2446 is well into its third year of a major restoration.
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2446 is currently entering the final stages of restoration, new panels are being fitted and the advert boards rebuilt.

Keep checking for new photo updates!!
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2446 is an Alexander 'X' type Bristol RE with a Gardner 6HLX engine. It was purchased by Ben Simpson on the 26th August 2005 for preservation and is currently undergoing some major work.
Plans are to restore this bus to full Citybus MKII livery with all period adverts.
Reg no WOI2446
Fleet no 2446
Chassis no RELL-3-2603
Body Alexander (Belfast) X Type B52F+24
Body no 563/14
New 01/01/1981 (tax book)
Date in to service 17/12/1980 Smithfield Depot
Transferred to Citybus 01/03/1991(reserve)
Reseated to B51F 8/1991
Ardyone depot 01/09/1991 -28/03/1993
Falls depot 28/03/1993-28/02/1997
To reserve 28/02/1997
Sold to Belfast Royal Academy 11/1997
Acquired for preservation By Mr B Simpson Newtownabbey 26/08/2005.

IN THIS GALLERY WE LOOK AT BUSES THAT HAVE MOVED ON OR WERE USED FOR SPARE PARTS.

Bristol RELL ex Citybus 2568 ( BXI 2568 ). Owned by Ben Simpson was acquired from its previous owner after suffering engine failure. It was acquired for spare parts and was not in a good state. Originally we had planned to restore the chassis for show but this was not achievable due to other constraints.

Leyland Leopard ex Ulsterbus 1526 ( DOI 1526 ). Owned by J Thompson.
Found to have major rot in the body and chassis, 1526 was thus deemed unsuitable for restoration and was sold on for scrap to Trainor's of Castlewellan.

Leyland Leopard ex Ulsterbus 173 ( VOI 173 ). Owned by J Thompson
It was found that this vehicle had a bad chassis and was not worth restoring. Having a good body a decision was taken to break it up and in doing so has provided the group with many spares for years to come. Its engine has already been put too good use in 182, one of the groups many leopards.

( PIB 3673 ) a Plaxton Elite Leyland leopard. Owned by J Thompson
This vehicle is now with the Kells Transport Museum, Cork.

The weekend of August 16th+17th 2008, saw the ABPG visit the open weekend event at Lathalmond the home of the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum

Sunday 07/06/09 - North East Vintage & Classic Car Show 2009. Attending this show for the second time in a row, the group had 1878 and 129 attend. Also in attendance was Paul Haughey and Pat Malones Bristol RE 2589 and Leyland Leopard 334. With even more entries this year and excellant weather a thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all.


SAT 31/05/08. Organised by Ciaran Connelly, using his own Bristol RE ex Ulsterbus 2444 (WOI 2444), Jim Poot's ex Ulsterbus Leyland Leopard 211 (WOI 2211) and the group's Leyland Tiger 363, an excellant tour was had of the Antrim coast stopping off in Carnlough and Ballycastle along the way. With the sun splitting the tree's and the vehicles in top form a memorable day was had by all.

SUN 8/6/08. North East Vintage & Classic Car Show, Mosney, Co. Meath. The group's Bedford 1878 was entered in this event and took part in her first classic show appearance, also attending was Paul Haughey and Pat Malone's ex Ulsterbus Bristol RE 2589 (BXI 2589) and Leyland Leopard 334 (BXI 334) also being ex Newry buses as is 1878. Meeting up in Newry with Pat and Dundalk with Paul, 1878 was back on her original home turf briefly and all travelled down in convoy to the event. The day was well enjoyed by everyone and is well recommended to anyone into their classic cars or commercials. A selection of the show's 500+ entries is also included for your viewing.

SAT 14/6/08 Veteran's Day, Donaghadee, Co. Down. Leyland Leopard 235 and Bedford 1878 were in attendance for this event.

SUN 6/7/08 17TH Irish Classic & Vintage Motor Show, Terenure College, Dublin. Starting off with a wet forecast, the group's Leyland Leopard 129 and Bedford 1878 travelled to Dublin for this show, as usual the irish weather turned out to be unpredictable and quite the opposite upon reaching Dublin with the sun out in all it's glory. Although a few entries staying away due to the forecast an excellant day was had by everybody and some 1000 entries were still in attendance at the event. Turning 30 year's of age this year 129 made it's first classic show debut here and looked every bit the part amoungst the motoring heritage on display and took the 250 mile round trip in it's stride.

