Brutonian Bus Company Vehicle Pictures and History – Part 4

The Cawlett Group Ownership January 1989-July 1991


Research completed in August 2010 by Paul Welling, Michael Wadman and Ian Trotter. This is the second of four Vehicle Pictures and History Documents covering the three different owners of Brutonian Bus Company. The names under the pictures own the copyright. There are more pictures online and you can get in touch by contacting Paul Welling.


Several vehicles were transferred from Southern National and used on Brutonian routes under Cawlett ownership. Vehicles that spent over four weeks with Brutonian are listed in more detail.



AFJ726T

Ian Trotter

AFJ726T

History (SN Fleet No. 3306)

  • Apr 79 – New to Western National Omnibus Company 3306

  • Jan 83 – Transferred to Southern National 3306

  • 16 Jan 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • 24 Feb 89 – Returned to Southern National

  • Feb 02 – Acquired by Billington, Maidenhead for preservation spares

Technical information

  • C41F

  • Chassis – Bristol LH6L

  • Body – Plaxton




AFJ728T

Ian Trotter

AFJ728T outside Brutonian Workshop in 89

Michael Wadman

AFJ728T in Dorchester, on service 9, despite display,1 Mar 89

Ian Trotter

AFJ728T outside Bruton Station in 89

History (SN Fleet No. 3308)

  • Apr 79 – New to Western National Omnibus Company 3308

  • Jan 83 – Transferred to Southern National 3308

  • 16 Jan 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • 23 Jul 89 – Returned to Southern National

Technical information

  • C41F

  • Chassis – Bristol LH6L

  • Body – Plaxton





AFJ729T

Ian Trotter

AFJ729T Brutonian Yard in 89

Ian Trotter

AFJ729T

Ian Trotter

AFJ729T at Yeovil Bus Station on Route 10 in Jan 89

Ian Trotter

AFJ729T in 89

History (SN Fleet Number 3309)

  • Apr 79 – New to Western National Omnibus Company 3309

  • Jan 83 – Transferred to Southern National 3309

  • 16 Jan 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • 9 Mar 89 – Returned to Southern National

  • 5 Sep 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • 31 Dec 89 – Returned to Southern National

  • Apr/May 00 – AFJ692/729T acquired by Billington, Maidenhead for preservation spares

Technical information

  • C41F

  • Chassis – Bristol LH6L

  • Body – Plaxton





C891GYD

Michael Wadman

C891GYD in Wincanton 13 Jan 89

Ian Trotter

C891GYD outside Bruton Station in 89

History (SN Fleet Number 329)

  • 86 – New to Southern National 329

  • 16 Jan 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • 8 Jun 89 – Returned to Southern National

  • Sep 97 – Converted for use as a service van with West Dorset (another Cawlett Company)

Technical information

  • B16F

  • Chassis – Ford Transit

  • Body – Robin Hood Conversion of Dormobile shell





C902GYD

Ian Trotter

C902GYD outside Brutonian yard in 89

History (SN Fleet Number 340)

  • 86 – New to Southern National 340

  • 16 Jan 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • 8 Jun 89 – Returned to Southern National

Technical information

  • B16F

  • Chassis – Ford Transit

  • Body – Robin Hood Conversion of Dormobile shell





LOD720P

Michael Wadman

LOD720P in Yeovil on 26 May 89 before being painted

Keith Newton

LOD720P on service 109 in early 90

Michael Wadman

LOD720P in Salisbury on service 8 on 7 Aug 90

Ian Trotter

LOD720P in Station Approach Bruton in summer 90

History (SN Fleet No. 2439)

  • 76 – New to Western National OC No 2439

  • Jan 83 – Transferred to Southern National (Weymouth) No 2439

  • Jan 89 – Transferred by Brutonian

  • Jul 91 – Transferred to Southern National

  • Jan 96 – Acquired by Millmans, Newton Abbott along with DAD257T

Technical information

  • C47F

  • Chassis – Leyland Leopard PSU3C/4RT

  • Body – Plaxton Supreme Express

Information

LOD 720P later received the plain white and thin blue/green stripes of the Cawlett version of the Brutonian livery. It was the only vehicle to operate with Brutonian for the whole 2.5 years of Cawlett ownership.





