Subject: National Welsh DS495 (A35 XBO)
Chassis: Dennis Lancet SD515
Body: East Lancs DP43F
Location: Caerphilly, White Street
Date: 30-May-1989

National Welsh got rather confused when renumbering these Lancets acquired from Taff-Ely as they were initially numbered NS495-7 in the series for shorter Leyland Nationals. They were quickly renumbered DS495-7 which still causes confusion for old Red & White enthusiasts as the prefix traditionally meant Dual Service, or dual-purpose. This applied to DS495 which had received coach seats, but not the others. However, in this case the prefix letters would have meant Dennis Saloon.

DS495 is working in Caerphilly. I have no information on the 403 service and suspect the Rhymney Valley services (taken over about two months earlier) were originally numbered in this 400 series.

Photograph by courtesy of John Jones