South-West Preservation Group

This page gives information on the various vehicles in our group such as chassis/body details, vehicle history and current owners.

MCW Metrobus

Type: MCW DR102/23

Chassis Number: MB6257

Bodywork: MCW H43/30F

Current Owner: Mark Amis

This bus was one of 190 mk 1 Metrobuses new to Greater Manchester Transport. It was delivered in October 1981 as fleet number 5120 and was the last bus of a batch of 90. It was also the last bus delivered in the original GMT metrobus livery of all over orange with white between the decks. It was also one of a few metrobuses with an orange door instead of the usual white one.

It was allocated to Tameside depot (Ashton under Lyne) from new and stayed there until the depot closed under GM Buses ownership in 1991. It was then allocated to Glossop depot which was worked as a sub depot of Hyde Road in Manchester.

When GM Buses was forced to split into two companies by the government, 5120 became part of the GMS Buses fleet on 31/12/93.

GMS undertook to refurbish several of their metrobuses due to their infamous corrosion problems at the rear. The panelling was removed and corroded framework was removed and replaced.New panelling was fitted and the lower rear window was pannelled over to increase the strength. of the rear end. Following the refurbishment, 5120 was reallocated to Hyde Rd depot.

Stagecoach took over GMS Buses in 1995 and 5120 recieved its sixth and final livery variation of its time in Manchester, Stagecoach stripes.

It finally left the Manchester area in April 2001 when Stagecoach sold of its Lancashire area business to Blazefield. Several metrobuses were transferred to Burnley prior to the sale and 5120 was one of them.

Blazefield sold the bus to Billy Davies Coaches of Plean, Stirlingshire for use on schools contracts on 2002. Its next movement was its sale to Bowker Coaches in 2007 for use on its school bus contract. In 2009, the company ceased trading and 5120 was acquired for preservation in February by Mark Amis.

It is intended to restore the bus back into the condition it was in whilst in Manchester. Due to the rebuild at the rear its early GMT liveries can be discounted on accuracy unless a rear window is refitted.

Leyland Fleetline

Type: Leyland FE30AGR

Chassis number: 7902234

Bodywork: Alexander AL H43/31F 

Body number: 84/2978/2

Current Owner: Bournemouth Aviation Museum

This bus was new to Bournemouth Transport in April 1980 as fleet number 162 at their Mallard Rd depot. In June 2000 it was withdrawn from service by Yellow Buses and sold to Thamesdown for use as a dedicated School Bus in their "Student Bus" livery as fleet number 262.

Thamesdown withdrew the bus in August 2007 replacing it with a Lothian Olympian. GRU then entered its new life as a preserved bus. Dave and Leanne Hurley aquired this bus directly from Thamesdown whose livery it still carries. Due to the large number of Bournemouth Fleetlines being restored to various Bournemouth liveries, it is intended to continue to preserve this vehicle in Thamesdown livery to show how these vehicles looked following their disposal from the South Coast.

In February 2009, this bus was sold by Dave & Leanne to the Bournemouth Aviation Museum. It will be used as a static disply and viewing platform at Bournemouth Airport. It will still be available to attend rallies.

Leyland Tiger

Type: TRCTL11/2R

Chassis Number: 8201635

Bodywork: Plaxton Paramount 3200 C53F 

Body number: 8311LTP1C006

Current Owner: Ian Berry

This bus was new to Southern Vectis in March 1983 as WDL310Y, fleet number 310, and used as a coach in the "National Holidays" fleet ferrying holidaymakers to and from the  Isle of Wight from the "mainland". It was reregistered to WDL142 for use as a general coach in the Southern Vectis fleet and again to its current mark of TJI8780 prior to disposal.

Following service with Southern Vectis it was used with Pulhams of Bourton on the Water, Fowlers of Holbeach Drove and then Edward Thomes & Son, West Ewell, Surrey. It passed into preservation with Ian in February 2008 who has decided to restore it into its original NATIONAL HOLIDAYS livery. 

Leyland Fleetline

Type: Leyland FE30ALR

Chassis Number: 7805338

Bodywork: Alexander AL H43/31F 

Body number: 80/1774/9

Current Owner: Neil Hulks

This bus was new to Bournemouth Transport in 1980 as fleet number 159 at their Mallard Rd depot. It was acquired for preservation direct from Yellow Buses in 1999. It is one of the last batch of fleetlines delivered to Bournemouth with Leyland engines - a long standing tradition of Bournemouth buses.

