The vehicles . . .
Introduction
The Eastern Counties Omnibus Company operated a mainly
Bristol/Eastern Coach Works fleet during the 'Tilling' era, but owing to the
amalgamation of the four predecessor companies* which formed Eastern Counties in
October of 1931, a relatively modern, but extremely varied fleet was inherited,
comprising many different makes and models with an interesting variety of
bodywork. As time progressed, the Company worked towards standardising on
a typically 'Tilling' fleet, comprising the rugged, well engineered Bristol
chassis combined with the very attractive and durable bodywork by Eastern Coach
Works of Lowestoft. It is worthy of note here to mention again that
Eastern Coach Works Ltd was originally wholly owned by the Eastern Counties
Omnibus Company, being inherited as part of the merger of the aforesaid
predecessor companies. Between 1931 and 1936 the coach building works was
known as Eastern Counties Coach Works Ltd. Eastern Counties adopted a fleet classification system comprising prefix
letters followed by suffix numbers. All
*Please refer to the Company history page for further details of the predecessor companies and the part they played in the formation of the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company in July of 1931.
Note: Fleet numbers in bold red type indicate that the vehicle is currently preserved. Fleet numbers in bold green type indicate that the vehicle is a survivor.
Complete Eastern Counties Omnibus Company 'Tilling' era fleet lists
Numerically by fleet number / Numerically by registration number / Alphabetically by chassis make & type / Chronologically by delivery date
These fleet lists aren in .pdf format and include all vehicles acquired from the four constituent companies, namely, United Automobile Services Ltd, Eastern Counties Road Car Company Ltd, Ortona Motor Company Ltd and Peterborough Electric Traction Company Ltd, upon formation in July of 1931. Also included are the motor buses inherited from the Norwich Electric Tramways Company Ltd, upon the cessation of that Company's trading activities on the 10th of December 1935.
Please use your browser's 'back' button if you wish to return to this page after viewing each list.
Section 1 - Vehicles delivered NEW to the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company
Standard
Vehicles
The A & AH classes PHOTOS
There were 50 members of the A & AH class.
Members of this class comprised five Leyland TD1 51 seat Leyland
bodied low-bridge double deck buses delivered in 1932; five Leyland TD1 52 seat
ECOC bodied low-bridge double deck buses delivered in 1932; twenty-one Leyland
TD2 56 seat ECOC bodied low-bridge double deck buses delivered in 1932 and 1933
and ten Leyland TD4 60 seat ECOC bodied high-bridge double deck buses delivered
in 1935. These vehicles were primarily used on stage carriage city and
county services. Many members of the A & AH class were rebodied and renumbered at various
times and many of the low-bridge A class were for some mysterious reason,
reclassified as AH during the war years. All were withdrawn from passenger
service by the end of 1961.
Fleet
No. Reg.No.
Chassis
Body Date
In
Date
Out
2nd No. 3rd No.
A176
NG1911
A177
NG1912
A178
NG1913
A179
NG1914
A180
NG1915
A181
NG1916
A182
NG1917
A183
NG1918
A184
NG1919
A186
NG2721
A187
NG2722
A188
NG2723
A189
NG2724
A190
NG2725
A191
NG2726
A192
NG2727
A193
NG2728
A194
NG2729
A195
NG2730
A196
NG2731
A197
NG2732
A198
NG2733
A199
NG2734
A200
NG3861
A201
NG3862
A202
NG3863
A203
NG3864
A204
NG3865
A205
NG3866
A206
NG3867
A207
NG3868
A208
NG3869
A209
NG3870
A210
NG5401
A211
NG5402
A212
NG5403
A213
NG5404
A214
NG5405
A215
NG5406
AH232
AAH136
AH233
AAH137
AH234
AAH138
AH235
AAH139
AH236
AAH140
AH237
AAH141
AH238
AAH142
AH239
AAH143
AH240
AAH144
The
AT class
There were 10 members of the AT class.
All members of this class were Leyland TS4 29 seat ECOC bodied rear
entrance coaches delivered in 1933. Having said this, the last of the class
(AT136) possibly may have carried Bush & Twiddy bodywork.
Fleet
No. Reg.No.
Chassis
Body Date
In
Date
Out
2nd No. 3rd No.
AT127
NG3871
AT128
NG3872
AT129
NG3873
AT130
NG3874
AT131
NG3875
AT132
NG3876
AT133
NG3877
AT134
NG3878
AT135
NG3879
AT136
NG3880
Unfortunately, there are no known survivors of the AT class in preservation.
The
LD class
There were 6 members of the LD class.
All members of this class were Dennis engined, Bristol JO4D 35 seat
ECW bodied stage carriage saloons delivered in 1937.
LD1
LD2
LD3
LD4
LD5
LD6
The
LG class
There were 14 members of the LG class.
Members of this class comprised ten Bristol GO5G 56 seat ECW bodied
double deck buses delivered in 1936 and four Bristol GO5G 54 seat ECW bodied
double deck buses delivered in 1937. A further 8 second hand
Weymann bodied Bristol GJW, 48 seat double deck buses new in 1933, swelled this
class in 1935, following the Company’s acquisition of the Norwich Omnibus
Company Ltd. These vehicles carried fleet numbers LG1 to LG8 and are shown under
the ‘vehicles acquired second hand’
heading.
Fleet
No. Reg.No.
Chassis
Body Date
In
Date
Out
2nd No. 3rd No.
LG9
AVF351
LG10
AVF352
LG11
AVF353
LG12
AVF354
LG13
AVF355
LG14
AVF356
LG15
AVF357
LG16
AVF358
LG17
AVF359
LG18
AVF360
LG19
LG20
LG21
Fortunately, one of
these open topped conversions, former Norwich Omnibus Company LG4 (VG 5541)
survives in preservation, having been exported to the USA in 1960 and then
repatriated by Roger Burdett, an enthusiast from the West Midlands, some forty
years later in 2000! The vehicle has since been splendidly restored as
open topped HLG4 and it made a very welcome return to
The
LJ class
There were 38 members of the LJ class.
