Another visit to some delightful vehicles from the past. This time it's a look at the AEC Regals
operated by Trent Motor Traction. Before world war 2, most of the buses of Trent Motor Traction, based in Derby, were made by B. M.
M. O., and in 1935 the entire fleet of over 250 vehicles was single deckers. However, Trent bought their first new AEC Regals in
1937 and, after the war, three more batches of halfcab Regals buses, and two deliveries of coaches were purchased, although the
company was to standardise on Leyland products from 1951 onwards. One of the coach batches came without bodies, and was allotted
units from old Daimlers, and from the second post-war bus delivery, 20 were selected in 1958 for extension to 30 feet and a total
rebuild.
Mike Flanagan took this shot of RC 4615 at the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Trust (BaMMOT)
site at Wythall, near Birmingham. Mike has copyright, but it was kindly supplied by Roger Hardy, who thinks it was probably taken
during 1996. Many thanks to Roger for providing the picture and letting me use it.
This shows Trent 714 (RC 4615), a 1937-vintage AEC Regal I. The Willowbrook B35F body was fitted
new in 1950. It is part of the collection at the Transport Museum, Wythall, Birmingham. It certainly looks smart, and is the only
survivor of its batch of 20 (and the only surviving Trent pre-war Regal).
The fleet list has been arranged in order of delivery date, which is not necessarily in order of fleet
number. My thanks to David Root for his great assistance with facts and figures, and filling in the gaps.
As with my other lists, the mistakes are bound to creep in, and some relevant information may be
missing so, in order to make it as accurate a reference as possible, I would of course welcome any additions or corrections.
FLEET LIST
Trent's first AEC Regal, no. 700 (RC 4601) seen in the 1950s, after being fitted with a new
Willowbrook bus body. Photo: unknown.
AEC Regal I - 700 - 719 (Total 20)
Built March-May 1937
Chassis: AEC Regal I with 7.7 litre O662 oil engines. Most of the batch had pre-selector transmission.
Body: 700-709 originally had Duple B35F bodies, and 710-719 had Willowbrook B35F bodies, but all
except 703, 712, 717 and 719 were later fitted with new Willowbrook B35F bodies in 1950.
700 (RC 4601) c/n O6622053, deliv 3/37, Duple {8519} B35F, then Willowbrook {50802} B35F in 1950. Withdrawn 1958.
701 (RC 4602) c/n O6622050, deliv 3/37, Duple {8520} B35F, then Willowbrook {50805} B35F in 1950. Withdrawn 1958.
702 (RC 4603) c/n O6622049, deliv 3/37, Duple {8521} B35F, then Willowbrook {50803} B35F in 1950. Withdrawn 1958.
704 (RC 4605) c/n O6622052, deliv 3/37, Duple {8523} B35F, then Willowbrook {50804} B35F in 1950. Withdrawn 1958.
705 (RC 4606) c/n O6622061, deliv 3/37, Duple {8524} B35F, then Willowbrook {50792} B35F in 1950. Withdrawn 1958.
706 (RC 4607) c/n O6622055, deliv 3/37, Duple {8525} B35F, then Willowbrook {50801} B35F in 1950. Withdrawn 1958.
707 (RC 4608) c/n O6622062, deliv 3/37, Duple {8526} B35F, then Willowbrook {50797} B35F in 1950. Withdrawn 1958.
708 (RC 4609) c/n O6622063, deliv 3/37, Duple {8527} B35F, then Willowbrook {50799} B35F in 1950. Withdrawn 1958, in use by St. Patrick's Church, Rochdale 1960.
709 (RC 4610) c/n O6622065, deliv 5/37, Duple {8528} B35F, then Willowbrook {50794} B35F in 1950. Withdrawn 1958. To F. Cowley (dealer), Salford. Later to R. Prentice, West Calder, then returned to F. Cowley and probably scrapped.
710 (RC 4611) c/n O6622054, deliv 5/37, Willowbrook {2981} B35F, then Willowbrook {50791} B35F body 1950. Withdrawn 1958.
711 (RC 4612) c/n O6622056, deliv 5/37, Willowbrook {2980} B35F, then Willowbrook {50790} B35F body 1950. Withdrawn 1958.
713 (RC 4614) c/n O6622058, deliv 5/37, Willowbrook {2982} B35F, then Willowbrook {50798} B35F body 1950. Withdrawn 1958, with Prefect, Liverpool 1959.
