Subject: National Welsh XR1958 (NOB 409M)
Chassis: Bristol VRTSL6G
Body: Metro-Cammell H43/33F
Location: Trehafod, Coedcae Road
Date: 9-Jul-1983

Production had ceased at Lewis Merthyr Colliery, behind, only the previous month and its transition to the Rhondda Heritage Centre has yet to start. Although it appears that coal is still stockpiled in the yard in the distance, in fact coal was raised at Tymawr colliery in later years and Lewis Merthyr only used for men and materials.

XR1958 is one of the nineteen Bristol VRTs bought from West Midlands PTE (plus two for spares) in Aug- to Nov-1982. One of the first to arrive, it had been 4409 in the PTE fleet and was at first numbered HR7436 by National Welsh. When the fleet was renumbered in Jan-1983 the opportunity was also taken to better distinguish different heights of double-deckers. The XR-prefix denoted that this vehicle was 14'-6" high and it is one of a handful that were briefly prefixed HHR in Nov- or Dec-1982 before gaining their new number.

Photograph by courtesy of John Jones