Fleet
No. Reg.No.
Chassis
Body Date
In
Date
Out
2nd No. 3rd No.
LJ1
NG9901
LJ2
NG9902
LJ3
NG9903
LJ4
NG9904
LJ5
NG9905
LJ6
NG9906
LJ7
NG9907
LJ8
NG9908
LJ9
NG9909
LJ10
NG9910
LJ11
AVF361
LJ12
AVF362
LJ13
AVF363
LJ14
AVF364
LJ15
AVF365
LJ16
AVF366
LJ17
AVF367
LJ18
AVF368
LJ19
AVF369
LJ20
AVF370
LJ21
LJ22
LJ23
LJ24
LJ25
LJ26
LJ27
LJ28
LJ29
LJ30
LJ31
LJ32
LJ33
LJ34
LJ35
LJ36
LJ37
LJ38
Sadly,
there are no known surviving LJs in preservation. The last known survivor,
namely LJ38, was noted as a derelict hulk at dealer, Ben Jordan's farm premises
adjacent to the former WWII and ‘Battle Of Britain’ aerodrome near
Coltishall,
The
LN class
There were 10 members of the LN class.
All members of this class were Bristol JNW 36 seat ECOC bodied
stage carriage saloons delivered in 1935.
Fleet
No. Reg.No.
Chassis
Body Date
In
Date
Out
2nd No. 3rd No.
LN1
NG9911
LN2
NG9912
LN3
NG9913
LN4
NG9914
LN6
NG9916
LN7
NG9917
LN8
NG9918
LN9
NG9919
LN10
NG9920
The
LK class
There were 81 members of the LK class.
Members of this class consisted of twelve Bristol K6A 55 seat Strachan's bodied double deck buses delivered between 1944 and 1946; twenty-nine Bristol K5G 55 seat ECW bodied double deck buses delivered between 1946 and 1950; fourteen Bristol K6B 55 seat ECW bodied double deck buses delivered between 1947 and 1950; twenty-one Bristol KS5G 55 seat ECW bodied double deck buses delivered between 1950 and 1951 and five Bristol KSW6B 55 seat ECW bodied double deck buses delivered in 1951. All of these vehicles were of 'low-bridge' design, featuring an upper deck sunken gangway on the offside, giving access to rows of four seats strung together on the nearside and a very low roof. They were mainly employed on county routes and were a familiar sight from the mid 1940s until the mid 1960s, the new fangled 'Lodekkas' bringing about their eventual demise. The last members of the class were finally withdrawn from passenger service in 1969. This class grew by a further 2 members when a couple of low-bridge Bristol K types were acquired second hand from West Yorkshire Road Car Company Ltd. These vehicles are shown under the ‘vehicles acquired second hand’ heading.
Fleet
No. Reg.No.
Chassis
Body Date
In
Date
Out
2nd No. 3rd No.
LK1
LK2
LK3
LK4
FNG141
Bristol
K6A
L55R Oct
1945
1967
LK34
LK243
LK5
FNG142
LK6
FNG143
LK7
FNG144
LK8
FNG145
LK9
FNG146
LK10
FNG398
LK11
FNG399
LK12
FNG400
LK13 FNG810
LK14
FNG811
LK15
FNG812
LK16
FNG813
LK17
FNG814
LK18
FNG815
LK19
FNG816
LK50
FNG817
LK30
HAH230
LK366
KNG366
LK367
KNG367
LK368
KNG368
LK369
KNG369
LK370
KNG370
LK371
KNG371
LK372
KNG372
LK373
KNG373
LK374
KNG374
LK375
KNG375
LK376
KNG376
LK377
KNG377
LK378
KNG378
LK379
KNG379
LK380
KNG380
LK381
KNG381
LK382
KNG382
LK383
KNG383
LK384
KNG384
LK385
KNG385
LK386
KNG386
LK387
KNG387
LK388
KNG388
LK389
KNG389
LK390
KNG390
LK391
KNG391
LK392
KNG392
LK393
KNG393
LK394
KNG394
LK395
KNG395
LK
276 LNG276
Bristol
K5G
L55R Aug
1950
1966
LK
277 LNG277
Bristol
K5G
L55R Aug
1950
1966
LK
278 LNG278
Bristol
K5G
L55R Aug
1950
1966
LK
280 LNG280
LK
281 LNG281
LK
282 LNG282
LK
283 LNG283
LK
284 LNG284
LK
285 LNG285
LK
286 LNG286
LK
287 LNG287
LK
288 LNG288
LK
289 LNG289
LK
290 LNG290
LK
291 LNG291
LK
292 LNG292
LK
293 LNG293
LK
294 LNG294
LK
295 LNG295
LK
296 LNG296
LK
297 LNG297
LK
298 LNG298
LK
299 LNG299
LK
301 MAH301
LK
302 MAH302
LK
303 MAH303
LK
304 MAH304
LK
305 MAH305
Fortunately,
one example, LK374, survives in preservation and has been beautifully restored
by the Ipswich Transport Museum, being completed in late 2007.
The
LKH class
There were 177 members of the LKH class.
Fleet
No. Reg.No.
Chassis
Body Date
In
Date
Out
2nd No. 3rd No.
