C26
31st August 2009
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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.
C26 was delivered new to Tralee garage Co. Kerry in 1965. It is photographed well into its service life awaiting departure to Killarney.
C26 was delivered new to Tralee garage Co. Kerry in 1965. It is photographed well into its service life awaiting departure to Killarney.
 It was cascaded onto the schools fleet and re-classified as CS26. It retained it’s original fiberglass front and domes.
It was cascaded onto the schools fleet and re-classified as CS26. It retained it’s original fiberglass front and domes.
 C26 was withdrawn from the Bus Eireann schools fleet in 1995. It was subsequently acquired for preservation.
C26 was withdrawn from the Bus Eireann schools fleet in 1995. It was subsequently acquired for preservation.
C26 was an excellent candidate for preservation as it retained original features, such as the roof domes, rear corner windows and original fiberglass front. The staff in Tralee Garage were delighted when it was chosen for preservation.
C26 was an excellent candidate for preservation as it retained original features, such as the roof domes, rear corner windows and original fiberglass front. The staff in Tralee Garage were delighted when it was chosen for preservation.
 Shortly after acquisition. Thankfully it retained the rear corner glass which was amazing after a 30 year service life. Most Cs were just panelled over if they lost a rear window as they were costly to replace.
Shortly after acquisition. Thankfully it retained the rear corner glass which was amazing after a 30 year service life. Most Cs were just panelled over if they lost a rear window as they were costly to replace.
 C26 with Ian Molloy’s C234. It underwent an extensive restoration. It was re-built with original domes by John Wheatley to an exceptional standard. It was re-sprayed to CIE coach brown in 1997 and one is of the best restorations around today.
C26 with Ian Molloy’s C234. It underwent an extensive restoration. It was re-built with original domes by John Wheatley to an exceptional standard. It was re-sprayed to CIE coach brown in 1997 and one is of the best restorations around today.
C26’s bodywork was restored to a very high standard by John Wheatley in Drogheda and was delivered in undercoat. John started work in Spa Road as a coachmaker building the last of the C class buses, and his interest is evident in the high quality of his work, as seen in C26 with Gerard Grant at the wheel.
C26’s bodywork was restored to a very high standard by John Wheatley in Drogheda and was delivered in undercoat. John started work in Spa Road as a coachmaker building the last of the C class buses, and his interest is evident in the high quality of his work, as seen in C26 with Gerard Grant at the wheel.
 After the bodywork was completed, Ger Grant was tasked with returning the bus to it’s original red livery with cream roof. As seen in the photograph, he did just that and to an exceptional standard.
After the bodywork was completed, Ger Grant was tasked with returning the bus to it’s original red livery with cream roof. As seen in the photograph, he did just that and to an exceptional standard.
 C26 cab area. Ger Grant also did the electrics. The pneumatic semi-automatic gearbox was very popular among drivers on the C and D class.
C26 cab area. Ger Grant also did the electrics. The pneumatic semi-automatic gearbox was very popular among drivers on the C and D class.
The seats had to be replaced as they were worn from years of use. The C class seat design was also featured in the D and SS class.
The seats had to be replaced as they were worn from years of use. The C class seat design was also featured in the D and SS class.
 Saloon looking front: The original seatbacks would have had the checkerboard design similar to the interior wall trim. Even in the vast spares acquired, none of these seats were found in suitable condition. The very best of what was available was used.
Saloon looking front: The original seatbacks would have had the checkerboard design similar to the interior wall trim. Even in the vast spares acquired, none of these seats were found in suitable condition. The very best of what was available was used.
 C26 at the ‘Manchester Museum of Transport’, Over 10 years later, Preserved Olympian RH7 called by the museum en route back to Ireland after it’s restoration.
C26 at the ‘Manchester Museum of Transport’, Over 10 years later, Preserved Olympian RH7 called by the museum en route back to Ireland after it’s restoration.
Very soon after the restoration was completed, C26 travelled across the Irish sea heading for Manchester Airport to meet a Ryanair flight from Dublin to attend the local Red Rose Rally. C26 also took part in the gruelling 70 mile Trans Pennine Rally for preserved commercial vehicles.
Very soon after the restoration was completed, C26 travelled across the Irish sea heading for Manchester Airport to meet a Ryanair flight from Dublin to attend the local Red Rose Rally. C26 also took part in the gruelling 70 mile Trans Pennine Rally for preserved commercial vehicles.
 C26 attracting the attention of enthusiasts while arriving at the Red Rose Rally.
C26 attracting the attention of enthusiasts while arriving at the Red Rose Rally.
 It was housed at the Local bus depot while in Manchester.
It was housed at the Local bus depot while in Manchester.
C26 on the 70 mile Trans Pennine Rally for preserved commercial vehicles.
C26 on the 70 mile Trans Pennine Rally for preserved commercial vehicles.
 C26 on the 70 mile Trans Pennine Rally for preserved commercial vehicles. Vehicles of all shapes and sizes took part in the rally.
C26 on the 70 mile Trans Pennine Rally for preserved commercial vehicles. Vehicles of all shapes and sizes took part in the rally.
 C26 returning to Dublin, photographed in Dun Laoghaire Co. Dublin just off the ferry with Paschal Boland at the wheel.
C26 returning to Dublin, photographed in Dun Laoghaire Co. Dublin just off the ferry with Paschal Boland at the wheel.
C26 at the Dublin Bay Rally.
C26 at the Dublin Bay Rally.
 In 1999, after it’s appearance with other preserved Cs at the ITT rally in Cultra, C26 was placed into storage as other vehicles were used on the rally circuit. In July 2009, over 10 years after it was last on the road, C26 was prepared to attend the Ballina Vintage Festival at the request of Bus Eireann.
In 1999, after it’s appearance with other preserved Cs at the ITT rally in Cultra, C26 was placed into storage as other vehicles were used on the rally circuit. In July 2009, over 10 years after it was last on the road, C26 was prepared to attend the Ballina Vintage Festival at the request of Bus Eireann.
 The chassis and underside of the frame was cleaned and treated to keep it in good condition.
The chassis and underside of the frame was cleaned and treated to keep it in good condition.
One area needing attention was the suspension, some shocks and airbags needed replacement.
One area needing attention was the suspension, some shocks and airbags needed replacement.
 Some of the nearside frame needed replacement.
Some of the nearside frame needed replacement.
 Bus Eireann invited the TEC to attend the 2009 Ballina Vintage Festival requesting a former CIE vehicle. C26 is photographed at the festival on Wednesday 15th July 2009. The TEC has attended with a number of vehicles over the years at Bus Eireann’s request such as KE35.
Bus Eireann invited the TEC to attend the 2009 Ballina Vintage Festival requesting a former CIE vehicle. C26 is photographed at the festival on Wednesday 15th July 2009. The TEC has attended with a number of vehicles over the years at Bus Eireann’s request such as KE35.
15th July 2009 - C26 at the Ballina Vintage Festival.
15th July 2009 - C26 at the Ballina Vintage Festival.
9th of August 2009 - C26 at the Moynalty Steam and Threshing Festival.
9th of August 2009 - C26 at the Moynalty Steam and Threshing Festival.
 After all the servicing and replacing of various parts, C26 is again part of the front line preservation fleet. It’s expected to attend numerous events in the coming months. Thanks to all those involved in getting it back on the road.
After all the servicing and replacing of various parts, C26 is again part of the front line preservation fleet. It’s expected to attend numerous events in the coming months. Thanks to all those involved in getting it back on the road.
© 1998-2009 Tec - All copyrights rest with the Author
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