Created 21-Jun-19
Modified 8-Mar-24
This batch of Leyland Atlanteans was ordered by Rhondda but not delivered until January 1971, just after the absorption by Western Welsh. They arrived in full Rhondda livery and are generally thought of as the last Rhondda double-deckers even though this is not technically accurate.
512-520 (BTG 512-520) were Leyland Atlantean PDR1A/1 chassis with Alexander H42/31F bodies, a new coachbuilder for Rhondda but one that been quite successful in developing business with BET companies since the 1960s.
The batch led fairly uneventful lives with most operating from Porth depot throughout the lives, with just one vehicle (BTG 513J) spending time at Monmouth and possibly Chepstow depots before returning to Porth.
520 had the distinction of being the first Western Welsh double-decker to be painted in the NBC poppy red and white livery in 1972 and even appeared in television commercials at the time. The remainder of the batch were similarly painted in 1974 and in time all but BTG 519J carried the NBC-style Rhondda fleet name.
The batch was renumbered HR1-971 in August 1974 and HR56-6471 in October 1975. The four remaining vehicles were renumbered from HR57/59/61/6471 in November 1982 with a change to the prefix which became HHR but this was very brief as in January 1983 they were renumbered again as XR1996-1999, although it appears that only XR1996 and XR1999 operated as such. Withdrawals had started in 1981 with the final vehicles going in 1984. All went for scrap.
© David Beilby
