London via Lincoln run in 1974.

1422 (HRN 960G) was one of five Leyland PSU3A/4Rs with Plaxton C49F bodies new to Ribble in 1969 and acquired from them in 1979. It is pictured at St.Marks bus station before departure to London.

2004 (EUF 222D), a Leyland PSU3 / 3RT with Plaxton C49F body, was one of four acqiored from SOuthdown in 1976. The had a relatively short career with the LRCC, returning to Southdown the following year. 2004 is illustrated at Peterborough before departing for Lonodn in 1976.

Leyland Leopard / Plaxton 1411 (XVL 862S) is pictured when new in 1978 at Lincoln St. Mar's bus station working the 1240 departure of the 471 to London. Note the alternate red and blue seats.

Finally, 1452 (XTL 466S) was one of four Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopards purchased new by the LRCC in 1981. It is seen at London prior to returning with a service 450 to Lincoln.

The Lincolnshire Road Car ceased participating in the National Express runs in 1992 and so, brought to an end operation of express ervices to London from Lincolnshire which they had provided for over 50 years.

Some examples of timetables for the London runs can be seen by clicking here.