The original backend of a bus - CIE Dublin bus D739, c1979
In hindsight I'm glad I took this snap of the back of a bus! D739 (739 ZO) was one of the large batch of Leyland Atleanteans with Van Hool McArdle bodies amassed by CIE in the 1970s - CIE had been staunch Leyland buyers for decades but these vehicles would be part of the 'great falling out' that would see CIE attempt to develop alternative models via different manufacturers. The bodywork was part of that attempt to diversify - a local company , McArdle, coupled up with continental coach builder Van Hool. The outcome was not exactly happy, not helped by CIE's very poor maintenance regime of the time I recall - and the open engine access hatch flapping around in service was not uncommon with these buses. I'm certain this is the terminus, high in the mountains, at Ballymore Eustace in which case this isn't on the 77A! This is not technically a good shot - I only had, at the time, a throwaway camera.
The original backend of a bus - CIE Dublin bus D739, c1979
In hindsight I'm glad I took this snap of the back of a bus! D739 (739 ZO) was one of the large batch of Leyland Atleanteans with Van Hool McArdle bodies amassed by CIE in the 1970s - CIE had been staunch Leyland buyers for decades but these vehicles would be part of the 'great falling out' that would see CIE attempt to develop alternative models via different manufacturers. The bodywork was part of that attempt to diversify - a local company , McArdle, coupled up with continental coach builder Van Hool. The outcome was not exactly happy, not helped by CIE's very poor maintenance regime of the time I recall - and the open engine access hatch flapping around in service was not uncommon with these buses. I'm certain this is the terminus, high in the mountains, at Ballymore Eustace in which case this isn't on the 77A! This is not technically a good shot - I only had, at the time, a throwaway camera.