51+36 are owned By Ian Houston (Newtownards)
Fleet No 51
Reg No H904XGA (new)
New to McAneaneys of Crossmaglen Co. Armagh 08/1990
Re-registered IBZ3051 by 05/19928/1990
Type Mercedes 609D
Chassis no 668063-20-008513
Body Made to Measure C24F
Acquired By Ian Houston T/A Houston Coach Hire Newtownards 04/ 1992
Sold to Flexibus Ltd Belfast 11/1993 Fleet no 51
Withdrawn 08/2000
Reacquired By Ian Houston (Newtownards) for preservation 01/2002

On Reacquiring 51 Ian has set about a major restoration of the vehicle, it has had the floor and boot replaced and the body has received attention to prepare it for its repaint into the original Flexibus pale green livery, each year has seen the vehicle prepared for its annual LPPV (Mot) test and as with all preserved buses + coaches the restoration of 51 is a on going job.

Fleet No 363
Reg No DXI 3363
Company Ulsterbus Ltd
Chassis No 8300697
Body No 981/3
Type Leyland Tiger TRBTL11/2RP
Body Alexander (Belfast) N Type C53F+8
New 22/06/1984
Reseated 1988 to B53F+22
Enniskillen 22/06/1984 - 13/01/2006
Craigavon 13/01/2006 - 20/09/2006
Armagh 20/09/2006 - 30/09/2006
Reserve 30/09/2006
( used By Newtownabbey Depot for about 10 days 10/2006)
Acquired for preservation by Richard Shannon (Newtownards) 13/ 02 /2007

When New this Bus was fitted with 53 dual purpose coach type seats and was used on the Ulsterbus Express Services network ,363 was based in Ulster’s Lakeland at Enniskillen Depot and would have worked the Belfast - Enniskillen service 261,for most of its time there.

Work carried out so far has included a tidying up of the bus inside and out and vinyls applied to the bring the bus back to mid 90's condition, this also including a set of metal bumpers being fitted, these having been removed and replaced with fibreglass flat bumpers during mid life. Mechanically a new fuel pump has been fitted and new rubber boots on the suspension levelling valve rod's at the back fitted, these having cracked with age.

It is intended eventually to return 363 to express spec inside an out.

Fleet No 280
Reg no AXI 280(new)
Re-registered FEZ7746 05/12/2005
Re-registered AIG 280 by 09/2006
Chassis no 8030336
Type Leyland Leopard PSU3E/4R
Body Alexander (Belfast) X type B53F
Body No752/??
New 01/07/1982
Antrim 18/06/1982 - 02/12/2003
Bangor 02/12/2003 - 30/10/2005
Reserve 30/10/2005(detaxed)
Acquired for preservation by Mr J Thompson (Newtownards) 01/2006

Also part of the batch of specials 280 represents one of 20 bus seated examples and when in Antrim was regularly to be found on express workings on the M2.

Since being acquired 280 has had a 90% repanel and full repaint back into the livery she would have carried when new in Antrim. Mechanically sound 280 has been well looked after through her life and will not need any major work. Internally she stills sports the softs seats she carried in her last years in service.

Fleet no 274
Reg no YOI2274
Chassis no 8030145
Body no 750/15
Type Leyland Leopard PSU3E/4R
Body Alexander (Belfast) X type
New 01/05/1982
Oxford Street 01/05/1982- 29/02/2000
Armagh 29/02/2000- 20/10/2003
Bangor 20/10/2003- 28/02/2006
Reserve 28/02/2006 -
Withdrawn
Acquired for preservation 11/2006 by Mr J Thompson (Newtownards)

One of a batch of 40 vehicles built on a batch of chassis acquired at the end of Leyland Leopard production originally destined for the National Bus Company . They were fitted with non standard parts and became known in Ulsterbus as the Specials, 274 is one of the 20 forty nine dual purpose seated examples and when new carried Ulsterbus Express fleet names.

This bus spent most of its time when allocated to Oxford street depot at Comber sub-depot. On transfer spent time at Armagh and finished it working life at Bangor Depot.

