Created 26-May-19
Modified 8-Mar-24
In 1961 a further twenty 30-foot long AEC Regents arrived, split into two batches 445-453 (445-453 GTX) and 454-464 (454-464 KTG), the two batches being identical but delivered approximately six months apart. They marked a departure from previous tradition as the bodies were by Metro-Cammell rather than Weymann, although as both came under the MCW sales organisation and built to the same designs the difference wasn't really noticeable.
Like the 425-444 batch, they were also restricted in their use due to opposition from the Trade Unions. From photographic evidence at least, they seem to have deviated less than the earlier batch and spent almost their whole lives on the Cardiff to Treorchy/Ystrad Rhondda services, so much so that very few photographs exist of them in service anywhere other than Cardiff bus station.
These vehicles were on the 2D3RA chassis, which was similar in specification to the LD3RA but featured the new AV590 engine of different construction but the same capacity (9.6 lites) and capable of developing more power but actually derated to be the same. The batch featured a slightly revised front end with a mesh grille and rounded front wings. The biggest difference was to be found at the rear as the lower saloon emergency exit was now in the middle at the rear instead of on the offside.
The whole batch was absorbed by Western Welsh in 1971 and withdrawn en bloc in 1972. Some entered the secondhand market in the UK but no less than fifteen of them were sold to the Kowloon Motor Bus Company in Hong Kong. Latterly, though, as they had been fitted with Gardner engines, Daimler transmission and axles and ultimately new bodies, there was precious little left of the original vehicle.
Fortunately one of the group to remain in the UK has survived into preservation and 457 can be found at the Cardiff Transport Preservation Group's museum in Barry.
© David Beilby
