The Southern National Omnibus Co Ltd, always closely associated with the neighbouring Western National, was formed in 1919 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 Wilts & 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.
Following on from his hugely successful contributions to the Glory Days series, which have included well-received volumes on Royal Blue and Devon General, Colin Morris now turns his attention to Southern National. Covering the history of the operator from its origins in the period immediately after the end of World War 2, the author examines how the operators fleet and services evolved over more than 50 years through to the increasing dominance of the National Bus Companys corporate image in the early 1970s. Drawing upon some 150 images, both in colour and black & white, the book provides the reader with an excellent pictorial history of Southern National.
Since his first contributions to Ian Allan Publishings Glory Days series, Colin Morris has proved himself to be a pertinent and well-regarded commentator on the history of bus operators. This latest contribution to the list, the first of a new series, in a new and enlarged format with additional photographs, will be of considerable interest to the countless enthusiasts with an interest in Southern National, local residents who remember the operator with affection and all transport historians.
Author: Colin Morris
Title: SOUTHERN NATIONAL OMNIBUS COMPANY (Ian Allan)
Format: HB 96 pages
Publisher: Ian Allan Ltd
Pub date: Sept 2007
ISBN 13: 9780711031739
List Price: £16.99
