Preserved Tyne and Wear PTE bus 413 (JFT 413X)

English: The preserved Tyne and Wear PTE bus 413 (reg. JFT 413X, ex-JIL 8211 & RND 882X) is a 1982 Scania BR112DH double-decker with Alexander RH bodywork.

History[edit]

Tyne & Wear PTE / Busways[edit]

The bus was delivered new to the PTE in March 1982 as one of a pair bought for evaluation, the other being 414 (JFT 414X). On deregulation in 1986, it passed to the PTE's arms length company Busways Travel Services, being repainted into Newcastle Busways brown & yellow livery. It lasted long enough in the Busways fleet to receive the Part of the Stagecoach Group strapline, following their purchase of the company in 1994 (having been privatised in 1989 in a sale to management and employees).

R. Bullock[edit]

Both 413 & 414 were later bought by R. Bullock, who operated them on local services in and around Stockport. The company painted it in its red livery, minus any fleetnumber as was their practice. They also fitted a large square vented radiator grille to the front - a purely cosmetic exercise given the actual radiator was mounted on the side of the bus, just infront of the offside rear wheel. The company also re-registered it with the age-masking plate JIL 8211. When it was withdrawn, in order that the JIL plate could be retainted the bus was re-registered it with an age appropriate Manchester plate, RND 882X.

Black Prince[edit]

It was then purchased by Black Prince, who operated it in Leeds. The company painted it into their red & yellow livery, applying the fleetnumber 882. At some point it acquired a large Scania badge on the cosmetic radiator.

Preservation[edit]

After over 22 years service, the bus entered preservation when it was purchased from Black Prince in August 2000, being returned to the North East. After some interior work and some body repairs, it debuted on the rally scene at the May 2001 in Gateshead, still in Black Prince livery. This was to be its only rally appearance until 2008, when it was unveiled having been restored to its original PTE condition as No. 413, in yellow & white livery and with the original front panel.