Since 274 joined the ranks of preserved buses it has been prepared and presented for LPPV (mot) test and at this present time is undergoing an external restroration. Work carried out so far has seen a full repanel, the battery box rebuilt, the sealed up boot opened up and rebuilt with new wood and a set of boot doors reinstated. New front panals have been sourced and fitted. As of yet a livery has not been decided on but the coming months should see her repainted.

Fleet No 2635
Reg No NXI 4635
Company Citybus Ltd
Chassis No TR00580
Body No B10/24
Type Leyland Tiger TRBLXB/2RP
Body Alexander (Belfast) N type B43F+37
New 8/05/1989
Short Strand 8/05/1989
Painted into NIR rail link livery 3/1990
Reseated to B42F ?/1990
Transfered to Ulsterbus Londonderry City (LY) on loan 10/01/92
Transfered back to Citybus Short Strand 2/06/92
Last operated on the rail link in August 1991, blank white vinyl's were applied over the NIR logo's and operated like this until 1993 when detaxed with accident damage 6/1993.
Into Citybus fleet livery and retaxed at Short strand 11/1993.
Reserve 1/09/2004

Acquired for preservation by Richard Shannon (Newtownards) 7/2007

In mid restoration at the moment 2635 was one of a batch of 35 delivered to Citybus in 1988/89. Numbered 2601 - 35 they were very different to their Ulsterbus cousins in having taperlite springs and Gardner engines and also being of a standee layout. 2635 has the distinction of being the last Gardner engined vehicle ever delivered to Citybus/Ulsterbus and was chosen as an experiment to become the first vehicle to have the "spotted dick" pattern soft seats, only the last three rows stayed fibreglass.

The rest of the batch had fibreglass seats throughout as did the whole citybus fleet, very soon the whole fleet was to follow suit and a new era for the fleet began. Early in her life 2635 was put on the Railink service linking Central station, York Road station and the city centre of Belfast, she was painted in a special all over livery for the service. The service was bein operated by Leyland Lynxes and 2635 was to act as a spare bus to cover for any breakdowns etc. Later on in life after bein replaced on the railink by new Q type Tigers and going back to ordinary service 2635 was chosen for an all over advert for Heinz Tomato Ketchup, this advert was carried for quite a number of years before finally being painted back into service livery.

2635's restoration so far has included a complete repanel all round, a new front dome and an ordinary windscreen fitted as to orig spec replacing the armoured toughened glass fitted mid life. The interior has been completely stripped out and is awaiting sections of the floor bein replaced. New lino has been sourced and awaiting fitment. It is planned this coming year will see 2635 completed.

The latest addition to the ABPG fleet is in the form of ex Flexibus 26 (JXI 226).

Acquired by Ian Houston from J. Miller of Ballyclare and the 3rd of his minibuses, 26 required a tow home with the groups towbus having not been MOT tested in quite a few years. The 3 1/2 tonne of 26 made it a feather compared to the vehicles 1882 would have towed during her towing career and all went extemely well.

Plans as to 26's future will be revealed shortly.

Fleet No 2481
Reg No XOI 2481
Company Citybus Ltd
Chassis No RELL-3 2638
Body No 715/25
Type Bristol RELL6G
Body Alexander (Belfast) X type B39F+40 (39 seats and 40 standing)
Engine Gardner 6HLXB
Gearbox 4 speed Semi Auto

New 26/08/81
Held in storage and entered service 1/02/82
Short Strand 1/02/82 - 17/05/89
Ardoyne 17/05/89 - 28/03/93 upon closure of Ardyone depot
Reseated to B45F+34 07/89
Gt Victoria St 28/03/93 - 30/04/97
Reserve 30/04/97 - 18/10/97
Gt Victoria St 18/10/97 - 31/10/99
Reserve 31/10/99
Sold to St. Malacy's Primary School, Eliza Street, Belfast 6/2000
Acquired for preservation by Richard Shannon 2/06/2007.
New to Citybus in August 1981, 2481 was of a batch of fifty vehicles new to that company(2481-2530) and all were delivered to a standee layout seating only 39. After being held in storage 2481 entered service at Short Strand depot on 1st February 1982 remaining there till May 1989 when it was transfered to Ardoyne depot. Upon closure of Ardoyne on 28th March 1993 it moved to Gt. Victoria Street and operated there until the end of October 1999 when it was finally taken out of service, although it did spend a short time in storage in 1997. June of 2000 seen it sold to St. Malachys Primary School, Belfast and painted in an allover green livery and was to go on to spend 7 years with the school until being replaced with a Leyland Tiger purchased from Ulsterbus in 2007. Immediately after ending the school year at the school it passed into preservation with its current owners.

