Mercedes L608D

Overview

In the autumn of 1985 Midland Red West joined the national urban minibus bandwagon. Under the Transport 1980 the government had altered driver licensing so as to introduce additional categories 3 and 4 for minibus driving entitlement as well as 1 (for double deckers) and 2 (for any single deckers). The idea was that by encouraging the introduction of minibuses it would help to save rural bus routes where bus use was most in decline. However, the Managing Director of Devon General, Harry Blundred, decided to convert urban bus services to high frequency minibus and so he start the bandwagon of using 16-seat minibuses. Midland Red West didn’t join the minibus phenomenon straight away and when the company did it opted for 20-seat vehicles and so 61 Mercedes 608D vehicles were ordered for Worcester garage. Midland Red West paid around £19,000 a vehicle and they were to have an operational life of eight years. As it happened the company go its moneys worth from the vehicles as may lasted virtually twice their original expected life. After the introduction of the Worcester network on Saturday 23rd November 1985 which was branded Citibus the company went onto to introduce similar networks in Kidderminster on 8th March 1986 branded as Wyre Forest Shuttle and in Redditch on 18th April 1986 as Reddilink. With the introduction of a blue and mainly yellow livery with the Worcester network the drivers christened the vehicles "Tonka Toys" – the vehicles turned out to be quiet indestructible like the toys are as many car drivers found when they were in an accident with one. Midland Red West/First Midland Red owned and or operated a total of 154 Mercedes 608D vehicles. This includes the five vehicles that were hired and used in late 1985 and early 1986 as driver trainers. These five vehicles were as follows

Registration Number	Fleet Number	Body type	Seating Capacity	Use with MRW
A648VOJ	-	Not Known	C19F	On loan from Foley Self-Drive of Kidderminster between 12 August and 26 November 1985 as a driver trainer
B119RRE	119	PMT	B21F	Used as a driver in the Autumn of 1985 at Worcester. Vehicle was on loan from PMT -
B909BGA	-	PMT 3163	C21F	On loan from Blythswood (dealer) Glasgow as a driver trainer between 3 September and 21 November 1985
B476MAD	-	Reeve Burgess 14807	C21F	On loan from WJ Oldacre (Services) Ltd as a driver trainer between September 1985 and 2 June 1986
C308GOC	-	Devon Conversions 98586D	C21F	On loan from Foley Self-Drive of Kidderminster between 6 February and 2 May 1986 on a "as required basis" as a driver trainer

1301-19 (C301-19PNP)  

The first 19 of the Midland Red West Mercedes 608D vehicles were bodied by PMT of Stoke on Trent. All the vehicles entered service at Worcester on the launch day for the new Citibus network, which was Saturday 23rd November 1985. All were built as 20-seater buses though within weeks of entering service the first six were re-seated with coach seats to meet the demand for the vehicles use on private hire duties. 1301 was converted in March 1986, 1302/4/6 in April 1986 and 1303/5 in May 1986. During the early 1990's 1301-3 were transferred  to Kidderminster Garage from Worcester. 1303 ended up at Redditch when it was exchanged for Mercedes 609D 1406 in 1992. 1301 was transferred to the Midland Red Coaches fleet in xxx and repainted in an all over red livery for use on a school contract. On closure of the coaching unit in February 1997 the vehicle was converted back for bus service work and transferred to Hereford Garage. The vehicle became the last Mercedes 608D in service with First Midland Red on 28th August 2001. The remainder of the batch was mainly withdrawn from Hereford Garage with the introduction of the Mercedes Vario minibuses in the summer 1998.    

