Bristol VRT Double Deck Buses

Model Bus Zone Fotopic Gallery

7th October 2005

The EFE VRT can be produced as either a mark II or mark III version this is achieved by using different castings for the front grille and engine compartment.
The closed top versions were the first to appear with the mark II making it's debut in December 1995 followed in March 1996 by the mark III.
The Open top versions both share the same top deck casting with the first issue of mark III coming in April 1997 followed by the mark II in July 1998.

185xx Bristol VRT Series 2 Open Top Double Deck Bus
186xx Bristol VRT Series 3 Open Top Double Deck Bus
203xx Bristol VRT Series 2 Double Deck Bus
204xx Bristol VRT Series 3 Double Deck Bus

The Bristol Commercial Vehicle Company developed the VR rear engine design in the mid 1960's. The first VR's were however somewhat trouble some, the in-line vertical engine proving a major problem. Thankfully these VRL's were soon replaced by a more reliable transverse engine version which was classified the VRT.
The VRT was produced in three versions, the mark I that had a flat windscreen, the mark II that featured a curved windscreen, and the most popular mark III version that featured a redesigned radiator grille and rear engine cover.

Bristol VRT's were the standardized double deck type for most operators within the National Bus Company, however examples of the type also found favour with several municipal operators.
Almost all the VRT's were bodied by Eastern Coach Works, although some operators specified small batches with body designs by other builders.

Convertible open top versions of the ECW bodied VRT were popular with several National Bus Company operators who operated coastal services. Southdown had several batches of such vehicles that operated seasonal open top services during the summer period, and then had the roofs re-fitted during the winter months allowing operation of normal services.

20436 - Yorkshire Rider (Bradford) 1150x810 2005-10-07 00:00:00	20437 - Damory Coaches (Wilts & Dorset) 1200x694 2005-10-07 00:00:00	20438 Southdown (N.B.C.) Coastliner route 700 branding) 1199x750 2005-10-07 00:00:00	20439 - Yorkshire Rider Leeds 1200x770 2005-10-07 00:00:00
20440 - Crosville N.B.C. 1200x790 2005-10-07 00:00:00	20441 - East Kent N.B.C. 1200x751 2005-10-07 00:00:00	20444 - Mansfield & District / East Midland Motor Services, Bristol VRT Series III 1200x736 2007-12-27 00:00:00	20445 - Devon General, Bristol VRT Series III 1200x717 2005-10-07 00:00:00
20446 - Southdown, Bristol VRT Series 3 1200x769 2007-12-27 00:00:00	20447 - Westernn National Bristol VRT, EFE Susbcribers Model 1200x732 2007-12-27 00:00:00	99646 (20434) - First Devon & Cornwell (GWR Livery) 1195x858 2005-10-07 00:00:00