The Southern Vectis Unofficial Bus Enthusiasts' Website
Bristol VRT/ECW (1973)
 
Technical & History Briefing
Chassis: Bristol VRT/SL6G Body: ECW Series 2
Registration
Mark		 Fleet
No.		 Type Chassis
Number		 Body
Number		 Date
New		 Date
Withdrawn
Other Owners
NDL634M
Scrapped		 [634] H39/31F VRT/SL2/593 20576 10/1973 05/1987
05/1987: Solent Blue Line [34] - withdrawn 04/1989
09/1989: Goodwin, Carlton (dealer) & scrapped
NDL635M
Scrapped		 [635] H39/31F VRT/SL2/596 20577 10/1973 05/1987
05/1987: Solent Blue Line [35] - withdrawn 04/1989
09/1989: Goodwin, Carlton (dealer) & scrapped
NDL636M
Scrapped		 [636] H39/31F VRT/SL2/597 20578 10/1973 05/1987
05/1987: Solent Blue Line [36] - withdrawn 06/1990
02/1991: Solent Blue Line Preservation Group (for preservation, but scrapped)
NDL637M
Preserved		 [637] H39/31F VRT/SL2/598 20579 10/1973 05/1987
05/1987: Solent Blue Line [37] - withdrawn 04/1989
05/1989: Taylor's, Sutton Scotney
08/1995: Steele t/a Home James, Southampton
02/1996: Crowther t/a Classic Coaches, Booker - withdrawn 07/1999
02/2000: R. Newman, Ryde (for preservation)
NDL638M
Scrapped		 [638] H39/31F VRT/SL2/599 20580 10/1973 09/1987
09/1987: Solent Blue Line [38] - withdrawn 11/1989
03/1990: PVS, Carlton (dealer) & scrapped
NDL639M
Scrapped		 [639] H39/31F VRT/SL2/600 20581 10/1973 08/1987
08/1987: Solent Blue Line [39] - withdrawn 06/1989
09/1989: Goodwin, Carlton (dealer) & scrapped
NDL640M
Scrapped		 [640] H39/31F VRT/SL2/601 20582 11/1973 12/1988
12/1988: Solent Blue Line [40] - withdrawn 05/1989
08/1989: Goodwin, Carlton (dealer) & scrapped
NDL641M
Scrapped		 [641] H39/31F VRT/SL2/602 20583 10/1973 01/1989
01/1989: Solent Blue Line [41] - withdrawn 11/1989
04/1990: Seaview Services, Sandown, IW
09/1992: Priory Coaches, Gosport
NDL642M
Scrapped		 [642] H39/31F VRT/SL2/603 20584 10/1973 04/1990
04/1990: Seaview Services, Sandown, IW
 
Detailed History
Nine series 2 Bristol VRT/SL6G's with ECW bodywork and Gardner 10.45 litre six-cylinder diesel engines were bought new by Southern Vectis in 1973 and entered service in National Bus Company Leaf Green & White livery. This batch differed from the previous batch delivered in 1972 in that they were fitted with grey window rubber surrounds instead of cream. NDL634M [634] featured a split-level entrance step, the rear half being slightly lower to allow easier boarding for the elderly (this was fitted from new and not following the accident in February 1974).

In February 1974 NDL634M [634] overturned at Compton Bay during Gale-Force Winds and was returned to Eastern Coach Works for rebuilding - in April 1974 it was returned rebuilt.

Between 1977 and 1981 NDL634M [634] / NDL635M [635] / NDL636M [636] / NDL637M [637] / NDL638M [638] / NDL639M [639] / NDL640M [640] & NDL642M [642] had the rear destination blind screens removed and panelled over, that of NDL641M [641] being removed during 1982.

Between 4 January 1983 and 4 February 1983 NDL640M [640] went on loan to City of Oxford.

They were fitted with power steering:
During the winter of 1983/1984: NDL638M [638] / NDL639M [639] & NDL642M [642]
Around July 1984: NDL640M [640]
In August 1984: NDL637M [637]
In October 1984: NDL636M [636]
In December 1984: NDL635M [635] & NDL641M [641]
In January 1985: NDL634M [634]

In April 1987 NDL634M [634] was repainted into Solent Blue Line livery by Alder Valley Engineering.

