UK Based 2002 BB AARE

[dougquaid]

Picked up one of the last UK Spec, Right Hand Drive AARE from 2002. This is one of the last two that were released from service a couple of weeks ago. Has been relocated in its conversion yard and is now in the process of being stripped, cleaned and painted.

[musigenesis]

Amazing, I wouldn't have thought anything like this existed. Was this used for transporting children to an American school or something?

[dougquaid]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

Amazing, I wouldn't have thought anything like this existed. Was this used for transporting children to an American school or something?

Nope, it was not used to transport children to an American school. Just a regular British school, populated by British kids. 😬😬

[Sehnsucht]

Are we sure the photo hasn't just been flipped?? LOL just kidding. I too would have never imagined that Blue Bird would have made UK spec school buses or that UK even USES yellow school buses. I always figured they are quintessentially American in nature.

[dougquaid]

There have been a grand total of 59 Bluebird imported since 1992 I think. This is one of 20 Gen 4 AARE with the 5.9 ISBE fitted. They were used by our Local Authorities (our version of counties I suppose) but were retired due to the age and lack of handicap facilities. They were then used for driver training and retired a month ago. 170000 miles travelled in the UK in that time...

[Sehnsucht]

How is the UK climate for rust?

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by Sehnsucht

How is the UK climate for rust?

They say it rains there all the time, but every time I see London Bridge it looks like it's in the middle of a desert.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

They say it rains there all the time, but every time I see London Bridge it looks like it's in the middle of a desert.

It is.

[dougquaid]

Originally Posted by Sehnsucht

How is the UK climate for rust?

Not bad. There is some use of salt on the UK roads, but generally, the entire country grinds to a halt when there is more than 5mm of snowfall... Which means that the Schools close and the buses don't run.

That said, Seattle is probably closest to the UK in terms of weather. Being on a similar latitude and on the Pacific Coast.

[dougquaid]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

They say it rains there all the time, but every time I see London Bridge it looks like it's in the middle of a desert.

Hahahah, very true. It is quite, erm, wet....