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| 15/6/09: RA37 running after engine overhaul. |
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 | | RA Olympians - 1994 - 2008
The RA class were first delivered in 1994 numbering from 176 - 325. August 2008 saw the last of them being withdrawn leaving the later RV class as the only Olympians left in service.
On the 3rd of August 2008, Dublin Bus organised a 'Farewell tour' using the Driving school's RA176 and Donnybrook's RA302 and RA305.
A number of RAs remain with Dublin Bus in the driving school and tours fleets.
50 RAs were bought by Wealden PSV of Kent and Southdown PSV of Sussex for sale into the UK market. Both companies have commented on the good condition of the buses. They offer the option of single door conversions, removing the centre doors upping seating from 74 to 78. Prices range from 35,000 to 41,000 euro.
The final batch of RAs and the first few RVs have been purchased by Ensign Bus of Purfleet Essex.
The batch of RVs from the cutbacks in 2009 now await sale.
**UPDATE**
Photos from Ensignbus.
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 | | ITT Rally Cultra 2009
The Annual Irish Transport Trust Rally was held on Saturday April 25th in the grounds of the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.
The Transport Enthusiasts Club attended with Damien Hughes’ magnificently restored RH7. It was complemented with Mark Phipps’ KC48, also in Dublin Bus two tone green.
Both buses departed from Dublin’s O’Connell Street on the morning of the rally and travelled up. A great day was had as usual.
Our thanks to the ITT and all the organisers.
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 | | P220 - Restoration
Fleet number: P220
Registration: ZJ 5960
Year: 1951
Chassis: Leyland OPS3
Body: CIE
Engine: Leyland .600
Gearbox: Manual (crash)
W/d: 1965 to Aer Lingus/1971
Status: Restored
P220 was delivered in March 1951 and was one of 55 delivered during 1951 and 1952. In May 1965 it was sold to Aer Lingus and was converted for use as ramp transport at Dublin airport. During its time there, it became known as 149. In 1971 it was bought for preservation. It lay idle for a number of years and fell into disrepair. When restoration began, modifications from its Aer Lingus days had to be removed such as the covered cab and rear entrance.
Once completed, P220 was back to being a ‘City P’ in two tone green livery. Since its restoration, 220 has appeared in a number of films including 'A Love Divided', 'Agnes Browne' and 'A Man of No Importance'.
220's last run was during the April 1st rally in 2001. After some work was completed it was out again in March 2009.
See our YouTube channel for a short video of P220 filmed in April 2009.
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 | | RH7 - Leyland Olympian
Fleet number: RH7
Registration: 90-D-1007
Year: 1990
Make: Leyland Olympian
Chassis: Leyland
Body: Alexander
Engine: Cummins L10-185
Gearbox: ZF 4HP500
W/d: 10/00 , 9/08
Status: As Acquired
RH7 was one of 175 Leyland Olympians delivered new to Dublin Bus between March 1990 and December 1993. The RH was the first of the 640 strong fleet of the Olympians delivered to Dublin Bus between 1990 and 1999 which consisted of the RH (1-175) the Volvo RA (176 to 325) and the RV (326 - 640).
Delivered in June 1990, RH7 operated from Ringsend Garage for its service life. In October 2000 it transferred to the Driving School fleet in Broadstone, replacing the later KDs. RH7 and RH19 were acquired for preservation in September 2008.
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The Transport Enthusiasts Club of Ireland houses the largest and most varied fleet of former CIE buses covering the period from 1947 - 1993.
Thanks to co-operation with CIE Companies, Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus, the TEC has been able to preserve the majority of vehicle types which were operated by the state companies
Restoration of vehicles is always happening - the last project was former Dublin Bus Olympian RH7 (see folder). The restored vehicles have been on various rally circuits over the years. The TEC takes pride in restoring each vehicle to a high standard and has done so for many years. Currently, Bombardier KD221 is undergoing restoration.
The restored buses have appeared in many films and television programs such as 'A Man of No Importance' and more recently in a advertisement for ‘Club Orange’ with Bedford school bus, SS747.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the TEC ran the very successful Dublin Bay Rallies. More recently, the TEC were invited by Dublin Bus to celebrate 60 years of CIE. The rally was held at Dublin Bus' Harristown garage in October 2005. A large number of the preserved buses were on display with the current fleet.
The TEC have been regulars at numerous vintage rallies especially the annual Irish Transport Trust (ITT) Rally at the Ulster Folk and Transport museum Cultra Belfast. Ex-Ringsend trainer RH7 attended the 2009 rally after being restored to Dublin Bus two tone green.
The TEC and have been the only group to represent Ireland across the water at vintage vehicle shows and rallies such as Showbus at Duxford Cambridgeshire. Most recently Metrobus 1332 attended the 2008 rally en route from Ensignbus in Essex to it’s new home in Ireland. A trip is now being planned for Showbus 09.
The TEC does not receive funding from any private or state body. Restorations, costs and storage are all paid for by the vehicles owners. The buses are not used for commercial service.
Feel free to contact us via the link at the top of the page.
Thanks for visiting,
Tec-Ireland Admin.
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'Preserving the past, in the present, for the future'