In April 1987 NDL636M [636] was repainted into standard Solent Blue Line livery at Hampshire Body & Paint, Barton Park, Southampton.

Between 8 May 1987 and by 21 May 1987 NDL634M [634] & NDL636M [636] returned to the Isle of Wight (after repaint) and was used on a Special Olympics event charter (between 8 May & 15 May, re-entering service until 21 May).

All but one of them were withdrawn from service in:
May 1987: NDL634M [634] / NDL635M [635] / NDL636M [636] & NDL637M [637]
August 1987: NDL639M [639]
September 1987: NDL638M [638]
December 1988: NDL640M [640]
January 1989: NDL641M [641]

Between October 1989 and December 1989 NDL642M [642] went on loan to Solent Blue Line as their number [42] returning to the island during February 1990.

In April 1990 NDL642M [642] was withdrawn from service, still in NBC Leaf Green & White livery.

Subsequent History

NDL634M [634]:

  • In May 1987 it was transferred to Solent Blue Line operating as their number [34].
    In April 1989 it was withdrawn.
  • In May 1989 it was to pass to Taylor's of Sutton Scotney but the purchase was aborted and they purchased NDL637M instead.
  • In September 1989 it was sold to Goodwin of Carlton (dealer) for scrap. It may have subsequently passed to Wigley of Carlton (dealer), again for scrap.

NDL635M [635]:

  • In May 1987 (after repaint into the first Solent Blue Line livery version at Hampshire Body & Paint, Barton Park, Southampton) it was transferred to Solent Blue Line operating as their number [35].
    By January 1989 it had been named "Barnardos".
    In May 1989 it was withdrawn.
  • In September 1989 it was sold to Goodwin of Carlton (dealer) for scrap. It may have subsequently passed to Wigley of Carlton (dealer), again for scrap.

NDL636M [636]:

  • In May 1987 it was transferred to Solent Blue Line operating as their number [36].
    By December 1988 it had been named "Venture Search & Rescue".
    In June 1990 it was withdrawn.
  • In February 1991 it was sold to Solent Blue Line Preservation Group.
    It was subsequently scrapped.

NDL637M [637]:

  • In May 1987 (after repaint into the first Solent Blue Line livery version at Hampshire Body & Paint, Barton Park, Southampton) it was transferred to Solent Blue Line operating as their number [37].
    In April 1989 it was withdrawn.
  • In May 1989 it was sold to Taylor's of Sutton Scotney (in place of NDL634M). It was painted into a Dark Green/Ornage/Cream livery and operated on schools contracts.
  • In August 1995 it passed to Steele t/a Home James of Southampton.
  • In February 1996 it was sold to Crowther t/a Classic Coaches of Booker. It normally operated on schools contracts and was withdrawn in July 1999.
  • In February 2000 it passed to R. Newman of Ryde for preservation. By May 2001 it had been repainted into Solent Blue Line livery.

NDL638M [638]:

  • In September 1987 it was transferred to Solent Blue Line (having been repainted into Solent Blue Line livery) operating as their number [38].
    By December 1988 it had been named "Royal South Hants Hospital".
    In November 1989 it was withdrawn.
  • In March 1990 it was sold to PVS of of Carlton (dealer). It was subsequently scrapped.

NDL639M [639]:

  • In August 1987 it was transferred to Solent Blue Line operating as their number [39].
    In September 1987 it was repainted into Solent Blue Line livery and named "Puddle Jumper".
    By January 1989 it had received a rear-end advertisement for "Simon's Wine Bar and Bistro".
    In June 1989 it was withdrawn.
  • In September 1989 it was sold to Goodwin of Carlton (dealer) for scrap. It may have subsequently passed to Wigley of Carlton (dealer), again for scrap.

NDL640M [640]:

  • In December 1988 it was transferred to Solent Blue Line operating (still in NBC Leaf Green & White livery) as their number [40].
    In May 1989 it was withdrawn.
  • In August 1989 it was sold to Goodwin of Carlton (dealer) for scrap. It may have subsequently passed to Wigley of Carlton (dealer), again for scrap.

