4001

[Stuharris 6360]

It is going back into it's original livery as it first entered service, information from Lloyd Penfold at Wythall

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

[Gareth]

The bus was certainly striking and eye catching when new. From it's new livery, to the huge WM logo on the rear. The only thing that I never really liked was it's temporary fleetnumber '1'.
If Wythall should chose to put her in 'almost new' condition of around a year later, and 4001 fleetnumber that's fine by me 😃

[Stuharris 6360]

The bus was certainly striking and eye catching when new. From it's new livery, to the huge WM logo on the rear. The only thing that I never really liked was it's temporary fleetnumber '1'.
If Wythall should chose to put her in 'almost new' condition of around a year later, and 4001 fleetnumber that's fine by me 😃

Why did it carry the number 1 only temporarily, what made NE make it 4001.

Surely starting again from 1 to signify the big change should have been kept and the rest of the Spectras numbered 2 - 22.

[filbus1]

Wil,that be used on the bus rides

Eventually, yes

[Stuharris 6360]

Are paper blinds going to be reinstalled

[Gareth]

Why did it carry the number 1 only temporarily, what made NE make it 4001.

Surely starting again from 1 to signify the big change should have been kept and the rest of the Spectras numbered 2 - 22.

I'd imagine that had the double deck fleet continued on from Spectras 1 and 2 within a few years there would have to be a load of renumbering. When 1&2 were new there were still mini buses in the 200 series and midi buses well into the 500 series. To me, 4001+ was the most logical, following on from the Scania's but with a big enough gap and new 4 prefix to signify the change.

[2900]

Look forward to going back in time when 4001 is restored to original spec, if I remember rite the paper blinds were motorised.

[CL]

It is going back into it's original livery as it first entered service, information from Lloyd Penfold at Wythall

Yes! My wish has been granted. :P - however, and I hope this isn't too contradictory, but leaving it in the NX Livery would've been fine, as it's the last livery that bus has worn... Still, excited for the return of the Low Floor livery, mark I.

[Stevo]

If I remember right its first livery announced that it was the UK's first low-floor double decker or something like that, and restoring that livery demonstrates why it has been saved.

[Trident 4609]

If I remember right its first livery announced that it was the UK's first low-floor double decker or something like that, and restoring that livery demonstrates why it has been saved.

I am also happy that it is being restored to original condition. It was in a bit of a sorry state before it was withdrawn with badly etched upper deck windows

Cheers for the info @Tony.

[DavieDD2]

Certainly looked better at launch...

[Tony]

Despite not actually being the first low floor decker in the UK....

I am also happy that it is being restored to original condition. It was in a bit of a sorry state before it was withdrawn with badly etched upper deck windows

It was the first low floor 'decker in the UK, just not the first to run in service.

[Bryan]

It was the first low floor 'decker in the UK, just not the first to run in service.

Am I correct in thinking it was Abus of Bristol that just beat National Express in getting their slightly later vehicle in service first?

[Trident 4609]

Am I correct in thinking it was Abus of Bristol that just beat National Express in getting their slightly later vehicle in service first?

Yes you are correct @Bryan. R222 AJP is the bus!

https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/wanderer30/7523127638/

Photo courtesy of 'Wanderer 30'

[Tony]

I have put a couple of Ronnie Morgan's photos of it in original livery on the bottom of its page on my website
http://wmbusphotos.com/NXWM/4001-4224/4001.html