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 purchased by the Scottish Bus Group. It is believed to have operated from
Kilmarnock depot.
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.