THE SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS MUSEUM - BDJ 67
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DETAILS Chassis: AEC
Regent 3RT, built 1950 Body: Double-deck,
Park Royal Engine: First Licensed:
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BACKGROUND HISTORY
HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE
(Photo: GS
Collection, 1960s?, St Helens)
I have been in touch with Geoff Sandford who was the first owner of the bus when bought for preservation in 1971. 67 was one of 40 RTs bought from AEC by St Helens in 1950 and 1952. 67 was one of the first batch. Geoff bought the bus for £120 from Hull Corporation where it served the latter half of its time. Its total mileage when taken into preservation was 770600 miles. Geoff spent 2 years and used 15 gallons of Nitromors to remove all of the old paint. St Helens did a top end overhaul on the bus free of charge and took £100 to repaint it. A sign writer charged £7 to do the fleet number and St Helens lettering.
(Photo: Allan
Condie?)
The bus looks every part a London Transport product apart from the paint finish and has all the quality fittings of the standard RT. Whilst in service with Hull Corporation the vehicle batteries were moved from under the staircase to metal bins below the lower saloon seats. The original destination screens came with the bus and include "Knotty Ash". Not a plantation of inferior trees but the home of the once famous " Diddy Men". The bus proved to be a good runner and never gave any trouble to its owners. It won "Best AEC" trophy on the Trans Pennine Run. Geoff sold the bus to the late Ray Henton in 1982 but kept an interest in the vehicle. When Ray was in poor health Geoff continued to look after the bus and has a keen interest in it to this day.
(Photo: Jim Methven,
2007, Lathalmond)
I am thankful that Ray Henton's family has gifted the bus to our Museum. It is an interesting addition to the collection and will help fill a shortage of general use vehicles at Lathalmond. The bus has been in preservation for 36 years now and its value most likely exceeds its purchase price a hundredfold. Geoff Sanford is in regular contact with me and is considering a trip north to make sure we are still looking after his baby.
Jim Methven
St Helen’s Corporation was the only operator to take RTs to almost full London specification. Their maverick manager, R Edgley Cox, saw the opportunity to buy this type of vehicle due to the lower overall height (14’ 3”) than most standard buses and 15 were bought in 1950 with a further 25 in 1952. They gave years of service; indeed some went to other operators after withdrawal, including Kingston-upon-Hull Corporation, where BDJ 67 finished its working career. Allan Condie
RESTORATION DETAILS
(Photo: Jim Methven, 2007, Lathalmond)
The St Helens RT has now managed to get a space in the workshop annex and work has commenced to get her ready for MOT. Roland Williams has checked the bus over and given me a two page defect sheet which lists some 35 medium to minor faults. The bus has been off the road since 1999 so there are a few leaks and sticking parts to sort. Fortunately Bob Paterson has agreed to keep me right on the mechanical items which would have had me stumped.
Since work commenced on 4th April I had started at the bottom on the nearside. I am told that AECs suffer from leaky wheel hub seals and this one is no exception. Sourcing new seals has been difficult but thanks to Dave Hoare I have one fitted to the bus already. I have a further two metric equivalents which were made for the job from a local supplier. The drag link has been adjusted and the exhaust flexi repaired. I have sourced 6 new drive belts which are needed for the compressor and dynamo and Jasper has located a spare wheel from Museum stock. By the time you read this I should have the belts and the offside wheels fitted with new seals in place.
Jobs still to do on the bus include: jammed window vents, sticking emergency door, missing mud flaps, dead switches and failing ones and some insecure body trim. You never know; it may be ready for the Open Weekend.