BRISTOL REAR-ENGINED DOUBLE-DECKER BUS

Reg No: FRB 211H - new 1970
Operator: Midland General
Chassis: Bristol VRT/SL2
Engine: Gardner 6LX 10.45 litre diesel
Gearbox: Semi-automatic
Body: Eastern Coach Works 70 seats

The Bristol VR (Vertical Rear, referring to the engine location) was originally intended to have its engine positioned longitudinally on the offside, behind the rear axle. This concept would have allowed a chassis suitable for single- and double-deckers with the fullest flexibility to operators for entrance and exit positions. The introduction of a new bus grant which insisted on double-decker buses having the rear engine mounted across the rear, as on the well established Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline, killed the original concept and the production VRT (T for Transverse engine) was much more orthodox, as seen here.

The Bristol VRT, almost inevitably paired with ECW bodywork, became the standard double-decker for the National Bus Company. This VRT, early enough to have flat screens rather than the more common curved type, was one of the last delivered to Midland General before the company was required to replace its distinctive traditional blue and cream with National Bus Company corporate layout. This bus briefly carried the very rare NBC dark blue before receiving the more usual poppy red. Around the same time Midland General was absorbed into the Trent company.

It returned to its original colours to celebrate a company anniversary in 1985. It arrived at Wythall in 1990 and, after body rectification, was repainted again in its attractive original colours.

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