Created 23-Jul-19
Modified 8-Mar-24
This 1969 batch of Atlanteans was nominally identical to the 1968 batch although there were a few detail differences.
502-511 (VTG 502-511G) arrived in July 1969 and displaced an equal number of 1956 AEC Regent Vs. They were on PDR1A/1 chassis with the A in the chassis designation meaning that components used were from the rationalised range, but this led to no visible difference. Again Northern Counties bodies were fitted, equipped from new for one-man operation.
Unlike the earlier batch of Atlanteans, this batch stayed largely at Porth, with just 510 moving around to various other garages spending time at Barry, Cardiff and Ross-on-Wye.
They retained their original fleet numbers initially under Western Welsh but in August 1974 were renumbered HR1-1069, being renumbered again in October 1975 as HR28-3769. Withdrawals commenced in 1980 with HR30-35/3769 being withdrawn in 1980 whilst HR28/2969 left the fleet the following year. HR3669, working from Ross, survived to become briefly HHR3669 before being renumbered XR1995 in the January 1983 scheme, not being withdrawn until later that year, the last double-decker delivered to Rhondda Transport to remain in service.
All the batch carried the NBC-style Rhondda fleet name in due course but these were replaced by National Welsh fleet names in 1978.
© David Beilby
