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.
Registration Number |
Fleet Number |
Body type |
Seating Capacity |
Date into MRW Service |
Date Withdrawn |
Disposal |
C362RUY |
1362 |
Reeve Burgess 15449 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Jul-98 |
Smith, Wilmcote 7/99 for scrap |
C363RUY |
1363 |
Reeve Burgess 15450 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Apr-01 |
Erith Commercials, Belvedere 9/01 for scrap |
C364RUY |
1364 |
Reeve Burgess 15452 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Feb-00 |
Erith Commercials, Belvedere 12/00 for scrap. |
C365RUY |
1365 |
Reeve Burgess 15451 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
May-01 |
Erith Commercials, Belvedere 9/01 for scrap |
C366RUY |
1366 |
Reeve Burgess 15453 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Jun-01 |
Erith Commercials, Belvedere 9/01 for scrap |
C367RUY |
1367 |
Reeve Burgess 15454 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Jun-01 |
Erith Commercials, Belvedere 3/02 for scrap |
C368RUY |
1368 |
Reeve Burgess 15456 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Jun-99 |
Erith Commercials, Belvedere 12/00 for scrap |
C369RUY |
1369 |
Reeve Burgess 15455 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Jun-99 |
Erith Commercials, Belvedere 12/00 for scrap |
C370RUY |
1370 |
Reeve Burgess 15457 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Jun-99 |
Erith Commercials, Belvedere 12/00 for scrap |
C371RUY |
1371 |
Reeve Burgess 15459 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Aug-98 |
exported to the West Indies Dec-98 |
C372RUY |
1372 |
Reeve Burgess 15458 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Aug-98 |
exported to the West Indies Dec-98 |
C373RUY |
1373 |
Reeve Burgess 15460 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Aug-98 |
exported to the West Indies Dec-98 |
C374RUY |
1374 |
Reeve Burgess 15461 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Aug-98 |
exported to the West Indies Dec-98 |
C375RUY |
1375 |
Reeve Burgess 15462 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Oct-00 |
Erith Commercials, Belvedere 3/01 for scrap |
C376RUY |
1376 |
Reeve Burgess 15511 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Wdn 2004? |
Vehicle became 2076 in the engineering fleet then renumbered 90275 - Sold to Willenhall Commercials for scrap 3/05 |
C377RUY |
1377 |
Reeve Burgess 15510 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Oct-95 |
Western National - 1/96 |
C378RUY |
1378 |
Reeve Burgess 15514 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Oct-95 |
Western National - 1/96 |
C379RUY |
1379 |
Reeve Burgess 15513 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Oct-95 |
Western National - 1/96 |
C380RUY |
1380 |
Reeve Burgess 15515 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Oct-95 |
Western National - 1/96 |
C381RUY |
1381 |
Reeve Burgess 15517 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Aug-98 |
exported to the West Indies Dec-98 |
C382RUY |
1382 |
Reeve Burgess 15519 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Oct-95 |
Smith, Wilmcote for scrap 9/97 |
C383RUY |
1383 |
Reeve Burgess 15512 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Oct-95 |
Smith, Wilmcote for scrap 9/97 |
C384RUY |
1384 |
Reeve Burgess 15518 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
Jan-96 |
Wacton, Bromyard 4/99, for scrap |
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.
Registration Number |
Fleet Number |
Body type |
Seating Capacity |
Date into MRW Service |
Date Withdrawn |
Disposal |
C385RUY |
1385 |
Robin Hood 9490 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
August-98 |
exported to the West Indies Dec-98 |
C386RUY |
1386 |
Robin Hood 9499 |
B20F |
08-Mar-86 |
February-97 |
cut up by the company at Redditch - 4/97. |
C387RUY |
1387 |
Robin Hood 9492 |
B20F |
19-Apr-86 |
August-98 |
exported to the West Indies Dec-98 |
C388RUY |
1388 |
Robin Hood 9493 |
B20F |
19-Apr-86 |
August-98 |
exported to the West Indies Dec-98 |
C389RUY |
1389 |
Robin Hood 9494 |
B20F |
19-Apr-86 |
April-97 |
Smith, Wilmcote for scrap 11/97 |
C390RUY |
1390 |
Robin Hood 9495 |
B20F |
19-Apr-86 |
April-97 |
Smith, Wilmcote for scrap 3/98 |
C391RUY |
1391 |
Robin Hood 9496 |
B20F |
19-Apr-86 |
April-97 |
Smith, Wilmcote for scrap 4/98 |
C392RUY |
1392 |
Robin Hood 9497 |
B20F |
19-Apr-86 |
April-97 |
Smith, Wilmcote for scrap 3/98 |
C393RUY |
1393 |
Robin Hood 9498 |
B20F |
19-Apr-86 |
April-97 |
Smith, Wilmcote for scrap 4/98 |
C394RUY |
1394 |
Robin Hood 9491 |
B20F |
19-Apr-86 |
April-97 |
Smith, Wilmcote for scrap 3/98 |
C395RUY |
1395 |
Robin Hood 9500 |
B20F |
19-Apr-86 |
August-97 |
Smith, Wilmcote 10/98, for scrap |
C396RUY |
1396 |
Robin Hood 9501 |
B20F |
19-Apr-86 |
May-97 |
Cut up by the company for scrap at Redditch - 6/97 |
C397RUY |
1397 |
Robin Hood 9502 |
B20F |
19-Apr-86 |
April-97 |
Smith, Wilmcote for scrap 4/98 |
C398RUY |
1398 |
Robin Hood 9503 |
B20F |
19-Apr-86 |
September-98 |
exported to the West Indies Dec-98 |
C399RUY |
1399 |
Robin Hood 9504 |
B20F |
19-Apr-86 |
August-98 |
exported to the West Indies Dec-98 |
C400RUY |
1400 |
Robin Hood 9505 |
B20F |
19-Apr-86 |
August-98 |
exported to the West Indies Dec-98 |
C401RUY |
1401 |
Robin Hood 9506 |
B20F |
19-Apr-86 |
August-98 |
exported to the West Indies Dec-98 |
C402RUY |
1402 |
Robin Hood 9507 |
B20F |
19-Apr-86 |
August-98 |
exported to the West Indies Dec-98 |
C403RUY |
1403 |
Robin Hood 9508 |
B20F |
19-Apr-86 |
August-98 |
exported to the West Indies Dec-98 |
C404RUY |
1404 |
Robin Hood 9509 |
B20F |
19-Apr-86 |
August-98 |
exported to the West Indies Dec-98 |
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 |