Built as Kelvin 2855, 2854 & 2851, (D855 RDS, D854 RDS & D851 RDS), 1987 Leyland Lion LDTL11/1R / Alexander R CH49/37F, Alexander Coachworks, Falkirk, 11 September 1987.
In the mid to late 1980s Leyland introduced a mid engine chassis, with support from its Danish associate company DAB. This was to compete with Volvo's Citybus chassis which was launched in 1982.
Thirty-two Lions were built for UK operators, with the Scottish Bus Group taking most (nineteen) and the balance (thirteen) going to Nottingham City Transport. The latter operator gained a further five Lions in 1989. These had been ordered by SBG, and they arrived in Nottingham after use by Chester City Transport.
The six Lion LDTL11/1R / Alexander CH49/37F built for Kelvin in 1987, were not delivered to that operator. Financial difficulties at Kelvin meant all six buses where stored at Alexander’s Coachworks in Falkirk for many months. The batch eventually went to Clydeside, although one was used by Leyland which demonstrated it to other operators.
The following notes (up to the mid 1990s only) give some more information about the "Kelvin" vehicles.
D851 RDS, built as Kelvin 2851 (chassis number 8600462, body number RH47 2586/1). Not used, delivered to Clydeside 160, E160 YGB (then temporarily Western 960), reregistered VLT 166 (12/92), then E889 CDS (5/94). Became Chester 16, then Nottingham as 399 (8/98).
D852 RDS, built as Kelvin 2852 (chassis number 8600463, body number RH47 2586/2). Not used, delivered to Clydeside 165, D865 RDS (then temporarily Western 965), and also used as a Leyland Demonstrator. Reregistered 705 DYE (12/92?), then D160 UGA before withdrawal and disposal to Cottrell, Mitcheldean (7/94).
D853 RDS, built as Kelvin 2853 (chassis number 8600464, body number RH47 2586/3). Not used, delivered to Clydeside 161, E161 YGB, (then temporarily Western 961), reregistered FSU 661 (12/92), then E925 CDS (6/94). Became Chester 17, then Nottingham 397 (8/98).
D854 RDS built as Kelvin 2854 (chassis number 8600465, body number RH47 2586/4). Not used, delivered to Clydeside 162, E162 YGB (then temporarily Western 962), reregistered 32 CLT (12/92), then E941 CDS (6/94). Became Chester 18, then Nottingham as 396 (8/98).
D855 RDS, built as Kelvin 2855 (chassis number 8600466, body number RH47 2586/5). Not used, delivered to Clydeside 163, E163 YGB (then temporarily Western 963), reregistered WLT 364 (12/92), then E938 CDS (6/94). Became Chester 19, then Nottingham as 398 (8/98).
D856 RDS built as Kelvin 2856 (chassis number 8600467, body number RH47 2586/6). Not used, delivered to Clydeside 164, E164 YGB (then temporarily Western 964), reregistered VLT 204 (12/92), then E935 CDS (6/94). Became Chester 20, then Nottingham as 396 (8/98).
Built as Kelvin 2855, 2854 & 2851, (D855 RDS, D854 RDS & D851 RDS), 1987 Leyland Lion LDTL11/1R / Alexander R CH49/37F, Alexander Coachworks, Falkirk, 11 September 1987.
In the mid to late 1980s Leyland introduced a mid engine chassis, with support from its Danish associate company DAB. This was to compete with Volvo's Citybus chassis which was launched in 1982.
Thirty-two Lions were built for UK operators, with the Scottish Bus Group taking most (nineteen) and the balance (thirteen) going to Nottingham City Transport. The latter operator gained a further five Lions in 1989. These had been ordered by SBG, and they arrived in Nottingham after use by Chester City Transport.
The six Lion LDTL11/1R / Alexander CH49/37F built for Kelvin in 1987, were not delivered to that operator. Financial difficulties at Kelvin meant all six buses where stored at Alexander’s Coachworks in Falkirk for many months. The batch eventually went to Clydeside, although one was used by Leyland which demonstrated it to other operators.
The following notes (up to the mid 1990s only) give some more information about the "Kelvin" vehicles.
D851 RDS, built as Kelvin 2851 (chassis number 8600462, body number RH47 2586/1). Not used, delivered to Clydeside 160, E160 YGB (then temporarily Western 960), reregistered VLT 166 (12/92), then E889 CDS (5/94). Became Chester 16, then Nottingham as 399 (8/98).
D852 RDS, built as Kelvin 2852 (chassis number 8600463, body number RH47 2586/2). Not used, delivered to Clydeside 165, D865 RDS (then temporarily Western 965), and also used as a Leyland Demonstrator. Reregistered 705 DYE (12/92?), then D160 UGA before withdrawal and disposal to Cottrell, Mitcheldean (7/94).
D853 RDS, built as Kelvin 2853 (chassis number 8600464, body number RH47 2586/3). Not used, delivered to Clydeside 161, E161 YGB, (then temporarily Western 961), reregistered FSU 661 (12/92), then E925 CDS (6/94). Became Chester 17, then Nottingham 397 (8/98).
D854 RDS built as Kelvin 2854 (chassis number 8600465, body number RH47 2586/4). Not used, delivered to Clydeside 162, E162 YGB (then temporarily Western 962), reregistered 32 CLT (12/92), then E941 CDS (6/94). Became Chester 18, then Nottingham as 396 (8/98).
D855 RDS, built as Kelvin 2855 (chassis number 8600466, body number RH47 2586/5). Not used, delivered to Clydeside 163, E163 YGB (then temporarily Western 963), reregistered WLT 364 (12/92), then E938 CDS (6/94). Became Chester 19, then Nottingham as 398 (8/98).
D856 RDS built as Kelvin 2856 (chassis number 8600467, body number RH47 2586/6). Not used, delivered to Clydeside 164, E164 YGB (then temporarily Western 964), reregistered VLT 204 (12/92), then E935 CDS (6/94). Became Chester 20, then Nottingham as 396 (8/98).