It has been extensively restored both inside and out over 4 years in the Barnsley area (Yorkshire Traction workshops) to an "as delivered" specification. It is currently in the "Brown Flash" livery used by Yellow Buses in the early 1980's and its appearance is a credit to its current owner.

Bristol VR

Type: Bristol VRT/SL3/6LXB

Chassis Number: VRT/SL3/2705

Bodywork: ECW H43/31F

Body number: 24433

Current Owner: Matthew Reynolds

This bus was new to Hants & Dorset Motor Services in December 1980 as their fleet number 3455, In April 1983 the Wilts & Dorset Bus Company was formed the fleetnumber 3455 was retained until February 1995 when she was

renumbered 4455 in the low milage fleet. In December 1996 she was totally refurbished, inside and out.

She ended her days operating from Lymington garage until November 2008 when its MOT expired..

Wilts & Dorset kept her in storage until October 2009 when they sold her to Ensign, Purfleet (Dealer).

In November 2009 Matthew Reynolds purchased and collected her from Ensign, Purfleet (Dealer) for preservation.

Leyland Atlantean

Type: Leyland PDR1A/1R

Chassis number: 7003230

Bodywork: East Lancs H45/31F 

Body number: 6936

Current Owner: Nick Cook, Danny Burden

This bus was new to Southampton Corporation in January 1971. Following withdrawal from service it passed to Hampshire Constabulary for use as a promotional vehicle.

After several years of use it was sold again to Age Concern (Hampshire) to act as a mobile promotional vehicle. When Age Concern replaced the vehicle it was acquired by Nick Cook for preservation. Restoration has started by ripping out the interior so that seats can be replaced. The plan is to restore the bus back into the 1970's version of Southampton Corporation of off white with red relief. 

 

 

Leyland National 2

 

Type: LN116AL11/1R

 

Chassis Number: 07343

 

Body: Leyland National B49F

 

Current Owner: Mark Amis

 

 

 

 

  

This bus was new to Leyland based independent John Fishwick & Son in January 1981 and given fleet number 7. It was the first of three National 2’s purchased at the time, registered GCK428 – 430W, the third one being hired back to Leyland Vehicles for use as a demonstrator.

 

Fishwicks used the bus on their main services linking Leyland with Preston and Chorley as well as local routes in the Leyland area. It is fitting to note that this was one of several Fishwicks National 2’s that outlasted their intended replacements – the Leyland Lynx. On withdrawal from service, this bus had clocked up 27 years and 5 months service with its original owner running for almost 700,000Km. Not a bad level of service!

 

After withdrawal by Fishwicks in June 2008, it was acquired for preservation on 1st July 2008 by Mark Amis and Matthew Reynolds – founders of the South West Preservation Group. Following engine repairs in Stoke on Trent it was brought down to it’s new home in the Bristol area in mid July. Fishwicks ran 8 Leyland National 2's, 4 of them are now actively preserved - 2 of them are in the South West of England!

 

Despite being the first vehicle in the group it was decided that when we had seven buses in the group it would be renumbered to match its original fleet number within the Fishwicks fleet.  

AEC Routemaster RML

Type: AEC Rm R2RH/1

Chassis Number: 2630

Bodywork: Park Royal H40/32R

Body number: L5862

Current Owner: Barry Field

This bus was new to London Transport in September 1966. A brief history of its service with LT is as follows:

11/66 AF new to service on 14
1967-9 AF
2/70 AF to Aldenham for repaint, and return
8/71 AF into store
11/71 AF ..and out
1972 AF
10/73 AF to Aldenham for overhaul
10/73 U (Upton Park) from overhaul
1974-5 U
 

In May 1976 it entered Aldenham works for a repaint and received its final bodyswap with RML 2568.

In 1991 it recieved a cummins engine under the re-engining scheme and was refurbished throughout in 1994. In October 1994 it was part of the New Cross allocation and became a member of the Go Ahead London Central fleet. Afterwards it was tranferred twice, to Putney in March 2003 and then to Camberwell in November 2003.

A year later it was withdrawn and sold to Ensignbus. It was one of the lots at the Ensignbus "Routemaster raffle" and was acquired by its current owner, Barry Field in December 2004.

