Created 15-Aug-19
Modified 22-Sep-24
393 (SOA 676S) and 394 (SOA 679S) originated as part of a batch of eighteen new to Midland Red in 1977/78. They were Leyland Leopards with Plaxton Supreme Express C49F bodies and were numbered 665-682 (RDA 665-670R, SOA 671-682S). Delivered in the NBC poppy red and white dual-purpose livery they were originally classified C18 by the operator, being re-classified CDP18 in 1980.
676 and 679, the subjects of this gallery, joined Midland Red (West) on its formation on 6-Sep-1981, by which time 679 had received a white livery. Both vehicles were based at Kidderminster depot where in due course they received two different versions of Midland Express livery. They were withdrawn in April and May 1992 respectively and were sold to Rhondda Buses in May 1992.
In the Rhondda fleet they became 393 (SOA 676S) and 394 (SOA 679S). 393 gained Rhondda fleet livery quite rapidly but 394 ran in Midland Red livery that was progressively modified, but eventually received full Rhondda livery. 393 was sold to Stevenson's, Uttoxeter in June 1993, 394 being withdrawn a few months earlier.
Three Leyland Leopard PSU3E/4R chassis with Willowbrook C49F bodies were new to South Wales Transport in January 1980 as their 481-483 (BTH 481-483V). On 3-May-1982 South Wales took over the Swansea operations of National Travel (South West) and to clear a block of numbers for the acquired coaches these Leopards were renumbered 173-175.
BTH 481V joined the Cyril Evans fleet in February 1991 but the other two had arrived earlier in June 1990. Cyril Evans bought another four similar vehicles from South Wales around the same time. Originally operating without fleet numbers the three coaches received numbers around February 1992 - BTH 481-483V being numbered W28, W24 and W23.
These three Leopards were acquired by Rhondda Buses with the bus services of Cyril Evans on 15-May-1993 and Rhondda gave them numbers 385-387. The numbers were applied as small numbers inside a black rectangle instead of the normal plates, which perhaps indicated the intention to dispose of them quickly, which is what happened as all were sold to Baber of Penygraig in October 1993. As was the case with the rest of the fleet Rhondda Buses acquired from Cyril Evans, they were operated with the 'Cyril' part of the fleetname removed so that it just showed 'Evans'.
377 (PHN 570R) was one of a quartet of Leyland Leopard PSU3D/2R with Duple Dominant B49D bodies new to Darlington Corporation Transport as their 69-72 (PHN 569-572R) in November 1976. They were unique in having a dual-door version of this body. 70 and 72 of the batch were converted to single-door around 1988 for use on routes out of the town. 377 spent very little time with Rhondda Buses (about a month in mid-1997) and although it gained a fleet name it almost certainly didn't carry fleet livery. It's possible it was never even used in service. After Rhondda it passed to South Lancs and later Ross Travel, Featherstone. Withdrawn by Ross in 2001 it moved to Deeble, Upton Cross where it was used for spares, not being finally scrapped until 2006.
© David Beilby
