FJF 40D
Chassis: AEC Renown
Chassis Number: 3B3RA227
Body: East Lancs
Body Number: 6355
Seating Capacity: H43/31R
New: February 1966
Withdrawn: January 1976
1966-1976: Life with Leicester City Transport
New to Leicester City Transport as number 40, this bus was part of a batch of 10 rear entrance A.E.C. Renown’s built to normal height dimensions on a low height chassis, with a seating capacity of 74. Due to passenger complaints after entry in to service with LCT this batch of buses were returned to the body builders, East Lancs of Blackburn for modifications to the lower saloon floor and rear platform. FJF 40D had only a 10 year career with LCT before withdrawal in 1976.
1976-1980: After withdrawal by Leicester City Transport
The bus was sold initially to Yeates the Loughborough based dealer. It was purchased by Mainfleet of Liverpool along with another LCT A.E.C. Renown (39) and three East Lancs bodied Leyland PD3s. Mainly used on school contract work and also provided transport for dock workers in the city.
1980-Date: In preservation
In 1980 number 40 was purchased for preservation and joined a number of other vehicles in storage at Burscough, Lancashire. Only a small amount of work took place on the A.E.C. during its 20 years in the North West. Purchased by Andrew Tucker in December 2000 and returned to Leicestershire in 2001. Work undertaken since then includes new rear platform structure, front wheel arches, new front glass fibre cowl and cab door, along with electrical and mechanical work and brush painted repaint. The bus gained a new MOT in 2012 and returned to the road in Leicester City Transport’s cream and two maroon band maroon livery.
