|
| AA Motor Services AEC Regent III |
Roe Saunders bodied OKM 317 is preserved at the
Beith
Transport Museum in AA motor Services livery. |
|
Aberdeen Corporation AEC Reliance
|
Former Aberdeen/Grampian Alexander bodied AEC
Reliance LRG 14G had travelled a long way south for its appearance
at the Showbus rally in 2006. |
|
| Aberdeen Corporation AEC Swift |
Former Aberdeen/Grampian Alexander bodied Swift
JRS 22F is preserved in Scotland. |
|
Aldershot & District AEC Reliance
|
Aldershot & District Weymann bodied Reliance
370 (XHO 370) is preserved by members of the Aldershot
& District Bus Interest Group and often appears at the
Alton Rally. |
|
Aldershot & District AEC Reliance
|
Aldershot & District 543 (MOR 543) is back
in private preservation following a spell in the operational
heritage fleet of London & Country / Guildford & West
Surrey. It is a regular at rallies and often runs as a guest
vehicle at the LCBS themed running days in the South East. |
|
Alexander (Fife) Reliance
|
The Scottish Vintage Bus Museum (SVBM) has ex
Alexander (Fife) Reliance 7424 SP in its collection atLathalmond
near Dunfermline. It is currently under restoration. More details
at http://www.busweb.co.uk/svbm/Home.htm. |
|
Alexander (Northern) Regal III
|
John Braga is restoring former Bluebird AEC Regal
III DMS 130, fleetnumber A104, to its former glory. A full history
of the restoration work is on John's web page which can be accessed
by clicking the image to the left. |
|
Alexander (Northern) Regal
|
The Scottish Vintage Bus Museum (SVBM) has ex
Alexander (Northern) AEC Regal AWG 639. It is fully restored
and used at running days. More details at http://www.busweb.co.uk/svbm/Home.htm. |
|
Alexander (Northern) and Cotters Tours AEC Reliances
|
The Beith
Transport Museum has ex Alexander (Northern) AEC Reliance/Alexander
NMS 372 and ex Cotters Tours Reliance/Plaxton WUS 248 in its
collection. |
|
AERE Harwell AEC Regent V
|
Vic Priest has sent this picture of his preserved AEC Regent
V that was used for staff transport by the the Atomic Energy
Research Establishment at Harwell. It was running at the Wroughton
rally (Thamesdown centenary) in 2004.
Sister vehicle RFO 361 (ex 241 AJB) is to enter service with
King Harry Coaches of Falmouth after several years use with
EJC of Saltash, and 240 AJB is in the heritage fleet of ACE
Travel of Aintree.
Pictures of sister vehicles in service with AERE can be found
at Steve Annell's Fotopic site, http://www.busstation.fotopic.net/c13158.html
|
|
Blackpool AEC Swift and Routemaster
|
Lancastrian Transport Trust owns former 554 (PFR
554H) restored to original all-over cream livery (pictured in
Blackpool 1st April 2001). AEC Routemaster 583 CLT (ex Blackpool
521) has been restored in Blackpool Transport red/white livery.
If anyone wants more details e-mail Paul Turner at paul@ltt.org.uk |
|
| Blackpool AEC Swift |
Ex Blackpool Swift 570 (OFR 970M) is restored
to the later green/ivory livery by Graham Oliver of Graham's
Training (Wimbledon), who also owns some preserved Routemasters. |
|
Brighton Hove & District AEC Regent
|
Brighton & Hove AEC Regent 63 is nicely restored
and was seen on static display at the 2006 Amersham running
day. |
|
Cardiff AEC Regent V
|
The Cardiff 408 Group owns East Lancs bodied Regent
V 408 (408 DBO). It was repainted by Cardiff Bus for use in
their 2002 centenary celebrations, and is in great condition.
Allan Morse sent the picture of 408 at the Barry event in June
2004. |
|
| Cardiff AEC Swift |
Cardiff Transport Preservation Group owns Alexander
bodied AEC Swift 512 (MBO 512F). The vehicle is fully restored
but the group require a new fluid fly wheel gland to be able
to return it to the road. Contact Mike Taylor - Chairman CTPG
at www.ctpg.co.uk if you
can help. |
|
Devon General AEC Regent V
|
EOD 524D is an AEC Regent V, chassis number 2D3RA
1805, Metro-Cammell Orion. The Devon General Omnibus & Touring
Company Limited purchased its first fleet of AEC Regents in
1934. In 1966, 27' long, 8' wide Regent V registration number
EOD 524D entered service, being one of five regents built for
Devon General near the end of production of the AV590 engine.
Using one of the last sets of 59-seat body frames supplied by
Weymann's of Addlestone in Surrey, the bus was constructed at
Metro-Cammell in Birmingham. In order to perform adequately
on the hilly Torquay inner circle routes for which the five
Regents were purchased, the AEC AV590 engine was specified,
developing around 150 brake horse power from its 9.6 litres.
In line with their expected 12 year life, 524 was withdrawn
in 1978 and sold to a language school for student travel. It
subsequently passed to Ironside Travel in Kent for use on the
Dungeness nuclear power station construction project.