Registration Number	Fleet Number	Body type	Seating Capacity	Date into MRW Service	Date Withdrawn	Disposal
C301PNP	1301	PMT 3471	DP20F	23-Nov-85	Aug-01	Erith Commercials, Crayford - 7/02
C302PNP	1302	PMT 3473	DP20F	23-Nov-85	Oct-95	Cannibalised for spares, body cut up for scrap - chassis to W Jones for conversion to farm trailer 7/97
C303PNP	1303	PMT 3774	DP20F	23-Nov-85	Mar-96	Wacton, Bromyard - 4/00 for scrap
C304PNP	1304	PMT 3472	DP20F	23-Nov-85	Aug-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C305PNP	1305	PMT 3498	DP20F	23-Nov-85	Aug-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C306PNP	1306	PMT 3499	DP20F	23-Nov-85	Aug-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C307PNP	1307	PMT 3500	B20F	23-Nov-85	Aug-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C308PNP	1308	PMT 3501	B20F	23-Nov-85	Jul-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C309PNP	1309	PMT 3502	B20F	23-Nov-85	Jul-98	Smith, Wilmcote - 7/99, for scrap
C310PNP	1310	PMT 3503	B20F	23-Nov-85	Aug-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C311PNP	1311	PMT 3504	B20F	23-Nov-85	Aug-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C312PNP	1312	PMT 3505	B20F	23-Nov-85	Aug-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C313PNP	1313	PMT 3506	B20F	23-Nov-85	Aug-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C314PNP	1314	PMT 3507	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C315PNP	1315	PMT 3560	B20F	23-Nov-85	Aug-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C316PNP	1316	PMT 3561	B20F	23-Nov-85	Jul-98	Smith, Wilmcote - 7/99, for scrap
C317PNP	1317	PMT 3557	B20F	23-Nov-85	Aug-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C318PNP	1318	PMT 3562	B20F	23-Nov-85	Aug-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C319PNP	1319	PMT 3458	B20F	23-Nov-85	Jul-98	Smith, Wilmcote - 7/99, for scrap

1320 (C320PNP) 

1320 was a unique vehicle as it was the first Mercedes 608D vehicle to be bodied by Alexander for the National Bus Company. The vehicle was delivered some three months after the main batch of vehicles for Worcester and entered service in January 1986. The vehicle was instantly recognizable from the fact the front dome containing destination gear was a totally different shape to all other Mercedes 608D vehicles in the fleet. The vehicle had a rather uneventful life at Worcester and was withdrawn the following day after the picture of it was taken when the Mercedes Vario minibuses were introduced at Worcester in August 1998. The vehicle like a number was exported to for use in the West Indies in December 1998. At the time First group had very strict rules on the disposable of surplus vehicles which led to many vehicles being sold for export over seas.  

Registration Number	Fleet Number	Body type	Seating Capacity	Date into MRW Service	Date Withdrawn	Disposal
C320PNP	1320	Alexander AM4/885/1	B20F	Jan-86	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98

1321-60 (C321-60PNP)

The majority of the 61 vehicles required for the launch of the Worcester Citibus network on 23rd November 1985 were bodied by Robin Hood in Hampshire. All the vehicles carried the standard Worcester minibus livery of yellow, blue and orange until 1350 was repainted from an advertising livery for Radio Wyvern into the then standard red and cream livery in July 1990 which had been introduced in August 1986. All the minibuses (except the few in advertising liveries) went onto to be repainted into the red and cream livery. With the expansion of the Redditch minibus network in 1990 1357/8/60 were transferred to Redditch and were latter joined by 1355/6/9. Many of the vehicles were withdrawn in August 1998 with the introduction of the Mercedes Vario vehicles though some went on to see further service at both Redditch and Hereford Garages  

