Leyland National
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The Leyland National was a British single-deck bus built in large quantities between 1972 and 1985. It was developed as a joint project between two UK nationalised industries - the National Bus Company and British Leyland. Buses were constructed at a specially built factory at the Lillyhall Industrial Estate, Workington, Cumbria.
The Leyland National was built with integral, modular construction and a rear engine. All components were designed for ease of construction and replacement. Most were built with a distinctive roof mounted pod at the rear, housing heating equipment which consequently blew warm air out at roof level. The majority of Mark I Leyland Nationals were fitted with Leyland 510 engines, an unusal design in that it featured non-detachable cylinder heads.
The bus quickly became a common sight on British roads. Although developed for the National Bus Company (whose subsidiaries effectively had to purchase it), it was also bought by the Scottish Transport Group subsidiaries, London Transport, British Airways and other operators.
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[edit] Exports
It was not, however, very successful in the export market - the largest export order of 450 was to Caracas, Venezuela in 1975/6. Around 125 Leyland Nationals were also shipped to Kingston, Jamaica between 1972 and 1974 to be operated by the Jamaica Omnibus Services, a subsidiary of the British Electric Traction company.
[edit] Engines
The Leyland 510 engine did not prove popular with all operators, being prone to poor fuel consumption and heavy smoking - especially if not maintained to the very highest of standards. Leyland answered this, with a revised model - the National 2 - which was introduced in 1979. It differed from its precedessor mainly by having a front mounted radiator and being powered by initially the 680 engine then later the Leyland L11 (development of the 680).
In 1981, a Gardner 6HLXB engine was experimentally installed in accident-damaged Eastern Counties LN600 (WVF 600S). This led to sister vehicle LN781 (DPW 781T) becoming the first operational Gardner-engined example which in turn paved the way for many engine conversions. Leyland were taken to court by Gardner the engine manufacturer for not offering their engine as an option in the fast selling National and as a result began to offer the Leyland National 2 with Gardner engines from 1982 - initially the 6HLXB and later the 6HLXCT.
In years to come, with all of the pressures created by deregulation, operators began refurbishing their Nationals for extended service, often retrofitting DAF or Volvo engines. A more extreme approach was offered by East Lancashire Coachbuilders with their Greenway, that saw virtually everything other than the frame and axles replaced.
[edit] Replacement
The Leyland National was replaced by the Leyland Lynx, although far fewer Lynxes were built.
[edit] Survivors
Very few Nationals remain in service now, the last major operator was Chase Bus, Chasetown who sold out to Arriva and who ceased full operations on 28 April 2007. Notably all but two retained Leyland 510s to the end.
The Workington factory is now closed, though part of the building now forms part of the depot of Eddie Stobart.
[edit] Railbus derivatives
In 1980s Leyland National bus components were also used to build the following classes of railbus for British Rail:
- Pacer Railbus
- British Rail Class 155 (many later converted into British Rail Class 153)
[edit] Preservation
A large number of Leyland National buses have been preserved.
[edit] See also
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