401 V401 JTO
New To: - Trent Buses
Chassis: - Optare Solo M920 VN6345
Body: - Integral B34F
History
401 was supplied new to Trent Buses in February 2000, one of a batch of 20 buses. These buses were the first “low floor” midibuses to enter the fleet. This means that the front area of the bus is at a single level, there being one step from road level into the saloon. This makes access easier for passengers, and enables buggies to be brought onto the bus without folding them away.
401 entered service at Sutton Junction and spent most of its working life there. When new it was painted in the then current livery of Ayres Red with a cream skirt. Later it was painted in the all-over red trentbarton livery seen above.
In 2012, 401 passed to the associated Wellglade Company of TM Travel, based in Sheffield. A repaint into their livery followed, and it worked for them until 2015 when it was stored.
401 was kindly donated to the group by Wellglade in 2016, and awaits restoration. One of the main issues with this is that the Solo is what is known as integral, which means unlike traditional bus construction it does not have a separate chassis with a body mounted on it. 401’s framework is mainly square steel tube, which despite corrosion prevention and rectification work carried out during its life, is now in need of significant structural welding before it can be repanelled.
We were able to source a complete set of replacement panels for the bus at an advantageous price thanks to Optare, and these are stored awaiting fitment.
Relevance to Collection
This was the first low floor midibus acquired by Trent Buses and the other associated companies of the Wellglade Group. To date, 110 similar buses have been operated over the years by group companies.
Chassis: - Optare Solo M920 VN6345
Body: - Integral B34F
History
401 was supplied new to Trent Buses in February 2000, one of a batch of 20 buses. These buses were the first “low floor” midibuses to enter the fleet. This means that the front area of the bus is at a single level, there being one step from road level into the saloon. This makes access easier for passengers, and enables buggies to be brought onto the bus without folding them away.
401 entered service at Sutton Junction and spent most of its working life there. When new it was painted in the then current livery of Ayres Red with a cream skirt. Later it was painted in the all-over red trentbarton livery seen above.
In 2012, 401 passed to the associated Wellglade Company of TM Travel, based in Sheffield. A repaint into their livery followed, and it worked for them until 2015 when it was stored.
401 was kindly donated to the group by Wellglade in 2016, and awaits restoration. One of the main issues with this is that the Solo is what is known as integral, which means unlike traditional bus construction it does not have a separate chassis with a body mounted on it. 401’s framework is mainly square steel tube, which despite corrosion prevention and rectification work carried out during its life, is now in need of significant structural welding before it can be repanelled.
We were able to source a complete set of replacement panels for the bus at an advantageous price thanks to Optare, and these are stored awaiting fitment.
Relevance to Collection
This was the first low floor midibus acquired by Trent Buses and the other associated companies of the Wellglade Group. To date, 110 similar buses have been operated over the years by group companies.