Saturday 31 March 2012

FirstGroup Creates Trust for Historic Buses

Transport operator FirstGroup has created a new trust to restore and preserve some of the company's historic vehicles.
The FirstGroup Heritage Trust already has four buses from First's operations in Aberdeen, dating as far back as the 1930s.
The collection includes a 1965 Daimler, a 1975 Leyland Leopard and a 1930 Albion.
The company said more vehicles would be added from First depots across the UK.
Trust secretary Joe Mackie said: "It's important we protect and preserve our heritage vehicles.
"In Aberdeen, for example, our 1930s Albion bus has a rich and varied history - to condemn it to the scrapheap or consider selling it would be a great loss."
'Historical significance'
He added: "In setting up the trust, vehicles with historical significance such as the Albion are protected.
"There are a number of buses throughout our operations in the UK that we will take ownership of, and subsequently restore and preserve them."
The original chassis of the 1930 Albion was discovered by a London resident in his back garden a number of years ago.
It later emerged the bus was in service in Aberdeen in the 1930s before being commissioned during World War II and taken to London.
It was transported back to Aberdeen 10 years ago and restored to its former glory.
All four vehicles held by the trust are now on display at the Grampian Transport Museum in Alford, Aberdeenshire.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-17480427

Information from Phil G