THE ARDS BUS PRESERVATION GROUP

26

Sun May 3 2009

Sunday 3 May 2009: 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.

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The ABPG @Lathalmond 2008 and 2009

Sun Aug 24 2008

Sunday 24 August 2008: 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

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1025

Wed Jul 16 2008

Wednesday 16 July 2008: 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 Clocking up 21 years of service 1025 was withdrawn and sold to its current owners in July 2008.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 along with a head gasket change. Future plans are a full top to bottom restoration.

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Rallies, Road Runs and Show's attended by the ABPG.

Sun Jun 1 2008

Sunday 1 June 2008: Friday 26th June 2009 - Warringston Vintage Cavalcade. Leyland Leopard 129 attended making its 1st show with its new registion. Jim Poots also attended with his Leyland Leopard 211, WOI 2211. A great evening out and a show that no doubt, will be attended next year. Saturday 27th June 2009 - AOVC Classic Show, Ballymena Showgrounds. Originally held in Warrenpoint and well known as the Kilbroney 2000 Show to enthusiasts this year it was held in Ballymena Showgrounds. Due to weather in recent years this event was cancelled as there was no hard standing ground. Moving to Ballymena and good hard standing this popular show was back in force. The group had 129 and 1878 entered and were among the over 950 official entries. Other buses in attendance were the ITT's ex Ulsterbus Leyland Leopard 339, J & I Millars ex UTA Leyland PD2, D927, J. Gowdys ex London Transport Routemaster and Ulsterbus ex UTA Leyland Tiger PS1, A515. A good selection of Commercials also attended along with the usual selection of vintage an classic cars, for a first year at this new site it was an excellant show indeed. 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.

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2134

Mon Mar 10 2008

Monday 10 March 2008: 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. Delivered new to Ulsterbus at its Smithfield depot in 1977, 2134 is now the only surviving early Ulsterbus double door RE of the later X type alloy frame design. One of a batch of 15 numbered 2121-2135, these were initially for use in Newtownabbey with the whole batch allocated to Smithfield. Unfortunately this was to prove unsuccessfull and was transfered to Londonderry and put onto the city routes along with the rest of the batch in 1980, they joined another two batches of the double doors 1051-1070 (new in 1969)and a few of the 2001-2028 batch (new in 1975) already hard at work in Londonderry. (The 1969 batch were of the earlier steel frame X type design and had Leyland 680 engines, one of these also survives with a preservationist in Lisburn and is currently under restoration) . Like so many of this batch it nearly became a victim of the Troubles while in Derry, but luckily it was saved from being torched at the last minute by the authorities and was to go on till 1992 when it was replaced by newer buses being delivered. Only 5 remained in 1992 due to being Maliciously destroyed. Apart from that it led a normal life until withdrawal finally recieving the MK2 livery in its end days, one of the very few to do so from the early examples. By 1992 the Irish bus operator Bus Eireann had already taken some REs and Leopards from both Citybus and Ulsterbus for use on school traffic, with the RE's this involved removing the centre door and putting in extra seats on Bus Eireann's request, 2134 was chosen for this sale and was duly rebuilt to single door configuration. This was done by Citybus engineering. 46 REs were sold to Bus Eireann over the period 1991-93. Being exported to the south it was given the registration 77 d 816 and the BE fleetnumber BG39. Spending 10 years with Bus Eireann it was mainly used on school work, occasionally straying onto service work when needed. By the time of withdrawal in 2001 it was like many BE vehicles, it had been used to the death and was very rough bodywise. It was sold for scrap to a breaker in Northern Ireland in the area of Keady and from there was saved by Mark Phipps and taken back to the south. From there Mark set about restoring it, repaneling it etc. In 2008 it was sold to its current owners for continued restoring and was brought home under a suspended tow. Being in very poor condition both mechanically and bodily and it 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. It is intended to restore it as new eventually after other projects have been finished.

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Vehicles no longer around with the ABPG

Sat Nov 17 2007

Saturday 17 November 2007: 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.

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1882 aka 4882

Fri Sep 28 2007

Friday 28 September 2007: 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. New to Central Scottish in March 1976 and painted in a rather attractive red livery spent its time at their Wishaw depot until withdrawal. Coming to Ulsterbus in 1989 it was purchased with two others of the batch for driver training duties and was put to work out of Belfast in this role and later Londonderry. After the closure of the school in Derry it was surplus to requirements. However, in 1999 it was converted to a towbus by shortening it behind the rear axle and was put to work in this guise. By July 2007 Leyland Tigers were coming off the road for scrapping and one was chosen to replace 1882, by this time renumbered 4882 to make way for a new Optare Solo in the same number seris. 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. MOT work has also seen it need 2 metal air pipes and the replacement of the alternator and shaft connecting it to the engine. Eventually it is planned to give her a full repanel and repaint.

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2635

Thu Jun 14 2007

Thursday 14 June 2007: 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 Engine Gardner Gearbox 5 Speed semi auto 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 along with 2621 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 bright 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 original spec replacing the armoured toughened glass fitted mid life. The interior has been completely stripped out and rebuilt having a new floor fitted front to back, new lino has been laid and the seats refitted. Painting into its original livery is currently in progress.

