Purchased by Trent Motor Traction (NBC) in 1978, 494 was part of a batch of twent such vehicles which in turn formed a fleet in excess of 120 Leyland Nationals in service with the company at that time. Delivered with a 44 seat/dual door layout, 494 like many of the Trent fleet was constantly upgraded by the various 'mods' made by both Leyland and the company itself including during the early '80's the removal of the centre exit doors thus increasing the seating capacity to 50. 

Although purchased initially for preservation, 494 was deemed to be beyond repair and as such the vehicle became a donner of parts for 415, 543 and latterly 724.

After much consideration 494 was finally scrapped in September 2010.