In 1985, as the only survivor of this batch, it was purchased
by a group of enthusiasts and restored to its original 1966
condition, making its first rally appearance in 1989. In support
of Devon General Society activities, it has made numerous visits
to its original Devonshire hunting grounds and run on its former
routes.. The vehicle is privately owned by AEC enthusiasts Royston
Morgan and Denis Chick, and resides along with a superb collection
of other classic buses, at the Nottingham Transport heritage
centre at Ruddington near Nottingham, where the picture was
taken. Their support and help with maintenance of the vehicle
is very much appreciated. More information at www.devongeneral.info. |
|
Devon
General AEC Regents and Reliances
|
Devon General Society member and AEC author Phil Platt owns
the following former Devon General AECs.
DR661 (NTT 661), 1952 Weymann bodied Regent III
DR817 (VDV 817), 1957 Metro Cammell bodied Regent V
513 (CTT 513C), 1965 Willowbrook bodied Regent V, which was
the last AEC Regent in service with Devon General (co-owned
with Terry Bennett)
518 (CTT 518C), 1965 Willowbrook bodied Regent V
VDV 798, 1957 Weymann bodied Reliance
1 RDV, 1963 Harrington bodied Reliance coach, which was in
the Grey Cars subsidiary fleet
VDV 798 is currently under restoration, while the others are
active and participate at rallies.
|
|
| Devon General Reliance Coach |
Devon General (Grey Cars) Harrington bodied Reliance
4 RDV is now in the Ron Greet collection. It was previously
with Phil Platt. |
|
Devon General Reliance Coach
|
One of the members of Quantock
Motor Services heritage fleet, preserved Devon General (Grey
Cars) Reliance coach 890 ADV at Alton Leisure Centre whilst
working a town service at the 2007 Alton Rally. |
|
East
Kent AEC Reliance
|
East Kent Weymann bodied Reliance 470, KFN 220, has been
preserved for a number of years and has benefitted from a
smart repaint in this view at Showbus 2006.
|
|
East
Kent Reliance coach
|
Plaxton bodied AEC Reliance WJG 470J is preserved in pre-National
Bus Company East Kent coach livery, and was looking smart
at Showbus 2006.
|
|
East
Kent / Caroline Seagull Reliance coach
|
Private owner Robert Taylor took ownership of a former East
Kent AEC Reliance which was rebodied in 1979 while in the
ownership of Caroline Seagull of Great Yarmouth. Originally
registered DJG 631C, it was reregistered 6545 FN by Caroline
Seagull in 1992, and remained in their fleet until sold for
preservation in 2005. He is restoring it at the moment and
hopes to have it up and running in 2007.
It shouldn't be confused with the original 6545 FN, which
had its Park Royal body replaced with a Plaxton one by East
Kent, before they sold it to Caroline Seagull.
However it is also reported in Buses August 2007 edition as
having been sold for scrap by Caroline Seagull.
Robert also owns a Routemaster, RM158, which still has an
AEC 590 engine.
|
|
East
Kent AEC Swift and Bridgemaster
|
 Friends
of the East Kent (FotEK) are a group dedicated to preserving
former East Kent vehicles. Included in the collection are AEC
Swift VJG 187J and Bridgemaster YJG 807. They appear regularly
at running days in the area. YJG was pictured in 2003 and the
Swift at the Folkestone event in 2005.
AEC Regent V AFN 780B is also with FotEK, joining them in 2006.
Similar 6801 FN, also a Regent V with Park Royal H40/32F, is
now under the auspices of this group. |
|
East Kent
AEC Regent Vs
|
East Kent Regent V GJG742D returns to Folkestone
May 2007 to finalise its restoration to East Kent livery. It
joins its sister bus GJG739D, already in Folkestone and under
restoration. Both buses are owned by Jonathan and Adrian Baxter.
If you having any pictures of these two buses in service, please
email adrian.baxter7@ntlworld.com
- Additionally, if you have any information, stories, or photographs
on East Kent, please email for further details. |
|
East Kent
AEC Regent V
|
Stagecoach owned MFN 946F, which passed via Maidstone
& District and Hastings & District to South Coast Buses,
has returned to East Kent and has been repainted at Ashford
into East Kent livery. It is used for rallies and special events,
including wedding hires. |
|
East Kent
AEC Regent Vs
|
Unusual fully fronted Regent V PFN 874 is preserved by private
owner Richard Chant and appears regularly at rallies and running
days in the area.
Sister vehicle PFN 867 is also preserved and was at the Herne
Bay rally in 2007.
|
|
|
East Kent Regents and Reliances
Ayers Coaches AEC Reliance
|
Members of Dover Transport Museum have the following
AEC's:-
569 KKK AEC Reliance with Duple Britannia C41C body ex Ayers
Coaches.
WFN 513 AEC Reliance with Park Royal DP41F body ex East Kent.
GJG 751D AEC Regent V with Park Royal O40/32F ex East Kent.
GJG 757D AEC Regent V with Park Royal H40/32F ex East Kent.
|
|
|
East Kent Regents and Reliances
|
The East Kent Road Car Heritage Trust and its
members have the following ex East Kent AEC's:-
AFN 488B AEC Reliance with Duple Commander C32F body.
