Fleet Number: 612

New: September 1985

Registration: C612 ANW

Chassis: Leyland Olympian ON1927

Body: ECW 26125  (CH45/32F)

Engine: Gardner 6LXB

Transmission: Leyland Hydracyclic semi-auto

 

This bus was delivered to West Riding Automobile Company of Wakefield in the verona green and buttermilk livery of Metro, the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive with large "Fastaway" branding on the side.

 

When WR were privatised from NBC, the company adopted the brand "Fastaway" for their inter-urban limited stop services. The livery was based on white bodywork but with red below the lower windows and large FASTAWAY lettering in "Slipstream" font and what looked like an Italian flag.

 

After the company became Arriva Yorkshire, she was subsequently painted in Arriva colours before going north on loan to Arriva Durham Country (formerly United Automobile Services) in September 2002.

 

She returned to Belle Isle in October 2002 and in November 2005, she went to Selby depot which operated as Arriva Yorkshire North until January 2006 when she once again returned to Belle Isle.

 

She was acquired for preservation by one of our members in December 2007, and was MOT tested by Arriva and spent a year on the rally scene, still in Arriva livery.

 

Due to Arriva's need for space, she was moved from Belle Isle depot to storage near Wetherby.

 

After three years in the open air, and a few minor repairs, the bus made a successful journey back to the Wakefield area, where it is stored under cover.