Class History:

 

The RLH is basically a low height RT, hence the prefix Regent Low Height. London had, up until the war, ran very few low height buses as the Metropolitan Police were convinced the unusual seating arrangement would cause delays in loading times and hold up other traffic unnecessarily. World War II caused a complete re-think of this as extra capacity was required on many routes that passed under low bridges whilst economies were always sought in not running more vehicles than were absolutely necessary due to the fuel rationing and shortages of things like brakes and tyres. During this period London ‘borrowed’ many types from provincial operators some of which were of the low height variety which operated without causing the chaos envisaged in the pre war days. Following hostilities London needed to replace its war weary fleet and this included the few low height double decks actually owned by the Board. To start with 20 were purchased on standard AEC Regent III chassis and bodied by Weymann in 1950, these all went into service in the Country Area in green. To enable the remaining low bridge buses to be replaced a further 56 were ordered in 1952, the first 32 again went for Country use in green, whilst the remainder went into Central Area red (including RLH61). The class continued to operate until 1971 when the final route that could not be diverted round or have the road lowered to allow conventional double decks, the 178’s, was converted to high capacity single decks.

Due to their low height configuration many RLH’s were sold overseas for further use, with big buyers being both the USA and Canada. Even today some survive as bars, cafes or restaurants in these countries, whilst here in the UK only 5 remain, of which one is a mobile uniform store that was converted by London Country for this purpose.



RLH61 History

 

RLH61 entered service on December 1, 1952 at Harrow Weald where it took up duties on route 230, where it remained until August 1958 where a very short stay saw it operate on the 127’s until the last day of operation by double decks. It then moved back again to Harrow Weald where it worked until going into storage at various depots before eventually ending up Dalston Garage for use on the 178. It remained here until April 1971 when the route became the very last to be operated by the RLH’s and on April 16, RLH61 became the very last of the class to operate on this route and thus bring to an end 20 years of service in London.

Many of the RLH’s found quick buyers in the USA and Canada where their low height made them ideal. RLH61 was no exception heading of to the ‘New World’ in the summer of 1971 destined for Toronto. Various owners operated it on sightseeing duties in Ottawa and Kingston, before passining into private ownership in the early 1990’s where its condition gradually deteriorated.

By 2004 the vehicle was in the last chance saloon as the elements took their toll and its long term home was due to be sold and the vehicle was left facing oblivion. Purchased by Ensignbus, its acquisition was kept secret from the Chairman and the vehicle was repatriated, recovered and restored without his knowledge, eventually being presented to him as a late birthday gift in July 2005. Since then it has been a regular performer at many events and still wears its Ontario number plate proudly alongside its UK one as a reminder of its long stint overseas.



Vehicle Allocation History:

 

December 1952 HD new into service on 230 (Harrow Weald) [photo]
1953-1955 Harrow Weald
1956 HD used on 230
August 1956 AL after overhaul for 127 (Merton)
1957 Merton
August 1958 Merton used on 127
19 August 1958 runs on last day of Route 127
August 1958 Harrow Weald transfer for 230
1959-1960 Harrow Weald
April 1961 Harrow Weald into store, then to Aldenham overhaul
June 1961 Harrow Weald from overhaul, then relicensed
1962 Harrow Weald
January 1963 Harrow Weald into store
March 1963 AE change store (Hendon)
November 1963 SE change store (Stonebridge Park)
January 1964 D transfer for 178 (Dalston) [photo]
August 1965 D into store, then to Aldenham overhaul
October 1965 Harrow Weald from o/h, then relicensed
March 1966 Dalston transfer for 178
1967-1970 Dalston
1971 Dalston used on 178
April 1971 Dalston withdrawn (the last lowbridge bus in LT service:16/4/71) [photo]
April 1971 PR ..into store (Poplar)
April 1971 Believed sold to Ensignbus
Later in 1971 bought by Quo Vadis Club, Toronto, Ontario, exported to Canada
September 1973 sold to D.Johnson, Toronto, Ontario.
By September 1974 used on tours by Travelways Tours, Thornhill, Ontario:
1974 Ottawa tours;
1975 Kingston, Ontario, tours [photo]
March 1976 back in Thornhill;
1976-1983 used on tours in Ottawa and Kingston.
September 1984 sold to B.Taylor, Picton, Ontario.
October 1986 sold to Toronto Double Deck Services, Toronto, Ontario.
1987 reported sold at auction
1990 reported in Oshawa, Ontario.
1996 preserved in Ontario, original LT red: shabby!
August 1999 still in Myrtle, Ontario: fading
October 2001 Myrtle
June 2002 Myrtle…fading [photo]
April 2004 bought by R & S Newman
May 2004 begins journey back to the UK
July 2004 restoration begins…
17 July 2005 given as surprise birthday present to Peter Newman, Ensignbus by his two sons Ross & Steve [photo]



Technical Specifications:

Date of first registration: 1st December 1952
Chassis: AEC Regent III
Chassis Number: 9613E6984
Body: Weymann low bridge 2RLH
Engine: AEC 9.6
Fuel: Diesel
Length: 25’ 11”
Seating capacity: 53 seats, 27 downstairs 26 upstairs