RE-Liance Bus Preservation Group
WESTERN WELSH 1284
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SPECIFICATIONS AEC
Reliance - 2 MU3RA/3361 |
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As
new, 1284 was delivered in the Dual-Purpose livery of Wine Red and Royal
Ivory. To augment the summer coaching
fleet, this changed in 1963 to Royal Ivory with a Red waist band and matching
window surrounds. Its fleet number also changed to 284.
June 1964 saw 284 revert to its original dual purpose colour scheme which
lasted until 1970. At this time, full service bus livery was adopted.
Withdrawn by Western Welsh in 1972 it
was sold in August (together with 1281) to Gelligaer
Urban District Council for further
service, where it became fleet No. 101.
A
modified Gelligaer U. D. C. livery was applied and
the vehicle became available for private hire as well as service use.
In April 1974, at
the time of local
government reorganisation, Gelligaer
U. D. C. became a constituent member of the larger Rhymney Valley District Council. No.101 became No.84 but did not adopt the
"banana split" livery of the new authority.
Another change of ownership came
about in February 1976 when the bus was sold to "Lewis Boys' School, Pengam". Here the
lower part of the bus was repainted white with
fetching black stripes - the School colours! The School crest also
featured on the sides. The vehicle took part in the
Cardiff Transport Rally in 1975.
August 1980 saw the bus sold
for preservation to the late Mr. Joe Hassan of Barry. As 284, it was rallied until 1982.
It is believed that she was resold to
the Pontypool Bus Preservation Group in 1983/4.
Garaged at the old Star brickworks, at Ponthir, nr. Caerleon it was never shown.
284 passed to a Cardiff business man
with the intention of refurbishment to original
condition in 1986/7. The seats were
reupholstered and dry stored but pressure of work prevented
further restoration.
She was found in a derelict condition, in an field, just off the main A48
Fully restored as 1284, the bus made its re-appearance at the Bus & Coach
Wales show at
Sister
vehicle WKG 287 is now in the ownership of
the Rhymney Valley Bus Preservation
Society but requires complete restoration.