714 (RC 4615) c/n O6622059, deliv 5/37, Willowbrook {2986} B35F, then Willowbrook {50796} B35F body 1950. Withdrawn 1958. ** SURVIVOR ** Now with The Transport Museum, Wythall, Birmingham.
715 (RC 4616) c/n O6622060, deliv 5/37, Willowbrook {2983} B35F, then Willowbrook {50800} B35F body 1950. Withdrawn 1958.
716 (RC 4617) c/n O6622064, deliv 5/37, Willowbrook {2987} B35F, then Willowbrook {50793} B35F body 1950. Withdrawn 1958.
The coachwork on No.641 was already eight years old when this Regal was built. Photo by kind
permission of The Omnibus Society (# 47/32).
Built in 1946
Chassis: AEC Regal I, O662 engine.
Body: Fitted with pre-war Duple C31F bodies from 1938 Daimlers RC 5988-93 (which carried the same
fleet numbers), and which had been converted to double-deck. The bodies had been stored throughout the war.
Notes: When withdrawn they were the last Trent coaches in red and cream livery (as opposed to cream
and red).
637 (RC 8740) - Withdrawn 1956.
638 (RC 8741) - Withdrawn 1956.
639 (RC 8742) - Withdrawn 1956.
640 (RC 8743) - Withdrawn 1956.
641 (RC 8744) - Withdrawn 1956.
642 (RC 8745) - Withdrawn 1956. With Unit Construction, Hollywood, Co.Down, N.Ireland 1958.
AEC Regal I - 720 - 749 (Total 30)
Regal No.724 (RC 8751) in the 1950s. Photo from the Colin Routh collection by kind permission.
Built in 1946
Chassis: AEC Regal I, 7.7 litre O662 engine.
Body: Willowbrook B34F
Notes: Many of the buses had been withdrawn by 1959, and five of the remainder were renumbered to fill
in gaps that appeared as a result of those withdrawals. Thus from 1959-1960 there were 18 remaining buses numbered in a new
continuous series from 730 to 747, thirteen wearing their original numbers, and five that had been allocated new ones. Then, in
1960, all the remaining vehicles were withdrawn.
720 (RC 8747) - Renumbered as 730 in 1959. Withdrawn 1960.
721 (RC 8748) - Based at Alfreton 1953. Withdrawn 1959, to Wimpey construction.
722 (RC 8749) - Renumbered as 732 in 1959. Withdrawn 1960, sold to Wimpey (contractor).
723 (RC 8750) - Renumbered as 734 in 1959. Withdrawn 1960.
724 (RC 8751) - Withdrawn 1959
725 (RC 8752) - Withdrawn 1959
726 (RC 8992) - Withdrawn 1959, sold to Wimpey construction.
727 (RC 8993) - Renumbered as 736 in 1959. Withdrawn 1960.
728 (RC 8994) - Withdrawn 1959, sold to Wimpey construction
729 (RC 8995) - Withdrawn 1959, sold to Norwest Construction, Liverpool
730 (RC 8996) - Withdrawn 1959, sold to Townson, Bolton (contractors)
731 (RC 8997) - Withdrawn 1960, sold to Jervis, Wellington.
732 (RC 8998) - Withdrawn 1959, sold to Wimpey. Seen in Manchester 8/62.
733 (RC 8999) - Withdrawn 1960
734 (RC 9000) - Withdrawn 1959, sold to Norwest Construction, Liverpool. Possibly later to Lane (contractor), Derby.
735 (RC 9001) - Withdrawn 1960
736 (RC 9002) - Withdrawn 1959, sold to Wimpey.
737 (RC 9003) - to a contractor in Luton
738 (RC 9004) - Withdrawn 1960, sold to Barnett (contractor), Hull.
739 (RC 9005) - Withdrawn 1959, sold to Stokes, Carstairs
740 (RC 9006) - Withdrawn 1960
741 (RC 9007) - Withdrawn 1960
742 (RC 9008) - Withdrawn 1960
743 (RC 9009) - Withdrawn 1959
744 (RC 9010) - Withdrawn 1960
745 (RC 9011) - Withdrawn 1960
746 (RC 9012) Sold around 1960 to Cheshire Homes, Staunton Harold (painted grey, named Pathfinder), then to National Coal Board (Moira, near Burton on Trent), then to preservationist in Coalville. ** SURVIVOR ** with Rother Valley Road Transport Society in 1991. Stephen Morris (Quantock Heritage), Taunton, Somerset 2005 (chassis only)
747 (RC 9013) - Withdrawn 1960, reportedly also went to the Cheshire Home at Staunton Harold (see 746 above). Replaced 1971 by AEC Reliance no. 50 (RRC 233). Other reports say it was with Wimpey in 1961.
