Steven Knight reports on a classic bus restored to an equally classic livery by Stagecoach Midlands
Now almost 29 years since it was new, Stagecoach Midlands’ Alexander PS-bodied Volvo B10M 20215 (N215 TDU) is expected to make its first appearances at bus events this year following work to restore it to exhibition standard. It was initially due to have carried registration M215 LHP, but the mark was cancelled due to a delivery delay.
The vehicle represents the standard single-deck type that was bought by Stagecoach during the 1990s and will now form part of the company’s heritage fleet, being the last remaining vehicle of the type on Stagecoach’s books. It was also part of the huge investment that Stagecoach made in upgrading the fleet at Nuneaton following its buyout of Western Travel, owners of Midland Red South, in November 1993.
The bus has been restored by staff at the company’s Nuneaton depot over the last three years, many of them working on it during their own time and helping to source parts and equipment. Its restoration, which includes gleaming chassis and underfloor components, has also been part of ongoing engineering training. There is still some work to be done, including restoring the original style moquette to a small number of the 48 dual-purpose seats.
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A repaint into the original Stagecoach ‘stripes’ livery, which it carried when new in August 1995, was done at Stagecoach Midlands’ Stratford paint shop.
Other than a few months at Rugby depot, the bus was based at Nuneaton until its withdrawal from service in 2008. It was then used for driver training and driver DCPC training at both Nuneaton and Northampton before it was stood down from use during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Stagecoach Midlands Commercial Director Patrick Stringer told CBW: “The bus represents the investment made in Nuneaton’s bus services when Midland Red South joined the Stagecoach business in the 1990s. There has been much investment in the fleet since and we are preparing for the introduction of zero-emission electric buses to the town over the next couple of years working with our partners. Here at Stagecoach Midlands, we are a forward-looking business, but we are also pleased that our team at Nuneaton has worked hard to ensure that the history of Stagecoach operations in the town is recognised.”
Stagecoach started a sell-off of its ‘heritage’ fleet in late 2022, and some vehicles were sold. Plans for further sales of vintage buses and coaches by the company were put on hold.
