This bus (RT 190) was delivered to LT in October 1947 with a Park Royal body, and initially worked out of Leyton Garage.  In May 1949 RT 1173 with a Saunders body was delivered to Elmers End Garage.  During overhaul of both buses in May 1957, the body of RT 190 was fitted to the chassis of RT 1173 - such mixing and matching being normal practice at the time.  In 1963, LT were disposing of old RTs, and RT 1173 with the body of RT 190 was sold to Ubique Coaches (North London) where it continued in service until 1970 when it was sold for preservation becoming part of the then Cobham Bus Museum collection.  Meanwhile, RT 190 with its newer Saunders body had been in use for training until 1969, and was sold in January 1970 to S. Eynon, Trimsaran, Carmarthenshire.

RT 190 with the newer body was subsequently scrapped.  It was then decided to re-designate RT 1173 as RT 190, and to register it with the original RT 190 number HLW 177.  This meant that the "new" RT 190 now had an original Park Royal body, as it had when delivered.  RT 190's body has been extensively refurbished, and most of the original fittings re-established so that the vehicle, as far as possible, is in an "as delivered" condition, including the reduced destination blind - a post war requirement.

The RT 190 history was obtained from the HBH website: click here to view.