THE SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS MUSEUM – KCH 112 (reregistered ABV33A)

THE SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS MUSEUM – ABV33A (KCH 112)

DETAILS

Chassis: Leyland Titan PD2/12, built 1956, 562584.

Body: Double-deck, Highbridge. Metropolitan Cammell Works (Birmingham) built 1957. Orion body. (H32/26RD)

Engine: Leyland O.600 (9.8litres)

First Licensed: 01/02/1957

Right: Lathalmond April 2008 (Jim Crichton)

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BACKGROUND HISTORY

The PD2 was the postwar design (PD) version 2 of the Leyland Titan chassis first introduced in 1927. The PD2 was launched by Leyland in 1947.

HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE

This vehicle was originally supplied in 1957 to Trent Motor Traction as KCH 112 and allocated to the Shipley depot in Derbyshire from new and was based there for most of its working life. In 1972 it was reallocated to Nottingham,then Hucknall for a short time with its final days in Belper and Derby. Withdrawn in 1977.

Left: Approximately 1972 (Graeme Ellery Collection)

In June 1977 it was sold to a dealer before being sold on to North East Lancashire County Council who utilised it as a playbus.

Right: Approximately 1977 (Graeme Ellery Collection)

It appears to have been based for a time in Bristol with a community group before going into the ownership of the London Bus Export Company(Gwent) who operated it as “Mr. Bus”.

The vehicle remained as a playbus until being sent to the scrapyard in August 2006.

Left: Approximately 2006 (Graeme Ellery Collection)

RESTORATION DETAILS

At an early stage. The playbus interior has been removed and paint stripping of body panels has commenced. A set of seats have been obtained from (ironically) a 1979 Leyland Atlantean originally with Glasgow which was being converted into a playbus. The intention is to restore the bus in the mid-green and cream livery of garelochhead coach services who operated 2 buses from the same batch (bought from Trent in 1968)

May 2008

Work on stripping the paint on roof of upper deck internally. Time consuming job as stripper drops off reducing contact time - well worth wearing a hat. 6 coats of paint don't help. General prep ahead of planned chassis sand blast and silvering. More parts acquired from various sources.

On schedule for 2011!!!

November 2009

All downstairs windows and pans removed. All side panels removed from both sides up to upper window line. Bus being emptied of all parts which were being stored internally to allow it to be ready for its slot at grit blasters - hopefully by year end. Further internal fittings removed / dismantled.
Various spares obtained mainly from ebay.

All information by Graham Ellery