Eastern National route 251 by Bristol Lodekka FLF6G HH 2849 (NTW 942C) - ride, part 3

Superbly well driven, a most enjoyable ride from Walthamstow to Brentwood aboard this bus was enjoyed by all.
Typical Gardner 6LW engine and gearbox notes, everything as it should be.
Grateful thanks to the driver for a superb ride and well done.

[@robertbridgen2950]

Worked out of Brentwood in the 80's . Great days lots of fun.

[@wb850]

As a old Brentwood garage crew driver, I remember driving this - The 251 route, we would start from Brentwood high street go up to Wood Green EN bus garage- Where the On the Buses TV series was filmed- (later for a short while to Oxford Street then cut back to Walthamstow), have break then drive back to Brentwood or through to Southend bus terminal, then return to Brentwood and hand over to next crew. ( sometimes in reverse- Southend first). In both Stick (crash box, double clutch method, but you soon learnt to change gear without using clutch) and semi automatics. The other route we did was the 151 route to Canvey Island waiting our return time in cafe at Leigh Beck just passed the Canvey EN garage (Now PG garage) If I remember correctly the full route at that time was Romford to Canvey. No power steering in all weather bliss, but wonderful memories. Thank you for sharing, wish I could have been with you.

[@johng.lidstone2236]

Thank you for your comments. Yes I found crash boxes didn’t need any use of the clutch apart from pulling away on both KSWs and FLFs. I’m glad you enjoyed this: I film and share things so others can enjoy them.

[@wb850]

@@johng.lidstone2236 I'd dearly love to be on the next ride on. Just to reminisce and listen to the "tunes" with my eyes shut...Bliss

[@pugwashsecond]

Memories of coming home on leave from my work at sea and travelling on the Lodekka's from Chelmsford Bus Station to Maldon Bus Station via Danbury......

[@wb850]

If my memory serves me correctly, Maldon Bus garage is now apartments and the Eastern National travel shop next door is now a cafe. I vaguely remember driving in/out of garage I think they were short of drivers so we did some overtime there with a conductor to direct the route, we would have used a "OMO" One Man Operated bus like a VR or RE that way it was easy for the conductor to direct the driver.

[@cravensdmufan4449]

Great video Brought back happy memories of riding on these FLFs Romford - Brentwood (Eastern National 151/251/and351) in the late 1960s - early 1970s. Also route 252 Brentwood - Hanging Hill Lane - Shenfield was my local service. Loved these buses. How I'd have loved to be on that ride. Thanks for posting. Do you have a link for where to get more information for future runs please? Cheers.