ex WMPTE 4413 with Lewis, Carreglefn, 1991
Former WMPTE Bristol VR 4413 (NOB413M) survives today, not so much by design, but because the vehicle was long lived as a service bus, out living most of it contemporaries.
After withdrawal by WMPTE in March 1981, 4413 was placed into storage with others of the type. These buses were suffering structural issues around the front ends where the body joined the chassis. The MCW built bodies that were used on the WMPTE VRTs, were designed for use on Fleetlines and had to be modified to fit the VR chassis; it certainly wasn't a marriage made in heaven. Unlike the Fleetline VR had a large front mounted radiator, and much body strength was lost in the front end to accommodate it. The result was that the front ends of these buses became loose and very rattly as body movement became more apparent.
It was clear at the time that the PTE did not want it widely known that they were actively withdrawing buses that were only seven years old, so placed them into storage at warehouse in Tipton until a decision was made as to what to do with them. Eventually, the PTE decided to sell what they could for further use, whilst others would be rebuilt and put back into traffic. However, those beyond commercial repair were cannibalised and sold for scrap.
National Welsh took advantage of the offer of these buses and bought several in early 1983. Many of the National Welsh examples were stationed at Bridgend in South Wales and were used on stage carriage work. 4413 was initially numbered HR7448 by NW, and later re-numbered as XR1970. ...Maybe someone could shed some light on this renumbering?
NOB413M remained in service with NW until 1988, when it was sold to Welsh independent Clynnog & Trefor of Trefor, Caernarfon who operated the bus for about 12 months on school contract work.
No longer required by its third owner, you would have expected the next buyer to have been a breaker's yard, but instead 4413 was sold to Lewis of Carreglefn, Anglesey for continued use as a school bus. Painted into Lewis's pale blue and cream colours, 4413 remained in service until January 1992, when it was sold into preservation.
Negotiations to buy the former North Division bus for preservation had begun towards the end of 1989, and a deal was reached on a visit to the operator in October 1991. Lewis had originally intended to keep the bus in traffic until March 1992, but sold it to the preservation group two month early. Since then the vehicle has had several owners, the current owner being Mr Kevin Hill, who has done much work to bring this bus back to its former 1974/5 condition as WMPTE 4413.
The picture shows the bus with Lewis on 23rd October 1991, when the deal was struck to save it.
ex WMPTE 4413 with Lewis, Carreglefn, 1991
Former WMPTE Bristol VR 4413 (NOB413M) survives today, not so much by design, but because the vehicle was long lived as a service bus, out living most of it contemporaries.
After withdrawal by WMPTE in March 1981, 4413 was placed into storage with others of the type. These buses were suffering structural issues around the front ends where the body joined the chassis. The MCW built bodies that were used on the WMPTE VRTs, were designed for use on Fleetlines and had to be modified to fit the VR chassis; it certainly wasn't a marriage made in heaven. Unlike the Fleetline VR had a large front mounted radiator, and much body strength was lost in the front end to accommodate it. The result was that the front ends of these buses became loose and very rattly as body movement became more apparent.
It was clear at the time that the PTE did not want it widely known that they were actively withdrawing buses that were only seven years old, so placed them into storage at warehouse in Tipton until a decision was made as to what to do with them. Eventually, the PTE decided to sell what they could for further use, whilst others would be rebuilt and put back into traffic. However, those beyond commercial repair were cannibalised and sold for scrap.
National Welsh took advantage of the offer of these buses and bought several in early 1983. Many of the National Welsh examples were stationed at Bridgend in South Wales and were used on stage carriage work. 4413 was initially numbered HR7448 by NW, and later re-numbered as XR1970. ...Maybe someone could shed some light on this renumbering?
NOB413M remained in service with NW until 1988, when it was sold to Welsh independent Clynnog & Trefor of Trefor, Caernarfon who operated the bus for about 12 months on school contract work.
No longer required by its third owner, you would have expected the next buyer to have been a breaker's yard, but instead 4413 was sold to Lewis of Carreglefn, Anglesey for continued use as a school bus. Painted into Lewis's pale blue and cream colours, 4413 remained in service until January 1992, when it was sold into preservation.
Negotiations to buy the former North Division bus for preservation had begun towards the end of 1989, and a deal was reached on a visit to the operator in October 1991. Lewis had originally intended to keep the bus in traffic until March 1992, but sold it to the preservation group two month early. Since then the vehicle has had several owners, the current owner being Mr Kevin Hill, who has done much work to bring this bus back to its former 1974/5 condition as WMPTE 4413.
The picture shows the bus with Lewis on 23rd October 1991, when the deal was struck to save it.