AECs in the UK
Photo Galleries

The AEC Reliance name was first used in 1928 for a front-engined model which was the first to feature both the new 6-type engine and the famous blue triangle badge. This model was short-lived however, as it was a stop-gap measure prior to the introduction of the Regal a year later.

The first underfloor engined AEC Reliances were produced in 1953 as a medium weight chassis which later evolved into a heavyweight chassis for 36ft long buses and coaches. Here we take a look at some of the earlier 30ft models.

All the photographs on this site are from the author's personal collection unless credited otherwise.  If you would like to contribute photographs or news of AEC Reliances in service please email the author at

269 DKT	A March 1975 view of Maidstone & District 3269 at the old Falaise Road terminus of the Rye-Hastings main road service taken over from East Kent.  The route is now served by East Kent/South Coast Buses service 711 but Falaise Road, up the hill a bit from Hastings pier, hasn't seen a service bus for many a year.
409 DKK	Another Maidstone & District model, this time a former Harrington coach rebuilt as a bus, at Silverhill depot in 1976 following withdrawal from service.  Note the application of NBC style fleetnames to traditional M&D livery.  The former tram depot at Silverhill is still the Hastings depot for South Coast Buses.
340 NKT	Silver Star of Cesarea ran a brace of these ex M&D models which were dispensed with by SYPTE after taking over Booth and Fisher. 340 NKT arrives at Caernarfon on the busy route from Cesarea in September 1982.  A nice touch was the use of the beading to reinstate the cream "moustache" which was a feature of the M&D pre-NBC livery.  Both of the pair are now preserved by Rother Valley RTS.
801 HTX	When South Wales took over Brewers of Maesteg they applied the name to all of the operations in their eastern area. The present Brewers company bears little relation to the traditional independent whose main service was the high frequency route between Caerau and Maesteg, where 22 year old Weymann bodied 801 HTX was seen in October 1982.
200 APB	Burlingham bodied AEC Reliance 200 APB was new to Safeguard Coaches, Guildford in 1956. It is seen here with the company in October 1962, shortly before being sold to similarly names Safeway Services of South Petherton, Somerset. Photo by Keith Wheal.
200 APB	After being withdrawn by Safeway 200 APB passed to into preservation and was used by Rexquote Heritage on the summer Taunton Deane Heritage Bus Service, still in its Safeway livery. It was photographed at work in the 1999 season. This bus has now been repurchased by the Newman family, proprietors of Safeguard Coaches, who have restored it for use at special events and rally appearences. Photo by John Hammond.
AFE 719A	Maidstone & District converted their 325 NKT for open-top use at Hastings in 1976, but dispensed with it after only one season.  After various moves and a reregistration it found its way to London & Country who employed it on Surrey C.C. Sunday services.  It was seen at Chilworth in August 1993.
AFE 719A	Following disposal by London & Country AFE 719A moved to Grayscroft of Mablethorpe.  Here it is in action on the Mablethorpe local service during the summer of 1998.  It is currently with Hobbs of Truro.  Photos: LEYTR.
MOR 581	London & Country also acquired this former Aldershot & District vehicle from preservation for use on special Sunday services.  It was seen at Farnham station in August 1995.  Sadly the Cowie/Arriva management have been less supportive of such operations and all the heritage fleet have now been dispensed with.   MOR 581 is back in preservation.
PHO 567G	Later short wheelbase Reliances tended towards a 33ft. in length rather than 30ft. PHO 567G is another Aldershot & District example, which became Alder Valley 368 following the merger with Thames Valley under NBC control. It was seen at Woking station in August 1980.
TYD 122G	Another 33ft. Reliance is Willowbrook bodied TYD 122G, seen at Wallingford with Oxfordshire independent Chiltern Queens in December 1986.  Chiltern Queens had a long tradition of running AEC Reliances in the South Oxfordshire villages that were once part of Berkshire, but they have all retired from service now.
TYD 122G	Memory Lane Travel bought TYD 122G and ran it on the Sunday Guildford-Redhill service 32 for a number of years, but sold it on for further preservation after 2002.  Here it is at Guildford in August 2000.
YWN 553J	Short wheelbase models became quite uncommon in the 1970s as operators favoured higher capacity single deckers. One company to continue taking them was South Wales, an avid AEC user. Willowbrook bodied number 216 is seen at Port Talbot depot near the end of its career with the company in October 1981.

Back to top