(21 Jun 2015, 3:26 pm)R852 PRG wrote The time was creeping up to 10:10; I happened to look down to the bottom of the rally site, to see Adrian, and his friend Geoff, who waved at me. I walked down to them, and floated around with them for a few minutes, taking photos. Adrian had been trying to hunt down two of the Park & Ride Solos yesterday; which had been given liveries, only to find one. Luckily for him, both of these vehicles were in attendance at the rally today. Continuing to walk around the rally site; we stumbled across 33101, a recently preserved Stagecoach ALX200. Geoff asked what the significance of it was, which we explained it was the first low-floor vehicle that Stagecoach bought, for Sunderland. After taking some photos of this, at an odd angle; as the buses were being parked around the perimeter of the main parking area (which I'll admit was my only gripe with the event today; there appeared to be a slight lack of organisation on the way vehicles were being parked). The time reached 10:35, when Adrian asked me if I'd ever been inside an Atlantean before. We checked 111, 290 and the other Atlantean, but the doors weren't open, so we headed back up to where the Nationals were parked. 4708 was being moved forward, and 4710's engine was running too. I think they were spacing them out, or something. We watched, and 4710 then moved out and onto the slip road (that's what I would call it anyway!), Craig was at the wheel, and hit the horn. I assumed this was a signal for me to board, as he'd promised me a ride out on 4710, so I got Adrian and Geoff, before we boarded. I think Alan was sat at the front with Craig's daughters. We did a circular around the Park & Ride site, before picking up about a dozen others at the actual pick-up point for the Park & Ride buses. Lee and Bazza also joined us, at the back. Craig made an announcement before sitting down and letting Ian drive us back to Durham.

After this trip on 4710, I now understand what some of the older members say regarding Nationals. In my opinion, for a bus to work, it needs two things; to be powerful, but smooth. Some buses have got loads of power, but rattle like a box of nails. Some are exceptionally smooth to ride, but lack power. Then, some have neither of those qualities, what I would call ''flat'' (no power) or a ''shed'' (rattles a lot). However, the National had loads of power in it's engine, but despite being 34 years of age, I couldn't feel any rattling. I don't know if Adrian, Geoff, Lee, etc. felt differently, but it was an extremely smooth vehicle to ride. Now, it's amongst my favourite vehicles; the B10BLEs, the Olympians, and the Volvo B9TLs. The engine noise was spectacular, and I almost must comment on how nice the seating looked. Wouldn't mind seeing a Renown with that sort of bench seating, just to see what it would be like. I'm really looking forward to making trips on 4710 in the future. 

I've never had the pleasure of meeting Geoff before but I hear he's a pretty decent bloke. From what I hear, I think he would agree with your assessment of 4710. The Nationals were machines, built to last a lifetime, and I'm sure I would have agreed with you both if I was present in your company today.

From what I remember Nationals used to rattle like hell though. I think 4710 might be an exception to the rule - no doubt down to the effort the NNRG put into the preservation and overall maintenance of the vehicle.