Subject: Merthyr Tydfil B. C. 196 (HTX 727N)
Chassis: Leyland National 11351/1R
Body: Leyland National B49F
Location: Cardiff, Central Square
Date: 8-Feb-1976

This batch of five 11.3 metre long Leyland Nationals was originally intended to be six Bristol RELLs with East Lancs bodies, two of which would be to dual-purpose specification for this service to Cardiff. These alternative vehicles do not seem to have seen much use on the Cardiff service, nor did the four Bristol RESL6Ls that were delivered the same year.

196 was delivered in an all-orange livery with the Borough Council adding the white window surrounds. The batch of five were withdrawn in Apr-1987 and sold en bloc to Rennie's of Dunfermline, although this particular vehicle only operated there for a few months.

The bus is not on the correct stand for the service to Merthyr Tydfil and the driver may have parked the vehicle here temporarily to have an uninterrupted layover.

Photograph by courtesy of John Jones