Anybody else spot the MCW badge on the front grille is upside down? :o
Were the reserve Metros at Selly Oak garage like 2297 just buses that had been for repaint and were awaiting redesignation rather than like the current NXWM reserve fleet that seems to have pre - withdrawal vehicles in (if that makes sense!!). A lot of photos seem to show freshly painted buses at Selly Oak, whereas you would expect a reserve fleet to have the less smart elements of the fleet in it?
I seem to recall Selly Oak just being filled with all kinds of vehicles. Buses awaiting withdrawal, some stored there before going away on loan, others when they had come back. Also unused vehicles from Tame Valley and the purchased ex Midland Red Nationals were also stored there before some were repainted and put back into service.