Subject: National Welsh ND401 (KDW 347P)
Chassis: Leyland National 11351/1R/SC
Body: Leyland National DP48F
Location: Pontypridd bus station
Date: 16-Nov-1991

Bereft of fleet numbers altogether, ND401 (as it became in early 1986) has aquired the maroon and white livery used by National Welsh in its last year of existence and adapted afterwards by Rhondda Buses.

In Sep-1992 401 was withdrawn by Rhondda Buses and sold to Golden Coaches who used it on their services in the Vale of Glamorgan such as the 145 from Cardiff to Llantwit Major. They had commenced operating these services in May-1989.

Golden Coaches were bought by Cardiff Bus on 15-Feb-1995 who set up an out-station at Llandow operating as Vale Busline. The operation didn't last long and was sold to Brewer's on 1-Oct-1995.

This wasn't the end of the story for 401 by any means. Along with another from the same fleet it formed part of a batch of secondhand Nationals bought by GM Buses South in August 1994. Most were refurbished, although the company's acquisition by Stagecoach in 1996 brought an end to the programme. 401 went on to become 261 in the GM Buses South fleet working from Stockport depot, retaining the same number with Stagecoach Manchester and later receiving Stagecoach livery. It was re-registered TJI 2488 in 1995.

In early 1999, along with quite a few of the batch of re-furbished Nationals from Stagecoach Manchester, it was sold to enthusiastic Leyland National operator Birmingham Coach Services with whom it ran for a couple more years.

Photograph by courtesy of John Jones