| Duplication was the way to move vast numbers of travellers at busy times. When it worked, it worked well. The service driver had responsibility for directing the duplicates on their pick-up and set-down points.
But they could also cause problems that ranged from passenger confusion caused by different colours to hired drivers operating to their own sets of rules. Then there were missed stops, lost routes, late running, early running......after all, this was before the days of satellite tracking and well-informed bus shelters and coach stations. |
Bleanch, Hetton-le-Hole SBU 304R was the arguably last AEC Reliance to operate on National Express services with anything approaching regularity. It is seen in typical white livery, sans fleetnames and logo, at Leicester St Margaret's Bus Station 640x384 115.428C_676.jpg 2009-01-18 17:25:00 |
Bleanch, Hetton-le-Hole's former Yelloway AEC Reliance/Plaxton, SBU 304R, pulls in behind Midland Fox 779 at Leicester St Margaret's 640x421 115.1010C_676.jpg 1999-11-30 00:00:00 |
Brown's 2086 PP on National Express duplication 640x426 085.0066T.jpg 2008-03-28 15:10:00 |
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Central, Leamington G585 WUT was a TAZ 3500 640x421 177.006C_758.jpg 1990-08-01 00:00:00 |
Charterplan 4 (TPX 884), a Leyland Tiger TRCTL11.3RH with Plaxton Paramount 3500 body began life as B371 VBA 640x421 122.2063Ca_703.jpg 1989-09-01 00:00:00 |
Cheddar Valley 3342 PG (new to Irvine, Salsburgh as PGD 996P) was an AEC 6U3ZR/Plaxton. It is standing by in Weston depot for National Express duplication work. 640x383 115.328C_429.jpg 1984-05-01 00:00:00 |
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City of Oxford 32 (VUD 32X) after it was transferred to South Midland. It was a 1982 Leyland Leopard PSU3E.4R with ECW bodywork. It is seen in South Midland's Orbiter colours while duplicating a National Express service in Gloucester. 640x421 109.2010C_745.jpg 1999-11-30 00:00:00 |
Clarke, Burbage E749 HJF is a Bedford YNV with Duple 320 bodywork, here seen on a National Express duplicate working to Bristol. 640x392 073.635C_676.jpg 2009-01-18 17:55:00 |
Coombs, Weston-Super-Mare F681 CYC was a Dennis Javelin (11SDL 1905) with Duple 320 bodywork. It is seen on the M5 near Birmingham. 640x447 133.014C_762.jpg 1990-09-01 00:00:00 |
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Coombs, Weston-Super-Mare F681 CYC, a Debbis Javelin/Duple 320 in Digbeth coach station 640x421 133.013C_758.jpg 1990-09-01 00:00:00 |
Cooper, Killamarsh D516 SWE, a 1987 Scania K112 with Plaxton Paramount bodywork, operating a relief National Express service in Leeds coach station 640x449 156.517Ca_766.jpg 1999-11-30 00:00:00 |
Cotswold Courier OTU 971Y was a Volvo B58-61 used on duplication work 640x435 157.0476T.jpg 2008-03-28 15:27:00 |
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Cotswold-liveried Leyland Leopard/Plaxton Elite 640x421 109.1020C_409.jpg 1984-06-01 00:00:00 |
Delta, ... XVU 917X duplicating a National Express service at Leeds coach station 640x421 157.221C_702.jpg 1989-09-01 00:00:00 |
Delta, ... XVU 917X, a Volvo B10M with Duple Goldliner bodywork 480x480 160.047Cb_702.jpg 1989-09-01 00:00:00 |
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Evans, Aberystwyth MAX 334X was a Leyland Tiger TRCTL11.2R with short Plaxton bodywork, pictured on hire to Mid Wales Transport to operate the short-lived National Express Shrewsbury - Sheffield service 383. It was here pictured in Chester 640x421 122.728C_698.jpg 1989-08-01 00:00:00 |
Fallas, Leeds C998 DWY was a DAF with Duple bodywork 640x396 159.040C_572.jpg 2008-05-26 16:45:00 |
Goode, West Bromwich KIW 8609 was a Volvo B10M-61/Plaxton new as B576 UJF 640x421 157.359C_758.jpg 1990-08-01 00:00:00 |
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Grampian 56 (TRS 333) was a rare MCW singledeck Metroliner coach (type HR 130/10), new as D 56 XSS. It is seen arriving in Glasgow on the joint Caledonian Express/Stagecoach service from Aberdeen 640x421 151.016C_706.jpg 1989-10-30 00:00:00 |
Green, ... 914 JOW duplicating through Heathrow Airport bus station 640x421 109.1993C_733.jpg 1989-01-01 00:00:00 |
Greenslades 134 (MDF 114P) ready to duplicate the 700 service between Plymouth and Looe. 640x418 109.1400C_418.jpg 1984-08-20 00:00:00 |
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Grey Cars A423 XGL was a Bova EL 28/281 with a Duple Calypso body. It is seen in Coventry's Pool Meadow. 640x421 150.082C_714.jpg 1989-10-01 00:00:00 |
Hemming HM03 HEM 640x480 152.1045J.JPG 2008-07-21 16:01:00 |
Hemming HM03 HEM 640x480 152.1046J.JPG 2008-07-21 15:58:00 |
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Hookways, Meeth 4691 HP is working into Bristol as a duplicate on the service from Birmingham to Taunton. It is a Volvo B10M/Plaxton Excalibur. 640x480 157.2518J.JPG 2007-07-23 16:53:00 |
HPL 322V 640x421 157.068C_492.jpg 1999-11-30 00:00:00 |