SFJ114R

Ian Trotter

SFJ114R in Station Approach in summer 89

Ian Trotter

SFJ114R in Brutonian yard in summer 89

Ian Trotter

SFJ114R in Brutonian yard in summer 89

History (SN Fleet No. 3114)

  • 77 – New to Western National Omnibus Company No 3114

  • Jan 83 – Transferred to Southern National when WNOC split

  • Jun 88 – 3106 Transferred to Stark Harris and Doe (Country Bus)

  • 16 Jan 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • Jun 90 – Returned to Southern National

  • 21-27 Feb 91 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • Used by Southern National as a driver training vehicle

  • Dec 92 – Acquired by Brown, Kirkby-in-Ashfield

  • Oct 95 – Acquired by Seddon and Milson, Chesterfield

Technical information

  • C41F

  • Chassis – Bristol LH6L

  • Body – Plaxton


AFJ692T

History (SN Fleet No. 3131)

  • Jan 79 – New to Western National Omnibus Company 3131

  • Jan 83 – Transferred to Southern National 3131

  • 24 Feb 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • 23 Mar 89 – Returned to Southern National

  • Used by Southern National as a driver training vehicle

  • Apr/May 00 – Acquired by Billington, Maidenhead for preservation spares

  • Feb 02 – Acquired by Derrick, Plymstock for preservation

Technical information

  • C41 or C43F

  • Chassis – Bristol LH6L

  • Body – Plaxton





AFJ712T

Ian Trotter

AFJ712T in Brutonian Yard in 89

History (SN Fleet Number 3520)

  • 78 – New to Western National OC 3520

  • Jan 83 – Transferred to Southern National 3520

  • 9 Mar 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • 12 May 89 – Returned to Southern National

  • Jan 90 – Transferred to Brutonian for a month

  • Oct 96 – Acquired by Millmans, Newton Abbott

  • Jul 01 – Acquired by Hayward, Fishponds

Technical information

  • C49F

  • Chassis – Leyland Leopard PSU3E/4RT

  • Body – Plaxton





DAD257T

Ian Trotter

DAD257T in Brutonian Yard in 89

Ian Trotter

DAD257T in Exeter Bus Station in c90

Michael Wadman

DAD257T in Yeovil on 31 May 91

Ian Trotter

DAD257T in Exeter in c90

History (SN Fleet No. 282)

  • 79 – New to National Travel South West

  • Apr 85 – Transferred to North Devon No 282

  • 23 Mar 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • Jul 91 – Returned to North Devon

  • Jan 96 – Acquired by Millmans Coaches, Newton Abbot

  • Feb 01 – Acquired by Spencer, Fleckley

  • By Jul 04 – Withdrawn

Technical information

  • C57F

  • Chassis – Leyland Leopard PSU5C/4R

  • Body – Plaxton

Information


DAD257T needed extensive rear welding at one time when the back broke away inside the vehicle.





FWH41Y

PM Photography

FWH41Y at Epsom Downs on 6 Jun 90

Ian Trotter

FWH41Y in c91

Michael Wadman

FWH41Y on 29 Jun 91

Ian Trotter

FWH41Y in Brutonian Yard in c91

History (SN Fleet No. SN9)

  • 83 – New to Yelloway, Rochdale

  • Nov 85 – Acquired by Southern National No SN9

  • May 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • Jul 91 – Transferred to North Devon

  • Jun 92 – Re-numbered 2221

  • Nov 92 – Re-registered 925 GTA

  • Nov 94 – Acquired by Guscott, Halwill and re-registered HTT204Y

  • Apr 97 – Re-registered ALZ4583

Technical information

  • C49F

  • Chassis – Leyland Tiger TRCTL11/3R

  • Body – Plaxton

Information


FWH41Y was one of four coaches painted in this style of Brutonian livery, DAD257T, GTA810N and LOD20P being the others.





C461BHY

Ian Trotter

C461BHY outside Bruton Station in 89

History (SN Fleet No. 449)

  • 85 – New to Bristol Omnibus Company No 7461

  • May 89 – Transferred to Southern National No 449

  • 8 Jun 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • Various short periods 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • Feb 90 – Returned to Southern National

  • Aug 00 – Acquired by AS Motors, Norton Fitzwarren (dealer)

Technical information

  • B16F

  • Chassis – Ford Transit

  • Body – Dormobile





C462BHY

Ian Trotter

C462BHY outside Brutonian workshop in 89

History (SN Fleet No. 450)

  • 85 – New to Bristol Omnibus Company No 7462

  • May 89 – Transferred to Southern National No 450

  • 8 Jun 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • 12 Sep 89 – Returned to Southern National

  • Various short periods 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • May-Aug 92 – C459/462BHY On loan to National Welsh

