CTPG News Summer 2002
damage to its roofline in April 1976. The second conversion wascompleted by mid June 1976 and both vehicles were proudlydisplayed at the Lord Mayors Parade on 26/06/76, their firstofficial engagement. Shortly after 424+434 entered service onthe new City Tours program for which 7 routes were initiallyauthorised. 424 received a bright new white livery with orangerelief, but saw service for just 4 summer seasons (1976-1979) bywhich time the tours program had expanded to 11 routes, alloperating from Kingsway(opp. CCT information kiosk)89 Gateways to the Valleys -1 hour90 City Tour -1 hour91 Grand Tour - 2 hour 15 min92 Creigau Pottery - 2 hour 15 min93 Castell Coch - 2 hour 15 min94 Pare Cefn Onn • - 2 hour 15 min95 Sea Breezes - 2 hour 15 min96 Dyffryii Gardens - 3 hours97 Castles, Mountains and a Coal Mine - 2 hour 45 min98 Coastal Scenes -1 hour99 Mystery Tour - 2 hour 15 min424 caused such a stir that a photo appeared in the 1976 Busesof South Wales FLEETBOOK by A.M.Witton, pictured in CardiffCentral Bus Station.The beginning of the end was the arrival of two convertibleopen-top VRT/Alexander(359/360) which became available forthe 1979 season, effectively downgrading the Arabs to occasionalrather than front-line use. The critical point at which 424's futurefate was sealed came in September 1979 when a FleetlLne(485)suffered severe accident damage to it roof, and so over thewinter a decision was taken to rebuild the rear-engined bus asreplacement for 424. Officially withdrawn in March 1980, 424donated many of its specialist open-top body parts (e.g. chromesafety rails) to the conversion of 485 which was eventually
completed in July 1980. With no further purpose to serve 424was unceremoniously sold to the West of England TransportCollection at Winkleigh in September 1980 and is thought tohave been owned until the mid 80's, although little is known ofits activities over this period.When the vehicle became surplus to requirements it wassnapped up by non-psv operator Top Deck Travel of Dadford,being operated from the aforementioned 400 acreBuckinghamshire estate. Its main role as a hospitality unitcontinued imtil 1992, during which time it regularly attendedSilverstone race meetings. The bus was also loaned on a regularbasis to local voluntary groups, but imfortunately one such loanto the local Rugby Club in 1992 almost ended in disaster when424 ended up in a ditch. Fortimately, damage was limited to thenearside front wing and underslimg safety rail, but the incidentproved to be 424's final outing, as the bus was parked up off-roadsoon after. Today the Arab is starting to show signs of decayassociated with constant exposure to the elements of wind andrain, the main areas of concern being rot in the platform areaand a few leaks in the upper deck floor. Do not despair howeveras 424 is remarkably good for her 37 years, her Gardner 6LWbeing mechanically sound and in fine voice, having been run upon a regular basis. The Arab presently acts as a static viewingplatform for spectators of equestrian events, still in Top DeckTravel all-over green livery. Interest has been lodged over animiber of years by the CTPG in respect of acquiring 424 shouldshe ever become stuplus to requirements, and this is currentlyimder consideration by the owner. Lets hope that 424 one dayreturns to Cardiff where she truly belongs. /
- Page 1 and 2: CARDIFFTRANSPORTPRESERVATIONCROUPCT
- Page 3 and 4: THE EDITORIAL by Steve MorganWelcom
- Page 5 and 6: completely iiinded by the Heritage
- Page 7 and 8: Cardiff Bus - Fleet UpdateAnother l
- Page 9: Cardiff Corporation 1949 Crossley D
- Page 12 and 13: stock. From the operators viewpoint
- Page 14 and 15: SOUTH WALES BUSES /COACHES IN MALTA
- Page 16 and 17: GUY ARAB 424 - TOPLESSHow many enth
- Page 20 and 21: New Book!AIR DISPATCH LTD[ SRUCE CO
completed in July 1980. With no further purpose to serve 424
was unceremoniously sold to the West of England Transport
Collection at Winkleigh in September 1980 and is thought to
have been owned until the mid 80's, although little is known of
its activities over this period.
When the vehicle became surplus to requirements it was
snapped up by non-psv operator Top Deck Travel of Dadford,
being operated from the aforementioned 400 acre
Buckinghamshire estate. Its main role as a hospitality unit
continued imtil 1992, during which time it regularly attended
Silverstone race meetings. The bus was also loaned on a regular
basis to local voluntary groups, but imfortunately one such loan
to the local Rugby Club in 1992 almost ended in disaster when
424 ended up in a ditch. Fortimately, damage was limited to the
nearside front wing and underslimg safety rail, but the incident
proved to be 424's final outing, as the bus was parked up off-road
soon after. Today the Arab is starting to show signs of decay
associated with constant exposure to the elements of wind and
rain, the main areas of concern being rot in the platform area
and a few leaks in the upper deck floor. Do not despair however
as 424 is remarkably good for her 37 years, her Gardner 6LW
being mechanically sound and in fine voice, having been run up
on a regular basis. The Arab presently acts as a static viewing
platform for spectators of equestrian events, still in Top Deck
Travel all-over green livery. Interest has been lodged over a
nimiber of years by the CTPG in respect of acquiring 424 should
she ever become stuplus to requirements, and this is currently
imder consideration by the owner. Lets hope that 424 one day
returns to Cardiff where she truly belongs. /
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