LKH1
LKH2
LKH3
LKH4
LKH6
LKH7
FNG819
LKH8
FNG820
LKH9
FNG821
LKH60
FNG822
LKH61
FNG823
LKH62
FNG824
LKH63 FNG825
LKH64
FNG826
LKH65
GVF65
LKH66
GVF66
LKH67
GVF67
LKH68
GVF68
LKH69
GVF69
LKH70
GVF70
LKH71
GVF71
LKH72
GVF72
LKH73
GVF73
LKH74
GVF74
LKH75
HPW75
LKH76
HPW76
LKH77
HPW77
LKH78
HPW78
LKH79
HPW79
LKH80
HPW80
LKH81
HPW81
LKH82
HPW82
LKH83
HPW83
LKH84
HPW84
LKH85
HPW85
LKH86
HPW86
LKH87
HPW87
LKH88
HPW88
LKH90
HPW90
LKH91
HPW91
LKH92
HPW92
LKH93
HPW93
LKH94
HPW94
LKH95
HPW95
LKH96
HPW96
LKH97
HPW97
LKH98
HPW98
LKH99
HPW99
LKH100
HPW100
LKH101
HPW101
LKH102
HPW102
LKH103
HPW103
LKH104
HPW104
LKH105
HPW105
LKH107
HPW107
LKH109
HPW109
LKH110
HPW110
LKH111
HPW111
LKH112
HPW112
LKH113
HPW113
LKH114
HPW114
LKH115
HPW115
LKH116
HPW116
LKH117
HPW117
LKH118
HPW118
LKH119
HPW119
LKH120
HPW120
LKH121
HPW121
LKH122
HPW122
LKH123
HPW123
LKH124
HPW124
LKH125
HPW125
LKH126
HPW126
LKH127
HPW127
LKH128
HPW128
LKH130
HPW130
LKH131
HPW131
LKH132
HPW132
LKH133
HPW133
LKH134
HPW134
LKH135
HPW135
LKH136
HPW136
LKH137
HPW137
LKH138
HPW138
LKH139
HPW139
LKH140
HPW140
LKH141
HPW141
LKH142
HPW142
LKH152
KNG152
LKH153
KNG153
LKH154
KNG154
LKH155
KNG155
LKH156
KNG156
LKH157
KNG157
LKH158
KNG158
LKH159
KNG159
LKH160
KNG160
LKH161
KNG161
LKH162
KNG162
LKH163
KNG163
LKH164
KNG164
LKH165
KNG165
LKH250
KNG250
LKH251
KNG251
LKH252
KNG252
LKH253
KNG253
LKH254
KNG254
LKH255
KNG255
LKH256
KNG256
LKH257
KNG257
LKH258
KNG258
LKH259
KNG259
LKH260
KNG260
LKH261 LNG261
LKH262
LNG262
LKH263
LNG263
LKH264
LNG264
LKH265
LNG265
LKH266
LNG266
LKH267
LNG267
LKH268
LNG268
LKH269
LNG269
LKH270
LNG270
LKH271
LNG271
LKH272
LNG272
LKH273
LNG273
LKH274
LNG274
LKH275
LNG275
LKH306
MAH306
LKH307
MAH307
LKH308
MAH308
LKH309
MAH309
LKH310
MAH310
LKH311
MAH311
LKH312
MAH312
LKH313
MAH313
LKH314
MAH314
LKH315
MAH315
LKH316
MAH316
LKH317
MAH317
LKH318
MAH318
LKH319
MAH319
LKH320
MAH320
LKH321
MAH321
LKH322
MAH322
LKH323
MAH323
LKH324
MAH324
LKH325
MAH325
LKH326
MAH326
LKH327
MAH327
LKH328
MAH328
LKH329
MAH329
LKH330
MAH330
LKH331
MAH331
LKH332
MAH332
LKH333
NAH933
LKH334
NAH934
LKH336
NAH936
LKH337
NAH937
LKH338
NAH938
LKH339
NAH939
LKH340
NAH940
LKH341
NAH941
LKH342
NAH942
LKH166
OVF166
LKH167
OVF167
LKH168
OVF168
LKH169
OVF169
LKH170
OVF170
LKH171
OVF171
LKH172
OVF172
LKH173
OVF173
Fortunately, three examples of this once extensive class, namely LKH108, LKH133 and LKH341 survive in preservation. LKH133 is fully restored and currently privately owned by Patrick Burnside and Michael Kingston. LKH341 is currently owned and undergoing restoration by the Eastern Transport Collection Society of Norwich. LKH108 was once owned by the Eastern Counties Omnibus Society, but was sold on for further preservation and is presently housed in a semi restored state in a farmer's barn near Raunds in Northants, under private ownership.
The
LL class
There were 242
members of the LL class.
Fleet
No. Reg.No.
Chassis
Body Date
In
Date
Out
2nd No. 3rd No.