Intasun B671 DVL 640x439 200.0195C_572.jpg 2008-05-26 15:53:00 |
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Jones International DVT 994Y is working the 549 Birmingham - Swansea Rapide. 640x421 122.908C_763.jpg 1990-08-01 00:00:00 |
Limebourne B680 BTW 640x413 085.0092S_B32.jpg 1989-10-01 16:39:00 |
Lincoln 65 (KIB 6527) was a Volvo B10M-50 with East Lancs CH79F bodywork, pictured in 598x480 145.045C_693.jpg 1999-11-30 00:00:00 |
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London Country RS 144 (EPM 144V) 318x480 115.277C_366.jpg 1984-03-16 00:00:00 |
Midland Fox 779 (BVP 779V) at Leicester 640x421 scan0011_676.jpg 1999-11-30 00:00:00 |
![Midland Red 191 (HHA 191L) in Wolverhampton. [Alan O. Watkins Colln]](http://thumbs.fotopic.net/498021000269.jpg)
Midland Red 191 (HHA 191L) in Wolverhampton. [Alan O. Watkins Colln] 640x415 111.044Z.jpg 1980-01-01 00:00:00 |
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National Travel East BWE 197T was a PSU5C/4R-type Leyland Leopard with Duple Dominant II bodywork, normally used on National Holidays work 640x423 scan0001Ca_735.jpg 1999-11-30 00:00:00 |
National Travel East OHE 262X, a Volvo B10M with Duple Goldiner bodywork, usually front-lining on National Holidays work 640x423 scan0001Cb_735.jpg 1999-11-30 00:00:00 |
National Welsh 1199 (FYX 823W) was originally with George Ewer. The Leyland Leopard PSU3E.4R sports local Swiftlink livery when working the 320 service back to Cardiff from Digbeth. 640x423 109.2008C_744.jpg 1990-01-01 00:00:00 |
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ODC 855W, ADR 200W and KOU 480K - truly a Continental bevy 640x421 scan0001C_419.jpg 1999-11-30 00:00:00 |
OIJ 8480 on National Express Rapide duplication 640x421 150.1021Cb_771.jpg 1999-11-30 00:00:00 |
PMT 31 (5702 PL) was new as C112 DTM, but here sports its Paramount coaching colours 316x480 156.034C_719.jpg 1990-02-01 00:00:00 |
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PMT YRE 473Y arrives in Digbeth on a short duplication from Stoke-on-Trent 640x421 241.0173C_418.jpg 1999-11-30 00:00:00 |
Ribble 1059 (UTF 739M) 640x415 109.716_295.jpg 1982-01-01 00:00:00 |
Robinson C213 NFV was a Leyland Tiger with Duple Caribbean II bodywork, making a rare duplication on a National express service at Leeds (Wellington Street) coach station 521x480 160.047Cc_702.jpg 1989-08-01 00:00:00 |
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Roger Hill E571 UHS, still wearing Park, Hamilton colours 640x421 e571uhs_703.jpg 1999-11-30 00:00:00 |
Rowley, Emerson Park JVW 155Y, a Volvo B10M-61, and fellow fleet member B246 AMH, an early Scania in National Express Rapide livery hurry up the M1 640x423 157.0996S_B34.jpg 1985-07-01 15:40:00 |
Southern National Leyland Leopard coach, 3098 (YEL 98Y), was the very last Leopard to be bought by National Bus. 640x428 122.076C_336.jpg 1983-07-01 00:00:00 |
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Sun Span A548 HEF, Shaw Hadwin's 6 SVK (ex-YEC 21W) and Waddon's LYS 509Y (ex-Christian, Liverpool) 640x421 157.369C_758.jpg 1990-08-01 00:00:00 |
Tayside Travel Services 9492 SC (new as C408 LHE) still sported its Super Stagecoach colours 640x421 200.118C_706.jpg 1989-10-30 00:00:00 |
Thomas, Barry WA54 HXZ 640x480 150.1056J.JPG 2007-09-17 13:34:00 |
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Tower, Blackpool FIL 1904 640x421 scan0007Cb_703.jpg 1999-11-30 00:00:00 |
United Counties 81 (81 CBK) was a TRCTL11.3RH Leyland Tiger with Plaxton Panorama 3500 bodywork 640x435 122.329C_448.jpg 1984-10-19 00:00:00 |
United Counties 243 (MRP 243V) 640x421 109.1023C_409.jpg 1984-06-01 00:00:00 |
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West Riding 35 (C 35 CWT) was on extended loan to United Counties. It is seen in Milton Keynes Coachway still sporting its owner's Fastaway local coach livery. 640x421 122.761C_718.jpg 1989-12-01 00:00:00 |
West Yorkshire 2582 (KUB 666V) in Exeter bus station while working the 730 service bound for York 640x421 109.982C_380.jpg 1984-05-08 00:00:00 |
Western National 2207 (A521 WRL) on the 502 from Birmingham to Plymouth. 640x418 122.173C_395.jpg 1984-06-02 00:00:00 |
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Western National 2440 (SFJ 140R) and 1617 (PDD 101M) 640x421 122.716Cb_697.jpg 1989-01-31 00:00:00 |
Western National 2440 (SFJ 140R) and ex-Black & White 101, now Western National 1617 (PDD 101M) on standby duties in Plymouth bus station 640x439 109.1915C_694.jpg 1989-08-31 00:00:00 |
Western National C647 OVH is seen on the monstrous daily run between Penzance and Aberdeen 640x435 159.120C_723.jpg 1990-09-02 00:00:00 |
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Whitelaw E549 XKW on the joint Caledonian Express/Stagecoach operations. 640x421 157.235C_706.jpg 1989-10-30 00:00:00 |
Wilson, Carnwath F953 WSF, a Volvo B10M with Van Hool bodywork. 640x423 157.443C_730.jpg 1990-04-01 00:00:00 |
