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Preparation for export

I mentioned in a previous post how little take up rate there was by private customers buying buses for the capabilities that Aldenham could offer. For four years from the start of mass RM withdrawals, Aldenham was there and, subject to their own workload, could have undertaken repaints and modifications - but very rarely did. With the significant exception of buses going to UK operators for further service such as RM`s to Scotland and MD`s to Reading.

So here are some pictures that are, therefore, quite rare in showing RM`s 1371 and 1620 just back from external repaint and being prepared mechanically and with tyre change prior to export. The customer involved was prepared to pay above average for a corresponding uplift in quality. No great surprise as they already had a fleet of RT`s and a long standing rapport with LT for assistance. This was Abegweit Tours on Prince Edward Island and their vehicles were kept in good condition and with more than they actually needed most vehicles worked only in alternate seasons.

These pictures were taken on March 21 1983 in the finishing shop of the old AEC Works. Bizarre really that RM`s began their life here and even more unexpected was that these two would be back in the UK nearly thirty years later - along with the RT`s that had left London many years before the RM`s did.