Strathclyder
6BT Fadeout (200) (Y987 TGH)
A familiar sight/sound for over 20 years, Cummins 6BT-powered Dennis Darts are now on the verge of total extinction in the West of Scotland, with the number of operators still operating them now down to a mere three, these being Coakley's of Motherwell, First Glasgow & Avondale of Clydebank, the collective number of buses across all 3 operators numbering less than 10. All are on borrowed time pending the arrival of more modern replacements.
One of the last 6BT-powered Darts to arrive in the area is Avondale's ex-Go Ahead London General Pointer Y987 TGH (ex-LDP187) in the latter half of 2014, joining several batchmates that had arrived at least 2 years prior.
Fast forward to early 2018, with all it's sister buses withdrawn & having gained a front-end repaint in common with the numerous East Lancs Darts in the fleet in late 2017, 987 now stands as the only 6BT-powered vehicle left in service with the company; also outlasting NK51-reg ex-Go North East examples fitted with the same engine type. Given Avondale's usual bus-buying methods (sporadic & from multiple sources), there's no way of telling exactly how long it'll last. Given that it's now a non-standard machine, it's replacement will likely be prioritized.
Caught turning onto Argyll Rd with a 200 from Drumchapel to Linnvale, a primary haunt for it & it's now withdrawn sisters.
Photo Date: 26th March 2018
6BT Fadeout (200) (Y987 TGH)
A familiar sight/sound for over 20 years, Cummins 6BT-powered Dennis Darts are now on the verge of total extinction in the West of Scotland, with the number of operators still operating them now down to a mere three, these being Coakley's of Motherwell, First Glasgow & Avondale of Clydebank, the collective number of buses across all 3 operators numbering less than 10. All are on borrowed time pending the arrival of more modern replacements.
One of the last 6BT-powered Darts to arrive in the area is Avondale's ex-Go Ahead London General Pointer Y987 TGH (ex-LDP187) in the latter half of 2014, joining several batchmates that had arrived at least 2 years prior.
Fast forward to early 2018, with all it's sister buses withdrawn & having gained a front-end repaint in common with the numerous East Lancs Darts in the fleet in late 2017, 987 now stands as the only 6BT-powered vehicle left in service with the company; also outlasting NK51-reg ex-Go North East examples fitted with the same engine type. Given Avondale's usual bus-buying methods (sporadic & from multiple sources), there's no way of telling exactly how long it'll last. Given that it's now a non-standard machine, it's replacement will likely be prioritized.
Caught turning onto Argyll Rd with a 200 from Drumchapel to Linnvale, a primary haunt for it & it's now withdrawn sisters.
Photo Date: 26th March 2018