Fylde Borough 47
The Seddon RU was one of a number of chassis developed when rear engine 36ft one person operated (OPO) single deckers were in vogue in the late 1960s. The Government's New Bus Grant encouraged the conversion of services to OPO by part funding the purchase of high capacity buses - these 47 seaters replacing 56 seat Titans with peak loadings dealt with by increased standing capacity.
The RU was a competitor to the AEC Swift, represented in the Trust’s collection by Blackpool Nos. 554 and 570, and the Bristol RE. Production ran to just 274 vehicles, most with Seddon’s own ‘Pennine’ bodywork but they earned an unfortunate reputation with both drivers and engineers. Fortunately Lytham's batch were near the end of production and many of the teething problems had been ironed out.
Lytham St. Annes acquired six in October 1972 as 45-50 and they entered service the following month allowing conversion of local services 1 and 3 to OPO. One was written off in an accident in 1978 and over the next three years gave up parts to convert its five sisters to single door with all five completed by 1981. Sadly this refurbishment did not extend their lives as the undertaking (by now named Fylde) was in financial difficulties and had to reduce its fleet. High capacity double deckers and coaches were retained whilst the bus seated single deckers were sold. The Seddons went in 1982 with four (45/6/7/50) were sold to East End Coaches, Clydach near Swansea for further service, joining some ex-Burnley examples in the South Wales Valleys.
Here the buses were regularly used on school duties and were joined in 1991 by several of Darlington’s examples. By 1999 only two ex Fylde RUs survived and when one (50) suffered fire damage this left only No. 47 to soldier along alone. During 1999 the surviving pair of ex-Darlington examples were also retired and No. 47 itself finally ran its last journey at the end of the year after 28 years service.
Having made our interest known in the bus prior to withdrawal, No. 47 was retained intact while the others were stripped of useful parts. Purchase was agreed in February 2001 and thanks to the generosity of subscribers to an appeal the necessary funding was raised and the vehicle acquired in March 2001.
No.47 is quite historic - it is the only surviving post war Lytham single decker and one of just two Seddon RUs in preservation (the other is Southampton 15). It was the last Seddon RU to operate in passenger service in the UK. 47 spent time in the ownership of a supporter until it was donated back to FTT in 2021. It was taken to Reliance Bus Works for mechanical and body restoration. On 3rd August 2021 it was sufficiently fit to undertake a road run. It returned to Blackpool in October 2024 and was repainted into its 1980 livery with white front V and mustard band, this was completed in March 2025. It made its passenger carrying debut after its seats were retrimmed on 26 June 2025 at the RVPT Lytham Hall event.
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