Built: 1952
RLH 32 worked within the Country area of London Transport throughout its career, painted green with cream waistband.
Entering service in October 1952, it was based at Guildford garage for the first five years. Apart from a brief spell at Godstone, Addlestone garage was then home until withdrawal in July 1970.
From the first day of 1970, it was owned by London Country Bus Services, and later bore a revised fleet name 'LONDON COUNTRY' in the old LT gold style. In June 2005, 35 years after withdrawal, RLH 32 was painted with London Country yellow fleet names, 'flying polo mint' logo and waist band as a 'might have been'- to represent what the small fleet of London Country RLHs would have looked like, had they continued in service for a little longer. This was the same colour scheme applied to green London Country RTs of the period.
After being stored at Garston garage, the bus was painted blue and used from 1971 by Lesney Products, to transport staff.
RLH 32 was sold to the London Bus Preservation Group, Surrey, in October 1974, and resold the next year for use as a caravan. Fortunately this conversion was not undertaken, although the bus was painted red for the first time.
In November 1976 the bus was secured for preservation by the Modelstone Bus Club and kept in the North West Transport Museum, St. Helens, Merseyside. It visited Holland for the Tulip rally near Amsterdam in March 1980, and was soon after restored to original green colours.
RLH 32 was purchased by D. Pring of Timebus Travel (now known just as Timebus) in July 1997.
In 2007, the vehicle was painted in the blue and ivory colours of Samuel Ledgard, to re-create the appearance of the four (other) RLHs which operated north of Leeds until 40 years ago.
RLH 32 goes to a sprinkling of special events during the year and provides free rides to the public along with other heritage buses. For a confirmation of where RLH 32 is definitely going to attend, please see the home page or contact Timebus online.
8th May 2016
Staines upon Thames
Laying over between duties on route 461 to Walton
Photo © E. Pring
1st August 2010
Near Walton, Surrey
Route 461 was being re-created by RLHs on this date as part of the RLH40 commemoration.
Photo © T. Drake
14th October 2007
Otley
40th anniversary of Samuel Ledgard closure, re-created route to Guiseley
Photo by P. Larkham
19th June 2005
Chertsey station
Special free service to Cobham Bus Museum, for 1950s running day
Photo by E. Pring
19th June 2005
Near 6 ways roundabout
Special free service from Chertsey Station to Cobham Bus Museum, for 1950s running day
Photo by E. Pring
13th October 2002
Woking
Route 436 recreation, 'RLH50' event
Photo by E. Pring
6th October 2002
Amersham 'low' bridge
Amersham bus rally day and 'RLH50' event
Photo by John Crawford
1999
At bus rally, Amersham station
Photo by E. Pring
1998
Fifield, Near Windsor, Berkshire
Photo by E. Pring
1997
Departure from St. Helens Transport Museum
Photo by E. Pring
7th September 1980
Staines, with RLH 23, 461 route rerun
2nd August 1980
461A route rerun
March 1980
With RLH 29 at the Tulip rally, Amsterdam, Holland.
Photo by B. Gentle
17th October 1975
Ham Common
18th April 1973
Lesney's, Hackney
© D. Pring
24th September 1971
PVS
7th August 1971
Osbourne's, Tollesbury
30th June 1969
Addlestone Garage
Photo © D. Pring
UK registration number: MXX 232
© Timebus 2000-2017