London Country AEC Reliance EPM 137V
History
This is one of a large number of AEC Reliances that were leased by London Country during the late 1970s. RS137 (the type code ‘RS’ stands for Reliance Scarborough, this being the town where the bodywork was built. Similarly, Duple-bodied Reliances were designated ‘RB’ for Reliance Blackpool) is from the last batch; these vehicles were the last chassis to be built by AEC.
RS137 was delivered in November 1979 by Kirkby Central, the lessors, and before entering service it was painted into a special livery to mark the Golden Jubilee of Green Line, the express coach brand used by London Transport and London Country (and now used by Arriva). It stayed with London Country until 1985, later receiving branding for the joint London Country/ Southdown Flightlink 777 service, and ended up in Scotland at Hall of Kennoway, being bought by James Meffan of Kirriemuir in 2003 (a detailed allocation history can be found at Ian’s Bus Stop, which also contains a full history of the London Country AEC Reliances).
Meffan’s bought the coach for use on school services, but it saw little use and was laid up. By the time the current owner bought the vehicle Meffan had been bought by Stagecoach, and it was mistakenly allocated a Stagecoach national fleetnumber of 59611. (Certainly the first AEC Reliance to receive one, though oddly enough it was a Plaxton-bodied AEC Reliance that was the first vehicle to carry the Stagecoach name back in 1980.)
Restoration
The owner plans to restore it to the Golden Jubilee livery it wore in 1980. The seats are original, but have been retrimmed at some point. The bus is currently off the road with engine problems, but a replacement AEC AH760 engine has been sourced and will be fitted soon.