SJ51 LPA

History

SJ51 LPA is a Wright Solar Fusion bodied Scania L94UA, new to Doigs of Glasgow in 2002 for use on the University of Strathclyde inter campus shuttle. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only articulated bus in the UK that was new to an independent operator, with all ten other Scania L94UAs being new to either Go North East, Nottingham City Transport, First Manchester, or as a demonstrator.

By 2015, it had moved to Orkney for work on cruise shuttle services, residing with Bennett, Kilwinning, later being owned by J&V Coaches, and then Orkney Transport, from where we acquired it in January 2026. Due to the nature of its work both from new, and later in life, it has accrued an extremely low mileage, reading just 65k km, or a little over 40k miles from new. The condition of the bus reflects this, with the underside and interior looking almost as new, save for a small amount of seat wear.

In Preservation

We arranged with Orkney Transport to have SJ51 LPA loaded onto the ferry at Orkney, bound for Aberdeen. In the event, the timing landed us right in the middle of Storm Goretti, which delayed arrival in Aberdeen by a day, due to being unable to get it across the port onto the ferry in Kirkwall. Once we'd managed to get out of Aberdeen port, our first stop was an advisory free class 6 test at Lothian DAF, before proceeding back down towards the south west of England. Since then, the only work that has been required is removal of the vinyls, replacement of a few lost trim pieces, and a general clean, exposing the original roller blinds fitted to the front. In time, we'd like to reinstate the missing side destination blind, if we can find or modify a suitable mechanism, and fog lights, but there are no other urgent requirements for the immediate future.

Collection day from Aberdeen.

Upon arrival at our yard after a long trip from Doncaster.

Seen in Sheffield Bus Station on private hire.

Future Plans