Since acquired for preservation 2481 has had a general tidy up inside and out remaining in the green livery it was purchased in. Passing her MOT test first time with the group she has proved to be an excellant runner and will need very little mechancial work to see her in tip top condition. Mechanically it has had a new exhaust silencer and tail pipe, new cotter pins on the handbrake linkage front to rear, new rear brake linings and a small air leak fixed. Internally she has been returned to 39 seats with standee layout, long term plans will see her return to citybus guise complete with fibreglass seats throughout and return to her original red and ivory livery, in the mean time she will be kept on the road until other projects are finished.

Reg No WOI 2235
Fleet No 235
Type Leyland Leopard PSU3E/4R
Chassis No 8030103
Body no 700/09
Body Alexander (Belfast) X Type DP49F
New 26/03/1981

Magherafelt depot 26/03/1981 removed from service 31/07/1990
Hired to Express Aid Ireland 08/1990
Sold to Express Aid 05/1991
Sold to G Johnston Belfast (for use as a mobile caravan )( Semi Preserved ) 05/2000
Acquired for full preservation 09/2003 by Mr S Gilmore (Bangor) + Mr J Thompson (Newtownards)
Ownership passed to J Thompson Newtownards 01/2006.

Leyland Leopard 235 was withdrawn from Ulsterbus service in 1990 and hired to Express Aid Ireland. 235 was then used with the support of Ulsterbus drivers to bring aid to Romania. From what we have been told 235 made some 23 trips to Romania.. 235 carried over £30,000 worth of aid to Romania. 2 thirds of the seating was removed to make space for the aid and the crew sleeping area. The trip took 8 days and had covered 4,800 miles.
235 made this trip some 23 times covering in excess of 110400 miles with teams of volunteer driver’s drawn from various Ulsterbus + Citybus depots though out Northern Ireland.
235 has been restored to the livery it carried when new with the large Ulsterbus Express fleet names.

Fleet No 2306
Reg No TOI 2306
Company Citybus Ltd
Chassis No RELL-3 2413
Body No 340/22
Type Bristol RELL6G
Body Alexander (Belfast) X type B50F+24
New 29/05/79
Short Strand 29/05/79 - 1/06/85
Ardoyne 1/06/85 -
Converted to B52F+22 in 1982
Acquired for preservation by Richard Shannon 2004

New in 1979 "2306" was part of a batch of 15 Bristol RE's delivered to Citybus in that year. Previous deliveries of RELL's had seen them all to double door configuration along with fibreglass seat's throughout. 2306 - 2320 were the first single door RE's to be delivered to Citybus, seating 50 they were intended for private hire work and were the first to be trimmed with soft seats. When new 2306 would have had a 4 speed gearbox, this proved a bad choice for a private hire bus and was soon swapped as was the rest of the batch with five speed units from second hand Crosville and United RELL's round 1980.

Eventually bein downgraded to service work in the mid 80's 2306 was reseated to 52 and the acquired the familiar fibreglass seat throughout. After bein further reseated down to 51 in 1991 led an uneventful life until the late 90's when transfered to Ulsterbus, 2306 took up residence in Londonderry's Pennyburn depot and was to remain there until withdrawn in 2004.

Restoration work so far has seen the interior stripped out and the floor lifted owing to being rotten. A full repanel has been carried out with only the front panel's awaiting replacement and engine an battery doors being refitted. The back end has seen substantial rebuilding elimnating accident damage and much chassis descaling and painting. Mechanically a new exhaust system has been fitted and a service carried out, waiting attention is a broken back spring and the front brakes needing new drums and linings, a full check over also needing done. Also waiting being fitted are new front bulkheads, the old ones having cracked with stress. This year should see the floor reinstated and her restoration moved on closer to being finished.

It is planned to restore her to as when new in Citybus Livery.

