Nick Larkin reports on a Volvo B10B restored by a major operator on behalf of a young enthusiast
East Yorkshire has restored a 1994 Volvo B10B for its young owner, fulfilling a promise.
The Alexander Strider B51F bodied bus was one of a batch of similar vehicles delivered to Caldaire Holdings, which owned several former National Bus Company Yorkshire companies.
The now restored example, believed to be the only survivor of the batch, was new to Yorkshire Woollen in a red and cream livery.
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“Being a massive Leeds United supporter I’m not a fan of red,’ explained bus owner Jordan Brookes. As a result, M412 UNW is in the green and cream of sister company West Riding, which ran identical buses from the batch.
Jordan, now 20, has loved buses since he was two and his mum regularly took him into Castleford, West Yorkshire from the village of Ferry Friston where they lived. “The Volvo B10Bs were always my favourites and even from a young age I hoped I would one day own one,” said Jordan.
In time, M412 UNW assumed Arriva identity, Caldaire becoming part of British Bus and then Cowie Group. The bus passed to Arriva Midlands as a driver trainer at Telford in 2008, but actually saw passenger service. Its next owner was Tanat Valley, then Wheelers Travel in Southampton.
In 2018, Jordan bought 2000 East Yorkshire Dennis Dart/Plaxton W471 UAG, new to East Yorkshire in 2000, which is now in different ownership. “I got to know the people at East Yorkshire really well, and they said that if I was to get another bus they would paint it for me,” he said.
M412 UNW was available for sale last year, and in January 2020 was driven to Go-Ahead-owned East Yorkshire at Hull.
The operator’s chief engineer, Robert Gibson, who coincidentally starred his career with West Yorkshire said: “We don’t normally take on outside work but we have got to know Jordan and know how enthusiastic he is.” He explained that the project took longer than expected. “This bus had the worst Volvo chassis I have ever seen, but we welded it up properly, rebuilt the rear brakes and did the repainting by hand.”
The work was done throughout this year, fitting in with Covid restrictions, budget and East Yorkshire’s own 280 buses. “We have a great team here and working in Jordan’s bus was a nice change for them,” Robert added.
Artwork was produced by Kram Signs and Graphics of Hull. “I’m just so pleased at how the bus came out, and would like to thank everyone at East Yorkshire,” said Jordan, who has named the bus after his late grandad and ‘hero’ Norman Brookes.
