THE EXPERIMENTAL VOLVO CITYBUSES AND PRESERVATION OF VOLVO CITYBUS 1481 (C481 CBU)

With the eventual demise of the Fleetline and Atlantean chassis due Greater Manchester Transport were conscious that they would need to look at developing their Standard body to fit newly developed rear engined or mid engined chassis and embarked upon a fleet number series in which to put these which very much mirrored the original EX experimental series used by their predecessors SELNEC.

The fleet number series chosen was the 14xx series. This series started off when the Bristol VRT's ordered by North Western delivered to SELNEC Cheshire had been renumbered, They were delivered as 400 to 424 but were renumbered shortly after to 1400 to 1424.

Therefore, in 1974, Greater Manchester Transport took a proving quantity of ten of the new experimental Metropolitain Double Deckers and numbered these in the series 1425 to 1434.

They were followed over the years by the following purchases:-

There are no Metropolitans in the batch 1425 to 1434 still existence and the two Foden NCs, 1435 and 1436, have both been scrapped. We understand there is still an experimental Dennis Dominator 1439 in existence but we have not been keen to pursue this on the basis that we have 2001 (B901 TVR) the first production GMT Dennis Dominator.

Members will know that we have attempted to obtain one sample of each of the remaining experimental vehicle batches in 1400 series and had obtained the following by 2006:

As for the final batch of 1400 experimental vehicles 1481 � 1483, the Volvo Citybuses we determined that we ought to have one of these as a stable mate to the other 1400 vehicles we have been able to acquire but on making initial enquiries it became apparent to us that both 1482 and 1483 had been withdrawn and then scrapped and sent to Barnsley, due to engine problems, leaving only 1481 in service at Bury Depot.  Members went to visit 1481 on Tuesday 30th December 2003 and travelled on it in its First Manchester rail red livery and were disturbed to hear some rather expensive sounding noises coming from the vehicle, particularly on its gear change operation.  However, we did discuss our interest in securing the vehicle with First Group.  It then rather surprisingly and awkwardly was transferred to First Edinburgh on 16th July 2004.  Therefore on Friday 24th June 2005 members went to visit it at the Dalkeith Depot, it then running in Barbie II livery.  This visit to Dalkeith was reported in our Newsletter Number 29 of September 2005.  Travelling on it this time it did sound much healthier but because of the very low clearance height at Dalkeith Depot it is understood that some adjustments had been made to the air suspension system and it had been fitted with low profile Metrobus tyres.

We kept in contact with First Group�s Head Office in Aberdeen and First Edinburgh and were advised as reported in newsletter number 32 of September 2006 that it had come out of service in July 2006, only to go back into service a week late on a short term contract.  We were subsequently advised on 8th September 2006 that the vehicle had come out of service again and was withdrawn permanently.  Therefore arrangements were put in place for us to pursue our acquisition of this vehicle for preservation.  We are very much indebted to the help of Tony Galliphant from First Group Head Office and Stephen Stokes at First Edinburgh for their assistance in allowing us to do so.

It had been agreed that the low profile Metrobus tyres would be removed and Michelin kindly fitted six Standard 11R22�s in their place and once we had made payment for the bus and received the appropriate paperwork for the tyres, put it on our fully comprehensive insurance.  Members travelled to Edinburgh on Friday 27th October 2006.  We stayed overnight for an early start on Saturday morning, 28th October 2006, to collect this vehicle from the Livingston Depot where it had been parked up for safe storage.  Using trade plates we set off on a long trip back down various motorways to return this vehicle to our East Manchester premises with the journey commencing at 11.15 am and concluding at 6.00 pm. with three stops for fuel.  Oil started to leak from the fly wheel area around Preston but this did not prevent the bus getting to its destination. It was first registered on 1st June 1986 and passed to the SELNEC Preservation Society on 23rd October 2006.  It has body number 2857 and chassis number 9583.  This is our second Volvo acquisition and will make an interesting comparison to 1448, another experimental vehicle, a Volvo Ailsa.

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