Strathtay Scottish SF19 (RLS 469T)

Ford SF19

Chassis Ford R1014 chassis no. BC04TD60972     ♦    Body Alexander AYS B45F body no. 124AYS/2877/5

History

Although most single-deck deliveries to the Scottish Bus Group in the 1970s were heavyweight Leyland Leopards, lightweight buses were still being bought, mainly the truck-derived Ford R-series. Northern and Highland Scottish had the largest fleets, but the other Alexander fleets bought smaller batches. This vehicle was one of a batch of five bus-bodied Fords new to Midland Scottish in January 1979. It passed to Strathtay Scottish on that company’s formation in 1985, and was reallocated to Forfar—meaning that, until it was repainted into Strathtay colours, it was one of a number of vehicles carrying Midland blue in the former Northern area (seen here arriving in Dundee from Forfar).

Strathtay got rid of its Fords relatively quickly, and in 1987 replaced the last of them with secondhand Leopards from Fife (the last of which lasted until 2007). SF19 was sold to a farmer in Perthshire and remained in his ownership until 2002, when it was sold to a preservationist and moved to the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum at Lathalmond.

Restoration

After the bus was moved to Lathalmond it received a repaint into original Strathtay livery (without a white band). Since the bus had a service life of less than ten years there were no alterations to be undone. The bus is now owned by two members of TVVS.

Photo gallery

  • The previous owner had SF20 repainted at Lathalmond. It is seen in the paintshop as the work was being completed. Note the Midland fleetnumber above the boot door.
  • SF20 (on the right) on display at the Y-type 50th anniversary event at the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum in September 2011. The bus next to it is Leyland Leopard SL43.