Leyland Fleetline

Type: Leyland: FE30AGR

Chassis Number: 7902436

Bodywork: Alexander AL H43/31F

Body number: 84/2978/8

Current Owner: Matthew Reynolds

This bus was new to Bournemouth Transport In April 1980 as fleet number 168 from their Mallard Road depot. It differs from the earler ERU batch delivered at the same time by being powered with a Gardner engine rather than a Leyland unit.

It was withdrawn by Yellow Buses in 2000 and sold to Thamesdown Transport for use as a school bus as their fleet, as number 268.

Thamesdown Transport withdrew 168 in the summer of 2007 and was sold to a preservationist in the north of England.

In 2009 Matthew Reynolds bought 168 for further preservation, 168 is still in the livery of Thamesdown but now has had all former Thamesdown / Student Bus markings removed.

The intention is to restore the bus into a later Yellow Buses livery than 159, Yellow with a blue skirt and blue roof. Before this is carried out, Matt will be ensuring that the bus is mechanically sound, gained an MOT and the chassis steam cleaned and silvered.

Leyland Leopard

Type: PSU5C/4R

Chassis Number: 8030044

Bodywork: Plaxton Supreme IV C57F 

Body number: 8112LC075

Current Owner: Gareth Hughes

This bus was new Mayne of Manchester in June 1982 as fleet number 65 and was the last new build Leopard for the Maynes fleet (SND 366X was a rebuilt ex Midland Red 1970 chassis)

It was reregistered MJI 5765 in February 1990. For many years it was allocated to the Barry Cooper fleet in Warrington

Following withdrawal, Gareth Hughes acquired the coach for onward preservation.

Leyland Fleetline

Type: Leyland FE30AGR

Chassis Number: 8001361

Bodywork: Alexander AL H43/31F

Body number: 93/2779/7

Current Owner: Unknown

This bus was new to Bournemouth Transport in January 1981 as fleet number 175 at their Mallard Rd depot. It was to be the LAST EVER Leyland Fleetline chassis built with a Gardner engine for the British market. Although other Fleetlines were bodied and entered service at a later date, these had Leyland engines.

In August 2004 it was withdrawn from service by Yellow Buses and sold to Thamesdown for use as a dedicated School Bus in their "Student Bus" livery as fleet number 275. Thamesdown withdrew the bus in 2008 replacing it with a Lothian Olympian. MFX then entered its new life as a preserved bus.

Matthew Reynolds aquired the bus from Reliance Bus Works on 8th August 2008. It it still in Thamesdown Student Bus livery although it is intended to be restored into one of the several liveries once carried when it roamed the streets of Bournemouth with Yellow Buses.

Matthew has since sold this bus to its current owner, Bournemouth based enthusiast Simon Gard, to enable the purchase of another vehicle. Simon intends to have the bus resprayed into Yellow Buses livery with Blue roof, rear and skirt.

Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, Simon chose to sell the bus on e-bay. The winning bid meant that this bus would be seeking a new life overseas - in Hungary.

Bristol VR

Type: Bristol VRT SL3/6LXB

Chassis number: VRT/SL3/2677

Bodywork: ECW H43/31F 

Body number: 24478

Current Owner: Unknown, Italy

This bus was new to Western National/Devon General and spent the years between December 1980 and January 1989 running out of Exeter/Exmouth & laterly Sidmouth Depot.

After the break up of NBC, and due to the impending minibus invasion in Devon, most 'deckers around Exeter were sold off. This one was still in the fleet when Stagecoach took over but was transferred away from Devon to United Counties. Four years later, it was transferred again, this time to Ribble in August 1993. It was allocated to several depots, working from Preston and Bolton as well as a short stint at Burnley operating under the Stagecoach Burnley & Pendle operation.

Leyland Atlantean 

Type: AN68C/1R

Chassis Number: 8100749 

Bodywork: East Lancs H45/31F 

Body number: 904

Current Owner: Nick Cook

This bus was new to Southampton City Transport in September 1981 as fleet number 270 at their Portswood depot.

It remained at Southampton for all of its operational career through its various guises as Southampton City Transport, Southampton Citybus, First Southampton and finally First Hampshire & Dorset.

