Created 21-Jun-19
Modified 8-Mar-24
The last batch of Leyland Tiger Cubs for Rhondda arrived in 1968 as 304-318 (RTG 314-318F), however there were two variants as 304-315 had standard B45F bus bodies whilst 316-318 had DP41F bodies with appropriate trim. All were Leyland Tiger Cub PSUC1/12 chassis with bodies by Marshall of Cambridge. They displaced some of the 1954 Tiger Cubs.
When new the batch were fitted with a new heating and ventilating system that resulted in an absence of sliding ventilators, although there were two opening roof lights. This system does not seem to have performed as promised and Western Welsh ended up fitting sliding ventilators which seem to have been exchanged from earlier batches. This was done in a rather haphazard fashion with two, one or even no ventilators being fitted to each side of the bus and not always in the same position(s).
The buses (304-315) were delivered in standard red livery but the dual-purpose vehicles (316-318) received the green and cream livery used by Rhondda for coaches. Following absorption by Western Welsh 304-318 were renumbered 2304-2318. The dual purpose vehicles were then repainted in Western Welsh ivory and blue (2316 - the only ex-Rhondda bus to carry that livery) or ivory and red (2317/2318).
The whole batch received the NBC poppy red and white livery in due course, the buses being in the version with just a single white band, whilst the dual-purpose vehicles had the version with white windows and roof. With the initial adoption of the Red & White numbering scheme in August 1974 304-315 became U2-1368 and 316-318 became UD1-368. These were changed again in October 1975 when U2-1368 became U21-3268 and UD1-368 became UD37-3968.
The final change came about in January 1977 when UD37-3968 were downgraded to buses and became U37-3968, in time receiving the standard bus livery with a single white band. All the buses received the NBC-style Rhondda fleet name, along with one dual-purpose version (UD368, later UD3968).
As can be seen from the gallery, this batch moved around to other depots more than most, so much so that only a handful were actually withdrawn from Porth depot. In the main they moved to Cross Keys and Bridgend but also appeared at Abergavenny and Cwmbran. The most unusual transfer was of U2668 (RTG 309F) which transferred to the Jones, Aberbeeg fleet and was repainted in the NBC blue livery.
All vehicles passed to National Welsh on its formation in 1978. The entire batch was withdrawn in 1980, no doubt in part due to a reduced vehicle requirement following the MAP (Market Analysis Project) service revisions implemented that year in the Rhondda. That year would also coincide with the expiry of their Certificates of Fitness. Most of the vehicles went for scrap but two went to Eire and three were used for internal transport in Scotland by an oil rig fabricator.
© David Beilby