748 (RC 9014) - Withdrawn 1959
749 (RC 9015) - Renumbered as 739 in 1959. Withdrawn 1960. To F. Cowley (dealer), Salford. Later to R. Prentice, West Calder, then returned to F. Cowley and probably scrapped.
AEC Regal I - 750 - 794 (Total 45)
No.765 (RC 9671) working route 19 to Melbourne in the 1950s. This bus was to be lengthened and
completely rebuilt in 1958. Photo: unknown.
Built in 1947
Chassis: AEC Regal I, 7.7 litre O662 engines.
Body: Willowbrook B35F (except 750 and 751 which were B34F).
Notes: 20 of the vehicles were extended to 30 feet long in 1958, and the bodies rebuilt accordingly.
These vehicles were renumbered 300-319. Two of the surviving vehicles were then withdrawn in 1959, and the remaining 23 formed a
new continuous series between 752 and 774. This process required the renumbering of several at the end of the batch.
750 (RC 9016) - Renumbered as 743 (or 747?) in 1959. Withdrawn 1960.
751 (RC 9017) Withdrawn 1959. Became Lorry '1', later known as A19, tower wagon with lorry cab.
752 (RC 9658) c/n O6625080. Rebuilt by Willowbrook {58159} to FDP39F (30 ft) in July 1958 and renumbered 301. Withdrawn 1963. Other reports say it was with McAlpine, Luton in 1961.
753 (RC 9659) - Withdrawn 1960. To Manchester Corporation (Water Works).
754 (RC 9660) - Withdrawn 1960, sold to Dew, Oldham.
755 (RC 9661) - Withdrawn 1960
756 (RC 9662) - Withdrawn 1960. With Wimpey Comstruction in 1961.
757 (RC 9663) Rebuilt by Willowbrook to FDP39F (30 ft) in Feb 1958 and renumbered 300. Withdrawn 1963.
758 (RC 9664) - Withdrawn 1960
759 (RC 9665) c/n O6625087. Rebuilt by Willowbrook {58166} to FDP39F (30 ft) in July 1958 and renumbered 302. Withdrawn 1962.
760 (RC 9666) - Withdrawn 1960. With Ives, Derby in 1961.
761 (RC 9667) - Withdrawn 1960, sold to Druitt, Poole, Dorset (contractor).
762 (RC 9668) c/n O6625090. Rebuilt by Willowbrook {58157} to FDP39F (30 ft) in July 1958 and renumbered 303. Withdrawn 1963.
763 (RC 9669) - Withdrawn 1960
764 (RC 9670) - Withdrawn 1960
765 (RC 9671) Rebuilt by Willowbrook to FDP39F (30 ft) in July 1958 and renumbered 304. Withdrawn 1962.
766 (RC 9672) - Withdrawn 1960
767 (RC 9673) c/n O6625095, to Hulleys of Baslow 1960. Withdrawn 1969.
768 (RC 9674) - Withdrawn 1960. With McAlpine, Luton in 1961.
769 (RC 9675) c/n O6625097. Rebuilt by Willowbrook {58156} to FDP39F (30 ft) in July 1958 and renumbered 305. Withdrawn 1962 and sold to George Wimpey, contractors.
770 (RC 9676) - Withdrawn 1960, sold to Smith, Leigh.
771 (RC 9677) c/n O6625099. Rebuilt by Willowbrook {58155} to FDP39F (30 ft) in June 1958 and renumbered 306. Withdrawn 1962 and sold to George Wimpey, contractors.
772 (RC 9678) c/n O6625100. Rebuilt by Willowbrook {58164} to FDP39F (30 ft) in July 1958 and renumbered 307. Withdrawn 1962.
773 (RC 9679) - Withdrawn 1960, to John Laing (contractor)
774 (RC 9680) c/n O6625102. Rebuilt by Willowbrook {58168} to FDP39F (30 ft) in July 1958 and renumbered 308. Withdrawn 1963.
