Central SMT

Double-Deckers : Albion Lowlander

The Albion Lowlander was one of many double-deck types that Central tried, at first with apparent enthusiasm, then quickly did an about-turn and disposed of the lot. Central built up a fleet of 30 Lowlanders in the years 1962-63, all at East Kilbride. Yet in 1965 they were all withdrawn and passed to Alexander (Fife) and Highland.

The Central Lowlanders had two different styles of bodywork. A1-10 and A21-30 were by Northern Counties, while A11-20 were by Alexander. Although normally a great fan of Alexander products, their Lowlander body was - in my opinion - the least aesthetically pleasing design ever produced at Falkirk. The problem lay with the high driving position which, on the Alexander body, produced an ugly mis-match between the cab and the lines of the rest of the bus. Indeed the top of the driver's windscreen almost touched the destination display! Northern Counties somehow managed a more sympathetic treatment, although their design did feature a strangely-angled front nearside lower-deck window.

The two styles of bodywork featured slightly different livery applications. The Northern Counties body had the traditional cream band above the driver's cab, while the Alexander body, either due to lack of space or in an attempt to disguise its ugliest feature, had a plain red front up to the upper-deck windows.

More Lowlander Photos

A12 negotiates a roundabout at speed in East Kilbride. Note the pronounced mismatch between the front and the side of the Alexander bodywork.

Double-deck Types

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