No Nationals in SBG programme
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by Derek Moses
• Despite the fact that the Scottish Bus Group's 1972 rolling stock programme announced this month shows a marked swing to single-deckers, no Leyland Nationals — nor indeed any rear-engined single-deckers — are included.
The Group has ordered a total of 201 buses and coaches at a cost of more than £1,600,000.
Only 24 of the new vehicles will be double-deckers, a marked contrast from recent years. For example, the 1970 programme called for 120 buses of this type out of a total of 275 vehicles. As in 1970, all the double-deckers will be Daimler Fleetlines, the majority going to Eastern Scottish (20) and the remaining four to Alexander (Midland).
The most popular single-deck model ordered is the Leyland Leopard, 115 examples being allocated among SBG subsidiaries as indicated in the accompanying table. All will have Alexander bodies, together with a total of 47 vehicles made up of Bristol LH, Ford, and Bedford YRQ chassis.
It is interesting to note that Highland Omnibuses have remained faithful to Willowbrook-bodied Fords, ordering another 12 to join a growing fleet of this combination. Most surprising order is possibly that from Central SMT, which calls for 32 Leyland Leopard buses to enter service in a predominantly double-deck fleet.
Apart from the Leopards, the next most numerous model is the Ford (34), followed by Daimler's 24 Fleetlines, 20 Bedford YRQ and eight Bristol LH. Dual-purpose bodies will be fitted to 100 of the single-deckers, and all vehicles qualify for standard bus grants apart from seven Duple-bodied coaches.