06.10.09.
RVPT member Ian McCall has bought Stagecoach 14186 (G186JHG), an Alexander RL bodied Leyland Olympian
which had been new to Stagecoach Ribble as their 2186.
It was collected today from the Stagecoach Depot in Scunthorpe and driven to Freckleton where it will stay
for a few days before going for an MOT.
After the MOT it will go to its new home at the St Helens Transport Museum.
A couple of photographs taken today:
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attachment=826] [
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Now this news does make me feel old, and I'm only 35 going on 36! I remember vividly in Carlisle when we received our batch of near identical F-reg RL bodied Olympians (F803 FAO etc). I can still recall the "new" smell of the interiors and the excellent view afforded by the large front upper deck windows.
It is good though to see buses like this being preserved, personally I think the Alexander "R" bodywork is a real classic.
Stagecoach Cumberland's F803FAO was on loan at Preston a couple of years ago with an all-over advert.
Seating capacity is different: 2186 is B51/31, 803 is B51/36.
2186 has a large, shallow, luggage pen over the front nearside wheelarch; 803 has the extra seats.
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When Peter Walton (Walton's Coaches) withdrew his two Olympians (F304/5JTY) earlier this year,
he allowed us to remove various bits before the scrap man came to take them away.
304/5 had Alexander R
H bodies.
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attachment=830]
2186 - 2187 - 1442
Former Ribble 1442, (LHG442T), an ECW bodied Bristol VRT has been in use as a playbus on the Wirrall
for some years. The owners recently decided to replace 1442 and contacted RVPT to see if we would
be interested in buying her.
RVPT Fleet Manager, Ian McCall, inspected 1442 and the decision was that RVPT would not buy her.
In a subsequent discussion with 1442s owners, the replacement vehicle was mentioned. It was to be
Leyland Olympian 2187 - sister of 2186. Ian was asked if he would assist in the collection of 2187 from
Carlisle and its transfer to the Wirrall. Ian agreed to this and was fortunate in being able to have 2187s
seats which were in the original moquette - needed for 2186 which is to be restored in the original
as-delivered Stagecoach livery.
Ian has provided the following photographs:
[
attachment=883] 2186 and 2187.
[
attachment=885] [
attachment=884] 2186, 2187 and 1442.
05.05.10.
Former Ribble Leyland Olympian 2188, (14188), (G188JHG), today donated her 51 high-back upper deck seats for use in 2186.
[
attachment=1000] 2188 had spent her latter days at Barrow and was at Lillyhall, withdrawn for disposal.
I understand that she has been sold for non-pcv use as a mobile training centre and the new owner does not require the upstairs seats.
Stagecoach kindly allowed Ian to remove the upper deck seats for 2186 as they carried the 'as delivered' moquette.
Why do current fleetnumbers run into 5 figures (inc. First?) Much as I like to read updates - Why are we RVPG involved with vehicles of Stagecoach? I was under the impression that our modus operandi was Ribble prior to denationalisation! No doubt I've left myself wide open again, but if you feel the same way - have your say! Sorry if I upset anyone - its only my opinion.
Mike from Norwich
Five digit fleet numbers enable Stagecoach to group their vehicles into types and each vehicle (normally) keeps its fleetnumber
for life. It saves having to re-number a vehicle if transferred from one Stagecoach company to another.
As has been mentioned previously, I put information on Stagecoach, Waltons and occasionally other fleets on the website as a bonus.
If you read them and find them interesting, OK. If you are not interested, you don't have to read them.
If you feel that the website should contain only RVPT information and Ribble related items up to Deregulation, Privatisation or
Stagecoach buyout, you might wish to put your views directly to either the Chairman or Website Manager.
............... and another ........
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Ian has bought 2180 as a source of spares for 2186.
Photos taken at Torquay showing 2180 being prepared
for towing to her new home at Widnes.