regentlad
Coastline Tiger
One of SMT's most important acquisitions was that of the Coastline Bus Service in 1936. With it came highly profitable services, experienced staff and a fleet of mainly Leyland vehicles - most of which SMT had serviced themselves in the years prior to the take-over.
H209W had originally been Coastline L4, a Leyland Tiger with Brush body ordered by Coastline but received at the time of take-over. After the war SMT undertook a major re-bodying project and many buses of 1930's vintage were selected for re-build. H209 was thus given a 35 seat Alexander body in 1954 so extending the life of this fine vehicle. Two of its compatriots also were rebuilt with all remaining at Musselburgh depot and used regularly on the Seton Sands and Wallyford routes. These were loud machines with a distinctive engine roar - befitting their 'Tiger' status !
H209 is seen at Edinburgh bus station just off St Andrew Square, in 1957, note the huge tenements of St James Square in the background. Within a few years H209 would be eclipsed by 'flat-faced' underfloor buses - similar to Monocoach B482W seen behind. Both buses being en-route for Seton Sands via Portobello, but curiously showing different route numbers, I suspect the rear vehicle is showing the correct number. Note the garage plate on H209 still shows a space for another letter. Code WA was dropped in favour of 'W' for Musselburgh based buses in 1955. Note also the 'SY' registration - for many years given to vehicles registered in Midlothian (back then Musselburgh was in that county), and these Tigers were the only SMT buses to carry such registrations.
Coastline Tiger
One of SMT's most important acquisitions was that of the Coastline Bus Service in 1936. With it came highly profitable services, experienced staff and a fleet of mainly Leyland vehicles - most of which SMT had serviced themselves in the years prior to the take-over.
H209W had originally been Coastline L4, a Leyland Tiger with Brush body ordered by Coastline but received at the time of take-over. After the war SMT undertook a major re-bodying project and many buses of 1930's vintage were selected for re-build. H209 was thus given a 35 seat Alexander body in 1954 so extending the life of this fine vehicle. Two of its compatriots also were rebuilt with all remaining at Musselburgh depot and used regularly on the Seton Sands and Wallyford routes. These were loud machines with a distinctive engine roar - befitting their 'Tiger' status !
H209 is seen at Edinburgh bus station just off St Andrew Square, in 1957, note the huge tenements of St James Square in the background. Within a few years H209 would be eclipsed by 'flat-faced' underfloor buses - similar to Monocoach B482W seen behind. Both buses being en-route for Seton Sands via Portobello, but curiously showing different route numbers, I suspect the rear vehicle is showing the correct number. Note the garage plate on H209 still shows a space for another letter. Code WA was dropped in favour of 'W' for Musselburgh based buses in 1955. Note also the 'SY' registration - for many years given to vehicles registered in Midlothian (back then Musselburgh was in that county), and these Tigers were the only SMT buses to carry such registrations.