OTHER NEWS

by PAUL SALMON

(added 28 Oct 2008)

A second former West Riding vehicle has RE-taken to the road after many years in storage. 261 (THL 261H) was one of a number of Bristol, RELL6G's with Eastern Coachworks bodywork to enter the West Riding fleet between 1970 and 1972 and spent most of its service life at Castleford depot

261 was renumbered 298 in 1972 and remained in service until November 1982. Like several other preserved West Riding vehicles it then became Driver Trainer A17.

Very few West Riding RE's saw further service, most making the one-way trip to Barnsley for scrapping. Five made a trip over the water to Northern Ireland, but all were destroyed by the IRA. The only other West Riding RE to see the 1990's was 290 (AHL 230K), which had operated for Phillips, of Shiptonthorpe and was in Wombwell Diesels awaiting the scrap torch in 1990.

261 was sold in March 1985 to Farnell Instruments, of Wetherby for use as a staff bus. This was to replace another former West Riding Bristol RELL6G - 98 (CHL 636K) - which had been written off after an accident. 98's seats were fitted to 261 for its new role.

261 made a dice with death in April/May 1987 when it found its way into the Carlton scrapyards, but fortunately Independent Coachways, Horsforth, Leeds rescued the vehicle and returned it to PSV service. In 1992 Thornes, Bubwith took over Independent and with it 261. Ironically Barry Rennison the owner was also looking after Tiger 733 (EHL 344). In 1996 it moved again to Hylton Castle, East Boldon (Catch-a-Bus), however when the company went bust in August 1997, 261 once again found itself at the mercy of the dealers, but was saved for preservation.

It has been in storage ever since, but in November 2007 (now in the custodianships of David Keel, from Selby) it was MOT'd and during 2008 has been returned to West Riding green livery. At the Bolton Abbey Running day 261 was returned to service for the day and worked some trips on the 63 Bolton Abbey-Ilkley service. Naturally I was there to RE-acquaint myself with this vehicle, which I hadn’t ridden since I was 12.

David Keel is keen to RE-unite (another RE-pun!) 261 with other members of the West Riding fleet and would be great to have them altogether one day.

ARRIVA - YORKSHIRE

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