  • Feb 97 – Transferred to West Dorset 450

  • Jun 00 – Returned to Southern National

  • Aug 00 – C461/462BHY Acquired by AS Motors, Norton Fitzwarren (dealer)

Technical information

  • B16F

  • Chassis – Ford Transit

  • Body – Dormobile





C922HYA

Ian Trotter

C922HYA at Brutonian Yard in 89

History (SN Fleet No. SN2)

  • 86 – New to Southern National SN2

  • 15 Jun 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • 6 Jul 89 – Returned to Southern National

  • Aug 89 – Acquired by Thames Transit 2239 and renumbered 15 by Aug 90

  • Mar 95 – Acquired by Lewis, Greenwich and re-registered 90RYD by May 95 and then C443WUT by Mar 96

  • Jan 97 – Acquired by Millership, Dudley and re-registered MIL2273

  • Oct 00 – Re-registered C286LOX

  • Aug 01 – Acquired by Edward Thomas, West Ewell

  • Jan 03 – Acquired by AmberLee, Southfleet, Kent

Technical information

  • C49F

  • Chassis – Leyland Tiger TRCTL11/3RH

  • Body – Plaxton





GTA810N

Ian Trotter

GTA810N in 89/90

Ian Trotter

GTA810N in 89/90

Ian Trotter

GTA810N in Brutonian Yard in 89/90

Ian Trotter

GTA810N in Exeter in summer 90

History (SN Fleet No. 2429)

  • Jan 75 – New to Western National OC No 2429

  • Jan 83 – Transferred to North Devon No 2429

  • Jun 89 – Transferred Southern National No 2429

  • 13 Jun 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • Jul 91 – Returned to Southern National

Technical information

  • C47F

  • Chassis – Leyland Leopard PSU3B/4RT

  • Body – Plaxton

Information


GTA810N was the first vehicle in the new white colours with the two narrow straight stripes and spent some time based at an outstation in Sherborne with driver Simon Loader. It was apparently recycled from the SN redundant vehicle park in Evercreech.





C459BHY

Michael Wadman

C459BHY in Shaftesbury on route 12 on 17 Aug 89

History (SN Fleet No. 447)

  • 85 – New to Bristol Omnibus Company No 7459

  • May 89 – Acquired by Southern National No 447

  • Jun 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • 8 Jul 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • 10 Sep 89 – Returned to Southern National

  • May-Aug 92 – C459/462BHY On loan to National Welsh

  • By Jun 00 – Acquired by Firkins, Llansamlet

  • Oct 00 – C459BHY Acquired by 2 Travel, Pentrechwyth

Technical information

  • B16F

  • Chassis – Ford Transit

  • Body – Dormobile





C460BHY

History (SN Fleet No. 448)

  • 16-28 Sep 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

Technical information

  • B16F

  • Chassis – Ford Transit

  • Body – Dormobile


DAD256T

Ian Trotter

DAD256T in Nov 89

History (SN Fleet No. 281)

  • 4 and 11 Nov 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

Technical information

  • C57F

  • Chassis – Leyland Leopard PSU5C/4R

  • Body – Plaxton





VOD615S

History (SN Fleet No. 3515)

  • 21 Nov 89 and 11-24 Jul 90 – Transferred to Brutonian

Technical information

  • C57F

  • Chassis – Leyland Leopard PSU5C/4R

  • Body – Plaxton


AFJ713T

History (SN Fleet No. 3521)

  • 78 – New to Western National OC 3521

  • Jan 83 – Transferred to Southern National 3521

  • 8-22 Dec 89, 10-19 May 90, 9-11 Jun 90 – Transferred to Brutonian

Technical information

  • C49F

  • Chassis – Leyland Leopard PSU3E/4RT

  • Body – Plaxton





VOD122K

Ian Trotter

VOD122K in Brutonian Yard in 90

Ian Trotter

VOD122K in 90

Ian Trotter

VOD122K in 90

History (SN Fleet No. 1252)

  • 72 – New to Western National Omnibus Company No 1252

  • Jan 83 – Transferred to North Devon Ltd

  • ?/84 – Withdrawn and converted to publicity vehicle.

  • Sep 89 – Reinstated in public service

  • 29 Dec 89 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • 31 Jul 90 – Returned to Southern National

  • By May 92 – Sold and exported to Botanical Gardens, Dominca and used as the ‘Sisserou Express’, part of a children’s wildlife conservation project

Technical information

  • B33F

  • Chassis – Bristol LHS6L

  • Body – Marshall

Information

Western National purchased twelve of these short Bristol LH buses in 71/2. Six of them carried the "Devon General" fleet names on poppy red livery and were based in Devon. The other six, including 1255 (125) and 1252 (122) ran in Cornwall for the "Cornish Fairways" arm of the company with their 33 seat Marshall bodies. VOD122K was yellow and red when it ran with Brutonian.


