LOW HEIGHT REAR ENGINED BUS
Reg No: NEA 101 F - new 1968
Chassis: Daimler Fleetline
Engine: Gardner 6LX
Gearbox: Semi-automatic
Body: Metro-Cammell DD
Following several years of experimentation, Leyland placed its rear-engined 'Atlantean' bus into production in 1958. Daimler followed with its 'Fleetline' in 1960. The Daimlers were fitted with the legendary Gardner engines, renowned for their reliability and economy. Daimler was already well-established in many Midlands fleets and the 'Fleetline' soon became a familiar sight. The Daimler also had a dropped centre rear axle that allowed lower height while retaining good headroom inside. West Bromwich Corporation took advantage of this and was able to replace single-deckers with 14 of these buses - they carried a new ivory paint scheme that was typical of bright but bland livery facelifts in the 1960s.
Although numerically the first, NEA 101F was actually the last to arrive, entering service in January 1968, after the original, KEA 101E, was destroyed in a fire at the MCW works. Existing West Bromwich double-deckers continued to be painted in the magnificent old livery of cream and two shades of blue, lined out in black and gold. The light livery denoted the low height and the Corporation's single-deckers adopted it too.
101 passed to the new West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive on 1st October 1969 and all the low height buses received the PTE colours but retained a livery variation with more cream. They were withdrawn in 1981-2 except for 101 which gained semi-preserved status, re-entering service in October 1985 after considerable attention. There was no room for buses like 101 in the post-1986 deregulated era and it arrived at Wythall in August 1988. 101 became part of the collection at no cost, thanks to the kindness of Travel West Midlands.
Restoration work commenced in 2003 and was completed in 2005. Following replication of the original winding gear, special thanks are due to those individuals who offered up treasured possessions to allow 101 to be properly equipped throughout with West Bromwich Corporation destination and number blinds. Thanks too to Stan Letts for reproducing the coats-of-arms as originals could not be sourced.
