Consequently, the only vehicle we have in the A - HNB registration batch of 8656 to 8700 was 8662 but this was secured for spares and therefore 8700 with its registration A700 HNB was our fifth alloy framed Atlantean standard registration plate variation. 

For the sake of completeness we should point out that there were two further alloy framed vehicles built by Northern Counties.  Firstly the prototype alloy framed Atlantean 7511 (GNC 292N) which also featured photochromic windows, carpets and tachograph and appeared at the 1974 Commercial Vehicle Motor Show.  Also there was one alloy framed Standard Fleetline in that 6912, a metal framed ex-LUT variant delivered in 1978, was burnt out in a fire at LUT in 1981 along with Jumbo Fleetline 2413 (VTC 503M).  Both were rebodied by Northern Counties in 1983.  Both buses were new with metal frames and 2413 had its Jumbo Northern Counties dual door body replaced by an extended version of the metal framed Standard body making it a one-off metal framed Fleetline with higher seating capacity of H47/34F � 81 seats.  Unusually however, 6912 whilst also being rebodied in 1983 received the then Standard alloy framed body, making it look particularly unusual being the only alloy framed Standard Fleetline and only one of two Fleetlines (with 2413) delivered �new� in white, orange and brown.  6912 is also owned by the SELNEC Preservation Society.

Because of our desire to depict 8700 in North Birmingham Busways colours when it came up for repaint during 2005 it was repainted in the original green and cream livery which these vehicles operated in for many years rather than the revised green and cream livery used more recently, so that when we did secure it for preservation it will be in the most appropriate colours.  In fact there was an article called Atlantean Contrasts published in the February 2000 edition of Buses Magazine which dealt with Atlanteans retiring in Edinburgh and thriving in North Birmingham under the heading �Atlantean lives on�.  There was a four page article featuring a number of photographs of Atlanteans operated at that time by North Birmingham Busways which in addition to the ex-Greater Manchester vehicles featured ex-Blackpool, Brighton and Plymouth Atlanteans and featured within the article a photograph of 8705 (A705 LNC) in a line up with East Lancs and Park Royal bodied examples and a photograph of 7953 (BNC 953T) in driving training livery.  Interestingly there was also a photograph of ex-Brighton 4 (TYJ 4S) running the North Birmingham Busways green and cream livery in the article and this has subsequently gone on for preservation in Brighton corporation blue and white livery at Southdown Historic Vehicle Group.  Rather curiously and something that was not known about until after we had earmarked 8700 for potential preservation, was that the ex-Greater Manchester alloy framed Northern Counties Atlantean Standard that appeared on the cover of the February 2000 edition of Buses happened to be their number 70 (8700)!

Once North Birmingham Busways had decided that they were to withdraw 8700 they made contact with the SELNEC Preservation Society and discussions then ensued about us securing it for preservation.  It appeared that the crack in the chassis sub-frame was not that severe and would not make the bus unsafe as it was relatively insignificant except for the rather rigorous standards of the Class VI MOT which are understandable on the basis that these are designed to protect public safety.  North Birmingham Busways did however undertake some work on the vehicle for us and put it through a Class V MOT which it passed without any difficulty on the basis of the lower specification required for this level of test.  Subsequently upon paying for the vehicle, we obtained the appropriate documentation, the V5 and the MOT and had the taxation classification changed from bus to PLG and then visited North Birmingham Busways on Saturday 11th February 2006 tax disc in hand in order to collect the vehicle, which we did, and returned it to Greater Manchester that day without incident except a slight problem with overheating.  Very kindly David Wall had put on board a selection of ex-Standard/Atlantean parts they no longer had a use for to assist us with our ongoing rectification and preservation activities.  Noted in the depot during our visit was 72 (8702 � A702 LNC) looking resplendent in its blue NHS Recruitment livery having been recently converted. 

The vehicle was delivered new to Greater Manchester Transport on 23rd January 1984 and thereafter passed to North Birmingham Busways, via GM Buses Limited/GM Buses (South) Limited/Stagecoach Manchester Limited, on 6th August 1997.  It was purchased by the SELNEC Preservation Society on 26th January 2006 and has body number 2540 and chassis number 8300476. 

Because of the impending decline of the operational Atlanteans by First Manchester (which eventually occurred in January 2002) there had been organised a Bolton Atlantean Running Day which took place on 11th August 2001.  On that day the SELNEC Preservation Society attended with Atlantean Standard bookends being the very first prototype Standard Atlantean (EX1) (PNF 941J) and the very last Standard alloy framed Atlantean 8765 (A765 NNA).  Rather coincidentally North Birmingham Busways sent up a Leyland Atlantean to attend the event which just happened to be their number 70 � 8700 (A700 HNB)!

We are very much indebted to David Wall and all at North Birmingham Busways for allowing us to secure this vehicle for preservation and it will feature in a number of road runs, rallies and shows in its North Birmingham Busways green and cream livery as it did at the Spring Transport Festival at the Museum of Transport in Manchester on 26th March 2006.