(2/12/2017) Non-standard Cravens RT - AEC Regent III RT1431 JXC194 - Ensignbus Running Day 2017

RT1431 is one of the only two surviving Cravens-bodied RT's (the other one is RT1499, also in Ensignbus Vintage Fleet), out of a total of 120 built in 1948-50. The Cravens RT's are so non-standard that they even have one more window bay than any other RT. The interior is also very different (and looks cruder) from the standard, especially the window winding mechanism.

Mechanically they are the same as other RT's - an AEC 9.6-litre 6-cylinder diesel engine driving a 4-speed pre-selective gearbox via a fluid flywheel. You can hear the clonk whenever the gear change pedal is operated. I quite like the overall sound effect of this bus.

Note that the driver accidentally changed down to 2nd at 12:06, then failed to engage 4th gear at 12:56 and 19:42, so it seems that the gear lever have to be pulled to the very end of the quadrant, then hammered into place, for the 4th gear to be properly pre-selected.

Thank you for watching!