Introduction:
RT1431 was one of a small batch of 120 built by Cravens of Sheffield
IN 1948-50 to help the huge post war replacement of London's buses.
Immediately recognisable as being 'non standard' only two exist
in the world today. RT1431 is the only of these to be certified
for passenger carrying duties. |
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Photo
Galleries: |
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Selected photographs
of RT1431 |
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28 January 2005 |
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1 April 2005 |
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22 July 2005 |
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28 October 2005 |
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9 December 2005 |
Current
Status : |
Full Class VI MOT and
active as part of
heritage fleet |
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Registration No:
JXC194
History:
1431 had full life. It was
new to Nunhead (AH) in May 1949, then served with Uxbridge (UX)
and Middle Row (X) before finishing its days at Stockwell (SW)
where it was put into store very early on, in August 1955.
It was sold to legendary dealer Birds in April
1956, just as its sister vehicles were culled in their prime.
It was then quickly snapped up by Kerr and Linney of the Ayrshire
A1 Service co-operative and ran with them for ten years. Its rarity
led it to become one of the earlier buses bought for preservation,
by the London Omnibus Traction Society in 1966. Since then, it
has had several changes of owner – in 1983 it made a mammoth
treck to up to the far north, to Orkney. By the 1990s it had migrated
to Southport and looked resplendent inside and out, in late 1940s
cream-top livery, with period adverts all round. It later passed
to Keith Rose, who lived quite close to Cobham and he reunited
it with the only other survivor, RT1499.
For further info
on this class why not visit Ian
Bus Stop. |
Vehicle Allocation
History:
May 1949 AH new, red, cream
uppers (Nunhead)
UX (Uxbridge)
X (Middle Row)
SW (Stockwell)
August 1955 SW withdrawn into store
April 1956 sold to Birds
1956 bought by Kerr & Linney, Ardrossan: A1 Service [photo]
February 1966 preserved by LOTS
1966 preserved, at Brighton
May 1983 trip to Orkney [photo]
1996 preserved, in red, at Staines Rally
Preserved, Southport
August 2001 changed owners: now K.Rose, Staines
April 2002 at Cobham Museum Open Day
April 2003 at Cobham Museum Open Day
January 2005 bought by Ensignbus
Repainted: red, cream upper window surrounds, Ensignbus
January 2005 in service on 36 [photo]
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Technical
Specifications:
Date of first registration: 3 May 1949
Chassis: AEC Regent III
Engine: AEC
9.6
Fuel: Diesel
Chassis/Body Code: 3/RT/3/4
Body: Cravens
type
Seating: 56 seats, 26 lower and 30 upper
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