OFN 721F AEC Reliance with Marshall bus body. |
|
|
East Kent Reliance coach
|
Duple Dominant bodied Reliance PFN 788M was with
a private owner in County Durham but was advertised for sale
in 2006 and may have changed hands. |
|
|
Eastbourne AEC Regent
|
1951 Eastbourne Corporation AEC Regent III 42
(AHC 442) with body by Bruce of Cardiff has been preserved since
1971 with the Eastbourne Regent Preservation Group, and was
seen at the January 2008 Winchester rally. |
|
East Yorkshire "Beverley Bar" Regent
V
|
VKH 44 is in the Vintage fleet of East Yorkshire
Motor Services. It is a 1956 Regent MkV with a 56 seat Willowbrook
body built to the special "Beverley Bar" profile (tapered nearside
to cope with famous arch bridge). It was based when new at EYMS'
Driffield depot and used on the Hull to Scarborough run. It
was withdrawn in 1972. It can be seen at EYMS' Anlaby Road depot
in Hull, and featured in the EYMS 80th anniversary activities
in 2006. |
|
Economic Bus Services (Sunderland) AEC Reliance
|
Robin Hawden writes: For information, I live in
Waddingham, Lincolnshire. AEC Society membership number 1923.
Last month I was fortunate enough to purchase a 1962 AEC Reliance
mentioned in your pages, with Plaxton Highway 55 seater bus
body. Originally registered 8031 PT, she was operated by Economic
Bus Services of Whitburn, Sunderland. My Uncle drove this bus
most of its operational life with Economic. After the long drive
to Lincolnshire from Weardale, some minor servicing was carried
out before she was taken for MOT at Grimsby test centre where
she sailed through the test and was on show at the Lincolnshire
Steam & Vintage rally on the 19/20th August (2006), her first
outing for almost ten years. |
|
Flights Coaches AEC Reliance
|
GO GOODWINS OF Manchester have bought AEC Harrington
Cavalier 477 AOP ex FLIGHTS TOURS. It was pictured at the AEC
Society rally in 2005. |
|
Glasgow AEC Regent
|
Regent SGD 500 is preserved at the Glasgow Vintage
Vehicle Trust (GVVT). |
|
| Glenton Tours AEC Reliance |
Coopers Coaches of Killamarsh has bought ex Glenton
Tours Reliance coach with Plaxton centre entrance body JMC 121K
from the Glenton 121 group for continued preservation. |
|
Glenton Tours / Skyeways AEC Reliance
|
Another ex Glenton Tours Reliance coach with Plaxton
centre entrance body, TME 134M operated for many years in the
fleet of Clan Coaches/Skyeways of Kyle subsequently. It was
only recently sold and is now in preservation with a private
owner, making its first rally appearance at Showbus 2006 in
as withdrawn condition. |
|
Greenslades AEC Reliance
|
Owned by the proprietor of Brijans Tours in Hampshire,
narrow 7ft 6in wide Reliance AFJ 86B was once in the Greenslades
Devon touring fleet. It has a Harrington Cavalier body with
a Grenadier style front. It was seen at the January 2008 FoKAB
Winchester runing day. |
|
Grimsby Cleethorpes AEC Bridgemaster
|
Michael Orpen-Palmer is currently involved in
the restoration of an AEC open-top double-decker, registration
number NJV 995, one of a batch of four AEC Bridgemasters new
to Grimsby-Cleethorpes Corporation. If anyone has any information
about its history, Michael would like to hear from you. morpen-palmer@tiscali.co.uk
|
|
| Isle of Man AEC Regents |
Ex Douglas Corporation Northern Counties bodied
AEC Regent III 64 (KMN 835) and Willowbrook bodied Regent V
15 (410 LMN) are both preserved in the Isle of Man Transport
heritage fleet. 15 was built in 1968 and was the last AEC double
deck chassis built. A picture of 64 (with a bit of LMN in the
background) can be found at http://www.skylineaviation.co.uk/buses/IsleofMan.html |
|
| Isle of Man AEC Regent |
Ex Isle of Man AEC Regent V number 2 was rescued
following use by a motorcycle troop and moved to Devon by private
owners. Following restoration it will be appearing at rallies
in 2007. |
|
Ipswich Transport Museum AECs
|
Currently at the museum are the following:
AEC Monarch tower wagon - restored 1950
AEC Regent 3 – ADX 1 – Park Royal bodied The first motorbus
for Ipswich - operational
1953 AEC Regal 4 – BPV 9 – Park Royal Bodied single decker
– restoration required
1964 AEC Regent 5 - ADX 63B - Massey bodied – currently operational
1966 AEC Regent 5 - DPV 68D – Neepsend built - last rear platform
for Ipswich – unrestored
1971 AEC Swift – JRT 82K – Willowbrook – operational.
For more information and details of operating events, contact
johnr.rawling@talk21.com or visit the website http://www.ipswichtransportmuseum.co.uk
|
|
Ipswich AEC Regent
|
Ipswich AEC Regent III number 16 (CDX 516) is
preserved in an operational state and was seen at the Alton
Bus Rally in July 2007. |
|
King Alfred AEC Renown
|
One of a number of former King Alfred buses preserved
by FoKAB (Friends of King Alfred Buses), AEC Renown 595 LCG
was seen in Winchester at the 2008 annual new year day runing
day. |
|
Knotty Bus AEC Swift
|
|
|
Leeds City AEC Swift
|
Craig Temple, the proprietor of Harrogate Coach
Travel, has Leeds City Transport AEC Swift Roe AUB 170J and
is working on its restoration. A picture is on the website www.harrogatecoachtravel.com.
