Throwback Thursday (199)

This week we are going back a mere two years to 2017 (which is also twenty-one months after Throwback Thursday started). WV 52 is seen at the terminus of the 44B in Glencullen. This is one of the more remote terminus on the Dublin Bus network and the 44B is one of the more infrequent routes. It runs between here and Dundrum, passing the famous Johnnie Fox's Pub on the way. The route dates back to the 1930s when it used to run to the City Centre and was more frequent at the weekends as it brought walkers to the Dublin Mountains. In 2009 it was cut back to Dundrum, and only had a service in the morning peak and the afternoons. There was a Saturday only service to Ranelagh but it too was dropped in 2012.

The route is one of the most scenic in Dublin, as it climbs up out of Dundrum to Glencullen, providing great views over the city and has been known to the bus engine under some strain.

WV 52 was delivered to Dublin Bus in 2001 and was the last member of the WV Class, and therefore the last single-decker delivered to Dublin Bus until the WS Class arrived in 2017. Due to the nature of the route, only single-deck buses can be used. Three WVs were kept in service for the 44B while the rest of the Dublin Bus fleet was double-decker. WV 50 was the first to go in early 2017 and WV 51 and WV 52 were replaced by two Wright Streetlites (WS 1 and WS 2) which were purchased specifically to operate the 44B. The first one went into service on the 1st December 2017 and the WVs were then withdrawn from service. WV 52 was the only one to receive an LED destination. 31/10/2017

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Uploaded on October 31, 2019
Taken on October 31, 2017