LL1
CNG201
LL2
CNG202
LL3
CNG203
LL4
CNG204
LL5
CNG205
LL6
CNG206
LL7
CNG207
LL8
CNG208
LL9
CNG209
LL10
CNG210
LL11
CNG211
LL13
CNG213
LL14
CNG214
LL15
CNG215
LL16
CNG216
LL17
CNG217
LL18
CNG218
LL19
CNG219
LL20
CNG220
LL21
CNG221
LL22
CNG222
LL23
CNG223
LL24
CNG224
LL25
CNG225
LL26
CNG226
LL27
CNG227
LL28
CNG228
LL29
CNG229
LL30
CNG230
LL31
CNG231
LL32
CNG232
LL33
CNG233
LL34
CNG234
LL35
CNG235
LL36
CNG236
LL37
CVF837
LL38
CVF838
LL39
CVF839
LL40
CVF840
LL41
CVF841
LL42
CVF842
LL43
CVF843
LL44
CVF844
LL45
CVF845
LL46
CVF846
LL47
CVF847
LL48
CVF848
LL49
CVF849
LL50
CVF850
LL51
CVF851
LL52
CVF852
LL53
CVF853
LL54
CVF854
LL55
CVF855
LL56
CVF856
LL57
CVF857
LL58
CVF858
LL60
CVF860
LL61
CVF861
LL62
CVF862
LL63
CVF863
LL64
CVF864
LL65
CVF865
LL66
CVF866
LL67
CVF867
LL68
CVF868
LL69
CVF869
LL70
CVF870
LL71
CVF871
LL72
CVF872
LL73
CVF873
LL74
CVF874
LL75
CVF875
LL76
CVF876
LL77
CVF877
LL78
CVF878
LL79
CVF879
LL80
CVF880
LL81
CVF881
LL82
CVF882
LL83
CVF883
LL84
CVF884
LL85
EAH685
LL86
EAH686
LL87
EAH787
LL88
EAH788
LL89
EAH789
LL90
EAH890
LL91
EAH891
LL92
EAH892
LL93
EAH893
LL94
EAH894
LL95
ENG345
LL96
ENG346
LL97
ENG347
LL98
ENG348
LL99
ENG349
LL100
ENG640
LL101
ENG641
LL102
ENG642
LL103
ENG643
LL104
ENG644
LL105
ENG705
LL106
ENG706
LL107
ENG707
LL108
ENG708
LL109
ENG709
LL110
ENG220
LL111
ENG221
LL112
ENG222
LL113
ENG223
LL114
ENG224
LL115
ENG355
LL116
ENG356
LL117
ENG357
LL118
ENG358
LL119
ENG359
LL120
ENG720
LL121
ENG721
LL122
ENG722
LL123
ENG723
LL124
ENG724
LL125
ENG725
LL126
ENG726
LL127
ENG727
LL128
ENG728
LL129
ENG729
LL130
FPW501
LL131
FPW502
LL132
FPW503
LL133
FPW504
LL134
FPW505
LL135
FPW506
LL136
FPW507
LL137
FPW508
LL638
FPW509
LL639
FPW510
LL640
FPW511
LL641
FPW512
LL642
FPW513
LL644
FPW515
LL645
FPW516
LL646
FPW517
LL647
FPW518
LL648
FPW519
LL649
FPW520
LL650
FPW521
LL651
FPW522
LL652
FPW523
LL653
FPW524
LL654
FPW525
LL655
FPW526
LL656
FPW527
LL657
GPW657
LL658
GPW658
LL659
GPW659
LL660
GPW660
LL661
GPW661
LL663
GPW663
LL664
GPW664
LL665
GPW665
LL666 GPW666
LL667
GPW667
LL668
GPW668
LL669
GPW669
LL670
GPW670
LL671
GPW671
LL672
GPW672
LL673
GPW673
LL674
GPW674
LL675
GPW675
LL676
GPW676
LL677
GPW677
LL678
GPW678
LL679
GPW679
LL680
GPW680
LL681
GPW681
LL682
GPW682
LL683
GPW683
LL684
GPW684
LL685
GPW685
LL686
GPW686
LL687
GPW687
LL688
GPW688
LL689
GPW689
LL690
GPW690
LL691
GPW691
LL692
GPW692
LL693
GPW693
LL694
GPW694
LL695
GPW695
LL696
GPW696
LL401
KAH401
LL402
KAH402
LL403
KAH403
LL404
KAH404
LL405
KAH405
LL406
KAH406
LL407
KAH407
LL408
KAH408
LL409
KAH409
LL410
KAH410
LL709
KNG709
LL710
KNG710
LL711
KNG711
LL712
KNG712
LL713
KNG713
LL714
KNG714
LL716
KNG716
LL717
KNG717
LL718
KNG718
LL719
KNG719
LL720
KNG720
LL721
KNG721
LL722
KNG722
LL723
KNG723
LL724
LNG724
LL725
LNG725
LL726
LNG726
LL727
LNG727
LL728
LNG728
LL729
LNG729
LL730
LNG730
LL731
LNG731
LL732
LNG732
LL733
LNG733
LL734
LNG734
LL735
LNG735
LL736
LNG736
LL737
LNG737
LL738
LNG738
LL739
LNG739
LL740
LNG740
LL741
LNG741
LL742
LNG742
LL743
LNG743
LL744
MAH744
The
AP class
There were 20 members of the AP class.
Fleet No. Reg.No. Chassis Body Date In Date Out 2nd No. 3rd No.
AP346
GPW346
AP347
GPW347
AP348
GPW348
AP349
GPW349
AP350
GPW350
AP351
GPW351
AP352
GPW352
AP353
GPW353
AP354
GPW354
AP355
GPW355
AP356
GPW356
AP357
GPW357
AP358
GPW358
AP359
GPW359
AP360
GPW360
AP361
GPW361
AP362
GPW362
AP363
GPW363
AP364
GPW364
AP365
GPW365
The
LS class
There were 93 members of the LS class.
Fleet No. Reg.No. Chassis Body Date In Date Out 2nd No. 3rd No.
LS1
DAH161
LS2
DAH162
LS493
GPW493
LS494
GPW494
LS495
GPW495
LS704
KNG704
LS705
KNG705
LS706
KNG706
LS707
KNG707
LS708
KNG708
LS750
OAH750
LS751
OAH751
LS752
OAH752
LS753
OAH753
LS754
OAH754
LS755
OAH755
LS756
OAH756
LS757
PVF757
LS758
PVF758
LS759
PVF759
LS760
PVF760
LS764
SNG764
LS765
SNG765
LS766
UNG766
LS767
VVF767
LS768
VVF768
LS769
VVF769
LS770
VVF770
LS771
VVF771
LS772
VVF772
LS773
VVF773
LS774
VVF774
LS775
VVF775
LS776
VVF776
LS777
VVF777
LS778
VVF778
LS779
YNG779
LS780
YNG780
LS782
YNG782
LS783
YNG783
LS784
YNG784
LS785
YNG785
LS786
YNG786
LS787
YNG787
LS788
5788AH
LS789
5789AH
LS790
5790AH
LS791
5791AH
LS792
7792NG
LS793
7793NG
LS794
7794NG
LS795
4821VF
LS796
4822VF
LS797
4823VF
LS798
4824VF
LS799
4825VF
LS800
4826VF
LS801
4827VF
LS802
4828VF
LS803
4829VF
LS804
3804PW
LS805
3805PW
LS807
3807PW
LS808
3808PW
LS809
3809PW
LS810
3810PW
LS811
3811PW
LS812
3812PW
LS813
3813PW
LS814
3814PW
LS815
3815PW
LS816
816
LS817
817
LS818
818
LS819
819
LS820
820
LS821
821
LS822
822
LS823
823
LS824
LS825
LS826
LS827
LS828
LS829
LS830
LS831
LS832
LS833
LS834
LS835
The
LE class
There were 28 members of the LE class (15 members
originally).