There is a picture of sister AUB 164J in the photo
gallery. |
|
Leicester AEC Renown
|
DBC 190C, which was restored over a six year period to 2000,
is now with the 190 Renown Trust for continued preservation.
The bus returns to Leicester for 2-3 months each summer to
provide interesting photo opportunities, and was pictured
by Russell Smith in October 2000.
|
|
Leicester AEC Renown
|
Private owner Andrew Tucker has ex Leicester City
Transport AEC Renown FJF 40D, now under restoration, and is
looking for any photos or film of this bus in service or any
other L.C.T half-cab from the 1960/70's. E-mail Aecregent@aol.com |
|
Lowestoft AEC Regent and Swift
|
The East Anglia transport museum have two AEC buses. One
of them is 1947 Lowestoft AEC Regent 21(GBJ 192) with a ECW
body, the other is a Lowestoft AEC Swift with ECW body. Both
are in working order and attend rallies. Further information
and photos can be found at the EATM web site, http://www.eatm.org.uk.
The Regent is pictured while working in service in July 2003
at the annual Worthing Seafront Rally (photo by Syd Eade).
|
|
Maidstone & District open top Regals
|
Two of the three 1946 Beadle bodied AEC Regal O662s used
as open top tour buses in Hastings are now in preservation
following careers with subsequent owners. HKL 819 was sold
by Rexquote Heritage to a private owner in Bedfordshire and
appears at running days in Kent. HKL 826, latterly with Guide
Friday, has been restored to 1958 condition (as first converted)
and is pictured in Buses September 2003 issue.
 Meanwhile
the third, HKL 836, also ex Guide Friday/City Sightseeing
is with Wests Coaches of Wood Green, who are restoring it
for return to PSV service.
|
|
Maidstone & District Reliance
|
Private owner Geoff Yarnell has YKR 224 (S0224, later 3224),
a Reliance bus, which appears regularly at rallies in the
South and the Kent County Show.
It was pictured by AECBus at the 2004 Gravesend running day.
|
|
Maidstone & District Reliance
|
Brian Catchpole keeps Harrington coach 390 DKK
(SC390, later 3360 after being rebuilt as a bus) under the auspices
of the North Kent Vehicle Preservation Group. Although retaining
its rebuilt bus appearance it has been returned to M&D coach
livery. It was featured in the Bus & Coach Preservation
October 2001 issue and is pictured here by Phil Wilson at the
last of a number of M&D centenary events in December 2002.
Another picture of it at Meopham Green during the 2004 Gravesend
running day can be seen by clicking here. |
|
Maidstone & District Reliance
|
Rob and Chris Gibbons have superbly restored Park
Royal bodied 277 DKT (SO277, later 3277) in their collection
of ex M&D vehicles, pictured here at the Hawkhurst running
day of 16th February 2008 to commemorate the closure of the
depot and bus station.
There is a picture of sister vehicle 269 DKT towards the end
of its career in service with M&D in the Photo
Gallery. |
|
Maidstone & District Reliance
|
AFE 719A is a Weymann bodied AEC Reliance originally
registered 325 NKT which was converted to open-top by Maidstone
& District in 1975 but sold soon after. It ran with a number
of operators subsequently, including London & Country and
Grayscroft of Mablethorpe, and is now preserved by its last
owner Caradon Riviera Tours. The picture shows it operating
with Grayscroft. A picture of it while with London & Country
is in the Photo Gallery. |
|
Maidstone & District Reliance
|
Maidstone & District's first Marshall bodied
Reliance BKT 821C (S6, later 3706) returned to the rally scene
in 2006 after a change of ownership, and is now a regular performer
at running days in the Kent and Sussex area. |
|
Maidstone & District Reliance Coach
|
Harrington Grenadier coach FKL 129D was being
preserved by a private owner at Mountfield in 1997 but has been
keeping out of the limelight recently. |
|
Mayne, Manchester, AEC Regent
|
Popular Southdown preservationist Chris Pearce
also has an AEC Regent V with Neepsend body, 8859 VR, that was
operated by Mayne of Manchester and preserved by them before
passing to Chris. It sometimes appeared at rallies on the south
coast alongside more traditional Southdown vehicles. |
|
Morecambe and Heysham AEC Regent
|
John Higgins at barrelsandbottles.co.uk
advises that they bought and renovated (in London Transport
style) former Morecambe & Heysham Park Royal bodied AEC
Regent III KTF 591 with 1949 Park
Royal bodywork. They know little of its history and would like
to hear from anyone who can help. john@barrelsandbottles.co.uk |
|
| Morecambe and Heysham AEC Regent |
The Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust have on
long term loan ex Morecambe and Heysham Regent III Reg. No.
