A Special feature celebrating 1st anniversary of Wrightbus Gemini double-deckers into service with Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus showing them in production at Wrightbus in Ballymena Northern Ireland.

Dublin Bus ordered 50 Wrightbus Gemini double-deckers (VG1-50). All were built on Volvo B9TL chassis and featured the high Dublin Bus Spec. All the front windscreens were modified and recessed to counteract reflections at night. Everything from VG1-VG35 arrived in standard Dublin Bus livery with the exception of VG9 and VG10 which were delivered in the all-over-white ‘Wedding bus livery’.

VG36-VG48 were destined to replace the AV Airlinks in Summerhill on the 747 and 748 routes. They were delivered in a basic green livery. This batch also featured extra luggage racks. They were finished in the complete Airlink livery by a contractor in Dublin.

VG49 and VG50 arrived in standard Dublin Bus livery but were fitted with the luggage racks to operate Airlink and normal routes.

Dublin Bus also leased and later bought an extra Wrightbus Gemini. WH1 was delivered to Summerhill garage to run on the route 16. It features hybrid technology and is bulit on a VDL DB250 glider chassis. It has a small Ford diesel engine that charges and works with the Siemens ELFA hybrid driveline. Sadly, it is not reliable enough to be in active service all the time.

Bus Eireann ordered 10 double-deckers (VWD1-VWD10). They were also built on Volvo B9TL chassis. They were fitted with high-back seats for commuter routes. VWD1-4 were allocated to Broadstone and are mainly on Dublin-Ashbourne. VWD6-10 were allocated to Cork.

This years annual Showbus Rally was held on the 27th of September at Duxford in Cambridgeshire. The large number of buses at the show included both preserved and modern buses from around the UK and Europe. It is by far the largest bus show in the UK.

Ex-Dublin Bus Olympian, RH7 built in Belfast in 1990, attended the Show while on a 5 day tour of the UK, visiting North Wales, London and Ensignbus in Essex.

We are delighted to report that RH7, won 'Best Overseas Entry' at the show. Three years ago preserved coach, CVH4, a 1986 ex-Bus Eireann VanHool Acron won this same prize.

The Fingal Vintage Society held their annual show on September 20th 2009 near Lusk Co.Dublin. It had been postponed from earlier in the summer due to poor weather.

The main theme this year was the '250th Anniversary of Guinness'. A large number of preserved Guinness vehicles were in attendance. The National Transport Museum also brought along a number of vehicles.

TEC attended with Ex-Dublin Bus Olympian RH7 and Ex-CIE Leopards C26 and C160. All buses were delivered to the event the night before. Brian O'Leary attended with his former CIE Leyland Beaver truck and trailer.

Thanks to the Fingal Vintage Society for organising the event.

Fleet number: C26
Registration: EZH 26
Year: 1965
Chassis: Leyland Leopard PSU3
Body: CIE Spa Road
Engine: Leyland 0.600
W/d: 1995
Status: Fully Restored

C26 was delivered to Tralee garage in Co. Kerry in 1965. It maintained its original format, never having had its roof domes changed. It was one of 14 Cs which were never modified, so it was ideal for preservation. It was one of four that weren’t done in Tralee garage – two short Cs and two long Cs – C26/28, 223, 230 were four of the 14 that weren’t done nationally. The mould machine that made the domes and fronts were damaged by fire in 1979. The machine also made fronts and rears for Ds and Ms.

C26 was bought for preservation in 1995 following its transfer to schools service. It was in poor condition when it entered restoration. Restoration work began in 1998, three years after its retirement. It was returned to cream roof, red livery with cream waist line. It has yet to return to Tralee where it was stationed new. It is the second-lowest C in preservation after the TMSI’s C17.

On the rally circuit, it has been around a lot. Shortly after restoration in 1998, it travelled across to the UK to attend the Red Rose Rally. It was at nearly every large event including the 1999 ITT rally in Cultra where it was lined up with other Cs in the many different liveries that they wore. C26 was placed into storage and not used until it was requested by Bus Eireann in July 2009, almost 10 years since it was last out.

Over a number of weeks, C26 was serviced and various parts were replaced ahead of the Ballina Vintage Festival.

On the 9th of August, C26 attended the Moynalty Steam and Threshing Festival.