Fleet No. Reg.No. Chassis Body Date In Date Out 2nd No. 3rd No.
LE697
KNG697
LE698
KNG698
LE699
KNG699
LE700
KNG700
LE701
KNG701
LE702
KNG702
LE703
KNG703
LE745
MAH745
LE746
MAH746
LE747
MAH747
LE748
MAH748
LE749
MAH749
LE761
SNG761
LE762
SNG762
There is just one known surviving member of the LE class in preservation,
that being
The LM class
There were 129 members of the LM class.
Members of this class consisted of twenty Bristol L4G 36 seat ECW bodied stage carriage saloons delivered in 1946 and 1947; four Bristol LS5G 45 seat ECW bodied stage carriage saloons delivered in 1957 and one hundred and five Bristol MW5G 45 seat ECW bodied stage carriage saloons delivered between 1958 and 1966. However, the four LS5Gs delivered in 1957 and all the MW5Gs delivered in 1958 and 1959 were originally classified as LL for some mysterious reason! Conversely, all the L4Gs delivered in 1946 and 1947 were classified as LM when surely LL would have been more appropriate! However, five of the L4Gs were reclassified as LL just prior to withdrawal in 1963 and all of the aforementioned LS5Gs and MW5Gs were reclassified as LM by the end of 1960, upon conversion to OMO. For reasons of clarity, all of the LL classified LS and MW saloons have been included within this class and thereby appear in the following fleet list prefixed as LL. The vehicles in this class were deployed largely on county services, with many being out-stationed all over the Company’s territory. LM class LS and MW saloons, with their economical under-floor mounted Gardner five cylinder oil engines, quickly became the mainstay of the single deck stage carriage fleet throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the last members surviving right up until 1980, when the remainder of the class were finally retired from passenger service. It is worthy of note, that many of the later registered members of this class were withdrawn prematurely when they only twelve or thirteen years old, as a consequence of a National Bus Company policy to phase out all vacuum braked vehicles by the end of the 1970s. This class was swelled during the late 1960s and early 1970s when 36 second hand Bristol LS and MW stage carriage and dual purpose saloons were added to the fleet to offset vehicle shortages, as a result of the expansion of one man operation. These new additions which were acquired from Bristol Omnibus Company Ltd, Bath Tramways Company Ltd, Red And White Services Ltd, Midland General Omnibus Company Ltd, Mansfield District Traction Company Ltd and Eastern National Omnibus Company Ltd, are shown under the ‘vehicles acquired second hand’ heading.
Fleet No. Reg.No. Chassis Body Date In Date Out 2nd No. 3rd No.
LM471
GVF471
LM472
GVF472
LM473
GVF473
LM474
GVF474
LM475
GVF475
LM476
GVF476
LM477
GVF477
LM478
GVF478
LM480
GVF480
LM481
GNG511
LM482
GNG512
LM483
GNG513
LM484
GNG514
LM485
GNG515
LM486
GNG516
LM487
GNG517
LM488
GNG518
LM489
GNG519
LL431
WPW631
LL432
WPW632
LL433
WPW633
LL434
WPW634
LL435
WPW635
LL436
WPW636
LL437
WPW637
LL439
WPW639
LL440
WPW640
LL441
WPW641
LL442
3004AH
LL443
3005AH
LL444
3006AH
LL445
3007AH
LL446
3008AH
Bristol
MW5G
B45F Mar 1959
1976
LM446 LM946
LL447
3009AH
LL448
3010AH
LL449
3011AH
Bristol
MW5G
B45F Mar 1959
1976
LM449 LM949
LL450
3012AH
LL451
3013AH
LL452
3014AH
Bristol
MW5G
B45F Mar
1959
1974
LM452 LM952
LL453
3015AH
LL454
3016AH
LL455
3017AH
LL457
3019AH
LL458
3020AH
LL459
9459AH
LL460
9460AH
LL461
9461AH
LM462
8001VF
LM463
8002VF
LM464
8003VF
LM465
8004VF
LM466
8005VF
LM467
8006VF
LM468
8007VF
LM469
8008VF
LM470
8009VF
LM471
471
LM472
472
LM473
473
LM474
474
LM475
475
LM476
476
LM477
477BPW
LM478
478BPW
LM479
479
LM480
480
LM481
481
LM482
482
LM483
483DAH
LM484
484DAH
LM485
485DAH
LM486
486DAH
LM487
487DAH
LM488
488DAH
LM489
489
LM490
490
LM491
491
LM492
492
LM600
600ENG
LM601
601ENG
LM602
AAH102B
LM603
AAH103B
LM604
AAH911B
LM605
AAH912B
LM606
AAH913B
LM607
AAH914B
LM608
LM609
LM610
LM611
LM612
CPW612B
LM613
CPW613B
LM614
CPW614B
LM615
CPW615B
LM616
DVF116C
LM617
DVF117C
LM618
DVF118C
LM620
ENG120C
LM621
ENG121C
LM622
EVF622C
LM623
EVF623C
LM624
EVF624C
LM625
EVF625C
LM626
EVF626C
LM627
LM628
LM629
LM630
FPW630C
LM631
FPW631C
LM632
FPW632C
LM633
FVF633C
LM634
FVF634C
LM635
FVF635C
LM636
JNG636D
LM637
JNG637D
LM638
JNG638D
LM639
JNG639D
LM640
KAH640D
LM641
KAH641D
LM642
KAH642D
LM643
KAH643D
LM644
KAH644D
LM645
KNG645D
LM646
KNG646D
The
LC class
There were 78 members of the LC class.