This bus was the final Atlantean in the fleet at Portswood, finally being withdrawn after the Atlantean Farewell Running Day on 5th May 2005.

The bus was acquired for preservation by its current owner, Nick Cook who was then a driver for First in Southampton. It moved north with him to the Manchester area when he transferred to First Manchester. As Nick has moved back to Southampton, FTR will be moving south again, this time to join fellow SWPG vehicles in the Bristol area.

Dennis Dominator 

Type: DDA1023

Chassis number: 967

Bodywork: East Lancs H453/31F 

Body number: A9007

Current Owner: Daniel Burden

This bus was one of a batch of 8 new to Southampton Citybus in January 1989 as fleet number 295. It was used on cross city service 17 which was competing with the newly formed Solent Blueline business. Its service in Southampton was short lived as it was one of several modern deckers sold off as a cost cutting exercise. The batch of 8 was sold to Capital Citybus in 1992.

It served for nine years in London, becoming part of the First group fleet on 8th July 1998. It was transferred within First to South Yorkshire in 2001 being allocated to Doncaster depot. As part of South Yorkshires plan to have a bus in each former municipal livery, PTP was repainted into Doncaster Corporation livery which it then carried until its eventual withdrawal.

Upon withdrawal it was purchased for preservation by Daniel Burden, a driver for First Manchester. It was then stored in the Rochdale area. Daniel is now a driver based in the Southampton area. It is planned to move PTP south to join several SWPG vehicles in the Bristol area. Eventually, the bus will be restored to its 1989 Southampton Citybus condition.

This bus left the group when it was sold off due to mounting costs.

Its owner is now involved with former Southampton 141, along with Nick Cook. 141 is now part of the SWPG.

 Leyland Lynx

Type: LX2R11C15Z4R

Chassis Number: LX1454

Body: Leyland Lynx B49F

Current Owner: TM Travel, Chesterfield

This bus was new to Bristol Cityline in June 1989 as 1611. The initial batch of 32 similar buses ousted the remainder of the surviving Leyland Nationals from the fleet. Initially this bus was allocated to Winterstoke Rd depot and used on "Overground" services 75/76/77 from Hartcliffe to Cribbs Causeway/Southmead/Henbury.

When Winterstoke Rd closed it was transferred to the new south Bristol depot at Hengrove, by this time, Bristol Cityline Overground had been transformed into First Bristol andt the bus had gained its new fleetnumber of 62611. The single deck fleet in Bristol was updated by the transfer of M/N reg DennisLances, replacing the Lynx's which were then dispersed throughout Firstgroup or scrapped. 62611 was transferred locally to First Somerset & Avon and allocated to Wells depot.It was a regular on the 126 service to Weston Super Mare and the 173 to Bath. The bus was withdrawn and sold to Bristol Bus & Coach (dealer) in 2007.

Many poorer examples were scrapped by the dealers leaving 4 good examples remaining - 62611 being one of them. It was finally purchased for preservation by Matt Reynolds in February 2009.

It was intended to be restored to its as delivered livery of Bristol Cityline Overground. Before this could happen there was a lot of remedial work to be carried out. This consisted of removing the panels and repairing/replacing the corroded body framework. It was intended that this would take a couple of years to be completed working over the winter periods.

On inspection it was discovered that the amount of body repairs required was more than expected and very costly to repair on our own. The owner was approached by two people from TM Travel in Chesterfield who were looking for a South West example of a Lynx to restore and join their growing collection. A deal was done to sell the bus enabling the purchase of another preservation project.

Bristol VR

Type: Bristol VRT/SL3/6LXB

Chassis number: VRT/SL3/2293

Bodywork: ECW H43/27D 

Body number: 24183

Current Owner: James Willmott

This bus was new to Bristol Omnibus in May 1980 as fleet number 5141 and used on Bristol City services. On the divide of this company in January 1986 it became a part of the Bristol Cityline fleet allocated to Muller Road depot.

It was withdrawn from service in Bristol in January 1993 and sold to Cullinans (Happy Als) in Birkenhead. In June 1993 it was rebuilt to H43/30F configuration. It was then reregistered to ALS645V in January 1995. By 1997 it had been repainted out of fleet livery into Yellow School Bus livery. She was withdrawn in January 2001 only to be reinstated again by March 2002. Prior to its sale it was reregistered again back to its original mark of AHU518V.