775 (RC 9681) c/n O6625103. Rebuilt by Willowbrook {58169} to FDP39F (30 ft) in July 1958 and renumbered 309. Withdrawn 1962 and sold to George Wimpey, contractor.
776 (RC 9682) - Renumbered as 752 in 1959. Withdrawn 1960.
777 (RC 9683) c/n O6625105. Rebuilt by Willowbrook {58154} to FDP39F (30 ft) in June 1958 and renumbered 310. Withdrawn 1963, sold to Edmunds, Rassau.
778 (RC 9684) - Renumbered as 757 in 1959. Withdrawn 1960.
779 (RC 9685) c/n O6625107. Rebuilt by Willowbrook {58153} to FDP39F (30 ft) in June 1958 and renumbered 311. Withdrawn 1962 and sold to George Wimpey, contractor.
780 (RC 9686) - Renumbered as 759 in 1959. Withdrawn 1960, sold to Gleeson, Nottingham (contractor).
781 (RC 9687) c/n O6625109. Rebuilt by Willowbrook {58152} to FDP39F (30 ft) in June 1958 and renumbered 312. Sold 1963 to Leith, Sanquhar, Scotland. Withdrawn 1968.
782 (RC 9688) - Renumbered as 762 in 1959. Withdrawn 1960.
783 (RC 9689) c/n O6625111. Rebuilt by Willowbrook {58151) to FDP39F (30 ft) in June 1958 and renumbered 313. Withdrawn 1962 and sold to George Wimpey, contractor.
784 (RC 9690) - Renumbered as 765 in 1959. Withdrawn 1960.
785 (RC 9691) - Renumbered as 769 in 1959. Withdrawn 1960, sold to McAlpine (contractor).
786 (RC 9692) c/n O6625114. Rebuilt by Willowbrook {58162} to FDP39F (30 ft) in July 1958 and renumbered 314. Withdrawn 1962.
787 (RC 9693) c/n O6625115. Rebuilt by Willowbrook {58160} to FDP39F (30 ft) in July 1958 and renumbered 315. Withdrawn 1963 and sold to Leith, Scotland.
788 (RC 9694) c/n O6625116. Rebuilt by Willowbrook {58167} to FDP39F (30 ft) in July 1958 and renumbered 316. Withdrawn 1963.
789 (RC 9695) - Renumbered as 771 in 1959. Withdrawn 1960.
790 (RC 9696) c/n O6625118. Rebuilt by Willowbrook {58165} to FDP39F (30 ft) in July 1958 and renumbered 317. Sold 1963 to Shamrock Bus Service, Thurles.
791 (RC 9697) - Renumbered as 772 in 1959. Withdrawn 1960, sold to McAlpine (contractor).
792 (RC 9698) Rebuilt by Willowbrook to FDP39F (30 ft) in July 1958 and renumbered 318. Withdrawn 1963, sold to Edmunds, Rassau.
793 (RC 9699) c/n O6625121. Rebuilt by Willowbrook {58158} to FDP39F (30 ft) in July 1958 and renumbered 319. Withdrawn 1962, sold to Clynog and Trevor Motor Company, Trevor.
794 (RC 9700) - Renumbered as 774 in 1959. Withdrawn 1960.
AEC Regal II - 300 - 319 (total 20)
Built in 1947
Chassis: AEC Regal II
Body: Willowbrook DP39F
Notes: The vehicles were part of the batch 750 - 794, with bodies extended and rebuilt by Willowbrook
to 30 feet long in 1958 as FDP39F. For details therefore see that batch.
AEC Regal III - 600 - 611 (total 12)
No.611 (ACH 441) visits the Swannington Festival, Leicestershire in 1984 (Photo: Dick Gilbert)
Built in May 1948
Chassis: AEC Regal III, 7.7 litre O682 oil engine, Chassis numbers O682001 to 0682012
Body: Windover Huntingdon C30F. Converted to C32F in 1953. Numbers 608 and 609 operated as C27F for a
while from 1949.
600 (ACH 430) c/n O682001, b/n 6779?, deliv.5/48. Withdrawn 1959, sold to W. J. Hall, Trelyn, South Wales. Withdrawn by them in 1963.
609 (ACH 439) c/n O682010, b/n 6788, deliv.5/48. Withdrawn 1959. With Boyes, Bradford in 1959.
