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Fresh out the box! First Manchester 2201BY (X401 CSG)
First Manchester Scania L94UA Solar Fusion 10017 (X401 CSG). When brand new, numbered 2201 and in Barbie Livery branded with the Gold service⭐ decals.
The one of a kind bendy, as it was the only Wright Solar Fusion within First Group. 10017 was first registered on 1 February 2001 with the fleet number (2201) and began operation on the 135 alongside 15 Volvo B10LA Wright Fusions.
She stayed loyal to Bury garage as well as the 135 (Bury - Manchester), with a few stints on the 471 (Rochdale - Bolton) of course. But... just like the B10LA's, 10017 would be transferred to Bolton depot whilst Bury got their hands on 18 brand new (2005) Scania OmniCity artics (N94UA's).
With 10017 now a Bolton bus, she would become a regular on the No. 8 which of course lead to her receiving Overground branding for that particular route. This would only last for three years, as by 2008 First Manchester would order Volvo B9TL Eclipse Gemini's which were branded for the 8 (Bolton - Manchester).
By 2009, all of the aging artics would be cascaded onto the 582 (Leigh - Bolton) after losing all of their previous route branding. Not long after this, all of the Volvo B10LA's would be withdrawn from service as they because less reliable. 10017 on the other hand was still proving to be quite the work horse. Therefore was given another chance and transferred back to Bury depot to join the Scania Omnicity artics on the 135.
Now back home in Bury, she would receive a few modifications, like the removal of the iconic half wheel skirts as well as the modified assault screen in the cab. By 2012, 10017 would lose the First Barbie livery in favour of the new Olympia colour scheme. This of course being First's new corporate identity at the time. First Manchester's Solar Fusion would go on to continue its reliable service until 6th December 2016 when she was involved in a collision with the central reservation at junction 19 on the M60. Due to the age of 10017 as well as it not being economically viable to repair, she was withdrawn from service ending the career of First Manchester's unique and rare bendy. Not long after she would have been stripped for parts, then scrapped. This was extremely unfortunate as this particular bus would have been the perfect candidate for preservation.
Fortunately, Ex Nottingham City Transport L94UA Wright Solar Fusion (FE02 AKV) 704 has been preserved which is great, considering that vehicle shares a similar spec to 10017. Although it isn't really the same as that old-school First bus charm!
Fresh out the box! First Manchester 2201BY (X401 CSG)
First Manchester Scania L94UA Solar Fusion 10017 (X401 CSG). When brand new, numbered 2201 and in Barbie Livery branded with the Gold service⭐ decals.
The one of a kind bendy, as it was the only Wright Solar Fusion within First Group. 10017 was first registered on 1 February 2001 with the fleet number (2201) and began operation on the 135 alongside 15 Volvo B10LA Wright Fusions.
She stayed loyal to Bury garage as well as the 135 (Bury - Manchester), with a few stints on the 471 (Rochdale - Bolton) of course. But... just like the B10LA's, 10017 would be transferred to Bolton depot whilst Bury got their hands on 18 brand new (2005) Scania OmniCity artics (N94UA's).
With 10017 now a Bolton bus, she would become a regular on the No. 8 which of course lead to her receiving Overground branding for that particular route. This would only last for three years, as by 2008 First Manchester would order Volvo B9TL Eclipse Gemini's which were branded for the 8 (Bolton - Manchester).
By 2009, all of the aging artics would be cascaded onto the 582 (Leigh - Bolton) after losing all of their previous route branding. Not long after this, all of the Volvo B10LA's would be withdrawn from service as they because less reliable. 10017 on the other hand was still proving to be quite the work horse. Therefore was given another chance and transferred back to Bury depot to join the Scania Omnicity artics on the 135.
Now back home in Bury, she would receive a few modifications, like the removal of the iconic half wheel skirts as well as the modified assault screen in the cab. By 2012, 10017 would lose the First Barbie livery in favour of the new Olympia colour scheme. This of course being First's new corporate identity at the time. First Manchester's Solar Fusion would go on to continue its reliable service until 6th December 2016 when she was involved in a collision with the central reservation at junction 19 on the M60. Due to the age of 10017 as well as it not being economically viable to repair, she was withdrawn from service ending the career of First Manchester's unique and rare bendy. Not long after she would have been stripped for parts, then scrapped. This was extremely unfortunate as this particular bus would have been the perfect candidate for preservation.
Fortunately, Ex Nottingham City Transport L94UA Wright Solar Fusion (FE02 AKV) 704 has been preserved which is great, considering that vehicle shares a similar spec to 10017. Although it isn't really the same as that old-school First bus charm!