All members of this class were Bristol SC4LK 35 seat ECW bodied
stage carriage saloons delivered between 1955 and 1961. These vehicles were of a
light weight design where even the main chassis members were constructed in
aluminium! They were designed for a relatively short service life of
around ten years, although many well outlasted this time. They
were used mainly on county services and some lightly loaded city and town routes
and many were out-stationed. With their frugal four cylinder
Fleet No. Reg.No. Chassis Body Date In Date Out 2nd No. 3rd No.
LC501
TVF501
LC502
TVF502
LC503
TVF503
LC504
TVF504
LC505
TVF505
LC506
TVF506
LC507
TVF507
LC508
TVF508
LC509
TVF509
LC510
TVF510
LC512
TVF512
LC513
TVF513
LC514
TVF514
LC515
TVF515
LC516
TVF516
LC517
TVF517
LC518
TVF518
LC519
TVF519
LC520
TVF520
LC521
TVF521
LC522
TVF522
LC523
TVF523
LC524
TVF524
LC525
TVF525
LC526
TVF526
LC527
TVF527
LC528
TVF528
LC530
TVF530
LC531
TVF531
LC532
TVF532
LC533
TVF533
LC534
TVF534
LC535
TVF535
LC536
TVF536
LC538
VVF538
LC539
VVF539
LC540
VVF540
LC541
VVF541
LC542
VVF542
LC543
VVF543
LC544
VVF544
LC545
VVF545
LC546
VVF546
LC547
VVF547
LC548
VVF548
LC549
VVF549
LC551
VVF551
LC552
VVF552
LC553
VVF553
LC554
3001AH
LC555
3002AH
LC556
3003AH
LC557
6557AH
LC558
6558AH
LC559
6559AH
LC560
6560AH
LC561
6561AH
LC562
6562AH
LC563
6563AH
LC564
6564AH
LC565
6565AH
LC566
6566NG
LC567
6567NG
LC568
6568NG
LC570
6570NG
LC571
6571NG
LC572
6572NG
LC573
6573NG
LC574
6574NG
LC575
6575NG
LC576
6576NG
LC577
6577NG
LC578
6578NG
The LSC class PHOTOS
There were 10 members of the LSC class.
All members of this class were Bristol SC4LK 33 seat ECW bodied
semi-coaches delivered in two batches in 1956 and 1957. These vehicles
were of a light-weight design where even the main chassis members were
constructed in aluminium! They were designed for a relatively short
service life of around ten years, although many well outlasted this time. They
were employed initially on express services, private hires and excursions,
before they were demoted to stage carriage duties in the mid 1960s. With their
frugal 4 cylinder
Fleet No. Reg.No. Chassis Body Date In Date Out 2nd No. 3rd No.
LSC866
TVF866
LSC867
TVF867
LSC868
TVF868
LSC869
TVF869
LSC870
TVF870
LSC871
TVF871
LSC872
TVF872
LSC873
WAH873
LSC874
WAH874
It was initially thought that there was one surviving member of this class in the Lincolnshire area, namely LSC870, but information has since come to light that this vehicle was subsequently exported to Guernsey, firstly as a holiday caravan and then sometime afterwards, it was acquired by the Guernsey Airport authorities to be utilised as a fire fighter's practice model and was subsequently destroyed.
The
LKD class
There were 55 members of
the LKD class.
Members of this class consisted of seven Bristol LD5G 58 seat ECW bodied double deck buses delivered in 1954 and 1955, twenty-nine Bristol LD5G 60 seat ECW bodied double deck buses delivered between 1955 and 1957 and nineteen Bristol LD6G 60 seat ECW bodied double deck buses delivered in 1958 and 1959. These vehicles were known as 'Lodekkas' and were the first of a new breed of double deck buses which allowed for a normal centre gangway and two-a-side seating in the upper deck, as in a standard high-bridge vehicle, whilst incorporating all the properties of a low-bridge design. These vehicles were much used on city and county workings, from the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s, with many members surviving well into the NBC days of the mid 1970s. The last of the class was finally withdrawn from passenger service in 1976. Two further members of this class, which were acquired second hand to offset vehicle shortages, are shown under the ‘vehicles acquired second hand’ heading.
Fleet No. Reg.No. Chassis Body Date In Date Out 2nd No. 3rd No.
LKD227
OVF227
LKD228
OVF228
LKD229
OVF229
LKD230
OVF230
LKD231
LKD232
LKD233
LKD234
LKD235
TNG235
LKD236
TNG236
LKD237
TNG237
LKD174
UNG174
LKD175
UNG175
LKD176
UNG176
LKD177
UNG177
LKD178
UNG178
LKD179
UNG179
LKD180
UNG180
LKD181
UNG181
LKD182
UNG182
LKD183
UNG183
LKD184
UNG184
LKD185
UNG185
LKD186
UNG186
LKD187
UNG187
LKD188
UNG188
LKD189
UNG189
LKD190
VVF190
LKD191
VVF191
LKD192
VVF192
LKD193
VVF193
LKD194
VVF195
LKD195
VVF195
LKD196
VVF196
LKD197
VVF197
LKD198
VVF198
LKD199
VVF199
LKD200
VVF200
LKD201
VVF201
LKD202
VVF202
LKD203
VVF203
LKD204
VVF204
LKD205
VVF205
LKD206
VVF206
LKD207
VVF207
LKD208
VVF208
LKD209
VVF209
LKD210
VVF210
LKD211
VVF211
LKD212
VVF212
LKD213
VVF213
LKD214
VVF214
LKD215
VVF215
LKD216
9216AH
The
LFS &
There were 120 members of the LFS class and 6
members of the
Fleet No. Reg.No. Chassis Body Date In Date Out 2nd No. 3rd No.
