Tuesday 7 February 2012

Before And After - R448 LGH

I do like a bargain! After a trip to UK Bus Dismantlers at Bromyard to see one bus that was for sale, I found another one that I liked more. The original viewing was a run of the mill ex Veolia 1996 Dennis Dart which, on first inspection looked quite tidy. A closer look revealed some issues around the rear windows and so I quickly decided that this was not worth the bother and anyway its MOT was shortly due to expire.
We needed an engine for L310PSC and a suitable donor was about to face the cutting torch so a quick deal was done (yet another Veolia vehicle). Whilst briefly inspecting this engine in situ, something caught my eye!
Hidden at the back of the yard was this little gem! I admit that on the outside it looks like a bit of a wreck, but it was easily restorable and Low Floor! An offer was made and so job done.
UK Bus Dismantlers has recently purchased a large number of vehicles from Veolia, who have been either closing down or selling off their bus operations in recent times. There are many operators both large and small who have benifited from such a large supply of vehicles, mostly Low Floor, being available.
Our new dart had some new panels and a repaint and is somewhat transformed into the vehicle pictured below: -
The seats have now been retrimmed and she is off for an MOT test on Tuesday. If all goes well, and after a couple of days of local testing, this shiny bus will find itself on the 881 route between Cirencester and Tetbury.