Leyland Atlantean AN68A/1R

LA1408 (RDS 597W) was one of the last 99 Atlanteans for Glasgow.

This batch of Atlanteans differed significantly from previous buses. They reverted to the short bay window configuration and featured a new destination arrangement with space for intermediate and ultimate destination blinds, though as a result of Union action only the ultimate destinations would be used and most of the buses were quickly rebuilt with this blind in the centre. Inside, the buses sported orange checked moquette with a different colour scheme throughout. Patterned honeycomb and walnut effect laminates were used and the result was a much cosier and more luxurious feeling bus. These last buses were also fitted with fully automatic transmissions which varied from bus to bus – some being ferociously jerky!

LA1408 operated from Knightswood, Larkfield and Newlands garages during its service life and will be restored in the ‘PTE4’ livery of “Strathclyde Red” (orange) and matt black, which it has in fact been wearing since withdrawal from service in 1998.

LA1408 was one of the last Atlanteans in service, running beyond the “Last Atlantean Day” on 6 June 1998 to finally come off the road just after midnight on a late duty in November that year.

The bus is still in as-withdrawn condition, having been laid up in preservation by a few owners in the past 18 years, so it is a wee bit of a time-capsule with no restoration yet performed.