The Southern National Omnibus Co Ltd, always closely associated with the neighbouring Western National, was formed in 1929 by the National Omnibus & Transport Co and by the Southern Railway (the GWR was involved with Western National).
The company was to dominate the provision of bus services through much of rural east Devon and Dorset, providing close links with the many Southern Railway lines in the area. In 1931 the National business passed to the Tilling Group and, in 1935, Southern National was further expanded by the acquisition of the well-known Bournemouth-based operator Royal Blue, which was co-owned by Hants & Dorset.
As with other Tilling Group companies, Southern National passed to the British Transport Commission in the 1940s and thus to the National Bus Company in the 1960s. In common with other Tilling Group operators, the Southern National fleet was dominated by the products of Bristol/ECW but the fleet also saw a large number of non-standard types, including a number of vehicles produced by Bedford.
By Colin Morris
Hardback Book. 280 x 215mm. 96 pages
About 150 colour & mono photos
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