610 (ACH 440) c/n O682011, b/n 6789, deliv.5/48. Withdrawn 1959, sold to Edmunds, Rassa.
611 (ACH 441) c/n O682012, b/n 6790, deliv.5/48. Withdrawn 1959. Sold to James of Bleanforth in 1960, then to Edmunds, Rassau 1960, then to Lewis, Rhydlewis. Laid up in a Cardiganshire field from 1965 to 1975. ** SURVIVOR** Stephen Morris (Quantock Heritage), Taunton, Somerset
AEC REGAL III - 643 (total 1)
Built in 1949, acquired in 1956.
Chassis: AEC Regal III, 9.6 litre 9621A engine.
Body: Burlingham C33F.
Notes: Acquired among other vehicles in 1956 with the business of E. Naylor and Sons, of South
Normanton.
643 (NNU 648) Withdrawn 1959.
AEC REGAL III - 644 (Total 1)
Built in 1950, acquired in 1956.
Chassis: AEC Regal III, 9.6 litre 9621E engine.
Body: Burlingham FC33F.
Notes: Acquired among other vehicles in 1956 with the business of E. Naylor and Sons, of South
Normanton.
644 (ORA 181) Withdrawn 1959.
AEC REGAL IV - 645 (Total 1)
Built in 1951, acquired in 1956.
Chassis: AEC Regal IV, 9821E
Body: Burlingham C33C.
Notes; Acquired among other vehicles in 1956 with the business of E. Naylor and Sons, of South
Normanton.
645 (PRB 709) Withdrawn 1961, sold to Jordan, Blaenavon.
AEC REGAL III - 100 - 119 (Total 20)
No.100 (BRC 300), from Trent's last batch of front-engined Regals, on an excursion in the 1950s. The paintwork is
gleaming, and it's a shame that this is not a colour picture, so that the striking red livery could be fully appreciated. Photo:
unknown.
Built in 1950
Chassis: AEC Regal III, 7.7 litre oil engine with Crossley syncromesh gears. Chassis numbers in the
range 6821X428 to 6821X447 (6821X designated a Crossley gearbox - 6821A was a crash gearbox).
Body: Willowbrook DP33F.
100 (BRC 300) Sold 1961 to George Wimpey (contractor).
101 (BRC 301) Based at Alfreton 1953. Withdrawn 1961.
102 (BRC 302) Withdrawn 1961. Sold to Edmunds, Rassau.
103 (BRC 303) Withdrawn 1961. Sold to Gittins, Mansfield.
104 (BRC 304) Withdrawn 1961. With Logan (contractor), Poolewe 1965.
105 (BRC 305) Sold 1961 to J. Murphy and Sons, London (contractor).
106 (BRC 306) Sold 1961 to J. Murphy and Sons, London (contractor).
107 (BRC 307) Sold 1961 to George Wimpey (contractor).
108 (BRC 308) c/n 6821X438, b/n 50734, deliv.2/50. Sold Nov.1961 to Ezra Laycock, Barnoldswick. Sold on to C. Metcalfe, Hawes in October 1962. Withdrawn Nov.1965 and registration void by 1972.
109 (BRC 309) Withdrawn 1961.
110 (BRC 310) Withdrawn 1961.
111 (BRC 311) Withdrawn 1961.
112 (BRC 312) Withdrawn 1961. Sold to Mirrlees International as a staff bus.
113 (BRC 313) Withdrawn 1961.
114 (BRC 314) Withdrawn 1961. To F. Cowley (dealer), Salford. Later to R. Prentice, West Calder, then returned to F. Cowley and probably scrapped.
115 (BRC 315) Sold 1961 to George Wimpey (contractor).
116 (BRC 316) Withdrawn 1961. Sold to Mirrlees International as a staff bus.
117 (BRC 317) Withdrawn 1961. To Higgs and Hill (contractor)
118 (BRC 318) c/n 6821X446, b/n 50744, deliv.3/50. Sold Nov.1961 to Ezra Laycock, Barnoldswick. Sold on to E. Grange of Yeadon February 1962, withdrawn December 1964. With Berry (contractor), Heywood in 1969, registration void by 1972.
119 (BRC 319) Withdrawn 1961. To Beeline, North Hartlepool, then to Leech, Newcastle (contractor).
Total 130 (with 3 survivors - 611, 714, 746)
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