MTC 540. The vehicle is presently undergoing a slow but steady
heavy rebuild. If anyone requires more details contact Steven
Machell on busman@tiscali.co.uk.
|
|
| Newcastle Corporation AEC Regent |
The North East Bus Preservation Society has AEC
Regent III 341 (NVK 341) in its collection and displays it regularly
at local rallies. For more information see see http://nebpt.co.uk/ |
|
| Northen General Routemaster |
Also in the NEBPT
collection is ex Northern General Routemaster EUP 405B. |
|
| Northen General Routemaster |
Northern General forward-entrance Routemaster
2099 (RCN 699 now registered PCN 762) is preserved by Go-ahead
Northern and is a regular participant at Northern themed rallies.
It was repurchased by Northern in 1991 after working for Stevensons
and Stagecoach Magicbus (Glasgow) in between. |
|
| City of Oxford AECs |
The Oxford Bus Museum at Long Hanborough features
a large number of AEC models derived from the City of Oxford
and other local fleets, alongside some other vehicle types.
It is open to visitors most weekends. Check out the Oxford
Bus Museum website. |
|
| Potteries AEC Reliances |
Members of the
Potteries Omnibus Preservation Society own the following
AECs Reliances:
Alexander DP bodied 169 (FEH 169J), preserved in national
bus company dual-purpose livery,
Alexander bodied 167 (DVT 167J), in need of restoration following
arson attack,
Plaxton coach 1043 (AEH 143C), complete and undergoing restoration,
hopefully to appear in 2007.
Information from Paul Pearson.
|
|
Potteries AEC Reliance
|
Weymann bodied 805 (805 EVT), formerly with the Potteries
Omnibus Preservation Society, is now in the preserved fleet
of Quantock, Taunton. It is able to operate on special event
days although not licensed as a PSV for fare-paying services.
|
|
Premier Travel AEC Reliance
|
Alexander bodied Reliance VER 262L, which operated on the
Oxford-Cambridge service with both Premier Travel and Percivals
of Oxford, is one of the AECs preserved at the Oxford
Bus Museum.
|
|
| Quantock Motor Services collection |
Stephen Morris of Quantock Motor Services has CYA 181J AEC
Swift / Plaxton Derwent for preserved in Knotty Bus livery.
Also preserved at Quantock are a former Potteries Reliance
805 EVT (see above), a former Barton lowheight Regent V, 851
FNN, and a 1948 AEC coach, FJW 322, which was rebuilt from
a pre-war AEC Regent chassis. Some other restored AECs in
the Quantock fleet are licensed to operate as public service
vehicles, and are shown in the Quantock entry on the AECs
in Service page.
|
|
Reading AEC Reliance
|
Rare ex Reading AEC Reliance/Neepsend CRD 152C is preserved
by a private owner. It was new to Reading as 52 in July 1965,
renumbered 252 in 1968 and withdrawn in August 1979. It
can be seen occasionally at rallies and the picture was taken
by Mac Head during a British Trolleybus Society tour in July
2008.
|
|
| Reading AEC Regent |
One of the oldest AECs still roadworthy is Reading 47 (RD
7127), a 1935 Regent. This vehicle is the property of the
British Trolleybus Society at Sandtoft, and more details can
be found at http://www.sandtoft.org/bts/Vehicles/Reading47.htm
|
|
| Reading AEC Regent |
Tim Wale has owned preserved ex Reading AEC Regents III MRD
146 since 2003. It appears regularly at rallies.
|
|
Reading AEC Regents
|
Reading AEC Regent IIIs MRD 147 (sister to MRD 146 above)
and 98 (LDP 945) are in preservation with a private owner.
98 was pictured at the Alton Rally in 2007.
|
|
St. Helens AEC Swift
|
Ex St. Helens Corporation AEC Swift
248 (EDJ 248J) was bought by Michael Fenech in 2008 for continued
preservation, having previously been preserved by other private
owners and spending some time at the North West Museum of Transport.
The picture shows Michael lovingly cleaning his new acquisition. |
|
St. Helens AEC Regent
|
Ex St. Helens Corporation and Merseyside
PTE AEC Regent III "RT" BDJ 67, is based at the Scottish
Vintage Bus Museum. This is one of two batches delivered to
St. Helens which were identical to the London RT. |
|
Safeguard AEC Reliance
|
Burlingham bodies AEC Reliance 200
APB, new to Safeguard of Guildford, was repurchased by them
in 2003. It had operated with Safeway of Yeovil and Rexquote
of Minehead in the interveing period. It is now restored by
the company, and can be turned out occasionally for special
events. It was photographed at the 2007 Alton rally. Pictures
of it in service with Safeguard first time round and with Rexquote
can be found in the photo gallery. |
|
Salford AEC Regent
|
Paul Williams has updated his entry: Your readers
might like to know that here at the Manchester Museum of Transport,
we have restored our 1939 AEC Regent I Salford Corporation 235.
This bus was in service only from 1940 to 1948, being converted
to a dual-control driver trainer and, incredibly, kept for this
use until 1970. It was then rescued by well-known enthusiast
and sometime general manager Roy Marshall, who had it cosmetically
restored and painted in prewar Salford red and white in the
1970s.
