Red and White Bristol MW DAX 610C

1960s STATE-SECTOR SINGLE-DECKER

DAX 610C was new to Red & White Services Ltd of Chepstow as fleet number U.765, the unique numbering system of the operator indicating the 7th underfloor engine Bristol MW of 1965. Otherwise, it was fairly typical of single-deckers built for the state-owned bus companies between 1956 and 1966. It entered service at Blackwood in South Wales in June 1965. Six months later it was part of an experiment using alkaline batteries, and it was reallocated to Cinderford where it remained, thereafter working around Gloucester, Hereford, Ross-on-Wye, Monmouth, Chepstow and the run to Cardiff.

In the mid-1970s it suffered extensive damage when it went off the road to avoid roaming sheep, and the body was repaired at ECW's factory in Lowestoft. In 1979, its engine failed, and it was dumped at the depot awaiting disposal, and was stripped of parts to keep other vehicles on the road. However, wayward sheep also led to a newer Cinderford-based bus being written off, so DAX 610C was fitted with a new engine and replacement body parts, and returned to service. Finally, in Autumn 1980, it was the last Bristol MW to be withdrawn from Cinderford, when replaced by a Leyland National.

Preservation
With a new engine and rebuilt body, it had good preservation prospects, and its new owners in November 1980 kept it close to Cinderford depot. At New Year 1984, it was acquired by the late Robin Woodcock, and kept first in Dorset and then in Hampshire. He sold it, in Spring 2001, to its present owners. Its most recent round of refurbishment, undertaken during 2019, included replacement of all the glazing rubbers and Perspex rooflights, followed by a full repaint and new signwriting.