Go-Gash RM21, Lombard Street, Newark, 1989
W Gash & Son's ex London Routemaster RM21 (WLT757) on Lombard Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire in April 1989. Behind is Gash's LO5 (TVO981G), a Plaxton C41F bodied Leyland Leopard.
In the immediate de-regulation era, British towns and cites were fascinating places to visit in regard to the transport scene. The variety of buses and operators competing against each other was quite bewildering. In the market town of Newark in Nottinghamshire the same applied. W Gash & Sons, a long established local independent operator found themselves battling against the much larger and well resourced 'Lincolnshire Road Car Company' (LRRC). This was a battle that Gash's could not sustain, and in 1989, following maintenance failings, the company was bought out by the LRRC.
More likely for their novelty value than for practicality, Gash's purchased three former London Transport, AEC Routemaster buses in 1986 for use on local routes. These were; ALD990B, ALM65B, and WLT757. The three Routemasters were numbered RM19-21 by Gash's:
ALD990B - RM19 (formerly RM1990)
ALM65B - RM20 (formerly RM2065)
WLT757 - RM21 (formerly RM757)
Of the three, WLT757 was the only one to receive Gash's livery. ALD990B was repainted red by Gash's, having Go-Gash applied between decks. ALM65B remained in its acquired condition aside of its fleetname and fleet number.
On the demise of W. Gash & Sons in 1989, all three Routemasters were sold by LRRC to The East Yorkshire Motor Company for further service.
A brief history for RM757 (WLT 757) follows. This is summarised from a more comprehensive history for this bus to be found on 'Ian's Bus Stop' website. www.busspotter.com/RM/RM7g07.html
4/61 Into with LTE and used on service 269 (West Green)
11/61 On closure of West Green, bus goes onto work from several garages, including - Poplar, Hanwell, Stamford Hill
12/65 SF to Aldenham overhaul
12/65 To Willesden with body B759
9/68 To Aldenham for repaint.
9/68 To West Ham
10/68 To Edmonton
4/71 Into store
12/72 Aldenham for overhaul - receives body B749
12/73 SF into store
1975 SF
10/77 SF to Aldenham overhaul
1/83 CS from o/h (Chiswick experimental): body B779
1/83 Overall ad for British Airways - never used in service
2/83 WL transfer: red (Walworth)
8/86 Withdrawn and to store at AEC Southall
1986 Purchased by Gash, Newark and numbered RM21
7/89 Sold to East Yorkshire - Scarborough & District
1993 Reregistered as NVS 855 by EYMS and painted blue
1995 Withdrawn by EYMS and sold
1996 Puchased by Harrogate Eagles Venture Scout Unit
10/02 In use as a playbus in Monnickendam, Netherlands - not registered as a motor vehicle with authorities.
4/16 Extant in Holland, but in a poor state.
2017 with Mart Leek, De Rijp, Holland (preservation?)
Go-Gash RM21, Lombard Street, Newark, 1989
W Gash & Son's ex London Routemaster RM21 (WLT757) on Lombard Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire in April 1989. Behind is Gash's LO5 (TVO981G), a Plaxton C41F bodied Leyland Leopard.
In the immediate de-regulation era, British towns and cites were fascinating places to visit in regard to the transport scene. The variety of buses and operators competing against each other was quite bewildering. In the market town of Newark in Nottinghamshire the same applied. W Gash & Sons, a long established local independent operator found themselves battling against the much larger and well resourced 'Lincolnshire Road Car Company' (LRRC). This was a battle that Gash's could not sustain, and in 1989, following maintenance failings, the company was bought out by the LRRC.
More likely for their novelty value than for practicality, Gash's purchased three former London Transport, AEC Routemaster buses in 1986 for use on local routes. These were; ALD990B, ALM65B, and WLT757. The three Routemasters were numbered RM19-21 by Gash's:
ALD990B - RM19 (formerly RM1990)
ALM65B - RM20 (formerly RM2065)
WLT757 - RM21 (formerly RM757)
Of the three, WLT757 was the only one to receive Gash's livery. ALD990B was repainted red by Gash's, having Go-Gash applied between decks. ALM65B remained in its acquired condition aside of its fleetname and fleet number.
On the demise of W. Gash & Sons in 1989, all three Routemasters were sold by LRRC to The East Yorkshire Motor Company for further service.
A brief history for RM757 (WLT 757) follows. This is summarised from a more comprehensive history for this bus to be found on 'Ian's Bus Stop' website. www.busspotter.com/RM/RM7g07.html
4/61 Into with LTE and used on service 269 (West Green)
11/61 On closure of West Green, bus goes onto work from several garages, including - Poplar, Hanwell, Stamford Hill
12/65 SF to Aldenham overhaul
12/65 To Willesden with body B759
9/68 To Aldenham for repaint.
9/68 To West Ham
10/68 To Edmonton
4/71 Into store
12/72 Aldenham for overhaul - receives body B749
12/73 SF into store
1975 SF
10/77 SF to Aldenham overhaul
1/83 CS from o/h (Chiswick experimental): body B779
1/83 Overall ad for British Airways - never used in service
2/83 WL transfer: red (Walworth)
8/86 Withdrawn and to store at AEC Southall
1986 Purchased by Gash, Newark and numbered RM21
7/89 Sold to East Yorkshire - Scarborough & District
1993 Reregistered as NVS 855 by EYMS and painted blue
1995 Withdrawn by EYMS and sold
1996 Puchased by Harrogate Eagles Venture Scout Unit
10/02 In use as a playbus in Monnickendam, Netherlands - not registered as a motor vehicle with authorities.
4/16 Extant in Holland, but in a poor state.
2017 with Mart Leek, De Rijp, Holland (preservation?)