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Buses in Malta - page 4. Imported Bedford buses and coaches part 1 (Duple and Marshall bodies) (by Shane Conway)

Last updated 4 August 2024

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Thanks to David Gilbert who found the file and sent it to me, I have received a lot more of his father's photos and text files relating to this site. Among them are over 200 delightful photos of Maltese buses and coaches taken by Peter Skerry in 2006. As these would have been mostly swept away by the 2011 reform of the island's bus services, these pages will help to recall how things used to be in Malta. Having already covered the ex London Transport AEC Swift single deckers dating from 1969 to 1971, ex U.K. Bristol LH buses and one coach, and ex U.K. Fords, this page looks at the Bedford buses and coaches with Duple or Marshall bodies which were exported to Malta. Again, Peter managed to work out the identities of each vehicle that he saw, and managed to photograph a total of 60 Bedfords, of which 30 are on this page. I am again indebted to both David and Peter for making these photos available. The photos are arranged in order of their chassis serial numbers.

Maltese route buses (from 1995 to 2011) were registered in the format DBY (or EBY or FBY) followed by three digits. Prior to 1995 they were plated as Y followed by four digits, and were all re-registered at that time, but maintained a direct link between both versions, e.g. Y-0475 became EBY 475 and so on.

First up is Bedford SBG DBY 375 (chassis 36287), which dates from 1955 and was new to the Royal Navy as 33 RN 88. It received a new Aquilana body on Malta and was 41 years old when seen.

Next is EBY 519 (chassis 2T476167) which dates from November 1972, being new to O'Sullivan of Cardiff as MTX 250L, although it was with Williams of Cwmdu before going to Malta. It has bus seats and slider windows, and has lost its Duple body strips under the windows. Following close behind is AEC Swift EBY 589.

Our third example, EBY 516 has chassis 2T476382 and was new in January 1973 to Chatsworth of Pudsey as TYG 803L. It was acquired from New Enterprise of Tonbridge, and also has bus seats and slider windows. But why does it have a Leyland sign on the side? Because, in Malta anything is possible!!

Next up is chassis 2T476927, which became DBY 310 on Malta. It was new in January 1973 as LBU 153L in the fleet of Barlow of Oldham, later passing to Newton of Guildford, before being exported.

DBY 424 was previously SNX 601M (CW451016) new to Moreton, Nuneaton in June 1974 and it later passed to Morris of Pentrefelin. It ran in Malta with high backed seats for a time, before having them replaced.

Unusually, DBY 323 (CW451736) retained its coach type seats, but was fitted with slider windows and a Plaxton front panel. Originally NLG 105L and new in February 1973, it was part of a mixed batch of five Fords and four Bedfords with a mix of Plaxton and Duple bodies. New to Bullock, Cheadle, it was later with Sheffield Health Authority.

DBY 412 on chassis DW453682, has had extra brightwork added to the side panels, as well as getting bus seats fitted. New to Mason of Perivale in May 1974 as VNK 480M, it was later bought by Reid of Bedford.

DBY 467 (chassis DW455119), was one of two Bedford YRQs seen by Peter with Marshall bus bodies. Originally HGM 613N which was new to AWRE of Aldermaston in July 1975. Built as a B42D layout, it operated as a single door vehicle on Malta.

Next is FBY 708 (chassis DW455176) which is a sister vehicle to DBY 467, being new as HGM 614N in July 1975 and having a similar history.

DBY 343 was new as UJB 726N, the 2nd of a batch of three coaches bought by Reliance of Newbury in August 1974. Based on chassis DW455789, its Duple body has been fitted with bus seats, but retains a row of coach seats at the rear.

Based on chassis DW455978, EBY 493 was new as UJB 725N, the first of the trio of coaches bought by Reliance, Newbury in August 1974, and a sister vehicle to DBY 343 above.

EBY 585 was previously RAL 968N (DW456440) and was new to Kettlewell, Retford in September 1974. It later passed to Cooper, Killamarsh before heading to Malta.

FBY 652 was new to Alpha of Brighton as JAP 441N (EW451099) in May 1975. Prior to arriving on Malta, it saw service with Camden, Sevenoaks.

EBY 474, claiming to be both a Leyland and a Bedford, was new as GUX 402N (EW451286) in January 1975 as one of two identical coaches with Corvedale, Ludlow, its only U.K. owner.

FBY 751 (chassis EW451461), is the other of the two Corvedale vehicles (see EBY 474 above), in this case it was GUX 401N which was new in February 1975.

And another with a GUX reg number, FBY 754 (chassis EW451851) was GUX 400N which dates from January 1975, but was new to M & M, Highley as their fleet number 34. Other than the replacement seats and altered, it looks just as it would have done when built.

FBY 737 has chassis EW452515 and was new in June 1975 to Reliance, Newbury as fleet number 144 registered HGM 822N. Again it was just a one owner machine in U.K. service.

Based on chassis EW452670, EBY 593 was new as HNT 841N in the fleet of M & M, Highley as fleet number 33. New in March 1975, it was bought by its Maltese owner from Day, Abertillery.

FBY 650 was previously MTX 661P (EW452718) new to Rees, Llanelly Hill in May 1976. Like many buses on Malta, it has been customised by fitting a Plaxton Paramount front panel.

A variation on the Dominant body was the service bus version, as seen here. DBY 431 was originally NKE 303P (FW450023) new in March 1976 as Maidstone & District number 3, the sole 10 metre vehicle in a batch of seven Bedfords.

DBY 314 was new in May 1976 to Corvedale, Ludlow (number 43), as LUX 543P (chassis FW453702). It was later operated by Evans, Senghenydd, before being exported.

Next we have FBY 689 (FW454369), which was formerly YAA 260R new to Marchwood, Totton in February 1977, along with sister vehicle YAA 261R. Behind it is YRQ EBY 519 and AEC Swift EBY 589. This is an early Dominant II with round headlights and shallow cab window and windscreens.

FBY 729 has a later Duple Dominant II body with the deeper screens and side window and square headlights. Based on chassis FW454381, it was new in April 1977 to Whittle, Highley as RAW 27R (number 27), the middle of a batch of three YLQs.

In contrast to FBY 729 above, YLQ EBY 480 (FW454384) received a 1976 Dominant I body. It was new in August 1976 to Alpha, Brighton registered OWV 439R.

FBY 660 is a later style Dominant II, on chassis GW455163. Originally it was ANR 743T, new in November 1978. It was one of three YLQs supplied to Fourways, Leeds, the other two having Plaxton Supreme bodywork.

DBY 410 was new as TPJ 274S (GW456162), one of two YLQs bought new by Safeguard, Guildford in February and April 1978. It was part of a mixed batch of Ford, Leyland and Bedford coaches (TPJ 269 - 307S) supplied to various operators in the greater London area. After Safeguard, it passed to Ron's, Ashington.

EBY 606 was new as DTM 958T (HW457086), new to Tate, Markyate in February 1979, It later passed to Williams, Brecon, before arriving in Malta.

FBY 722 is the third Marshall bodied Bedford to feature on this page. New in October 1980 to Norfolk County Council as PEX 738W, it has chassis KW454393, and was one of a pair supplied to Norfolk.

FBY 646 was the newest Bedford (DT109213) photographed by Peter. Originally A203 LCL, this late model Marshall body dates from December 1983 and was one of a pair new to Norfolk County Council. Prior to it arriving on Malta, it served with Benjamin of Llanrhystyd in Wales.

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