TET 745S is a Leyland Fleetline with Roe bodywork, delivered new to the independent operator Blue Line of
Armthorpe, Doncaster. It was
built to the same design as
the large batch of Fleetlines
delivered to the West Yorkshire PTE, with detail differences for Blue Line, for example, a different destination
blind layout and red upholstery on the seating. The bus was new in December 1977 and passed to the
SYPTE on the takeover of Blue Line in May 1979, where it was renumbered
1126 in the fleet of the SYPTE. It operated with them until 1986 when it was
withdrawn and sold, engineless, to Isle Coaches, Owston Ferry. They returned the vehicle to the road and operated it for a further 13 years until
1999.
It was purchased for preservation, initially being stored in the Isle Coaches
yard for around 3 years, before changing hands and being moved to Sheffield. A condition of its sale
was that the reconditioned engine that had been fitted recently was to be returned, so this was
swapped with the engine from
scrapped TET 747S. After this
work was completed the vehicle was taken for its MOT test,
and although it passed, the MOT tester’s comments were not favourable regarding the general condition
of the chassis and body bearers underneath. The bus was given a quick repaint into SYPTE cream and brown, and it was then rallied for a year. Even
this was cut short when reverse gear failed at the Sandtoft Gathering 2003,
which led to the vehicle being parked up, and the subsequent long period in
storage. Unfortunately it also sustained minor accident damage to the off
side front in 2005, during a yard shunting manoeuvre.
So, the bus is the only surviving double decker new to Blue Line of
Armthorpe. While the condition of the bodywork looks and is outwardly fairly
reasonable, the chassis and body bearers are heavily corroded and need
major work. We have the expertise within the SYTT to complete the job.
As at March 2022, work has now started on the extensive restoration the bus needs. It is currently in the process of having the engine bulkhead replaced, the rear cross member replaced, together with work on repairing the corroded inner sections of the main chassis.
Owner - Private