Registration Number	Fleet Number	Body type	Seating Capacity	Date into MRW Service	Date Withdrawn	Disposal
C321PNP	1321	Robin Hood 8670	B20F	23-Nov-85	July-99	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 12/00, for scrap
C322PNP	1322	Robin Hood 8671	B20F	23-Nov-85	July-98	scrapped at Worcester - 11/98 after being striped for spares
C323PNP	1323	Robin Hood 8672	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C324PNP	1324	Robin Hood 8673	B20F	23-Nov-85	November-99	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 12/00, for scrap
C325PNP	1325	Robin Hood 8674	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C326PNP	1326	Robin Hood 8675	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C327PNP	1327	Robin Hood 8676	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C328PNP	1328	Robin Hood 8677	B20F	23-Nov-85	June-99	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 12/00, for scrap
C329PNP	1329	Robin Hood 8678	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C330PNP	1330	Robin Hood 8679	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C331PNP	1331	Robin Hood 8680	B20F	23-Nov-85	November-99	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 3/01, for scrap
C332PNP	1332	Robin Hood 8681	B20F	23-Nov-85	December-00	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 3/01, for scrap
C333PNP	1333	Robin Hood 8682	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C334PNP	1334	Robin Hood 8683	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C335PNP	1335	Robin Hood 8684	B20F	23-Nov-85	January-00	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 3/01, for scrap
C336PNP	1336	Robin Hood 8685	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C337PNP	1337	Robin Hood 8686	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C338PNP	1338	Robin Hood 8687	B20F	23-Nov-85	February-01	Erith Commercials, Crayford 7/01
C339PNP	1339	Robin Hood 8688	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	Erith Commercials, Crayford - 7/02
C340PNP	1340	Robin Hood 8689	B20F	23-Nov-85	March-01	Erith Commercials, Crayford 7/01
C341PNP	1341	Robin Hood 8690	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C342PNP	1342	Robin Hood 8691	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C343PNP	1343	Robin Hood 8692	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C344PNP	1344	Robin Hood 8693	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C345PNP	1345	Robin Hood 8694	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C346PNP	1346	Robin Hood 8695	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C347PNP	1347	Robin Hood 8696	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C348PNP	1348	Robin Hood 8697	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C349PNP	1349	Robin Hood 8698	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C350PNP	1350	Robin Hood 8699	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C351PNP	1351	Robin Hood 8700	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C352PNP	1352	Robin Hood 8701	B20F	23-Nov-85	February-01	Erith Commercials, Crayford 7/01
C353PNP	1353	Robin Hood 8702	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C354PNP	1354	Robin Hood 8703	B20F	23-Nov-85	February-99	Broken up for scrap at Redditch Garage 2/99
C355PNP	1355	Robin Hood 8704	B20F	23-Nov-85	February-98	broken up by the company 5/98.
C356PNP	1356	Robin Hood 8705	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C357PNP	1357	Robin Hood 8706	B20F	23-Nov-85	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C358PNP	1358	Robin Hood 8707	B20F	23-Nov-85	April-97	Smith, Wilmcote 5/98 for scrap
C359PNP	1359	Robin Hood 8708	B20F	23-Nov-85	April-97	cut up by company for scrap at Redditch - 9/97
C360PNP	1360	Robin Hood 8709	B20F	23-Nov-85	April-97	Wacton, Bromyard - 4/00 for scrap

1361 (was to be "C361PNP" but became "C361RUY")

The 61st minibus 1361 like 1320 was to be a prototype vehicle being bodied by Sparshatts a new manufacturer for vehicles for the National Bus Company and should have been registered C361PNP. Unfortunately construction of the vehicle was delayed and so Midland Red West used demonstrator vehicle C240JTU a Fiat 49-10 with a 21-seat Robin Hood body as a replacement between 27th February until 30th May 1986. In the event the Midland Red West order was cancelled and Robin Hood produced an additional vehicle which entered service at Worcester in July 1986 in the yellow and blue Citibus livery. The vehicle was repainted yellow and green on transfer to Kidderminster garage in August 1988. The vehicle latter moved back to Worcester before moving to Redditch garage in the early 1990’s and finally ending it’s days at Hereford Garage where it was withdrawn in September 2000 and finally sold for scrap in March 2001 to Erith Commercials. The Sparshatts NBC prototype was actually built and was registered D985ARE and was sold to an independent bus operator Drysliver of Pontypridd in South Wales who operated in full MRW Citibus livery (without the brand names).

Registration Number	Fleet Number	Body type	Seating Capacity	Date into Service	Date Withdrawn	Disposal
C361PNP	1361	Robin Hood 9769	B20F	Jul-86	Sept-00	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 3/01, for scrap

1362-1384 C362-84RUY

All of this batch of minibuses C362-84RUY were bodied by Reeve Burgess. These were the only new Mercedes Benz 608D vehicles to have such body work even though the vast majority of such minibuses nationally had Reeve Burgess bodywork. The vehicles made up 23 of the required 25 vehicles for the new "Wyre Forest Shuttle" minibus network in Kidderminster which was launched on Saturday 8th March 1986. !385/6 from the next batch of vehicles bodied by Robin Hood made up the total requirement for the garage. All vehicles were painted in the yellow and green version of the company's new minibus livery. 1377/8/9/80 became the first minibuses to be withdrawn in October 1995 when they were sold to Western National. As the Kidderminster 608D vehicles were replaced with the latter Mercedes 609D vehicles (required for a number of Centro contracts run by the garage) a number of the former vehicles ended up at both Hereford and to a lesser extent Worcester garage.

