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Park Royal bodied AEC Routemaster - PCN 762



Registration Number PCN 762 (Formerly RCN 699)
Chassis AEC Routemaster
Body Park Royal H41/31F
Date New 1964
Fleet Number 2099
Original Owner Northern General
Acquired for Preservation 2007
Current Status Stored - Awaiting Attention

Historical Information

This vehicle originally carried registration number RCN 699. It was re-registered as EDS 508B and later given the number it now carries, PCN 762, another Gateshead registration from the same period.

In 1964, Northern General caused some excitement in the bus industry by purchasing Routemaster buses for their long distance stage carriage routes. They were the only company outside of London to buy the Routemasters, and these vehicles went on to serve the company well for around sixteen years. They were fitted with Leyland 0.600 engines instead of the AEC AV590 and a standard worm and pinion rear axle to give a higher rear axle ratio for the long trunk routes for which they were purchased.

In 1980, No. 2099 was withdrawn from service. By then it had been renumbered 3083, in Northern’s fleet renumbering process of 1975. It was sold dealer Wombwell Diesels, near Rotherham in November 1980, and on to Stevensons of Uttoxeter Ltd (Yellow Bus Service ) Spath, in  January 1981. as their No. 28. It was first licensed by Stevensons in July 1981, and later became their No. 52 in January 1983.

It was sold on to Stagecoach, Perth in May 1986, and later operated in the Glasgow area from October 1986 to 1991, being re-registered EDS 508B.

It was re-purchased by Northern in 1991 and was on-loan to Go-Ahead Northern Bus Enthusiasts’ Association (GANBEA) . The number PCN 762 was transferred from Royal Tiger coach 7012 to  provide an authentic Gateshead registration for the vehicle.

In 1992, it was repainted in the present red and cream livery, and in 1994 it operated service 40R to Victoria Docks, London for the Routemaster RM40 celebrations.

An AEC engine was fitted in place of the original Leyland unit some time after this.

The bus was then purchased by the late Chris Moyes, before finally being acquired by NEBPT in 2007.