Fleet No 2134
Reg No MOI 2134
Company Ulsterbus Ltd
Chassis No RELL-3 2164
Body No 183/14
Type Bristol RELL6G
Body Alexander (Belfast) X type B44D+30
Engine Gardner 6HLXB
Gearbox 4 speed semi auto

New 17/02/77
Smithfield 17/02/77 - 31/12/80
Detaxed with accident damage 30/11/77 and returned to service 9/1/78 at Smithfield.
Londonderry City (LY) 31/12/80 - 29/02/92
Reserve 29/02/92 - 5/03/92
Londonderry City (LY) 5/03/92 - 30/04/92
Reserve 30/04/92 -
Sold to Bus Eireann, Dublin 11/92 and numbered BG39 and reregistered 77 D 816.
Reseated to B49F before sale to Bus Eireann.

Acquired by Richard Shannon.

Purchased on the 9/03/08 for continued preservation from M.Phipps, Dublin.
This vehicle is in very poor condition both mechanically and bodily and will require a major restoration from top to bottom. It will require a new floor and repanel and a mechanical check over and the biggest job of all, the centre door reinstated. More info on its history will follow soon.

New to Central S.M.T, Scotland 3/76 as their Fleet No T243
Wishaw 1/03/76 -
Sold to Ulsterbus Ltd 3/89
Fleet No 1882
Reg No MHS 21P
Company Ulsterbus Ltd
Chassis No 7600177
Body No 4174/18
Type Leyland Leopard PSU3C/3R
Body Alexander (Falkirk) AYS type B53F+22 (53 seated and 22 standing)
Engine Leyland 0680
Gearbox 4 speed manual, 1st to 2nd crash

To Driving School, Belfast 1/07/89
To Driving School, Londonderry 29/06/92
Reserve 30/04/97 upon closure of Londonderry driving school.
Ballymena for conversion to Towcar 27/11/97 (not taxed)
Into service as Towcar at Ballymena 11/02/99
Renumbered 4882 20/07/05
Withdrawn for disposal 31/07/07

Acquired for preservation by Richard Shannon (Newtownards) 9/2007.

Being acquired for preservation 1882 represents the cut down engineering vehicles that most Ulsterbus depots went to great lengths to convert especially for the purpose, this particular one being converted by Ballymena depot. Being a 4 speed manual Leopard, this vehicle has proved to be very lively and has already demonstrated to be a useful addition to the group.

It has had a general tidy up inside and vinyls applied externally to represent the mid ninties Ulsterbus livery, 1882 would have carried these vinyls as a Driving School vehicle but not as a towbus as she was converted in the Translink era. Mechanically she is an excellant bus, with only a speedo drive unit having to be sourced an replaced so far. Eventually it is planned to give her a full repanel and repaint.

Fleet No 1878
Reg No LOI 1878
Company Ulsterbus Ltd
Chassis No 455852
Body No ??
Type Bedford YLQ
Body Alexander (Belfast) X type B45F+20
Engine Bedford 500 blue seris
Gearbox 5 speed manual

New 20/01/1977
Newry 20/01/1977 - Reserve 31/01/90
Converted to Towbus For use at Newry 7/02/90
Withdrawn for disposal 24/02/95
Reinstated as Towbus at Armagh 7/06/95
Renumbered 4878 20/07/05
Withdrawn for disposal 25/08/06
Acquired for preservation by Richard Shannon 09/06

One of the longest surviours of the type with Ulsterbus when withdrawn from service in January 1990, 1878 has recently been completely restored from a tow-car back to original bus condition by Richard Shannon.

A substantial restoration has seen it recieving a partial repanel and full repaint externally, internally it has had a new floor fitted at the back and new lino throughout, the boot rebuilt and seats acquired and fitted as to orig bus standard spec. Mechanically the front brakes have been completely overhauled and an exhaust manifold sourced and fitted along with a few other minor jobs. As the only restored example of a few survivors 1878 makes a unique and valued addtion to the ABPG.