1385-1404   C385-404RUY

All of this batch of minibuses were bodied by Rood Hood and were similar to 1321-61. The first two went (C385/6RUY) new to Kidderminster to make up their required 25 vehicles and were painted in the Wyre Forest Shuttle livery of yellow and green. These two vehicles were reallocated to Redditch garage in 1989. Redditch was to have 23 vehicles (C387-409RUY) but the order was reduced to 18 and so 1405-1409 were not delivered. The company actually took 21 of the 25 ordered as one became 1361 (C361RUY) to replace the Spratts bodied vehicle. The Redditch minibus network was launched on Saturday 18th April 1986 and the vehicles were painted in a yellow and red version of the then standard minibus livery and were branded Reddilink. The reduction in the order for Redditch was mainly due to union resistance to the introduction of minibuses but was to cause the garage problems as it soon became apparent that 18 buses to cover 16 vehicles worth of work was not sufficient. Of the all garages the minibuses at Redditch managed to clock up by far the highest mileage because the town benefits from an extensive network of bus lanes allowing fast running times. This is why First Midland Red in more recent years got rid of the Redditch vehicles first. Midland Red West used the C405RUY mark on a new Vauxhall Astra for Harry Aston who at the time was Redditch Garage Manager. In April 1997 the majority of the Redditch minibus network was converted to Dennis Dart operation when vehicles N301-12XAB were transferred from Kidderminster Garage. Some of the surplus vehicles moved for a brief time to Hereford garage.

1440 C475BHY

Vehicle C475BHY was new to Bristol Omnibus in March 1986 and carried the fleet number 7475. Numerically the vehicle was the first Mercedes 608D vehicle in the Bristol fleet and it moved to the Midland Red West fleet in August 1988 and was given the fleet number 1440. It was painted into the yellow and green Shuttle livery and it entered service at Kidderminster in September 1989. The vehicle was required together with 1361 from Worcester at Kidderminster to allow Mercedes 609D vehicles 1410 and 1411 to be re-allocated to Hereford so that the Hereford Hopper network could be expanded. The vehicle latter moved to Worcester Garage and with the introduction of the new Mercedes Vario minibuses in Worcester in August 1998 it moved to Hereford Garage to end its days before being sold for scrap in September 2001.

Registration Number	Fleet Number	Body type	Seating Capacity	Date into MRW Service	Date Withdrawn	Disposal
C475BHY	1440	Reeves Burgess 15491	B20F	Sep-88	March-01	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 9/01, for scrap

1441-9 C581-9SHC

Vehicles C581-9SHC (1441-9) were new to Southdown in March/April 1986 and were originally numbered 901-9 in their fleet. Midland Red West acquired the vehicles in March 1989 to mainly allow the Worcester minibus network to be expanded to cover Malvern. This expansion was marketed as "Citibus heads for the hills". Of the nine vehicles 1441/2 were  initially allocated to Kidderminster Garage and were painted in the yellow and green Shuttle livery in March 1989. 1441 entered service in March 1989 with 1442 following in July 1989. The remaining vehicles entered service at Worcester Garage. Of these vehicles 1443-6/8/9 were painted into the yellow and blue Citibus livery in March 1989 with all entering service in April 1989. 1447 was painted in a unique cream and brown livery in March 1989 to celebrate 800th anniversary of the Worcester Charter. The vehicle was named Richard I and also carried the Citibus logo. Like sister vehicles it entered service in April 1989. With introduction of the new Mercedes Vario minibuses in Worcester in August 1998 a number of the vehicles were withdrawn. However some soldiered on at Hereford for a number of more years in service.

Registration Number	Fleet Number	Body type	Seating Capacity	Date into MRW Service	Date Withdrawn	Disposal
C581SHC	1441	Reeves Burgess 15520	B20F	Apr-89	November-00	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 6/01, for scrap
C582SHC	1442	Reeves Burgess 15521	B20F	Jul-89	August-01	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 3/02, for scrap
C583SHC	1443	Reeves Burgess 15543	B20F	Apr-89	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C584SHC	1444	Reeves Burgess 15544	B20F	Apr-89	January-01	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 3/01, for scrap
C585SHC	1445	Reeves Burgess 15545	B20F	Apr-89	October-00	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 9/01, for scrap
C586SHC	1446	Reeves Burgess 15546	B20F	Apr-89	January-01	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 6/01, for scrap
C587SHC	1447	Reeves Burgess 15547	B20F	Apr-89	January-01	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 3/01, for scrap
C588SHC	1448	Reeves Burgess 15548	B20F	Apr-89	August-01	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 7/02, for scrap
C589SHC	1449	Reeves Burgess 15549	B20F	Apr-89	March-01	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 6/01, for scrap

1450/1 C788/90FRL

Vehicles C788/90FRL were new to Western National in January 1986 where they carried the fleet numbers 91 and 93 respectively. In the Midland Red West fleet C788FRL took the fleet number 1450 and C790FRL took the number 1451. 1450 was initially on loan from 18th November 1988 and 1451 from 5th November 1988. Both vehicles were initially used still in their Western National colours as driver trainers. For which the majority of the internal cab surround was removed so access to the drivers seat could be made directly from the passenger saloon. 1450 was repainted red and cream in April 1990 and 1451 in October 1990 whilst both were still in use as driver trainers. During 1991 both entered proper passenger service at Worcester Garage. 1450 was withdrawn in August 1998 with the introduction of the Mercedes Vario minibuses but 1451 managed to survive until November 2000 as the vehicle was transferred to Hereford garage in August 1998.

