SMW1-3 were 48 seater 36ft Swifts (ie Merlin length) with Willowbrook bodies
very different from that on the LT Merlins.
They wore Lincoln green with a canary yellow waistband,
and sported aluminium trim stripes and AEC flying triangle badges on the front.
Other unusual features included the roof sky-light near the front,
and the illuminated one-man-operated indicator on the front.Also the windows on the two sides were not aligned,
so that the roof joints did not coincide with offside window pillars.These three arrived in September 1971, and went to Crawley for use on local services 474, 475 and 479, all routes that had been taken over from Southdown in April 1971, and which used SM Swifts and RTs as required. The welsh Swifts stayed at Crawley, and were associated with these routes all their working lives, although they did get excursions on the 405 and 433 short workings too.
SMW2 at least was painted eventually into NBC green with white waistband and coloured logo, and was seen on Godstone schools workings in later life.
They were withdrawn in early 1981.
| No. | Route | Garage |
|---|---|---|
| 474 | Gossops Green - Rutherford Way (Crawley) (Mon-Fri pks) | CY (Crawley) |
| 475 | Northgate - Hands Cross (Mon-Sat) | CY |
| 479 | Crawley Bus Stn - Gossops Green (Mon-Sat) | CY |
The first three were followed by a dozen younger buses from South Wales.
These also had BET-style bodies, this time by Marshall,
and with single doorways. They seated 53.
There was a number of more subtle variations from the first batch, although they had a strong family resemblance. The window arrangement was different: fewer longer windows, arranged symmetrically. (They initially had non-opening windows, but were fitted quite soon with sliders). These buses lacked the forward skylight, but had an opener right at the back, and prominent ventilators on the sides of the roof. The trim was placed differently too, with a deeper yellow waist-band and the middle go-faster stripe placed lower. The omo indicator was now placed centrally on the front. A heavy chrome trim occupied the bumper position at front and rear. There was no front grille. The driver's windscreen wiper was moved towards the offside. His side window was larger. The 3-track number blind and destination blind were the other way round.
The dozen Marshall Swifts were allocated to St Albans,
where they remained throughout their working lives.
Routes included the 338, 343, 358 and 361.
They started straight away when the first five arrived in October 1971,
replacing RTs that needed recertificating, and using crews,
and took over the routes formally with one man operation in January 1972.
| No. | Route | Garage |
|---|---|---|
| 338 | Radlett - London Colney - St.Albans | SA (St albans) |
| 343 | Markyate - St Albans - Colney Heath - North Mimms - Brookmans Park | SA |
| 358 | Borehamwood - Shenley - St Albans | SA |
| 361 | St. Albans - St. Stephens - How Wood Estate | SA |
At overhaul and repaint in 1976-7 they went into NBC green with a white waistband.
Some lost the aluminium trim, others just had it overpainted.
Most lasted until the end of the decade, but the remainder were withdrawn in April 1981.
SMW histories
photo refs
Ians Bus Stop
LT Merlins.
LT Swifts.
SMW
SMA