RF13
Vehicle History
| May-51 | New | Body 7391, Chassis number 9821LT013 (1RF1/2) |
| May-51 | Streatham (AK) | |
| Oct-52 | Streatham (AKu) | Unlicenced |
| Mar-53 | Old Kent Road (P) | |
| Nov-53 | Old Kent Road (Pu) | Unlicenced |
| Nov-53 | Camberwell (Qu) | Unlicenced |
| Jan-54 | Camberwell (Q) | |
| Dec-54 | Windsor (WR) | |
| May-55 | Overhaul | No Body Change |
| May-55 | Merton (AL) | |
| Dec-55 | Staines (ST) | |
| Jan-56 | Amersham (MA) | |
| Feb-56 | Merton (AL) | |
| Dec-56 | Addlestone (WY) | |
| Apr-57 | Merton (AL) | |
| Dec-59 | Overhaul | No Body Change |
| Nov-60 | Carshalton (CNu) | Unlicenced |
| May-61 | Merton (AL) | |
| May-62 | Dalston (D) | |
| Aug-63 | Hemel Hempstead (HH) | Route 708 |
| Oct-63 | Hemel Hempstead (HHu) | Unlicenced |
| Oct-63 | High Wycombe (HEu) | Unlicenced |
| Dec-63 | Sold | PVS |
| 1964 | Further Service | J Hampson, Oswestry (fleet no.21) |
| 1981 | Withdrawn | Vaggs Coaches Ltd, Oswestry |
| ? | Stored | BAMMOT |
| 1994 | Sold for Preservation | TMR Preservation |
| Dec-97 | Licenced | |
| Dec-99 | Unlicenced | |
| May-2000 | Licenced | |
Off to have her chassis cleaned
RF13 at Green Street Green in the autumn of 1996 on her first significant journey in preservation
RF13 has an AEC chassis with a 9.6 litre horizontal underfloor diesel engine and 35 seat body
manufactured by MCCW. It was one of a fleet of 25 similar Private Hire Coaches built for London
Transport in 1951, as the initial batch of an eventual order for 700 RFs.
The Private Hire RFs
varied from the other vehicles in a number of ways, the most obvious being the glass roof panels
and the shorter 27' 6" length.
Following a relatively short life of 12 years with London Transport during which it was also
used on Green Line services (although not converted as such), RF13 passed together with RF12 to
Hampson’s Luxury Coaches of Oswestry in 1963. Both vehicles were used mainly on the local 'Town
Service' for a further seventeen years until being withdrawn in 1981.
We purchased the two vehicles in a fairly run down condition at the end of 1994, most of their previous 13 years having been spent in outside storage. Longer
term plans will see RFs 12 & 13 appearing together, and also with RF16 retrieved from Ireland
to represent other members of the class officially converted for Green Line use.
Of the 25 original vehicles, we believe that 7 remain with 4 of these being currently active.
Off to see the London Lights during Christmas 1997
Hampson's 21 finally broke cover for the first time as a licenced vehicle in preservation
during December 97, having successfully passed an MOT at the first attempt (Well done Ray).
Here we see one of our 'Inspectors' giving the thumbs up just prior to the first public journey.
An early arrival at East Grinstead during the Bluebell running day in 1998 - Photo by Ray Crouch
A naked appearance was made at the East Grinstead running day in order to achieve '4 at a rally'.
Little paint was left on the front during a period when significant progress was being made with
the preparations for a repaint. Here we see two other enthusiastic members of the team, looking
forward to the prospect of a visit to Macdonalds.
RF4 & RF13 relax in the forecourt of Llangollen Station during the Summer of 98
Before RF13 had received a re-paint, Peter Penfold's RF4 could be found taking some exercise with
the Llangollen Railway.
As this was so very close to the old stomping ground of RFs 12&13, the temptation to 'pop down' for
the weekend became too much to resist. Following some late night painting, Lucky 13 made her way via Cambridge
to join Lucy in Wales. Whilst Llangollen would almost certainly have seen both
these vehicles previously, they would never have been parked up together like this.
Events Attended
20th December 1997 - Christmas Lights Tour
26th April 1998 - Bluebell Running Day at East Grinstead
6th September 1998 - Eastbourne Bus & Vintage Vehicle Rally
19th/20th September 1998 - Historic Vehicle Rally - Carrog Station (Llangollen)
27th September 1998 - Exclusive First Editions SHOWBUS at Duxford
5th June 1999 - Headcorn Local History Society - Visit to Charing
25th July 1999 - Kent & East Sussex Railway Historic Vehicle Gathering
1st August 1999 - Lingfield Steam & Country Show
4th June 2000 - Eastbourne Buses - Regal Event