THE SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS MUSEUM –
BCS 256C
DETAILS
Body: Double-deck,
Northern Counties H39/30F
Engine:
First Licensed:
Lathalmond, June 2010 (Andrew Reid)
BACKGROUND HISTORY
(Photo: Andrew Reid, Lathalmond
June 2010)
BCS 256C, was delivered to Western
SMT in 1965 as N1923, one of a batch of five Albion Lowlander LR7 chassis,
fitted with Northern Counties H39/30F bodies, which were the last half-cab
double-deckers acquired new by Western. It is believed to have
operated initially from Kilmarnock depot, then later, Inchinnan.
In 1971, in common with many other Lowlanders, it was
transferred to Highland Omnibuses, duly becoming AL 41 in that fleet. In its second life, it operated from Thurso and Inverness depots until withdrawal in late 1981.
It was purchased directly from Highland by a private buyer from Surrey, Ian Hallums, who drove it along with two friends, to the
Historic Commercial Vehicle Society’s premises at Staplehurst,
Kent in January 1982.
Their amazing 620 mile trip, in one of the coldest winters
ever recorded, was described in an article “A Highland Lowlander comes South”, published in Buses Magazine in May 1983. Al 41 remained garaged in Kent for the next
27 years, although it was a regular attendee at rallies, mainly in the South.
(Photo: Jim Crichton, Lathalmond June 2010)
In April 2009, Ian Hallums decided
to sell the bus whereby it was purchased by the current owner, Andrew Reid. Part of the deal agreed was that Ian and his
two friends, who undertook the original 1982 trip down, would bring the bus
home to Scotland. This they duly did,
travelling over three days, arriving at Lathalmond on the morning of Sunday 16th
August at the 2009 SVBM Open Weekend.