Strathclyder
Preserved Greater Glasgow G545 RDS (AH101) | 2018 GVVT Open Weekend Shuttles | Broad St, Bridgeton
Handsome. Well-proportioned. Powerful. Fast. Characterful.
Six words that, for me, concisely & accurately describe Strathclyde Buses' large batch of Alexander RV-bodied Volvo B10M-50 Citybuses (numbered AH7-AH101).
GGPTE/Strathclyde PTE had put tentative feelers out on the Citybus in the early 1980s in the form of the Marshall-bodied prototype AH1 (ESU 378X; new Mar. 1982) & the 'A-Class' Ailsa lookalikes AH2 through AH6 (A600-604 TNS; new April/May 1984). However, it was Strathclyde's Buses that was to go for the type in a big way with the aforementioned 95-strong batch being delivered from July 1989 to Feb. 1990. For the reasons outlined above plus their high seating capacity and in spite of their rather lofty height of 14' 7", they quickly became popular with drivers and passengers alike.
All of SBL's Citybuses (with the exception of G289 OGE (AH41), which perished in the disastrous Larkfield Depot fire of May 1992; AH1 had also suffered damage, but was repaired) passed to First Glasgow in Oct. 1996.
Initially staying put with Glasgow under First ownership, a number were gradually dispersed to other First divisions to see out their final years (namely Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire & Midland Bluebird/Scotland East/Edinburgh). A small contingent clung on in their home city (latterly complemented by similar ex-Northampton examples); this contingent was gradually whittled down until the final pair (AH64 & AH67) were withdrawn from Parkhead Depot in the summer of 2009, their last months being spent primarily on the 46 (Easterhouse-Castlemilk).
AH101, being among the last to be withdrawn aside from the last pair, was secured by Sean Reilly for preservation. Restored to Greater Glasgow Red, 2018 was it's debut year in this guise. While this livery choice may be a point of contention for some, seeing/hearing one of these handsome, screaming beasts after so long is infinitely refreshing; any such niggles go right out the window as a result. :)
Caught parked up on Broad St after completing a mini-tour of the East End with Ewan Grey's N94 OGG (SV494).
Photo Date: 14th October 2018
Preserved Greater Glasgow G545 RDS (AH101) | 2018 GVVT Open Weekend Shuttles | Broad St, Bridgeton
Handsome. Well-proportioned. Powerful. Fast. Characterful.
Six words that, for me, concisely & accurately describe Strathclyde Buses' large batch of Alexander RV-bodied Volvo B10M-50 Citybuses (numbered AH7-AH101).
GGPTE/Strathclyde PTE had put tentative feelers out on the Citybus in the early 1980s in the form of the Marshall-bodied prototype AH1 (ESU 378X; new Mar. 1982) & the 'A-Class' Ailsa lookalikes AH2 through AH6 (A600-604 TNS; new April/May 1984). However, it was Strathclyde's Buses that was to go for the type in a big way with the aforementioned 95-strong batch being delivered from July 1989 to Feb. 1990. For the reasons outlined above plus their high seating capacity and in spite of their rather lofty height of 14' 7", they quickly became popular with drivers and passengers alike.
All of SBL's Citybuses (with the exception of G289 OGE (AH41), which perished in the disastrous Larkfield Depot fire of May 1992; AH1 had also suffered damage, but was repaired) passed to First Glasgow in Oct. 1996.
Initially staying put with Glasgow under First ownership, a number were gradually dispersed to other First divisions to see out their final years (namely Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire & Midland Bluebird/Scotland East/Edinburgh). A small contingent clung on in their home city (latterly complemented by similar ex-Northampton examples); this contingent was gradually whittled down until the final pair (AH64 & AH67) were withdrawn from Parkhead Depot in the summer of 2009, their last months being spent primarily on the 46 (Easterhouse-Castlemilk).
AH101, being among the last to be withdrawn aside from the last pair, was secured by Sean Reilly for preservation. Restored to Greater Glasgow Red, 2018 was it's debut year in this guise. While this livery choice may be a point of contention for some, seeing/hearing one of these handsome, screaming beasts after so long is infinitely refreshing; any such niggles go right out the window as a result. :)
Caught parked up on Broad St after completing a mini-tour of the East End with Ewan Grey's N94 OGG (SV494).
Photo Date: 14th October 2018