LFS1
5601NG
LFS2
5602NG
LFS3
5603NG
LFS4
5604NG
LFS5
5605NG
LFS6
5606NG
LFS7
5607NG
LFS8
5608NG
LFS9
5609NG
LFS10
5610NG
LFS11
5611NG
LFS12
5612NG
LFS13
5613NG
LFS14
5614NG
LFS15
5615NG
LFS17
1117PW
LFS18
1118PW
LFS19
1119PW
LFS20
1120PW
LFS21
1121PW
LFS22
1122PW
LFS23
1123PW
LFS24
1124PW
LFS25
1125PW
LFS26
2926PW
LFS27
2927PW
LFS28
2928PW
LFS29
2929PW
LFS30
2930PW
LFS31
2931PW
LFS32
2932PW
LFS34
2934PW
LFS35
2935PW
LFS36
8036PW
LFS37
8037PW
LFS38
8038PW
LFS39
8039PW
LFS40
8040PW
LFS41
41
LFS42
42
LFS43
43
LFS44
44CNG
LFS45
45CNG
LFS46
46CNG
LFS47
47CNG
LFS48
48CNG
LFS49
49CNG
LFS50
50CNG
LFS51
51CPW
LFS53
53CPW
LFS54
54CPW
LFS55
55CPW
LFL
56
556
LFS62
62CPW
LFS63
63CPW
LFS64
64CPW
LFS65
65DNG
LFS66
66DNG
LFS67
67DNG
LFS68
68DNG
LFS69
69DNG
LFS70
70
LFS71
71
LFS72
72
LFS73
AAH173B
LFS74
AAH174B
LFS75
AAH175B
LFS76
AAH614B
LFS77
AAH615B
LFS78
AAH616B
LFS79
AVF579B
LFS80
AVF580B
LFS81
LFS82
LFS83
LFS84
LFS85
LFS86
LFS87
CNG287B
LFS88
CNG288B
LFS89
CNG289B
LFS90
CNG290B
LFS91
CNG291B
LFS92
CNG292B
LFS93
CVF293B
LFS94
CVF294B
LFS95
CVF295B
LFS96
CVF296B
LFS97
CVF297B
LFS98
DAH398B
LFS99
DAH399B
LFS100
DAH400B
LFS101
DNG401C
LFS102
DNG402C
LFS103
DNG403C
LFS104
DNG404C
LFS105
DNG105C
LFS106
DNG106C
LFS107
DNG107C
LFS108
DVF108C
LFS109
ENG109C
LFS110
ENG110C
LFS111
EVF111C
LFS113
LFS114
LFS115
LFS116
LFS117
LFS118
LFS119
FPW319C
LFS120
FPW320C
LFS121
FVF421C
LFS122
FVF422C
LFS123
FVF423C
LFS124
GNG124C
LFS125
GNG125C
The
FLF class
There were 82 members of the FLF class.
Members of this class comprised thirty-six Bristol FLF6G 70 seat ECW bodied double deck buses delivered in 1966 and forty-six Bristol FLF6LX 70 seat ECW bodied double deck buses delivered in 1967 & 1968. All these vehicles were known as 'Lodekkas' and were the third marque of the new breed of double deck buses which allowed for a normal centre gangway and two-a-side seating in the upper deck, whilst incorporating all the properties of a low-bridge design. These forward entrance vehicles were much used on city and county workings, throughout the 1960s and 1970s, with all members surviving well into the NBC days of the mid 1980s. The last members of the class were finally withdrawn from passenger service at the end of 1985. Very worthy of note here is the fact that all forty-six of the E and F plate FLF6LX examples were exchanged for rear engined Bristol VRT types from the Scottish Bus Group in 1973. A further 17 members of this class were acquired second hand from Bristol Commercial Vehicles Ltd, Eastern National Omnibus Company Ltd and Lincolnshire Road Car Company Ltd during the early to mid 1970s to offset vehicle shortages. These are shown under the ‘vehicles acquired second hand’ heading.
Fleet No. Reg.No. Chassis Body Date In Date Out 2nd No. 3rd No.
FLF440
GPW440D
FLF441
GPW441D
FLF442
GPW442D
FLF443
GVF443D
FLF444
GVF444D
FLF445
GVF445D
FLF446
GVF446D
FLF447
HPW447D
FLF448
HPW448D
FLF449
HPW449D
FLF450
HPW450D
FLF451
JAH551D
FLF452
JAH552D
FLF453
JAH553D
FLF454
JPW454D
FLF455
JPW455D
FLF456
JPW456D
FLF457
JPW457D
FLF458
JPW458D
FLF459
JPW459D
FLF460
KAH460D
FLF461
KAH461D
FLF462
KAH462D
FLF463
KAH463D
FLF464
KAH464D
FLF465
KAH465D
FLF466
KAH466D
FLF467
KAH467D
FLF468
KAH468D
FLF469
KNG469D
FLF471
KNG471D
FLF472
KPW472D
FLF473
KPW473D
FLF474
KPW474D
FLF475
KPW475D
FLF476
KVF476E
FLF477
KVF477E
FLF478
KVF478E
FLF479
KVF479E
FLF480
KVF480E
FLF481
KPW481E
FLF482
KPW482E
FLF483
KPW483E
FLF484
KPW484E
FLF485
KPW485E
FLF486
KPW486E
FLF487
KPW487E
FLF488
LAH488E
FLF489
LAH489E
FLF490
LAH490E
FLF491
LAH491E
FLF492
MAH492E
FLF493
MAH493E
FLF494
MAH494E
FLF495
MAH495E
FLF496
MAH496E
FLF497
MAH497E
FLF498
MAH498E
FLF499
MAH499E
FLF500
MAH500E
FLF343
MNG343E
FLF344
MNG344E
FLF346
MNG346E
FLF347
MNG347E
FLF349
ONG349F
FLF350
ONG350F
FLF351
ONG351F
FLF352
ONG352F
FLF353
ONG353F
FLF354
ONG354F
FLF355
ONG355F
FLF356
ONG356F
FLF357
ONG357F
FLF358
ONG358F
FLF359
ONG359F
FLF360
ONG360F
FLF361
ONG361F
FLF362
ONG362F
FLF363
ONG363F
The RE class
There were 23 members
of the RE class (up to December of 1969).