235 is now in the Museum's care and has been the recipient
of its first full restoration programme. Mechanical restoration
has been long and arduous: the engine is not the usual 7.7
but is the bigger (and louder) 8.8 - thanks to the LBPG at
Cobham for helping with some of the spares. The gearbox, radiator
and virtually every seat had to be repaired or replaced, along
with the staircase which was made entirely out of wood.
She made her premiere at the Salford celebration weekend
at the Manchester Museum of Transport on 11/12 October 2003.
There wasn't quite time to get an MOT before the event, but
this will follow in Spring 2004. Look out for pictures in
Bus & Coach Preservation magazine soon!
If you want to see her, she's on display at the Manchester
Museum of Transport each weekend and Wednesday. The Museum's
website has more information on how to get there, how much
it is etc on www.manchester.bus.museum.
|
|
| Scottish Reliance |
Privately owned Alexander bodied Reliance VMP
10G returned to the Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Site in 2003 after
a spell of being used in public service by WJC Coaches. |
|
South Wales Transport Regents
|
South Wales Transport AEC Regents Vs 571 (11 BWN)
and 1963 model 586 (154 FCY) were pictured by Andrew Tucker
at the Swansea Festival of Transport in 2002.
586 and 1964 model 590 (423 HCY) were rallied there by John
Clements and companions in 2005. |
|
 South
Wales Regent
|
John Clements has bought an ex-South Wales Transport
AEC Regent V D/D ...GWN 867E, a 27foot Willowbrook bodied vehicle
- new to SWT in Jan.1967 and to Pontardawe depot; where he currently
works for First Cymru. He will restore her to as new condition
when her fleet number was 639...she was maroon in colour with
no relief and with the South Wales company name in gold in the
mid-panel areas n/s and o/s. He has happy memories of sitting
in the cab of this bus as a boy, and notes it was the last Regent
in service with South Wales on route 14 on 27th February 1982.
John's picture shows it under restoration in 2007. |
|
South Wales Reliance
|
South Wales Transport AEC Reliance coach 1032
(NCY 626) was pictured at the Wroughton rally in September 2004. |
|
South Wales Transport Bridgemaster
|
Lee Hanford tell us that in January 2007, A.E.C.
Bridgemaster South Wales fleet no 1203, moved under its own
power for the first time in over 35yrs. All the mechanical work
is now nearly completed, some minor work to rear air system
to be finished. Media coverage is anticipated of its return
to the South Wales Bus museum at Upper Bank Swansea, via the
city centre [first time through city centre for over 45yrs]
in February/March 2007.
They are still looking for some interior fittings/ lights,seat
frames, Bridgemaster badge, nice grille and aluminium grille
surround, any help greatly appreciated, email or phone, 01792
310693. |
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South Wales Transport and Taff Ely double deckers
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Colin Williams advises that a number of AEC buses,
predominately half cab double deckers of South Wales Transport,
Taff Ely Buses and London Transport Routemasters are in various
stages of repair/renovation at the Swansea Transport Museum
on the Enterprise Zone, Lansamlet, Swansea. There is also a
coach first registered to South Wales Transport at the site.
Some of the buses/coaches are roadworthy and are used for fund
raising. Many other heavy and light comeercial vehicles and
cars are at the site including a 1966 Gilbern, Morris J4 Ambulance,
Bedford OB busses, etc. Well worth a visit and possible financial
assistance to the enthusiastic members for their work and dedication
in preserving these vehicles.
He would like help in obtaining a book on the 75 year history
of the South Wales Transport. The book was published in the
late 1980s/early 90s and is A4 size with a hard cover in red
with various photos on the cover. I am sorry I do not know the
exact title of the book. Any help would be much appreciated.
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| Southampton AEC Regents |
Ex Southampton AEC Regent Vs 367 (BTR 367B), 401
(KOW 909F) and 373 FCR are in the heritage collection of pb
Bus Marketing. They are fully restored following work during
2006 and 2007, and appear at rallies and shows. Pictures of
these vehicles and others in this fascinating collection can
be seen at the Fotopic website, http://garethblair.fotopic.net/ |
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Southampton AEC Regent
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Ex Southampton AEC Regent V 402 (KOW 910F), which
was Southampton's last AEC Regent and the last Neepsend body
built, is preserved by the Southampton & District Transport
Heritage Trust and was seen at the FoKAB Winchester running
day in January 2008. |
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Southampton AEC Regent
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Ex Southampton AEC Regent 393 (KOW 901F) is in
preservation and is having extensive restoration work done by
owners Charnie Holden & Ian Kimber. It is hoped she will be
ready for the 2011 rally season. We have completely removed
and rebuilt the rear end, we are now putting our efforts into
rebuilding the N/S. Any rot that is found is being removed and
replaced, all parts are being sand blasted and new panels are
being fitted.
