Inferior substitute?
London Country Bus Services revamped its Green Line express bus services into Central London, starting in January 1977, investing in a brand new and smart fleet of AEC Reliance coaches that carried both Plaxton and Duple bodywork. These formed the RS and RB classes. The vehicles were acquired on five-year leases under a rolling programme that augmented the fleet each year. These modem and comfortable vehicles went far towards reviving a fading brand, and with their AH691 11-litre engines and semi-automatic transmissions, the RS and RB vehicles were a very refined form of transportation. Unfortunately, the AEC Reliance ceased to be available after 1979, when British Leyland closed the AEC factory in Southall. The 1980 Green Line input comprised substite Leyland PSU3 Leopards - to my mind, a vastly inferior chassis, with its raucous 0.680 engine. These formed the PL and DL classes.
For the record, I photographed Plaxton Supreme IV-bodied Leopard PL23 (NPA223W). Allocated to Dorking Garage (DS), it is parked at Eccleston Bridge, beneath the well-known offices of the removals and storage company. Bishop & Sons.
The end of its lease period saw NPA233W move on to the Newark independent, W. Gash. When that company collapsed in 1989, its services and fleet came under the control of Lincolnshire Road Car. DVLA records show that it was tax-expired after 10/01.
November 1981
Yashica FR-1 camera
Agfa CT18 film.
Inferior substitute?
London Country Bus Services revamped its Green Line express bus services into Central London, starting in January 1977, investing in a brand new and smart fleet of AEC Reliance coaches that carried both Plaxton and Duple bodywork. These formed the RS and RB classes. The vehicles were acquired on five-year leases under a rolling programme that augmented the fleet each year. These modem and comfortable vehicles went far towards reviving a fading brand, and with their AH691 11-litre engines and semi-automatic transmissions, the RS and RB vehicles were a very refined form of transportation. Unfortunately, the AEC Reliance ceased to be available after 1979, when British Leyland closed the AEC factory in Southall. The 1980 Green Line input comprised substite Leyland PSU3 Leopards - to my mind, a vastly inferior chassis, with its raucous 0.680 engine. These formed the PL and DL classes.
For the record, I photographed Plaxton Supreme IV-bodied Leopard PL23 (NPA223W). Allocated to Dorking Garage (DS), it is parked at Eccleston Bridge, beneath the well-known offices of the removals and storage company. Bishop & Sons.
The end of its lease period saw NPA233W move on to the Newark independent, W. Gash. When that company collapsed in 1989, its services and fleet came under the control of Lincolnshire Road Car. DVLA records show that it was tax-expired after 10/01.
November 1981
Yashica FR-1 camera
Agfa CT18 film.