W219 XBD

Chassis: Volvo B7TL

Chassis Number: YV3S2C618YC000439

Body: Alexander ALX400

Body Number: 0009/21

Seating Capacity: H49/29F

New: July 2000

2000-2014: Life with First Leicester

W219 XBD was new to Leicester Citybus (First Leicester) as fleet number 219 in July 2000, as part of a batch of 12 buses of the same type. First Leicester owned a total of 47 Volvo B7TLs with ALX400 bodywork, numbered 32053-32099 and 32277.

During its time with First Leicester, W219 XBD also carried the fleet number 32059, which it retained on transferal.

2014-2022: Life with First Eastern Counties

The bus was transferred to First Eastern Counties in May 2014, still wearing its original First ‘Barbie’ livery. 59 was chosen to wear a Great Yarmouth Transport heritage livery during its time there – this colour scheme was used in the period from 1986 until the business was sold to First Group during 1996.

32059 was withdrawn in January 2022, passing straight into preservation.

2022-Date: In preservation

A great deal of progress has been made on the preservation of 32059 – notable developments include the fitting of original flip dot display boards to replace the LED ones which were fitted to the bus during its life in service. The bus also now has a working radio system, which it would have had from new, allowing drivers to communicate with First Bus headquarters. Replacement seats have been sourced from scrap vehicles to eliminate vandalised or worn out seat cushions. W219 XBD even has a new Wayfarer 3 ticket machine, which prints ‘32059’ on the tickets.

It is intended that 219 will return to its original ‘Barbie’ livery at some point in the future.

You can follow 219’s preservation journey by joining the First Leicester ALX400 Preservation Facebook group.