AFJ717T

History (SN Fleet No. 3525)

  • 78 – New to Western National OC 3525

  • Jan 83 – Transferred to Southern National 3525

  • Jan 90 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • Feb 90 – Returned to Southern National

Technical information

  • C49F

  • Chassis – Leyland Leopard PSU3E/4RT

  • Body – Plaxton


C877DYD

History (SN Fleet No. 318)

  • 9 Feb-1 Mar 90 and 13-17 Apr 90 – Transferred to Brutonian


Technical information

  • B16F

  • Chassis – Ford Transit

  • Body – Robin Hood Conversion of Dormobile shell





C872DYD

Ian Trotter

C872DYD in 89

Ian Trotter

C872DYD in 89

History (SN Fleet No. 310)

  • 85 – New to Southern National 310

  • 16 Feb 90 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • 2 Dec 90 – Stolen from Brutonian yard and never recovered

Technical information

  • B16F

  • Chassis – Ford Transit

  • Body – Robin Hood conversion of Dormobile shell


SFJ129R

History (SN Fleet No. 3109)

  • 15 Mar-5 Apr 90 and 19-21 Dec 90 – Transferred to Brutonian


Technical information

  • C41F

  • Chassis – Bristol LH6L

  • Body – Plaxton





C916GYD

History (SN Fleet No. 354)

  • 25-26 Mar 90 – Transferred to Brutonian


Technical information

  • B16F

  • Chassis – Ford Transit

  • Body – Robin Hood Conversion of Dormobile shell


C636GFJ

History (SN Fleet No. 442)

  • 17-21 Apr 90 and 5-8 Jun 90 – Transferred to Brutonian


Technical information

  • B16F

  • Chassis – Ford Transit

  • Body – Dormobile


A68GBN

History (SN Fleet No. SN10)

  • 30 Apr-5 May 90 – Transferred to Brutonian


Technical information

  • C49F

  • Chassis – Leyland Tiger TRCTL11/3R

  • Body – Plaxton


C635GFJ

History (SN Fleet No. 444)

  • 8-29 Jun 90 – Transferred to Brutonian


Technical information

  • B16F

  • Chassis – Ford Transit

  • Body – Dormobile





SFJ126R

Ian Trotter

SFJ126R in Brutonian yard in summer 89

Ian Trotter

SFJ126R in summer 89

History (SN Fleet No. 3106)

  • 77 – New to Western National Omnibus Company No 3106

  • Jan 83 –Transferred to Western National when WNOC split

  • Jun 88 – Transferred to Stark Harris and Doe (Country Bus)

  • Feb 90 – Acquired by Southern National

  • 14 Jun 90 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • 19 Dec 90 or Apr 91 – 3106 Returned to Southern National

  • Sep 93 – Acquired by PVS, Carlton (dealer)

Technical information

  • C41F

  • Chassis – Bristol LH6L

  • Body – Plaxton





RDV419H

Ian Trotter

RDV419H in 90

History (SN Fleet No.1468)

  • 19-23 Jun 90 – Transferred to Brutonian


Technical information

  • C53F

  • Chassis – Bristol RELH6G

  • Body – ECW





A897KCL

Ian Trotter

A897KCL outside Green Park Station and The Ritz Hotel on the last day of Brutonian Jul 91

History (SN Fleet No. SN12)

  • 12 and 25 Aug 90, 10-16 Jan 91 and 21 Jul 91 – Transferred to Brutonian

Technical information

  • C49F

  • Chassis – Leyland Tiger TRCTL11/3R

  • Body – Plaxton





C926GYD

History (SN Fleet No. 364)

  • 23-30 Aug 90 – Transferred to Brutonian


Technical information

  • B16F

  • Chassis – Ford Transit

  • Body – Robin Hood Conversion of Dormobile shell


C913GYD

History (SN Fleet No. 351)

  • 27 Sep-1 Oct 90 and 10-16 Jan 91– Transferred to Brutonian


Technical information

  • B16F

  • Chassis – Ford Transit

  • Body – Robin Hood Conversion of Dormobile shell





BDV402L

Keith Newton

BDV402L in Salisbury in autumn 90

Ian Trotter

BDV402L

Ian Trotter

BDV402L

History (SN Fleet No. 2402)

