Created 15-Aug-19
Modified 22-Sep-24
Seven Leyland Nationals were taken over along with the services of Cyril Evans on 15-May-1993. All of these had originated with London Transport. All were 10351A/2R models with B44F bodies that had been converted from the B36D configuration in which they operated in London. There was no order to their numbering so it is better to tabulate them:
480 (BYW 406V) formerly London Transport LS406 new in Oct-1979 to Evans Aug-1992
481 (BYW 412V) formerly London Transport LS412 new in Nov-1979 to Evans Oct-1992
482 (YYE 275T) formerly London Transport LS275 new in Dec-1978 to Evans Feb-1992
483 (AYR 348T) formerly London Transport LS348 new in Sep-1979 to Evans May-1992
484 (THX 263S) formerly London Transport LS263 new in Jun-1978 to Evans Dec-1991
485 (THX 157S) formerly London Transport LS157 new in Jan-1978 to Evans Jun-1992
486 (THX 145S) formerly London Transport LS145 new in Jan-1978 to Evans Feb-1992
481-486 were numbered N3/N4/N11/N5/N6 and N8 respectively in the Cyril Evans fleet but 480 hadn't previously carried a fleet number.
480 and 481 were withdrawn very soon by Rhondda Buses and sold to Parfitt's at Rhymney Bridge who fitted them with Volvo engines. They ended up as part of the Rhondda fleet in Apr-1995 following the takeover of Parftitt's but were quickly re-sold.
486 was the next withdrawal in mid-1994 and was sold to Hawkes of Waunarlwydd, whilst 483 was sold in Sep-1994 to Thomas Motors of Barry.
482,483 and 485 were all transferred to Parfitt's after the Rhondda Buses takeover, curiously helping to displace former Rhondda Buses 480/481.
All apart from 480 and 481 received Caerphilly Busways fleetnames, having operated initially with just 'Evans' as a fleet name. The livery remained very similar as the Cyril Evans livery was used as a basis for that adopted for Caerphilly Busways.
© David Beilby
