One part is worth more than all the rest

In the 1970s, there was a very healthy market for second-hand buses that had been sold by the new Passenger Transport Executives, often in surprisingly good conditions. The PTEs had inherited a very mixed bag of buses, of many different types and with a large proportion that wasn't suitable for one person operation. So all the PTEs embarked on major fleet modernisation programmes, which resulted in buses being taken out of service and sold at relatively young ages and in relatively good condition. Some might say this was wasteful, but the PTE managers would say that the savings were worth it from the rationalisation of spares to spreading the ability to operate buses with just a driver without a conductor.

Wigan Corporation always kept its buses in good condition, so no doubt its number 25 - later Greater Manchester Transport 3290 - was no doubt still very much roadworthy when it was withdrawn in May 1981 at the age of just thirteen years. But it would be replaced by a GM 'Standard' Atlantean, the most common type in the GMT fleet, which would be suitable for one-person operation.

3290 was quickly snapped up by Welsh independent operator Eynon's of Trimsaran, Wales, where it was photographed at the company depot. It looks like the preparation for further service was minimal, with just the GMT orange areas painted red and the service number box over-painted. It also seems that the trees of West Wales have met the front dome more than a few times. But what strikes us is the number plate - Wigan Corporation in the 1960s had a habit of 'bagging' number 1 in registration number series, and Wigan 25 (GMT 3290) was given what one might think is the desirable registration number FEK1F. We note that the DVLA database doesn't have a vehicle of this registration, so we assume - with a small level of surprise - that the number wasn't transferred when this bus was finally scrapped.

Fortunately you can still see a handsome Wigan Corporation bus - at the Museum of Transport Greater Manchester, where number 57 of 1961 is restored in the Corporation's smart crimson and off-white colour scheme. We also have an extensive archive, and we've previously published a photo of this bus in its original livery - see the comments below.

If you'd like to know more about the Museum of Transport Greater Manchester and its collection of vintage buses, go to motgm.uk.

© Greater Manchester Transport Society. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction is strictly prohibited and may result in action being taken to protect the intellectual property interests of the Society.

Taken in: UK / Wales / Trimsaran / Trimsaran (show map)

Taken on: January 1, 1983

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