EFE SHOWBUS International 2005 photos |
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The Volvo Ailsa was developed primarily for the Scottish Bus Group, but found favour with several other fleets with its unorthodox front engine layout. Most were bodied by Alexander, with whom Volvo collaborated in the build venture. PSJ825R here though had bodywork by the short lived Van Hool McArdle firm, based in Southern Ireland. They built many bodies for their native CIE and a notable batch of Ailsa for South Yorkshire PTE. A1 Services of Ardrossan bought this one. |
Some buses at SHOWBUS are unique because they are the only survivor of a breed, but this former
Derby City Transport bus is the only Volvo Ailsa built with a lowheight body. With its front
engine layout, it was not easy to bring the body down to a height of 13' 8". New in 1977, it
was used on the former Blue Bus Service route to Burton on which a 13' 3" low bridge was located
at Willington that 71 could just get under. The bridge is now plated at 13' 0" and the bus no
longer fits! 71 was sold for school work to Eagre Coaches in Lincolnshire and re-registered
TRR 814R, RTO1R passing to a vicar. The bus later passed to Doigs of Glasgow before entering
preservation.
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 The three Alexander Ailsas were lined up together at SHOWBUS, with the lowheight Derby bus in the middle for comparison. The full height versions are former Maidstone & District 5385 (LKP385P), one of the batch of five NBC trial models, and West Midlands PTE 4738 (JOV738P). |
 West Midlands 4738 arrives at SHOWBUS earlier in the day. |
EFE SHOWBUS International 2005 photos |
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