RRM 148M

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Original Operator and Fleet Number:

Current Owner:

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The bus was new in October 1973 as the unique Leyland National Suburban Express Demonstrator. It was the only high floor Leyland National built with no step up to the rear saloon and a completely flat floor. It was named 'Suburban Express' and was aimed at the coach / dual-purpose market. It was exhibited unregistered at the Scottish Motor Show in Glasgow during November 1973, and at the Commercial Motor Show at Earls Court in early 1974, registered RRM 148M. At this time it was fitted with 46 Chapman coach seats trimmed in an orange / brown moquette, and had a full length carpet. It is 11.3 metres long and has the Leyland 510 turbo-charged 8.2 litre engine, set at 200bhp at 2200 rpm coupled to a 5 speed semi-automatic gearbox. When built in 1973 it carried 46 dual-purpose seats.

Demonstrations were given to many Scottish operators, and others, between June 1974 and March 1975 when the coach seating and carpet was replaced with 51 blue bus seats to standard Leyland National design. The bus was later shipped to Eire for extended loan to Coras Iompair Eireann (CIE) in the Dublin area. The demonstration livery of cream and brown was retained throughout the demonstration period and it returned to the Leyland National Co. at Workington in May 1977.

West Midlands police purchased the bus in October 1977 via ADT, Measham, and it was used for training and personnel duties including the transport of officers during the Miners’ Strike, operating in all over white livery. It passed to Malcolm Harrison (dealer) in Staffordshire in 1983.

Suffolk County Council acquired the bus in January 1984 as its no. P218, and Eastern Counties in Norwich prepared it for its new life as a school bus. The work included repainting into the school bus livery of orange and white. In 1991, it was renumbered to 248, and towards the end of its life it was used to operate local rural bus services near Ipswich that were not found attractive by established operators. The bus was withdrawn in December 1991, and stored at a local disused airfield. In February 1992, this unique bus was saved for preservation thanks to the understanding help of council officials.

In July 1994 the bus passed to the Suburban Express Group (SEG), Attleborough, which consisted of three members of the Eastern Transport Collection (ETC) in Norfolk, led by Tim Moore. Restoration work commenced at once and they have done a magnificent job of fully restoring the bus to its 1975 condition. Exterior restoration was carried out over the winter of 1995 / 1996, with the Leyland 100 event in June 1996 being a fitting rally debut for the fully restored bus. Work included extensive repanelling, and removal of the windows prior to painting back to its original Leyland National Suburban Express Demonstrator livery. The bus has since won many awards.

In August 2002 it was sold to Michael Wootten of Chesham for continued preservation. The vehicle continued to attend rallies and has won many awards including the Leyland National Anniversary Trophy at Showbus 2002. In 2004 Michael reluctantly put RRM up for sale, but offers were coming from non-preservationists and he would not sell.

In September 2004 John Royle and his wife were visiting England from their home in British Columbia, Canada. During the trip they went to the Showbus Rally where they saw RRM complete with a For Sale sign on the windscreen. The decision was taken there and then to make an offer and keep the bus in preservation. Two days later on the 28th September 2004 it was acquired by John Royle and its future in preservation was secure. RRM is kept and maintained for its overseas owner by a custodian in Norfolk. Together they will ensure that RRM 148M, the unique Leyland National Suburban Express Demonstrator, will be seen at rallies for many years to come.

2008 update

The bus remains in good health but unfortunately its owner, John Royle, cannot rally it very much owing to his overseas residence and the limited time of his custodian. However John comes over to the UK every year to attend to RRM and see that it is in top condition for rallying at Showbus for all to see.

The Webmaster would like to thank Michael Wootten and John Royle for providing the vehicle history and photos.

5Demonstrator RRM 148M

Leyland National Suburban Express Demonstrator RRM 148M is pictured in Lithlingow in January 1975 whilst on demonstration to Alexander (Midland). She is in Leyland National Suburban Express Demonstrator cream and brown livery.

© Photograph John Royle collection.

5Preserved RRM 148M

Preserved RRM 148M is pictured on a farm in Norfolk on the 16th June 1996 after full restoration to 1975 condition had been completed. She has been repainted back into her original Leyland National Suburban Express Demonstrator cream and brown livery. At the time she was preserved by the Suburban Express Group, Attleborough.

© Photograph John Royle collection.

5Preserved RRM 148M

An offside view of preserved RRM 148M in Leyland National Suburban Express Demonstrator livery, believed to have been taken in 1996. At the time she was preserved by the Suburban Express Group, Attleborough.

© Photograph John Royle collection.

5Preserved RRM 148M

Preserved RRM 148M is pictured at the Showbus Rally at Duxford on the 26th September 2004 complete with 'For Sale' notice on the windscreen. She carries Leyland National Suburban Express Demonstrator livery. At the time she was preserved by Michael Wootten of Chesham.

© Photograph by Paul Barrett.

5Preserved RRM 148M

Preserved RRM 148M is pictured in Attleborough in December 2004 when John Royle returned to the UK to collect the bus. It is standing at the one time terminal stop of service 813 from Norwich to Attleborough. When John worked for Eastern Counties in the mid-70s the 813 was one of his regular routes. Unfortunately RRM does not have very much on its blind to display. She carries Leyland National Suburban Express Demonstrator livery. At the time she was preserved by John Royle of British Columbia, Canada, her current owner.

© Photograph by John Royle.

5Preserved RRM 148M

A 2007 view of preserved RRM 148M taken on the farm in Norfolk where she is kept. She carries Leyland National Suburban Express Demonstrator livery. At the time she was preserved by John Royle of British Columbia, Canada, her current owner.

© Photograph by John Royle.