THE Cardiff Transport Preservation Group which restores unique examples of old buses at The Bus Depot in Barry gets its first Merthyr Tydfil bus.

The new addition is 48-years-old and currently stored under cover near Hereford. The old bus, Merthyr Tydfil fleet number 142, registered CHB407D, is a 1966 Leyland Titan PD 3 half-cab double decker with seating for 73. The body being built by East Lancashire to a high-bridge design, seating 41 upstairs and 32 downstairs with front folding doors.

Mike Taylor, chairman of the preservation group said: “This bus will be another important addition to our collection as we aim to have examples from all the different main South Wales Valley bus operators from the last century in our collection. This bus was withdrawn from Merthyr Tydfil Corporation in 1977, that is 37 years ago, and we did not have a vehicle representing this important valley town."

He continued: "After 1977 the bus ran for a while with Phillips of Penrhiwceiber, and then it was stored out of use until bought by Robert Price for preservation. Robert then sold it to Martin Philips and that is how it has reached Herefordshire”.

“I on behalf of the Cardiff Transport Preservation Group, are very pleased that we were taking over the restoration of this double decker bus as it is important for

posterity to save an example like this. It will be returned to the full Merthyr Tydfil Corporation maroon livery which was used in the 1950’s and 1960’s in due course. We are looking for more volunteers to help restore buses at Barry where we have the equipment such as pits and covered facilities in our 1930’s purpose built bus depot.

In the last Century, Merthyr Tydfil had a significant public transport undertaking serving the iron, steel and coal industries in the area. Originally gaining powers to run motorbuses in 1920 the first route started in 1924 between Merthyr Tydfil, Aberfan and Treharris. This route still operated in the 1960’s when the heritage bus, 142 was in revenue earning service although it was just as likely to be seen on the Merthyr Tydfil - Cardiff route joint with Red & White Services and Cardiff Corporation. Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Transport Department ran 12 similar buses and 19 more with rear platforms. It was so pleased with its

Leyland buses it bought another nine older ones from Barrow Corporation. Bus 142 was one of the last batch of double deckers delivered before only single deckers used. Following the 1985 Transport Act, in 1986 Merthyr Tydfil council puts its bus undertaking into an arms-length company but following a sale in 1989, the successor business closed a few months later following extensive competition from other bus operators. During 2013 the Cardiff Transport Preservation Group gained five extra vehicles. This included its newest, a 19 year old Cardiff Bus Dennis Dart, a 33 year old ERF Tow Truck, a 46 year old Bedwas & Machen Leyland double decker, a 54 year old Western Welsh Albion Nimbus (a small country bus) and a 56 year old Western Welsh AEC Reliance Touring Coach.

Mike Taylor also said that “Public event days for 2014 where people can come and see and get free rides on some of the heritage buses have now set. Bus & Coach Wales in Merthyr Tydfil will be held on Sunday, September 14. Before that, there will be a Special 40th Council Anniversary Running Day at Barry Depot on Sunday, May 4, and the Barry Island Festival of Transport will be held on Sunday, June 8”.