Members of this class comprised 22 Bristol RELH6G 47 seat ECW bodied coaches delivered between 1964 and 1969 and 1 Bristol RELH6L 47 seat ECW bodied coach delivered in 1966. These vehicles were primarily used on express services, tours, excursions and private hires from the mid 1960s and throughout the NBC era of the 1970s, when they were all repainted into NBC ‘National Express’ all over white livery. The three 1964 examples were renumbered in 1965 to bring them into line with the rest of the class. All were withdrawn from passenger service by the end of 1981. An additional 17 new RE class vehicles were added to this class during the early years of the National Bus Company era, some of which carried Plaxton bodywork. A further 6 members of this class were acquired second hand from the Eastern National Omnibus Company Ltd during the mid 1970s to offset vehicle shortages. These are shown under the ‘vehicles acquired second hand’ heading.
Fleet No. Reg.No. Chassis Body Date In Date Out 2nd No. 3rd No.
RE974
AAH124B
RE975
AAH125B
RE976
AAH126B
RE879
GNG479C
RE880
GNG92C
RE881
GNG481C
RE882
GPW482D
RE883
GPW883D
RE884
GPW884D
RE885
GPW885D
RE886
GPW886D
RE887
GVF887D
RE888
GVF888D
RE889
GVF889D
RE890
HAH890D
RE891
HAH891D
RE892
HAH892D
RE893
HAH893D
RE894
SVF894G
RE895
SVF895G
RE896
SVF896G
RE897
SVF897G
RE898
SVF898G
The RS class
There were 14 members
of the RS class.
All members of this class were
Bristol RESL6LX 46 seat ECW bodied stage carriage saloons delivered in 1967.
These vehicles were primarily used on county services and some city workings,
although many were out-stationed. These vehicles were the first ECOC stage
carriage saloons with rear mounted engines and were fitted with infamous high
ratio gearboxes and rear axles which often severely tested the skills of their
drivers! All were withdrawn from passenger service by the end of 1981.
It is worthy of note here that all members of this class had their
Fleet No. Reg.No. Chassis Body Date In Date Out 2nd No. 3rd No.
RS647
KVF647E
RS648
KVF648E
RS649
KVF649E
RS650
KVF650E
RS651
KVF651E
RS652
KVF652E
RS653
KVF653E
RS654
KVF654E
RS655
KVF655E
RS656
KVF656E
RS657
KVF657E
RS658
KVF658E
RS659
KVF659E
Fortunately, there is one surviving member of the RS class in preservation, namely, RS658 which is owned by the Norfolk based Eastern Transport Collection Society and has been fully restored in 1970s National Bus Company poppy red and white livery.
The RL &
There were 29 members
of the RL class and 3 members of the
All members of these classes
were Bristol
Fleet No. Reg.No. Chassis Body Date In Date Out 2nd No. 3rd No.
RL665
PPW665F
RL666
PPW666F
RL667
PPW667F
RL668
PPW668F
RL669
PPW669F
RL670
PPW670F
RL671
PPW671F
RL672
PPW672F
RL673
PPW673F
RL674
PPW674F
RL675
PPW675F
RL676
PPW676F
RL677
PPW677F
RL678
PPW678F
RL679
RL680
RL681
RL682
RL683
RL684
RL703
TVF703G
RL704
TVF704G
RL705
TVF705G
RL706
TVF706G
RL707
VAH707H
RL708
TPW708G
RL709
TPW709G
RL710
VNG710H
RL711
VAH711H
RLC
714
VPW714H
Bristol RELL6G
The LH class
There were 18 members
of the LH class (up to December of 1969).
Fleet No. Reg.No. Chassis Body Date In Date Out 2nd No. 3rd No.
LH685
LH686
LH687
LH688
LH689
LH690
LH691
LH692
LH693
UNG693G
LH694
UNG694G
LH695
UNG695G
LH696
VAH696H
LH697
VAH697H
LH698
VAH698H
LH699
VAH699H
LH700
VVF700H
LH701
VVF701H
The VR class
There were 15 members
of the VR class (up to December of 1969).
Fleet No. Reg.No. Chassis Body Date In Date Out 2nd No. 3rd No.
VR365
TNG365G
VR366
TNG366G
VR367
TNG367G
VR368
TNG368G
VR369
TNG369G
VR370
TNG370G
VR371
TNG371G
VR372
TNG372G
VR373
TNG373G
VR374
UAH374G
VR375
UAH375G
VR376
UAH376G
VR377
UAH377G
VR378
VNG378G
A number of VR class vehicles have made it into the preservation field. However, none of those delivered during the late Tilling era are known to have done so.
Please click this link for details of the Second hand vehicles acquired by the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company
Please click this link for details of the Service Vehicles operated by the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company
The Omnibus Society Photographic Archive
The Omnibus Society possesses a wonderful archive of Eastern Counties Tilling era vehicles which are available to view and purchase online.
Please click here to view ECOC Archive 1 and here to view ECOC Archive 2