Central SMT

Livery Schemes

This feature gives a short guide to some of the fleet liveries used by Central through the years. I have no pictures of the original dark red and brown livery - the story begins in the red-and-cream era.

In the early days of the red and cream colour scheme, red was very much the predominant colour, seen here relieved only by a cream band.Later, a second cream band was added between the decks, giving a slightly lighter effect.By the time the last Leyland Titans appeared, the standard Central SMT look had been established with the use of cream window surrounds.
This layout was also used to great effect on the superb Lodekka fleet.SBG corporate style fleetnames were introduced in 1978. In order to accommodate the new fleetname, a revised livery layout was applied, extending the lower-deck window surround into a between-decks band.In the late 70s, there were some short-lived experiments with a creamier version of the livery.
A striking Redline version of the livery was worn by the small Leyland Olympian fleet.T174 shows the standard single-deck version of the traditional livery, with cream waistband and window surrounds.This livery required no modification in order to accommodate the new corporate-style fleetname in 1978.
T370 shows the original version of the livery applied to the first Alexander T-type bodied buses.An innovative and very effective zig-zag scheme was introduced for the new TE/TS Tigers.For many years, Central maintained a small fleet of Bedford / Duple coaches in this distinctive two-tone blue livery.
Later coaches featured variations on the red and cream theme.One of the local identites introduced in 1989 was Monklands Bus. The livery was inspired by the former independent Baxter's of Airdrie.Another of the local identities was EK Chieftain, inspired by Laurie, Hamilton.
The third local identity was Lanarkshire Bus, featuring a more vibrant version of red and cream.    

National Identity

The standard colour scheme for the Central SMT Leyland National featured a large cream area, including the traditional Central treatment of window surrounds.The first National IIs appeared in allover red, relieved only by the fleetname panels.My favourite! Some of the ex-Eastern Scottish Nationals retained their previous owner's preferred layout, with window surrounds in the main fleet colour.
This very odd experimental livery was tried out on N25, but thankfully led to nothing.Less creamy experimental liveries were also tried on the original Mk I Nationals, as seen in this view of N5.N51 (seen here) and N54 were both selected to receive the Monklands Bus colour scheme.