RRN 428 - RIBBLE No.1279

RRN 428 in original condition operating an X60 Manchester service. Photo copyright H. W. Peers, scanned with permission.

RRN 428 is one of twenty double-deck coaches built for Ribble in 1962 and known as "White Ladies". When new, they were painted cream with a crimson stripe (the reverse of Ribble's service bus livery) and were used on medium-distance interurban express services largely within Lancashire, such as the X60 Manchester-Blackpool.

These vehicles were early examples of the rear-engined Leyland Atlantean, and were fitted with Weymann bodywork. The design was modified from that of the basic service bus by the provision of air suspension at the front, luggage accommodation at the rear of the lower deck, high-backed coach seats, parcel racks and fluorescent lighting.

RRN 428 was sold in November 1977 to K. & M. Gagg Coaches of Bunny, Nottinghamshire, who used it on contract and private hire work until July 1994 when it was bought for preservation by David Root. It is now kept at the Nottingham Heritage Centre and is currently still in the process of being restored to its original 1960's condition.

Vehicle Specification
Chassis type: Leyland Atlantean PDR1/1
Engine: Leyland O.600 9.8 litre diesel
Transmission: 4-speed Leyland Pneumocyclic semi automatic epicyclic gearbox with electro-pneumatic control
Bodywork: Weymann CH39/20F
Chassis number: 613394
Body number: M342