Registration Number	Fleet Number	Body type	Seating Capacity	Date into MRW Service	Date Withdrawn	Disposal
C788FRL	1450	Reeves Burgess 15448	B20F	May-89	August-98	exported to the West Indies Dec-98
C790FRL	1451	Reeves Burgess 15464	B20F	May-89	November-00	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 6/01, for scrap

1452-5 C207/8/9/12PCD

With the increase in minibus Contract work in the West Midlands in the early 1990’s Midland Red West needed more vehicles and so four second hand examples (C207/8/9/12PCD) were acquired from Brighton, Hove and District in July 1990 where they had the fleet numbers 207-9/12 respectively. The vehicles were new to Southdown Motor Services Ltd in December 1985 and with the break up of the Southdown company they passed to Brighton, Hove and District Omnibus Company in January 1986. This company was in turn renamed Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company Ltd in April 1986. All four vehicles were repainted into the red and cream midland red west livery in August 1990 and entered service at Kidderminster in September 1990. All four vehicles were the first minibuses Midland Red West operated with three track number blinds and separate destination displays. This problem of nun-standard destination equipment proved their down fall and the vehicles were withdrawn in November 1995 and all passed to Eastern Counties in March 1996.

Registration Number	Fleet Number	Body type	Seating Capacity	Date into MRW Service	Date Withdrawn	Disposal
C207PCD	1452	Alexander AM4/885/11	B20F	Jul-90	November-95	Eastern Counties 3/96 who renumbered it 707
C208PCD	1453	Alexander AM4/885/8	B20F	Jul-90	November-95	Eastern Counties 3/96 who renumbered it 708
C209PCD	1454	Alexander AM4/885/6	B20F	Jul-90	November-95	Eastern Counties 3/96 who renumbered it 709
C212PCD	1455	Alexander AM4/885/12	B20F	Jul-90	November-95	Eastern Counties 3/96 who renumbered it 710

1476/7/83/7/8/90-2/8/9 C476/7/83/7/8/90-2/8/9BHY 

In the summer of 1993 it was decided to standardise the Midland Red West minibus fleet and so the Ford Iveco 49-10 minibuses which were at Hereford Garage were withdrawn and sent back to their former owner, Badgerline, and a comparable number of surplus C-reg Mercedes 608D vehicles from the Bristol OC fleet from the batch C475-99BHY (Bristol fleet numbers 7474-7499)  moved to Hereford Garage. These vehicles all arrived still in full Bristol City Dart minibus livery and were put into service with the minimum of preparation. At the same time the remaining members of the 25 strong batch of vehicles were totally refurbished by Badgerline and sold on to join both the Western National and Eastern National fleets. Of these vehicles C480BHY (see bellow) was latter to join the First Midland Red fleet via a spell in the South Wales Transport fleet. The Midland Red West vehicles remained in service at Hereford in 2000 when they were replaced with Mercedes 609D vehicles acquired from First Eastern Counties fleet. The latter vehicles themselves only lasted around twelve months before they too were replaced. 1487 (C487 BHY) became one of the two last Mercedes 608D vehicles in passenger service when it was withdrawn in August 2001.

Registration Number	Fleet Number	Body type	Seating Capacity	Date acquired by MRW	Date Withdrawn	Disposal
C476BHY	1476	Reeve Burgess	B20F	August-93	November-00	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 3/01 for scrap
C477BHY	1477	Reeve Burgess	B20F	August-93	November-00	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 3/01 for scrap
C483BHY	1483	Reeve Burgess	B20F	September-93	April-01	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 9/01 for scrap
C487BHY	1487	Reeve Burgess	B20F	August-93	August-01	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 3/02 for scrap
C488BHY	1488	Reeve Burgess	B20F	August-93	June-01	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 9/01 for scrap
C490BHY	1490	Reeve Burgess	B20F	September-93	November-00	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 3/01 for scrap
C491BHY	1491	Reeve Burgess	B20F	August-93	January-01	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 6/01 for scrap
C492BHY	1492	Reeve Burgess	B20F	August-93	October-00	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 9/01 for scrap
C497BHY	1497	Reeve Burgess	B20F	August-93	January-00	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 12/00 for scrap
C498BHY	1498	Reeve Burgess	B20F	August-93	September-00	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 3/01 for scrap
C499BHY	1499	Reeve Burgess	B20F	August-93	November-00	Erith Commercials, Belvedere 3/01 for scrap

