Newly acquired is 217 (YR06 EDF),
a Scania CN94UB with OmniCityB37D bodywork -
picture. It is a former
Scania demonstrator, and is the first dual-door single decker in the fleet
since dual-door Leyland Nationals were in vogue in the mid-1970s!
Plaxton Beaver 2 B28F bodied Mercedes Varios 266/7 (V266/7 PKN) are
withdrawn, surplus to requirements.
November 2007
Acquired specifically for use as a trainer is T1 (333 ELD),
a 1991 Scania K113CRB30 with Plaxton Paramount Mk3 C53F bodywork -
picture. Its cherished
registration was previously carried by Leyland National 33 (originally SKN
33R), and latterly by Tiger/Plaxton 33 (originally 225 - H225 AKN),
withdrawn in 2004.
August 2007
Leyland Leopard 217, latterly in use as a driver trainer
T217,
is now withdrawn.
July 2007
Another acquisition for the open-top fleet is 146 (350 ELD), a 1996
three-axle Scania N113DRB57 / Alexander "R" O57/38D -
picture. Like the Metrobus it
replaces, it started life in Hong Kong. It was converted to open top
by Eldorado, who also removed the air-conditioning, and panelled over the
extra grilles associated with the
air-con before repainting into Eldorado livery. It carries the
registration previously borne by Tiger/Plaxton 35. It is used on the
Manchester sightseeing tour, replacing Metrobus 141 (3041 EM) which is now
withdrawn.
April 2007
A most unusual secondhand acquisition is 159 (2959 HA), a
1961 BMMO D9 / BMMO O40/32RD - picture.
It is one of the small number acquired by Obsolete Fleet in 1975 and
converted to open-top for use on the London sightseeing tours. It
will be used to share the load with open-top Bristol FLF 133 as duplicate
/ back-up for open-top Metrobus 141 on the Manchester sightseeing tour
March 2007
New are 25/6 (DG07 ELD/DH07 ELD), Scania K340IB / Van
Hool C49Ft - picture. Secondhand additions are 142-5 (M142-5 PKN) Scania
N113DRB50 / Alexander "R" H46/31F built in 1995
(picture), and re-registered by
Eldorado.
As a result, the following vehicles have been withdrawn: 20
(320 ELD), a 1991 Scania K93 / Duple 320 C47Ft; 27 (A7 ELD), a 1992 Scania
K113 / Jonckheere Deauville C46Ft; 149 (F271 SMK) MCW Metrobus / MCW H71D
(1989) and 151-3/5 (G151 AKN / F152 PKN / E153 MKN / G155 AKN) MCW
Metrobus / MCW H73F (151 is H74F) from 1990, 1989, 1988 and 1990
respectively. These were the last of the small fleet of secondhand
Metrobuses acquired between 1999 and 2002. The only Metrobus still
in service is 141, the 3-axle ex-Hong Kong open-topper. Also now
officially withdrawn are 127/8 (CUV 127C/ALM 28B), the two Routemasters
which have been out of service since 2004.
