The Merlins and Swifts: after London Transport This page created 31st March 1998, updated 3rd May 1998 Special thanks to Adrian Clarke for all his photos, and to Paul Watson and Kevin McGowan for additional data Although London Transport did not find the Merlins and Swifts to their liking for the intended services, there were many places and bus companies that could make use of their good side, and did. The following photo album, courtesy of BusSpotter, shows a few of the colourful products of the dispersion.
Click on the images to obtain larger pictures.
Merlins
MB 567 is in operation at Dover with Townsend Thoresen,
sometime in the 80's, as the "cattle-truck" to carry foot-passengers
from the station to the docks.
This operation used the standee facility to its maximum,
but it was not a nice ride for the passengers: Welcome to Britain!
Photo, used with permission, by BusSpotter.
Satisfied customer: Hants and Sussex used
- and rallied, this smart pair.Merlin MBA570 and Swift SMS683 at a rally in Southampton. Photo, used with permission, by BusSpotter.
Hants and Sussex also had MBA 539, seen here in service on route 39 at Emsworth.
Photo, used with permission, by BusSpotter.
Also in use with Hants and Sussex, although in Blue Triangle livery, is MBA 530.
Photo, used with permission, by BusSpotter.
Still in Hampshire, Blue Lake operated MBA 545, seen here immaculate at a rally.. ...and rather scruffy in service. Was this Blue Lake too? Photos, used with permission, by BusSpotter.In the North London suburbs, North Mymms Coaches had MBA 605
Further East, in Kent, Donsway operated MBA 570, and also took it to rallies.
Photos, used with permission, by BusSpotter.
Swifts
SM1 went to work for Blue Triangle, who still had it in early 1998. Rather earlier it is seen at work near Romford. SM3 was acquired by a West London firm trading as AML: the letters from the Swift registration plate. It is seen here at a North Weald rally. SM3 was preserved, (below), in LT bullseye livery. Photos, used with permission, by BusSpotter.
SM30 has appeared at rallies for several years in the green and cream livery of Emsworth and District. This appearance was at Cobham Open Day in April 1998. Photo: Ian Smith.SM683 worked for Hants and Sussex alongside MBs, and is seen here at work in Chichester.Photo, used with permission, by BusSpotter.
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