2085
RCN 685
3069
Body number 49978This is the first of the original order for 18 vehicles and was used extensively for publicity purposes. Below is one of the pictures that everybody remembers from way back in 1964.
Delivered new as 2085 in March 1964 and allocated to Bensham depot.
Transferred to Sunderland depot in 1965.
Repainted in 1967 to standard NGT livery.
Repainted in 1969 to standard NGT livery.
Recertified in December 1970
The bus was involved in a very serious accident in Sunderland during April 1972 and suffered extensive front end damage.
This vehicle was completely rebuilt during the next four months and, after being recertified, appeared as the 'WEARSIDER' in August 1972.
It was altered for one man (or should that be one person) operation including moving the cab and the staircase back and downseating to H43/29F. It was also repainted to a new white and red livery.
In September 1972 the bus was transferred to Jarrow depot and then to Washington depot in November 1972.
In November 1974 it was repainted into NBC poppy red livery.
The bus was to see a further six years service in this unpopular and expensive guise.
Renumbered to 3069 in January 1975.
Eventually being withdrawn in July 1978.
After being cannibalised for spares, the remains were sold via Martin's of Middlewich in October 1978 to Goodwin's of Cudworth for breaking