The picture Charnie has sent shows it while under restoration
in summer 2008. |
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| Staffordshire AECs |
These former Knotty Bus & Coach AEC Reliances
are still extant with preservationist Martyn Hearson:
JPA 171K AEC Reliance 6U2R / Park Royal; LHS 248P AEC Reliance
6U2ZR / Willowbrook; UGB 14R AEC Reliance 6U2ZR / Duple Dominant
Bus; VDV 505X rebodied narrow short wheelbase Reliance; IUI
6411 (WEB 411T) Reliance/Plaxton. |
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Surrey Motors' Reliance Harrington coaches
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Ex Surrey Motors' Harrington Grenadier HLP 10C is preserved
by private owners Mike Pack and Mike Cullum, who have had
it since June 2000. It is being actively rallied in 2007,
and was at the Harrington gathering. A Surrey Motors Harrington
Cavalier is also in preservation. HLP 10C can be seen at the
AEC Society photopic site, http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/9158825CnjuPydmAS
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Valliant Reliance Harrington coach
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Paul Hattersley's ex Valliant Harrington Grenadier bodied
coach AMX 8A is now restored. It has been out to three rallies
so far in 2003, with no fuel problems. Nearly all the seats
have been recovered, hopefully will have the rear seats in,
ready for the AEC rally in Newark in Aug 2003. At the last
two rallies, Southend and North Weald, it was nice to meet
other owners of AEC Harrington's and we look forward to meeting
more, hopefully at Newark. p.hattersley@dlr.co.uk
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| Venture of Consett Reliance |
Andy Gamblin of Durham has purchased 780 HUP, ex-Venture
of Consett AEC Reliance/Park Royal B45F dating from 1960.
The vehicle is currently stored (summer 2005) awaiting longer
term restoration.
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Wallace Arnold Reliance
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Harrington bodied Reliance 8332 U was seen presented at the
2006 Showbus rally in excellent condition.
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Western Welsh Reliances
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Ex Western Welsh 1961 Reliance/Willowbrook DP WKG 284 is
owned by the Reliance Bus Preservation Group. It has been
restored to its current condition for about 12 years and regularly
attends rallies in the South Wales area along with the group's
other two vehicles, Caerphilly Leyland Tiger LTX 311, fleet
No.1 and Red & White Bristol RESL LAX 101 E. Photo provided
by Brian J. Law of the Reliance Bus Preservation Group.
Sister vehicle WKG 287, which also ran for Henleys of Abertillery
for a number of years, has had a chequered preservation career
but is expected to transfer to the Bargoed base of the Rhymney
Valley Preservation Scoiety in late 2007.
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Western Welsh Reliance Harrington coach
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ABO 145B, a 1964 Reliance 2MU3RA new to Western Welsh, is
owned by Phil Willson (the Routemaster Association webmaster)
who is keeping up the good work done by its previous owner,
Brian Catchpole, to bring it up to A1 condition. It is appearing
at rallies and running days whenever possible. It is now fitted
with a AH505 engine plus AEC 6-speed constant mesh gearbox.
The body is a 31ft 10in Harrington Grenadier currently fitted
with 36 seats, which I think was the original number (it has
had 38 and 40 at various times over the years). New to Western
Welsh in 1964, its second owner was Greenslades of Exeter
from 1971 to 1973.
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Western Welsh Renown
|
Ex Western Welsh Northern Counties bodied AEC Renown 713
(BKG 713B) has been restored by the Cwmbran Bus Preservation
Group and is appearing at rallies in the area.
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| Yelloway Reliance |
Former Yelloway Motor Services 1976 AEC Reliance Duple Dominant
Reg.-NNC 855P has been fully restored into Yelloway livery
and converted into a mobile museum. The coach features a full
history and artifacts of the Yelloway company and other associated
coach companies. All enquiries to Dave Haddock, Tel. 0161-286-1547
or Email Dave.haddock8@ntlworld.com
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| Yelloway Reliances |
The Yelloway Project has recently (Feb 2006) added Plaxton
bodied Reliance WEB 410T (ex Bowkers of Alsager) to CDK 172L
already in their care. The pair are dedicated to the memory
of the joint Yelloway-Premier 77-78 service from Lancashire
to East Anglia.
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Reliance Harrington coach
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Martin Johnson owns KHJ
999, a 1955 470 Reliance / Harrington. It is a regular attender
at rallies, including the recent King Alfred running day in
January 2008. Martin also has a part share of RT604 which appears
regularly at London Country themed running days. MJohns2770@aol.com |
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Reliance Harrington coach
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Harrington Grenadier 487 GFR passed to a new private
owner in September 2006. It is in good order and will be appearing
at rallies in 2007. |
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| Reliance Plaxton coach |
Plaxton bodied Reliance PYM 108F is preserved
in the livery of its last operator, Byeways Coaches of Huntingdon,
after being retired from active service in early 2008. |
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| Reliance Plaxton coach |
Ross Whitley reports that unusual Reliance WYP
203G, rebodied with a Plaxton Elite III body after its original
Elite I was written off in an accident, is privately preserved
by a Colchester enthusiast and gave a very smooth ride to those
who travelled to the Worthing 2001 rally on it. |
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| Reliance Plaxton coach |
Howard Berry owns GDF 650L, a Reliance 760, Panorama
Elite Express, ex Marchants of Cheltenham. It is garaged at
Emerald Coaches, Bristol, premises alongside two operational
AECs (see AECs in Service). |
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Reliance Plaxton coach
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Russ Smith, who is connected with the 190 Renown
Trust, also owns 1973 AEC Reliance FDG 468L for continued preservation.
