THE SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS MUSEUM – WG 8107
DETAILS
Chassis: Leyland Tiger TS8, built 1939, No. 300327
Body: Towing Vehicle, based on Alexander single-deck coach,
originally 35 seats, built 1939
Engine: Leyland 181 6 cyl diesel, 7.4 litres
First Licensed: 01/06/1939
(Click photos for
larger image)
Workshop, September 2011 (J Crichton)
BACKGROUND HISTORY
The Leyland Tiger TS single-deck
range was first introduced in 1927 and quickly built up a reputation for
robustness and reliability. During the thirties the model was progressively
modified and updated and sold in large numbers both at home and overseas, being
supplied with a wide range of single-deck or coach bodywork. The TS8 variant
was in production at the outbreak of war and this most usually was fitted with
the Leyland 8.6 litre diesel engine although a petrol version was available and
was supplied to some operators for coaching work. A number of TS8s have
survived into preservation.
HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE
This vehicle was one of fifty
Leyland TS8s supplied to W Alexander & Sons Ltd of Falkirk in the spring of
1939, all fitted with Alexander 35 seat coach bodies (P522-71, WG 8101 – 50).
These saw service throughout the Alexander Empire. WG 8107 (as P528) was based
for much of its life at Arbroath. Most of the batch survived in service for 20
years or more and WGS 107 was withdrawn in April 1959 and converted to towing
vehicle no. 205 stationed at Peterhead. It passed to Alexanders (Northern) in
1961 and at some time in tine early seventies was fitted with a 7A litre El 8 I
engine and gearbox from a withdrawn Leyland PS1. It was no: finally withdrawn
from towing duties until November 9E by which time it was the oldest vehicle
still in service with a Scottish Bus Group Company.
Whitburn (Stuart MacRae)
RESTORATION DETAILS
205 has required little work since
purchase for preservation apart from a repaint from Northern yellow into its
original crimson livery carried by all Alexander service vehicles. Only the cab
structure, bulkhead and two bays of the original coach body survived. The
vehicle has been rallied extensively and has been a class winner at the annual
Trans-Pennine Run for commercial vehicles on several occasions.