Foreign preserved bus types in the UK

[alex397]

Inspired by seeing pictures of the Ikarus 260 from Budapest in operation at the recent Workington event, I thought it would be interesting to see which other foreign bus types are preserved in the UK. I can’t think of many examples, but here is what I can think of:

- Malta BUS364, a Bedford QL with local bodywork. I think this is still owned by Go-Coach in Kent

- Go-coach also had a King Long from Malta, which I think was semi-preserved as it did see service. Not sure if they still had this.

- Wellington, NZ trolleybus 82, a BUT / MCW type seen at Sandtoft, at least in 2018.

- There are a number of ex-Hong Kong vehicles too I believe.

 

[Roger1973]

Without too much thought -

There's a Christchurch (New Zealand) Bristol RE preserved in the Bristol area, and gets to some running days. The engine is the type usually fitted to Leyland Nationals so it sounds 'wrong'... (Link to Bristol Omnibus Vehicle Collection page here)

There are at least one or two 1930s Paris single deckers in UK preservation - one did appear at King Alfred events in Winchester now and then (think the owner lives or lived in Hampshire) - article on 'Old Bus Photos' here.

There's a Lisbon AEC Regal half cab that lives (or used to) in the East Midlands - photo on SCT61 website here. I have a feeling that there's a Portugese Regent V (also a 'wrong way round' half cab) somewhere in the UK as well, but can't find a reference.

St Helens Museum have an ex Sydney AEC Regent III (first photo I found on Flickr here) - I have a vague recollection of seeing a similar bus at Canvey some years ago, which may or may not have been the same one - I can't find any reference to this.

 

[busesrusuk]

Ensignbus have a Greyhound coach...

 

[Fleetmaster]

There are a number of ex-Hong Kong vehicles too I believe.

A (light blue, KMB) decker in the Scottish Vintage Bus Musem? Some years ago now though.

 

[busesrusuk]

A (light blue, KMB) decker in the Scottish Vintage Bus Musem? Some years ago now though.

If you are referring to Lathalmond, I think this may be the bus you are referring to which is a China Motor Bus Leyland Victory. Also based there but not quite sure of its status is an ex New World First Bus Alexander bodied Leyland Fleetline which carried an allover advert for route 15 to the Peak (in Hong Kong). When I visited Lathalmond on 2014 it was parked away from the main sheds and looked in a sorry state as it appeared to have been stored for some while out on the open. Her is the Victory:

Preserved China Motor Bus LV36 Aug14

Lathalmond, Aug 2014

www.flickr.com

 

[Fleetmaster]

If you are referring to Lathalmond, I think this may be the bus you are referring to which is a China Motor Bus Leyland Victory.

Preserved China Motor Bus LV36 Aug14

Lathalmond, Aug 2014

www.flickr.com

That's the one. Given the location and sufficiently poor eyesight or a bad dose of Scotch mist, you could easily mistake it for a Scottish municipal Ailsa!

 

[Ploughman]

In the mid 70's there was an ex Stockholm Scania single decker imported for trial use when the rules of the road in Sweden changed to driving on the Right. However it was bigger than anything in the UK at the time at about 40ft.
It was sold in the end to North's at Sherburn in Elmet where a Dave Suffolk acquired it.
I can recall driving it once on an airfield where we managed to get 60 with 4 of us playing some part in getting it moving.
I believe it spent some time at Sandtoft, but it has since vanished.
Dave also had connections at Steamport Southport, Did it go there, I don't remember it there however.
Does it still exist?

 

[Flange Squeal]

- Go-coach also had a King Long from Malta, which I think was semi-preserved as it did see service. Not sure if they still had this.

This was former DBY 390, registered in the UK as LY53 UUX before receiving cherished reg K16 LNG. It's no longer with Go-Coach, but does survive in secure undercover storage in private ownership.

 

[ChrisPJ]

In the mid 70's there was an ex Stockholm Scania single decker imported for trial use when the rules of the road in Sweden changed to driving on the Right. However it was bigger than anything in the UK at the time at about 40ft.
It was sold in the end to North's at Sherburn in Elmet where a Dave Suffolk acquired it.
I can recall driving it once on an airfield where we managed to get 60 with 4 of us playing some part in getting it moving.
I believe it spent some time at Sandtoft, but it has since vanished.
Dave also had connections at Steamport Southport, Did it go there, I don't remember it there however.
Does it still exist?

CWY 567H: ex Stockholm Tramways

Seen whilst stored at Sandtoft Trolleybus Museum, CWY 567H is a Scania-Vabis C50 Metropol, new to Stockholm Tramways in the mid-1950s. Like many hundreds of Swedish buses, it was made redundant when the country switched to driving on the right hand side of the road in 1967. This particular bus...

www.flickr.com

Comments suggest it didn't survive.

 

[MotCO]

These are being restored by Reliance Bus Works - don't have the details of what they are other than an Ikarus

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- Malta BUS364, a Bedford QL with local bodywork. I think this is still owned by Go-Coach in Kent

Is this still owned by Go-Coach? I haven't seen it for a while, however, there has been one at Reliance Bus Works undergoing significant restoration, so is it this one?

 

[Ploughman]

CWY 567H: ex Stockholm Tramways

Seen whilst stored at Sandtoft Trolleybus Museum, CWY 567H is a Scania-Vabis C50 Metropol, new to Stockholm Tramways in the mid-1950s. Like many hundreds of Swedish buses, it was made redundant when the country switched to driving on the right hand side of the road in 1967. This particular bus...

www.flickr.com

Comments suggest it didn't survive.

That's the one I remember, sad that it didn't survive.

 

[90019]

These are being restored by Reliance Bus Works - don't have the details of what they are other than an Ikarus

I believe that's an Ikarus 260.

 

[Citistar]

I believe that's an Ikarus 260.

It is, owned by David Fricker of North Somerset Coaches. The Budapest blue is the livery, the green stripes and surrounding decoration were added for a filming job.

 

[CBlue]

There's a Lisbon AEC Regal half cab that lives (or used to) in the East Midlands - photo on SCT61 website here. I have a feeling that there's a Portugese Regent V (also a 'wrong way round' half cab) somewhere in the UK as well, but can't find a reference

For some time there was a Portuguese AEC half cab sat in the former Guide Friday / Ensignbus depot at Ely. It remained an tenant there after Stagecoach East took on the property, alongside a selection of dusty routemasters and an open top DMS. Presumably it was one of the two you mention.

 

[busesrusuk]

There is still an active preserved Portuguese AEC half cab that is seen on the rally scene fairly regularly. Seen here at the Buses Festival in August 2021:

Preserved Carris 255 Aug21

Buses Festival 2021

www.flickr.com