HWU 86N

Hookways operated a more extensive network of local bus services prior to de-regulation of the British bus industry and the government’s new money for rural bus services. This vehicle is operating one such service and is seen while laying-over at Bideford, Pill. It is HWU86N a Bristol LH with Plaxton bodywork.

NPC453 was an unusual little Seddon in the fleet of W.J.O.Jennings. Oldham based manufacturer Seddon were much better known for their lorries in the UK, but did build many buses and coaches, although more went for export than for home sale. Jennings had a liking for the marque and many years after this little vehicle was withdrawn three Seddon Pennine’s joined the fleet with the advent of the bus grant scheme in the 1970’s.

NMU554E was a Bedford VAM14 with Duple Viceroy 41 seat bodywork. It was one of a batch which started life with famous London operator Grey Green, who were often themselves seen in the West Country on express services.

Seen parked in the Meeth depot yard is HCP251G. This was a three axle Bedford VAL fitted with Plaxton Panorama bodywork.

LYU542P only stayed in the fleet for a short time. It was a 49 seat Willowbrook 008 (Spacecar) bodied Bedford YMT that had been in the National Travel (South East) fleet. Seen here parked in the Meeth depot yard.

A popular Volvo B58 in the fleet was LTU768T. It carried Duple Dominant II bodywork and is seen here on the forecourt of the New Inn at Meeth (now the Bull and Dragon).

This Unicar bodied Bedford, DFJ324T, did quite a bit of work for the company.

Portuguese built Salvador Caetano coachwork has featured in the Hookways fleet since the 1970’s. Here two of the earlier examples in the fleet are seen side by side while on tour in Germany. They are WTA328S (right) and UJY672V (right).

YNW33X is a vehicle which started life in 1982 in the Greenslades fleet, was later sold, but returned in 1993. It is a Leyland Leopard fitted with Plaxton Supreme 51 seat bodywork. Seen here in earlier colours at the Pinhoe depot, the vehicle has since been repainted. The vehicle is usually out stationed at Crediton for use on a contract there.

DLX31Y was one of two Scania K112’s in the Hookways fleet Jonkheere Deauville P50 49 seat bodywork which had been new to Derek Randall of North Acton. This one came to the fleet in 1986 and was later re-registered 7105HP.

Demonstrating some of the conditions experienced by Hookways vehicles while on tour are Scania K112 7105HP (previously DLX31Y) and Mercedes Benz 0302 MIA814.

MTX458 was a Volvo B58 with Duple Dominant bodywork adapted to carry wheelchairs.

Demonstrating the need for vehicles with special dimensions for some of the roads across Dartmoor and Exmoor is 19 seat Caetano Viana bodied Iveco (Fiat) 79-14. This vehicle joined the fleet in 1989 having been new to London operator Berryhurst.

Pictured alongside the Cutty Sark in London is 1434HP which was an integral 49 seat Van Hool T815 Acron.

Hungarian built Ikarus Blue Danube 49 seat bodywork was fitted to F337CHE a Volvo B10M-61. This was one of two that came to the fleet in 1994 from Thames Transit. It had operated the “Oxford Tube” express service between London and Oxford here, but as can be seen from this photo, found its way to altogether far more exotic locations with Hookways !

The private plate 7346HP was at one point attached to this 49 seat Plaxton Paramount 3500 bodied Leyland Royal Tiger B50. More usually the rear engined Royal Tiger was fitted with Roe Doyen bodywork. This example entered the fleet in 1994 and worked for Greenslades. It is seen here parked at Plymouth’s Bretonside bus and coach station.

XRP763W was a Volvo B58-61 fitted with Jonkheere Bermuda 49 seat bodywork. It arrived in the fleet in 1983 when two years old and was a very popular vehicle. It is seen here while on a continental tour.

An offside shot of the same vehicle by this time registered 3315HP showing the fine lines of this type of bodywork.

This is our Exeter Depot Manager's preserved Plaxton Supreme bodied Bristol LH (AFJ739T). It was 3319 in the old Greenslades fleet when under National Bus Company ownership. The vehicle has been restored to the pre-privatisation "stripey" livery. The vehicle is one of a batch built to a width of 7ft 6in and length of 33ft specially to operate tours and excursions on Exmoor and Dartmoor.