#TBT SMU726N

The subject of this week's Throw Back Thursday is a Daimler Fleetline double decker in a Norfolk independent fleet

The bus is a Daimler CR6 bearing the registration SMU726N and was new to London Transport in October 1974 as their DM1726 entering service at Potters Bar. After receiving a repaint in early 1979 it transferred into store at Ensignbus in  September 1982 before being acquired by them a month later for use in service

In January the following year, SMU was purchased by JC Travel (Smith) of Norwich where it operated under the Norfolk Bluebird name. The photo above shows the Fleetline laying over at Main Cross Road in Great Yarmouth after operating an outing from the city during August 1983

SMU726N lasted with the Norfolk operator until June 1985 when it was sold to Lonsdale Coaches of Morecambe. It stayed there only three months before spending the rest of its time in the south west of England initially with Garrett of Newton Abbott

After another five owners over the following ten years it ended up with Newell's Travel of  Falmouth where it was finally withdrawn in October 1996

I am very grateful for the Iain's Bus Stop website from where the history of SMU726N was obtained

Roy