  • 73 – New to Western National Omnibus Company 2402

  • Jan 83 – Transferred to Western National Ltd

  • Oct 89 – Transferred to North Devon 2402

  • Sep 90 – Transferred to Southern National 2402

  • 27 Sep 90 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • 19 Nov 90 – Returned to Southern National

  • 7 Dec 90 – Transferred to Brutonian for a day

  • Apr 92 – Transferred to Smiths, Portland (part of Cawlett Group)

Technical information

  • C47F

  • Chassis – Bristol RELH6G

  • Body – Plaxton

Information


BDV400 and 402L ended up with Southern National in Yeovil around 91, repainted in green and cream for schools work (maybe even replacing 1468 which was allocated at the time).


C906GYD

History (SN Fleet No. 344)

  • 3-4 Oct 90 – Transferred to Brutonian


Technical information

  • B16F

  • Chassis – Ford Transit

  • Body – Robin Hood Conversion of Dormobile shell





C904GYD

Ian Trotter

C904GYD in Yeovil Bus Station in 89

History (SN Fleet No. 342)

  • 21 Nov 90 – Transferred to Brutonian


Technical information

  • B16F

  • Chassis – Ford Transit

  • Body – Robin Hood Conversion of Dormobile shell


C907GYD

History (SN Fleet No. 345)

  • 3 Dec 90-10 Jan 91 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • Apr 91 – Transferred to Brutonian

Technical information

  • B16F

  • Chassis – Ford Transit

  • Body – Robin Hood Conversion of Dormobile shell





BDV400L

Ian Trotter

BDV400L in Brutonian Yard in autumn 90

Ian Trotter

BDV400L outside the Brutonian Workshop in c91

History (SN Fleet No. 2400)

  • 73 – New to Western National Omnibus Company 2400

  • Jan 83 – Transferred to Western National Ltd


  • Oct 89 – Transferred to North Devon 2400

  • Sep 90 – Transferred to Southern National 2400

  • 4-21 Dec 90 and Mar-Apr 91 – Transferred to Brutonian

Technical information

  • C47F

  • Chassis – Bristol RELH6G

  • Body – Plaxton

Information


BDV400 and 402L ended up with Southern National in Yeovil around 91, repainted in green and cream for schools work (maybe even replacing 1468 which was allocated at the time).


C905GYD

History (SN Fleet No. 3521)

  • 29 Dec 90-3 Jan 91 – Transferred to Brutonian


Technical information

  • B16F

  • Chassis – Ford Transit

  • Body – Robin Hood Conversion of Dormobile shell


ROO849K

Ian Trotter

ROO849K in 91

Ian Trotter

ROO849K in Brutonian Yard in 91

History (SN Fleet No. 8010)

  • 72 – New to Verrall t/a Elmhurst), Loughton

  • ? – Acquired by Woods (Thornwood Common, Essex

  • Nov 83 – Acquired by Homes, Cheshunt

  • By May 86 – Acquired by Pearce, Darch and Wilcox (Comfy-Lux) another Cawlett Company

  • Jan 91 – Transferred to Southern National 8010

  • 10 Jan-Jun 91 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • Jul 93 – Acquired by PVS, Carlton (dealer)

Technical information

  • C45F

  • Chassis – Bedford YRQ

  • Body – Plaxton





C909GYD

Ian Trotter

C909GYD outside the Brutonian workshop in c89

History (SN Fleet No. 347)

  • 86 – New to Southern National No 347

  • Apr 91 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • Jul 91 –Returned to Southern National

  • Mar 98 – Transferred to West Dorset No 347

  • Jun 00 – Acquired by AS Motors, Norton Fitzwarren (dealer)

  • Mar 04 – Acquired by Hexham Morris Men, Northumberland

Technical information

  • B16F

  • Chassis – Ford Transit

  • Body – Robin Hood Conversion of Dormobile shell





A580KVU

Ian Trotter

A580KVU outside the Brutonian workshop in May 91

History (SN Fleet No. SN11)

  • Nov 83 – New to Yelloway, Rochdale

  • Dec 85 – Transferred to Southern National no SN11

  • 7-28 May 91 – Transferred to Brutonian

  • Feb 93 – Re-registered 4384 LJ

  • Aug 95 – Renumbered 11

  • May 96 – Transferred to North Devon no 11

  • Nov 96 –Ttransferred to Southern National no 11

  • Mar 00 – Acquired by Ripley, Carlton (dealer)

Technical information

  • C49F

  • Chassis – Leyland Tiger TRCTL11/3R

  • Body – Plaxton


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