RAO 733 is a Bristol LD that was built in 1956 . It entered service in that year as fleet number 369 although later gained a prefix of "C" which indicated that it was for Country services. This meant that it had a 5 speed gearbox and doors on the rear platform unlike those vehicles intended for town services . C 369 became 416 in the 1961 renumbering programme and carried this to the end of its service life.

It was unique in the Cumberland Bristol LD fleet in that it was the only one fitted with Cave-Brown-Cave heating.In fact it was one of the first two Lodekkas fitted with this type of system.

416 was withdrawn in 1971 and then became a mobile caravan for a while before becoming a mobile fish and chip shop . It was last reported performing this role in the Stockport area in 1981 and after that seemed to disappear. It reappeared in the summer of 1999 when it was purchased by Mac Tours of Edinburgh, initially as a source of spares. It was then planned to convert it to open top but this was not proceeded with and negotiations were entered into which resulted in 416 being secured for preservation.

416 has had some work done to its chassis and rear end but is currently awaiting completion of  HHH 272N

More about this bus can be found at www.c-o-g.co.uk (opens in new window)