Scania N112

The Scania N112 (known as the Scania BR112 until 1984) was a transverse-engined bus chassis built by the Scania division of Saab-Scania AB of Sweden between 1978 and 1987, mainly for the Nordic and the UK markets.

BR112DH

In 1978, Scania ended a decade-long tie-up with Birmingham-based builder Metro-Cammell Weymann (MCW) that had resulted in the Metro-Scania single-deck bus and the Metropolitan double-decker. MCW subsequently built its own Metrobus chassis as a replacement for the Metropolitan, while in 1980 Scania launched its own replacement, the BR112DH.

The BR112DH was available in two lengths, 9.5m and 10.2m, and was powered by the 11-litre DN11 engine (and later the turbocharged DS11 engine), coupled to either a Scania three-speed or Voith automatic gearbox.^[1]

The biggest customer for the BR112DH was Newport Transport, which took 29. These included nine single-deck versions with Wadham Stringer Vanguard bodywork; the double-deckers were bodied by Marshall of Cambridge. Two were built with Alexander RH bodywork for Tyne and Wear PTE, and two more with Northern Counties bodies for Greater Manchester PTE.

There were also four demonstrators, two each with East Lancs and Marshall bodywork. One of the Marshall-bodied demonstrators was exported to the Republic of Ireland in 1981, while one of the East Lancs-bodied buses was exported to Singapore in 1982 after trials with several UK operators, joining the fleet of Singapore Bus Services (SBS).

N112DH/N112DRB

In 1984, the BR112DH was re-designated the N112DH (and later N112DRB), with the same length and gearbox options.

Newport initially continued to be the most significant customer, taking eight Alexander RH-bodied N112s at the end of 1984, followed by eight East Lancs-bodied versions in 1986.

However, deregulation and the introduction of route tendering in London were to result in a significant increase in sales and a greater customer base, as past purchasing allegiances were broken. Former National Bus Company subsidiary Brighton & Hove took ten East Lancs-bodied N112s, while Leicester Citybus took four, and Scottish co-operative A1 Service took two. In London, Grey-Green took six East Lancs-bodied versions, while Kentish Bus bought five with Alexander RH bodies, and Boro'line Maidstone two.

There were also six East Lancs-bodied single-deck versions for Kingston upon Hull City Transport, and two for another Scottish co-operative, AA Motor Services.

The N112 was also built as an airport shuttle bus with Van Hool Alizee coach body and DAF Variomatic transmission, and in this form Capital Coaches of West Drayton ordered 23 on behalf of the British Airports Authority (BAA) at Heathrow in 1987, while Terminus Securities Ltd took one in 1988 for work at Gatwick.

Replacement

In 1988, Scania introduced its 3-series range of buses and trucks, and the N112 was thus replaced by the N113.

See Also

• List of buses

References