Reg No VOI 182 (new)
UCZ 1781 (current)
Fleet No 182
Type Leyland Leopard PSU3E/4R
Chassis no 7902314
Body Alexander (Belfast) X type DP49F+22
Body no 582/28
New 15/05/1980
Newtownards 15/05/1980 - 31/08/03
Reserve 31/08/03 - 21/10/03
Purchased for spare parts by Jeff Thompson 21/10/03

After Mr Thompson had acquired Leyland Leopard 235, it was found to be in a bad way inside, and bits and pieces had been removed from it over the years. Leyland Leopard 182, VOI 182 was purchased for spare parts to restore Leopard 235. The decision was then made to restore Leyland Leopard 182 after it was found to be very good chassis wise , it has already received 173's engine as the original was very worn and needed a complete overhaul.

It is to be returned to MK1 Ulsterbus livery eventually. This is a long term project.

Fleet No 1571
Reg No DOI 1571
Company Ulsterbus Ltd
Chassis No 7201586
Body No
Type Leyland Leopard PSU3B/4R
Body Alexander (Belfast) X type B53F
Engine Leyland 0680
Gearbox 4 speed semi auto

New 1/06/1972
Omagh 1/06/72 - 1/1/87
Armagh - 1/1/87 - 30/11/88
Reserve 30/11/1988
Withdrawn 8/11/89 for use as a store.

Acquired for preservation by Richard Shannon (Newtownards) for continued preservation from the Kells Transport Museum, Cork 9/04/2006.

One of 2 survivors of the early steel framed leopards that ulsterbus owned, 1571 is the only bus seated example still in existence. Waiting restoration at this time, 1571 will be a long term project needing a full strip down. New floor bearers are needed throughout the bus and a new floor required. Side framework and stress panels will need attention or replacement particularly in the boot area, the chassis itself is in very good condition for its age and will only require a clean down an painting. Mechanically 1571 was well looked after to the usual Ulsterbus standard but lyin up for so long will mean a full check over. Any missing parts have been salvaged off scrap vehicles since being acquired and placed back on 1571 so as not too loose any of them.

Reg No ROI 129
Re-Registered FEZ 8627 23/11/05
Fleet No 129
Type Leyland Leopard PSU3E/4R
Chassis no 7801952
Body Alexander Belfast X Type DP49F+22
Body No360/23
New 16/10/1978
Into service date 19/10/1978

Newtownards 19/10/1978 - 01/04/1992
Bangor 01/04 1992 - 13/09/1996
Dungannon 13/09/1996 - 31/05/2006
Reserve 02/05/2006
Acquired for preservation by Mr J Thompson Newtownards 17/07/2006
Acquired for on going preservation by P McAlinney Newtownards 22/03/07

Leyland Leopard 129 has had small alternator problem fixed, a one peice bumper sourced and fitted to the front and a new one peice rear bumper is currently being made.
129 is the only Leopard within the group to have all 4 springs changed, with the front springs being weak on one side and a broken leaf on the other.After finnishing this job it was then noticed the bus was still sitting funny so 2 back springs have been fitted.

129 has been painted into the livery it would have arrived new in, Mk1 Ulsterbus with depot codes for the first depot it was based at, Newtownards.
Leyland Leopard 129 is the only surving full size ROI registered Leyland Leopard, this batch being new with 2 emergancy doors and black ribbed seat material.

Fleet No 1025
Reg No JXI 1025
Company Ulsterbus Ltd
Chassis No 8600087
Body No 782/6
Type Leyland Tiger TRBTL11/2RP
Body Alexander (Belfast) N type DP53F+22
Engine Leyland TL11
Gearbox 5 speed semi auto

New 01/1987
Newtownards 01/1987 - 29/02/08
Reserve 29/02/08 -

Acquired for preservation by R Shannon (Newtownards) 16/07/2008

New to Newtownards depot on the 7th of January 1987 and now the only surviving example of a batch of 30 Tigers delivered to Ulsterbus in the JXI registered seris, 1025 spent all its working life there and generally worked out of Millisle and Donaghadee sub depots. Clocking up 21 years of service 1025 was withdrawn and sold to its current owners in July 2008.

Not so much restored but tidied up to a PSV standard, 1025 has been returned to the livery it wore as new, the opportunity of a repaint seen it have any dented or damaged panels replaced and the reinstatement of the original Spec steel bumpers front and back, and of course all its badges namely the Tigers head!.

Mechancial work has seen it recieve new anti roll bar bushes and exhaust silencer and pipes so far. Future plans are a full top to bottom restoration.