1980 ECW Bristol VRT - GRF 709V

Type of Vehicle - Bus

Year Built/Registered - 1980

ECW Bristol VRT/SL3/2268 - H43/31F

Reg No. GRF 709V     Fleet No. DVL709 / 30018

Livery/Operator - PMT First Barbie II

This vehicle was new to the Potteries in 1980 as 709 and remained in service with them throughout its service days until it was decommissioned. The bus was transferred following the acquisition of Pennine Blue by PMT and re-numbered 1409. During this time it received a re-paint into a blue variant of the privatisation red and yellow livery.

The vehicle eventually returned to Burslem depot, being renumbered DVL709, where it started and finished it’s life as 30018 with First Groups national fleet numbering scheme.

 

It was the last active VR in the PMT fleet and managed to achieve the record of the oldest bus in normal service.

 

It was one of very few Bristol VRs to ever receive First Group's 'Barbie 2' colour scheme and the only PMT VR that carried it, allegedly authorised because somebody on high believed it was an Olympian!

 

All PMT's indigenous Series III VRs did differ from the NBC 'norm' in that they were all powered by the Leyland 'fixed head' 501 engine. This Leyland engined double decker held the record for the longest serving PMT bus before its withdrawal in 2003 having been in front line service for 23 years.

 

The vehicle carried 4 liveries during its lifetime NBC Poppy Red, Red and Yellow, Pennine Blue and then Frist PMT Barbie 2.