This had previously been in the operational fleet of Quantock
Motor Services. |
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| Reliance Plaxton coach |
JIW 4045 (EBM 459T), latterly with Williams Coaches
of Bradford, was bought in 2006 by a private owner in Cambridgeshire
for preservation. |
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Reliance Plaxton coach
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ESU 912 (XER 134T), latterly with Andrews Coaches
of Foxton, was bought in 2006 for preservation by Craig Temple
(proprietor of Harrogate Coach Travel) and is to be restored
in the livery of Miller Brothers. |
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Reliance Plaxton coach
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Bradshaws Travel of Garstang are to preserve their
Reliance UGP 97R, which is now too old for service work. She
is to be stripped to bare metal, re-painted white with a blue
skirt, have Bradshaws names added and ticketed class 5mot, and
will then be rallied. |
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Reliance Plaxton coach
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Chris Parsons has bought Reliance 760 / Plaxton
SRY 759R, which was latterly in service with Eastward Travel,
and plans to rally it during 2006. (The picture shows it when
with Mike Cainey Travel in 2002; it is now overall white.) |
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Reliance Plaxton coaches
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Mark Plant has the two vehicles listed below.
They are in semi-preserved status, with class 6 MoTs and occasionally
go out on loan to local North Staffordshire operators.
OKY 89R AEC Reliance 6U3ZR Plaxton Supreme III C55F ex Gretton,
Peterborough new to National Express 1977
XRW 506S AEC Reliance 6U3ZR Plaxton Supreme III C53F ex Gretton,
Peterborough new to Smiths of Tysoe 1978 |
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| Reliance Plaxton coach |
Tony Ball of Garstang near Preston, Lancashire,
has AEC Reliance Plaxton Supreme reg no. FRN 86S in preservation.
It was new to Aspdens of Blackburn in Feb 1978 as their European
Executive, fitted with reclining seats, tables, a toilet and
servery. It was used by them on regular trips to Salou in Spain
for four years, never breaking down once! |
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| Reliance Duple coach |
Falmouth Coaches have TJD 464, a Duple bodied
Reliance, for preservation. It has a class V MOT. |
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| Reliance Duple coach |
UWO 240S, a 1978 Reliance 6U3ZR/Duple Dominant
Express II new to Henley, Abertillery and latterly operated
by Beths Grammer School, Bexley, Kent, passed to Mike Cullum
for preservation and is kept with former Surrey Motors Rel;ioance
HLP 10C. It has a class V MOT and tax, but some bodywork attention
was required in 2007. |
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| Barnaby bodied Regal III |
Andrew Bowman of Bowmans Coaches has purchased
JVY 516 Barnaby bodied Regal III from Cumbria Classic Coaches,
Stefan Torres (Minster Omnibus Collection) ex York Pullman to
put back into service. It should be class VI tested by end of
Jan 2003, and should be at the Newark rally in August and some
local rallies. |
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Reliance/Roe Dalesman and Reliance/Plaxton Embassy
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  RSL
383 a Reliance/Roe Dalesman MkIII (new in 1958 to Essex County
Coaches as MJD 759) and Reliance/Plaxton Embassy SHL 917 (new
in 1960) are owned by private owner George Atkin, who supplied
the picture of the two together at the AEC Society rally in
2007. They are painted in a blue and cream livery similar to
that of local indepedent A.E. Brown of Caistor, Lincolnshire,
with whom Mr Atkin's father was associated. Both are being rallied
regularly and winning awards. |
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| Reliances and Regal |
Andrew Dolan of County Durham has Reliance/Plaxton
TPT 6R ex Bond Bros. Ex Tillings rare ECW bodied AEC Regal LYM
729 is undergoing restoration.
Also stored on the site are TUG 20 a 1954 Reliance/Roe Dalesman
MkII demonstrator, 129 DPT a 1959 Reliance/Plaxton new to Howe
of Spennymoor (both could be for sale shortly), and YPT 798
a Reliance/Roe Dalesman MkIII ex Economic, Whitburn. |
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| Reliance Coach RDB846 |
RDB846, last used by Rexquote (now Quantock Motor
Services) in Somerset, has been bought for preservation by Tony
Widdows of Gloucestershire and will be attending rallies. |
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| Vic Berry Reliance Plaxton Coach |
Plaxton bodied PYA 646P, new to Vic Berry Coaches
of Taunton in 1976 and owned by them until 2006, passed to a
private preservationist in Leiceister in 2007. |
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| Harris Coaches Reliance Plaxton Coach |
Harris Coaches of Bromsgrove have Plaxton bodied
RUY 999L in preservation, after being withdrawn from operational
use by the company. |
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| Reliance Duple Coach |
Duple bodied Reliance OTG 41R is preserved by
the proprietor of Mid Devon Coaches, in which fleet it latetrly
ran. |
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Reliance/Willowbrook bus
|
This little Willowbrook bodied Reliance, new to
a South Wales independent, was displayed at Showbus 2006 by
new owners Holmes of Woodbridge. It was in the livery of previous
owner Emarald Travel of Bristol. |
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Reliance/Harrington
|
Harrington bodied AEC Reliance WWN 191 entered
preservation in 2007 having latterly operated with South Lancs
of Atherton. |
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