West Midlands Leyland National 2 DOC 26V

1980s SINGLE-DECKER

Leyland National introduced its first significant variant with the 'B series' model in 1978, recognisable by not having the heater pod at the rear of the roof. However, in 1979, the Mk2 model was introduced, with a variety of revisions, the most visible of which was a longer, more bulbous front end and windscreen, to accommodate the radiator (which was at the rear on the original model), and a smaller heater pod on the roof, while underneath, the TL11 engine (successor to the O.680) had replaced the O.510.

DOC 26V (original fleet number 1026) is one of batch of thirty Mk2 vehicles for West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive, delivery of which began in March 1980. It became part of the West Midlands Travel fleet when the 'arm's length' company was established on deregulation in October 1986. During this period, it was fitted with a DAF engine, in place of its original TL11 unit.

In June 1996, it was one of three similar vehicles sold to Stevensons of Uttoxeter, taking fleet number 826. When Stevensons was absorbed into Arriva Midlands North in 2000, it was repainted into Arriva's corporate turquoise and stone livery, but retained fleet number 826. Withdrawn from passenger service in November 2002, it then passed to Arriva Merseyside as a driver training vehicle (now fleet number 8166), until finally withdrawn in October 2007.

Preservation
Initially, it passed via a dealer to a preservationist in the north west, but was acquired by a group of Museum members in September 2008. It has been restored to West Midlands Travel's livery, complete with fleet number 1026.