Various Vehicles acquired from South Wales

During the latter part of 1997 Midland Red West was desperate for Mercedes 608D mechanical spares as the fleet which still totalled over one hundred was very much past its best. The vehicles were all around 12-years old and had been in service four years longer than the original 8-year design life. A solution to the spares problem was found by acquiring 21 withdrawn Mercedes 608D vehicles from the fleets of South Wales Transport and Brewers Coaches. All vehicles were driven from South Wales to Worcester but for many this was to be the last time they moved under their power as virtually all were striped of their mechanical parts before sale for scrap. However five did briefly enter service at Kidderminster Garage though they all had the minimum of preparation with many only having the front ended repainted into the then standard Midland Red West red and cream livery. Only the five that were used in passenger service by Midland Red West actually carried fleet numbers the remainder were unnumbered.  

Registration Number	Fleet Number	Body type	Seating Capacity	Date acquired by MRW	Date Withdrawn	Disposal
C201HTH	-	Robin Hood 9220	B20F	February-98	N/A	Smith, Wilmcote - 11/98 for scrap
C205HTH	-	Robin Hood 9224	B20F	December-97	N/A	Smith, Wilmcote - 9/98, for scrap
C208HTH	-	Robin Hood 9227	B20F	February-98	N/A	Smith, Wilmcole - 5/98 for scrap
C209HJN	-	Reaves Burgess 15425	B20F	February-98	N/A	Smith, Wilmcote - 7/99, for scrap
C210HTH	-	Robin Hood 9229	B20F	February-98	N/A	Smith, Wilmcote - 7/99, for scrap
C212HTH	-	Robin Hood 9231	B20F	February-98	N/A	Smith, Wilmcote - 7/99, for scrap
C213HTH	1493	Robin Hood 9232	B20F	March-98	October-00	Entered service 6/98 and was sold to Erith Commercials, Belvedere in 3/02, for scrap
C214HTH	1494	Robin Hood 9233	B20F	March-98	August-00	Entered service 5/98 and was sold to Erith Commercials, Belvedere 12/00, for scrap
C478BHY	1478	Reaves Burgess 15497	B20F	December-97	May-00	entered service 2/98 Sold to Erith Commercials, Belvedere 12/00, for scrap
C480BHY	1480	Reaves Burgess 15498	B20F	February-98	June-99	used for spares and the remains cut up for scrap by the Company 9/99
D217LCY	-	Robin Hood 9736	DP19F	February-98	N/A	Smith, Wilmcote - 7/99, for scrap
D223LCY	1473	Robin Hood 9747	B20F	February-98	June-98	body broken up; chassis to Jones, Kidderminster 3/99, for use as a farm trailer
D225LCY	-	Robin Hood 9234	B20F	July-98	N/A	Smith, Wilmcote - 11/98 for scrap
D226LCY	-	Robin Hood 9740	B20F	March-98	N/A	Smith, Wilmcote - 7/99, for scrap
D232LCY	-	Robin Hood 9746	B20F	July-98	N/A	Smith, Wilmcote - 7/99, for scrap
D235LCY	-	Robin Hood 9749	B20F	July-98	N/A	Wacton, Bromyard - 3/99, for scrap
D520FAE	-	Dormobile 6620 616 86	B20F	December-97	N/A	Smith, Wilmcote for scrap 1/98.
D526FAE	-	Dormobile 6626 616 86	B20F	December-97	N/A	Smith, Wilmcote - 2/98, for scrap
D527FAE	-	Dormobile 6627 616 86	B20F	December-97	N/A	body broken up; chassis to Jones, Kidderminster 2/98, for use as a farm trailer
D557FAE	-	Dormobile 6657 616 86	B20F	July-98	N/A	Smith, Wilmcote - 7/99, for scrap
WCY701	-	Robin Hood 9737	DP19F	December-97	N/A	Reregistered D548RCY - 2/98 sold to Smith, Wilmcote - 7/98, for scrap