Created 21-Jun-19
Modified 8-Mar-24
In 1967 Rhondda bought (through Western Welsh as purchasing agents) three Leyland Royal Tiger coaches from Southdown. These are something of a mystery purchase as it is not clear for what purpose they were bought and there is very little evidence of them being used much, if at all. They were only with Rhondda for around six months.
The three coaches were all on Leyland Royal Tiger PSU1/16 chassis with air brakes in contrast to Rhondda's own Royal Tigers which had vacuum brakes. Southdown changed over to air brakes after early adverse experience of vacuum brakes.
330/331 (MUF 430/431) had Harrington Wayfarer C41C bodies and were new as Southdown 830/831 in 1953. Originally they were C26C layout for luxury touring and spent their first season on hire to Ulster Transport Authority for use on Southdown tours in Northern Ireland and Eire. They were later renumbered 1830/1831 then 1690/1691. In their last summer with Southdown they were amongst five coaches hired to Aldershot and District, possibly to provide extra vehicles whilst that company's Strachans Everest-bodied coaches (similar to Rhondda 357-359 but on AEC chassis) were prepared for rebodying.
332 (NUF 71) had a Duple Ambassador C41C body. It always had this seating layout but was new as Southdown 1671 in 1954, being renumbered 1842 in 1962 when relegated to ordinary coaching work.
330-332 all received Rhondda's green and cream coach livery and were sold around October 1967 to North's, who then sold them to Wimpey (contractor).
© David Beilby