NDL641M [641]:

  • In January 1989 it was transferred to Solent Blue Line operating (still in NBC Leaf Green & White livery) as their number [41].
    In November 1989 it was withdrawn.
  • In February 1990 it returned to Southern Vectis to be prepared for disposal.
  • In April 1990 it was sold to Seaview Services of Sandown operating in their Red Lynx livery.
  • In September 1992 it was sold to Priory Coaches of Gosport.
    It was subsequently scrapped.

NDL642M [642]:

  • In April 1990 it was sold to Seaview Services of Sandown.
    It was subsequently scrapped.
 
Photo Selection
When quite new NDL634M [634] overturned during a Gale Force 9 wind on the Military Road near Compton Bay whilst returning to Newport on service 28. This nearside-rear view shows the extensive damage that was caused to the nearside of the bus. After rebuild at ECW, Lowestoft, it returned to service two months later. In NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Compton Bay during February 1974.
[photo from the Mike Ginger collection]
 
A front view of NDL634M [634] in the company of XDL379L [632] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Ryde Depot on 25 July 1983.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs
 
An offside-front view of NDL635M [635] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery with early NBC Symbol at Ventnor Bus Station during June 1975.
[photo copyright of Malcolm Audsley]
 
An offside-front view of NDL635M [635] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery with later NBC Symbol at Newport Bus Station on 14 August 1985.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs
 
To the left of the picture is an offside-front view of NDL636M [636] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery with early NBC Symbol at Newport Bus Station during July 1976. To the right of the picture is the Royal Mail PostBus GAP158N.
[photo copyright of Malcolm Audsley]
 
A front-profile view of NDL636M [636] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Newport Bus Station on 27 July 1983.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs
 
With Solent Blue Line as their [36] an offside-front view of NDL636M in the original Solent Blue Line livery at Shirley Road, Southampton, on 20 June 1987.
[photo copyright of Peter J. Relf]

Colour prints may be available to buy - please e-mail Peter J. Relf for details
 
A nearside-front view of NDL637M at Barton Park Yard, Eastleigh, after repaint into the livery of Taylors of Sutton Scotney prior to delivery in May 1989.
[photo copyright of Malcolm Audsley]
 
Now owned by Richard Newman of Ryde a nearside-front view of NDL637M preserved in Solent Blue Line livery at the Isle of Wight Bus Museum Open Day on 14 October 2001.
[photo copyright of Mike Ginger]
 
A front-profile view of NDL638M [638] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Newport Bus Station on 29 July 1983.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs
 
An offside-front view of NDL639M [639] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Newport Bus Station on 29 July 1983. A distinctive feature, from around 1977/1978, was the black (not grey) gasket fitted to the offside front upper deck window of NDL639M.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs
 
An offside-front view of NDL640M [640] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Newport Bus Station on 14 August 1985.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs
 
An offside-front view of NDL641M [641] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery near Sandown Airport on 29 July 1982.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs
 
An offside-rear view of NDL641M [641] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Ryde Bus Station on 28 July 1982. At this time it still retained the rear destination blind screens which were removed later in 1982 and panelled over.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs
 
A nearside-front view of a rather scruffy NDL641M in NBC Leaf Green & White livery, with deregulation style fleetname Symbol, in Southampton operating for Solent Blue Line as their number [41] during 1989.
[photo copyright of John Upton]
 
An offside-front view of NDL641M as Solent Blue Line [41] still in NBC Leaf Green & White livery in Southampton during 1989.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs
 
A nearside-front view of NDL641M with Seaview Services. In Redlynx livery at their Seafield Garage, Sandown, during 1990 or 1991.
[photo copyright of Gavin Rowney]
 
An offside-front view of NDL641M with Priory Coaches of Gosport. In Priory Coaches livery at the Southsea Bus Rally during June 1993.
[photo copyright of Malcolm Audsley]
 
A nearside-front view of NDL642M [642] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery with deregulation symbol at Newport Bus Station during the summer of 1987. With the deregulation (or privatisation) of Southern Vectis on 26 October 1986 most buses retained their NBC Leaf Green & White livery, but were stripped of their 'Double N' (NBC) symbols which were replaced with a logo of the Isle of Wight surrounded by four arrows.
[photo copyright of Mike Ginger]
 
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