History:
It's a common misconception that at the end of the war London had less buses than at the beginning, in fact the reverse is true. With late wartime deliveries of 'Utility' types and the mass reduction in service schedules due to things like fuel rationing vehicle shortages were not an issue during the later stages of the war, indeed LT had numerous vehicles on loan to other operators some which didn't return until 1947!

What is true though is that many of the buses were life expired and in poor condition. This led to the problem that they needed more doing at overhaul but the supply of parts had not caught up with the new found peace in Europe, leading to far longer off the road periods. They also broke down more often and perhaps most importantly the demand for travel had massively increased with servicemen returning home, nightlife and theatres opening and commerce returning to the capital in pre war levels, LT could not keep up.

LT was waiting for its deliveries of RT's which were trickling in but no where near in the numbers that were required to reach the new demand, so it was decreed that a certain amount of new buses being built for other bus companies must be delivered to London until it's own fleet was able to take the strain. As such 190 buses due to be supplied to a number of 'Tilling Group' companies found themselves working in the unfamiliar surroundings of the capital. HLJ44 was due to go to South Coast based Hants and Dorset when she was diverted, much to the displeasure of the company who were also forced 'to make do and mend' and felt that LT's problem was of their own making by wanting to design its own RT type rather than buy 'off the shelf' types.

So in 1948 both green and red types of Bristols started operating on various routes that were approved by the Police for low height use, many of these were in the heart of the capital. These buses added a wave of colour in what was at the time a very war weary fleet. None of the buses carried LT fleet names or numbers, but all carried, London Transport names on a bullseye on the radiator as well as in all three destination blinds, they also carried standard London garage codes. She wore the fleet number TD895 which is her Hants and Dorset fleet number following on the from the pre war Leyland TD's already with Hants and Dorset. Being manual crash gear boxes, rather than the pre-selectors most LT drivers were used to made them less than popular with many drivers, it did however provide LT a great opportunity to trial this very popular model in daily service.

Most of the buses operated in the Central Area although some did operate in the Country Area of which HLJ44 was one, for at least part of her visit, we know she worked at Amersham.

By 1950 RT's were being delivered at a colossal rate and the need for these buses was over and they started to drift back to their proper owners. Today whilst seen as some as not being a 'proper' London bus there is no question that this period makes for fascinating reading and that one of these 190 'borrowed' buses now survives in its London guise is in our opinion an important piece of our transport heritage.

Vehicle Allocation History:
The last of a batch of 30 ordered by Hants & Dorset during 1948 fitted with AEC engines.

Bristol D/D reg no;HLJ 44, Fleet no; TD 895, Chassis no;72080, built late 1948. Registered 19th January 1949, Engine A.E.C. 7.7litres. Body built by Eastern Coachworks Ltd, Lowestoft. Body no; 2596, finished in Tilling Green & Cream. 5 bay constrution with 3 ' E ' type indicators at front, rear and over platform.The platform one being removed completely, [not panelled over] at a later date.The framework was slightly slimmer than the previous E.C.W. bodies.The side pillars are aluminium alloy with timber inserts, the four main corner pillars being hardwood timber, as is the majority of the remaining body frame.The waist rails are also alluminium being in one length of 3" x 3/8th" flat section on edge.

When brand new it was delivered to London Transport. Being one of the 190 vehicles loaned during 1948/9 to ease the bus shortage in London, on hire from owners Hants & Dorset Motor Services. Delivered to Chiswick works on 19th February 1949, allocated to Amersham Garage [MA] on the 20th. At Amersham it worked mainly on route 336 - Amersham to Watford. It remained at Amersham Garage for all its time in service with L.T. Returning to its rightful owners H&D in March 1950.

H&D allocated it to Bournemouth Garage where it was to remain until withdrawal in September 1966. During its life at Bournemouth it underwent several changes, notably during April 1961 its original Tilling Moquette, timber handrail seats were removed and a set from an earlier withdrawn H&D decker were fitted.TD 895 was the second of this batch to have its seats changed, the first was TD892 HLJ 41. TD869 HLJ 18 and TD 872 were also to have seat changes during 1961.

During 1963-5 the batch was fitted with flashing direction indicators, HLJ 44 being one of the last to have these fitted in late 1965.

It was renumbered to 1187 with the class letters being dropped to mark the Nationalisation of H&D.This decision was made by the new General Manager at that time George H. Napthine who had recently come from Westciff-on-sea Motor Services Ltd.

Purchased by P.V.Sales, upon withdrawal from H&D. It became fleet no; 30 in the fleet of Lesney during November 1966. Working for Lesney of ' Matchbox fame ' for a further 9 years, once more being withdrawn. It then found its way to S&M Coaches / Castlepoint Bus Co.during 1975, although not used by them it remained in their custody being parked at the Springfield Cafe, Corringham. Springfield Cafe being the outstation of Castlepoint Bus Co.

Purchased in August 1977 by Roy Hawkes a professional coachbuilder and the then vice-chairman of the Eastern National Preservation Group. In a somewhat derelict condition , it was restored with much of the body frame needing replacement.Over 2000 hours were spent on its restoration, returning it to its as new condition when first delivered to L.T. in 1949.

It made its first public debut having been lovingly restored on the 8th July 1979 at Hyde Park, driven by its proud owner to participate in the 150th anniversary of George Shillibeer's first horse drawn bus service in London during 1829.

2005 28 October returned to service on last day of crew operation on the 38's [photos]

Technical Specifications:

Date of first registration: tbc
Chassis: Bristol K6A
Chassis number: tbc
Engine: AEC 7.7l
Fuel: Diesel
Body: Eastern Coach Works low height
Body Number: tbc
Seating: tbc