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2481

Sat Jun 2 2007

Saturday 2 June 2007: 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 (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, after remaining there for a long spell till May 1989 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 public 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.

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51 & 36

Sat Mar 3 2007

Saturday 3 March 2007: 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.

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129

Sat Mar 3 2007

Saturday 3 March 2007: Reg No ROI 129 Re-Registered FEZ 8627 23/11/05 - - - - RUI 129 25/06/09 Fleet No 129 Type Leyland Leopard PSU3E/4R Chassis no 7801952 Body Alexander Belfast X Type DP49F+22 Body No360/23 Engine Leyland 0680 Gearbox 5 Speed semi auto 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 piece bumper sourced and fitted to the front and a new one piece 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. 129 has also recently been re-registered RUI 129 due to the ROI plates being on a new coach within Ulsterbus.

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182

Sat Mar 3 2007

Saturday 3 March 2007: 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 Engine Leyland 0680 Gearbox 5 Speed semi auto 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.

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280

Sat Mar 3 2007

Saturday 3 March 2007: 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/?? Engine Leyland 0680 Gearbox 5 Speed semi auto 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.

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274

Sat Mar 3 2007

Saturday 3 March 2007: Fleet no 274 Reg no YOI2274 Chassis no 8030145 Body no 750/15 Type Leyland Leopard PSU3E/4R Body Alexander (Belfast) X type Engine Leyland 0680 Gearbox 5 Speed semi auto 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 having mechanical repairs done to the fuel system. 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 also been sourced and fitted. After bodywork repairs were completed 274 was painted back into the Ulsterbus mk2 livery, this is a livery it would have carried in the 90's until the Translink name change in the late 90's. The interior remains in as withdrawn condition.

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235

Fri Mar 2 2007

Friday 2 March 2007: 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 Engine Leyland 0680 Gearbox 5 Speed semi auto 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.

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1571

Fri Mar 2 2007

Friday 2 March 2007: 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.

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363

Mon Feb 19 2007

Monday 19 February 2007: 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 New to Ulster_s Lakeland at Enniskillen Depot in 1984, 363 was one of a batch of ten (360-369) used on the Ulsterbus Express Services network (this was before it was rebranded Goldliner). These ten were very different to the previous deliveries of the N Type body in being specified to be express coaches. Internally they had high backed coach seats and externally were outshopped in a special livery with big fleetnames either side of the bus. Another addition was the fitting to the front and rear side windows of Bristol RE rear side windows from Alexanders own X type body, this gave them a streamlined coach appearance and also accomodated the swoop that ran from the front to the rear of the bus. Spending four years on express work till 1988, working the 261 service to Belfast mostly, 363 was downgraded to a service bus and fitted out with bus seats with painting into ordinary fleet livery. (the high back Diplomat seats were reused in a batch of later express Tigers being delivered in 1988, one was of this batch was to replace 363). After this 363 led a very uneventfull life until 2006 when it was transfered to Craigavon depot, then later in the same year to Armagh depot before finally ending up in reserve in September for disposal for scrap or sale. At the time a few members of the batch were looked at for possible preservation and it was determined 363 was the best of the bunch not needing too much work to restore the interior. 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 as new inside an out.

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1878

Fri Oct 6 2006

Friday 6 October 2006: 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 been completely restored from a tow-car back to original bus condition by Richard. Delivered new in 1977 to Newry depot and one of a batch of 44 vehicles of the YLQ chassis, previous Bedford deliveries having been the YRQ chassis variant, 1878 spent its whole bus service days in Newry, after withdrawal it became a towbus at the same depot and lasted in this role until February 1995 with scrapping looking very likely. Luckily in June the same year Armagh depot were needing a replacement towbus and it was reinstated there and was to go on to spend another 11 years serving Armagh. Withdrawal finally came in 2006 and a decision was taken to save it as there no surviving Bedfords from the Ulsterbus fleet. 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 original bus standard spec. Mechanically the front brakes have been completely overhauled and an exhaust manifold sourced and fitted. Other jobs have seen a new head gasket fitted and the cylinder head overhauled. Future jobs pending are renewing of the road springs and chassis painting. As the only restored example of a few survivors 1878 makes a unique and valued addtion to the ABPG.

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2306

Sun May 21 2006

Sunday 21 May 2006: 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 Engine Gardner 6HLXB Gearbox 5 Speed semi auto originally 4 speed auto when new. 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 was fitted with a 4 speed gearbox, this was to be 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 being 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 to 51 in 1991 led an uneventful life until the late 90's when transfered to Ulsterbus taking up residence in Londonderry's Pennyburn depot, remaining 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 and 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. It is planned to restore her to as when new in Citybus Livery.

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WOI 2446

Fri Aug 26 2005

Friday 26 August 2005: 2446 is well into its fifth year of a major restoration. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. Fleet no 2446 Reg no WOI 2446 Company Ulsterbus Ltd Chassis no RELL-3-2603 Body Alexander (Belfast) X Type B52F+24 Body no 563/14 Engine Gardner 6HLX Gearbox 5 Speed semi auto New 01/01/1981 (tax book) Date in to service 17/12/1980 at Ulsterbuses 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 Ben Simpson (Newtownabbey) 26/08/2005.

Published in THE ARDS BUS PRESERVATION GROUP