Back in 1973, LT (and all other fleet operators) had a major problem obtaining parts for vehicles due to the reduced output of most manufacturing industries during the prolific power cuts caused by the electricity workers strikes in 1972. Stores stock was being used faster than it could be replaced and by the Summer of 1973 most garages had vehicles `against the wall` often for the lack of basic parts. Cannibalizing of buses became increasingly common with a few examples so stripped of bits as to put them off the road for a couple of years until they could be slowly rebuilt. RM 931 wasn`t long out of overhaul in 1973 when it was laid up and progressively robbed of items to the extent that it was eventually towed to Bexleyheath Garage and dumped. It`s seen there on Aug 23 1978 after some five years out of use. Another two years passed before it was eventually towed to Aldenham for major reconstruction. It emerged in January 1981 as RM 848 and came to Stamford Brook. It had the best heaters I ever encountered in an RM - probably because of all the new pipework free of limescale! And after leaving LT to work in service elsewhere it returned to LT and now survives in preservation. Not bad for a bus that once looked like it had no future.

Neil G

Back in 1973, LT (and all other fleet operators) had a major problem obtaining parts for vehicles due to the reduced output of most manufacturing industries during the prolific power cuts caused by the electricity workers strikes in 1972. Stores stock was being used faster than it could be replaced and by the Summer of 1973 most garages had vehicles `against the wall` often for the lack of basic parts. Cannibalizing of buses became increasingly common with a few examples so stripped of bits as to put them off the road for a couple of years until they could be slowly rebuilt. RM 931 wasn`t long out of overhaul in 1973 when it was laid up and progressively robbed of items to the extent that it was eventually towed to Bexleyheath Garage and dumped. It`s seen there on Aug 23 1978 after some five years out of use. Another two years passed before it was eventually towed to Aldenham for major reconstruction. It emerged in January 1981 as RM 848 and came to Stamford Brook. It had the best heaters I ever encountered in an RM - probably because of all the new pipework free of limescale! And after leaving LT to work in service elsewhere it returned to LT and now survives in preservation. Not bad for a bus that once looked like it had no future.

My bus number (if any): RM967 (Driver & Restoration Consultant, bus owned by Tom Ireland)