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 |