THE
SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS MUSEUM - GE2446
DETAILS
Chassis: Leyland Titan TD1, built 1928, No.
70203
Body: Double Deck, Leyland L27/24R0, built 1925 (reconstructed 1988/89).
Engine: Leyland 6 cyl. petrol, 6.8 litre, model E1
First Licensed: 1/9/28.
BACKGROUND HISTORY
Announced in 1927, the Leyland Titan double
decker broke new ground in being the most advanced passenger transport chassis
yet produced. It was an instant success and introduced double-deckers to many
bus fleets for the first time. It also introduced the ‘lowbridge'
concept, whereby the provision of bench seating in rows of four with a sunken
gangway on the top deck permitted overall height to be kept to just over 13ft.
Many TD1s were thus bodied, built by Leyland or other manufacturers under licence
to the same general design. Early examples had rear open staircases. Leyland’s
rivals soon copied innovations such as four-wheel brakes and self-starters, and
many features became standard practice for the next 25 years. Over 2,300 Titan
TD1s were built between 1927 and 1932, being superseded by the TD model, which
incorporated improved features. About a dozen TD1s have survived into
preservation.
HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE
Glasgow Corporation was an enthusiastic early user of the TD1, taking 15 almost as soon as the model became generally available. This was quickly followed by a batch of 100, delivered in 1928/29, all having Leyland Lowbridge bodies with rear staircases. Subsequent TD1 purchases were Highbridge versions with closed staircases built locally by Cowieson. Eventually Glasgow amassed a total of 273 TD1s, some receiving diesel engines in the mid-1930s.
111
was numerically the 46th of the batch of 100 but the chassis was the fourth of
the order to be built. Like the rest of the batch it was withdrawn by 1940,
sold to the Civil Defence for use as an ambulance along with several others.
Nothing is known of its subsequent history until it was discovered in
use as a static caravan near Eynsford, Kent in the
mid 1980s, although its owner confirmed it had been there for about 4 years.
RESTORATION
DETAILS
When discovered the vehicle was in a very
derelict condition and although mechanically complete, the top deck was missing
and what remained of the body had been extensively adapted for its role as a
caravan. The body was removed from the chassis and a completely new body was
constructed to the original design in the Edinburgh Workshops of SBG
Engineering Limited. The state of the original body was such that few items
were in sufficiently sound condition to be incorporated within the new
structure and its use was largely restricted to pattern, making. The chassis,
however, was in original condition and apart from the fitting of a
reconditioned engine, required only superficial refurbishment. Restoration work
was completed in 1995 including the interior being retrimmed and new seats
being fitted.
GE2446 is believed to be the oldest surviving Leyland Titan TD1, the only Scottish example preserved, one of only three with open staircases and possibly the oldest double decker formerly with a Scottish operator still in existence.