Rebuilding Leyland Leopards
13th November 2005
<-- Index | Showing 1-17 of 17 pictures | Index -->
5836 as cut down for use at Cannock
5836 as cut down for use at Cannock
640x421
111.059_288.jpg
1999-11-30 00:00:00
 6248 (WHA 248H) (nearest camera) and 6251
6248 (WHA 248H) (nearest camera) and 6251
1668x1096
109.525_254.jpg
2006-10-21 00:00:00
 6248 (WHA 248H) already transformed, is ready for the open air drive from Edgbaston to Eastern CoachWorks at Lowestoft for rebodying as 549 (ROG 549Y). Alongside is 6251 (WHA 251H) stripped and ready for chassis refurbishment, and a new alter ego as 551 (ROG 551Y), chassis number MRE 0003
6248 (WHA 248H) already transformed, is ready for the open air drive from Edgbaston to Eastern CoachWorks at Lowestoft for rebodying as 549 (ROG 549Y). Alongside is 6251 (WHA 251H) stripped and ready for chassis refurbishment, and a new alter ego as 551 (ROG 551Y), chassis number MRE 0003
1668x1096
109.524_254.jpg
2006-10-21 00:00:00
 6248 (WHA 248H) as chassis MRE 0001 with Ferodo retarder fitted
6248 (WHA 248H) as chassis MRE 0001 with Ferodo retarder fitted
1096x1668
109.529_524.jpg
2006-10-21 00:00:00
6248 (WHA 248H) with its new chassis number, MRE 0001, prior to rebodying.
6248 (WHA 248H) with its new chassis number, MRE 0001, prior to rebodying.
2502x1644
109.531_254.jpg
2006-10-21 00:00:00
 6251
6251
317x480
109.457_251.jpg
1999-11-30 00:00:00
 6251 (WHA 251H) about to become chassis MRE 0003, showing its original drive shaft
6251 (WHA 251H) about to become chassis MRE 0003, showing its original drive shaft
1100x1668
109.530_254.jpg
2006-10-21 00:00:00
 6251 (WHA 251H) about to lose its body
6251 (WHA 251H) about to lose its body
640x445
109.459_252.jpg
1981-08-01 00:00:00
6251 (WHA 251H) in the latter stages of the scrapping of its Plaxton Panorama body prior to being rebuilt for a new life with an ECW body.
6251 (WHA 251H) in the latter stages of the scrapping of its Plaxton Panorama body prior to being rebuilt for a new life with an ECW body.
401x480
109.457_.jpg
1981-08-01 00:00:00
 6251 (WHA 251H) stripped and ready for chassis refurbishment, stands alongside 6249, already transformed and awaiting its new ECW body as 549 (ROG 549Y).
6251 (WHA 251H) stripped and ready for chassis refurbishment, stands alongside 6249, already transformed and awaiting its new ECW body as 549 (ROG 549Y).
640x401
109_.jpg
1981-11-01 00:00:00
 6251 (WHA 251H) transformed into 550 (ROG 550Y) was pictured at the National Exhibition Centre, providing a car park shuttle service
6251 (WHA 251H) transformed into 550 (ROG 550Y) was pictured at the National Exhibition Centre, providing a car park shuttle service
640x453
109.955C_368.jpg
1984-02-18 00:00:00
 6254 (WHA 254H) became 551 (ROG 551Y), but here is seen in a further trasnformation, as Midland Red West 1051 and sporting Midland Express livery
6254 (WHA 254H) became 551 (ROG 551Y), but here is seen in a further trasnformation, as Midland Red West 1051 and sporting Midland Express livery
640x418
109.3043c_772.jpg
1999-11-30 00:00:00
6255 (WHA 255H) and 6254 (WHA 254H) together as Midland Red Express 552 (ROG 552Y) and 551 (ROG 551Y) began life as 6252 and 6254 (WHA 252H and WHA 254H). Here they are seen together in Cheltenham Coach Station
6255 (WHA 255H) and 6254 (WHA 254H) together as Midland Red Express 552 (ROG 552Y) and 551 (ROG 551Y) began life as 6252 and 6254 (WHA 252H and WHA 254H). Here they are seen together in Cheltenham Coach Station
640x399
109.779C_312.jpg
1983-04-01 20:45:00
 Chassis plate for 7002693
Chassis plate for 7002693
640x421
109.522_255.jpg
1999-11-30 00:00:00
 Leopard chassis 7002693
Leopard chassis 7002693
640x421
109.523_255.jpg
1999-11-30 00:00:00
 Leopard chassis MRE 0002
Leopard chassis MRE 0002
640x411
109.521_255.jpg
1999-11-30 00:00:00
Trainer, one of the 58xx batch of PSU4s
Trainer, one of the 58xx batch of PSU4s
640x445
scan0003.jpg
1999-11-30 00:00:00
Carlyle Works hoped to convince the powers-that-were at National Bus Company headquarters that many of the Leyland Leopards - particularly the PSU3E.4R type - were capable of being refurbished for a fresh life. After all, there were over 500 of that particular spec in the NBC fleet.
Four PSU3A.4Rs with Plaxton Panorama bodies were stripped to their chassis, and given extensive rebuilds with Voith gearboxes among the features. They were then rebodied by ECW for Midland Red Coaches.
It could have been the start of something big. Instead, the idea was not endorsed, NBC was split up, Carlyle Works eventually closed, Midland Red Coaches was absorbed into a larger fleet - but the coaches continue to the present day (2005).
© 1998-2009 Alan O. Watkins - All copyrights rest with the Author
[ Index ]