Western SMT R71 (HSD 71V)
1980 Leyland Fleetline FE30AGR Alexander H44/31F
Originally delivered to Dumfries Garage as DR71, this Fleetline moved to Thornliebank, Glasgow in 1982 and gained fleet number MR71.
This bus was painted into a sportier style of livery as an experiment for the new Clydeside scheme, but using Western's colours. A similar livery was also carried by R86 and Ailsa A96???????
The entire batch passed to Clydeside Scottish on its formation and R71 remained there until May 1989 when it passed back to Western as R971. In October 1991, it was back with Clydeside (now Clydeside 2000) as M871. In September 1995 it was withdrawn and purchased by Padarn Bus in Wales.
It had been re-registered in 1994 as WLT 364 but was sold with the number WDS 115V which is still carried.
The bus was purchased for preservation in September 2001 and will probably be returned to its original Western Scottish livery. It will be possible to re-unite the bus with its original number.
