Copyright Brendan Smith

CIE (Coras Iompair Eirann)
1969
Leyland Atlantean PDR1/1
CIE/Metal Sections H43/31D

To contrast with the view of Atlantean D353 already posted on the website, is this one of of sister vehicle D300. It is seen in the original dark blue and cream livery, which was phased out in favour of the all over sand-coloured scheme in 1974. The bus is seen if memory serves correct, in the city of Cork in the late 1970’s. The beautifully quaint destination of ‘Statue’ is wonderful, but then again, the locals will no doubt know which one and where it is…..

Photograph and Copy contributed by Brendan Smith

24/04/13 – 07:52

This vehicle still has the original lower front panel with mouldings around the headlights, and spotlights (compare with the photograph of D353) – anybody know why the modification was subsequently made? And I remember reading years ago – it must have been in a late 70s/early 80s Buses Annual – that these Atlanteans had "top deck header tanks" . . . to what purpose? As an aside, at the nadir of CIEs’s fortunes between the last Van Hool Atlanteans and the delivery of the first Bombardiers it used to be said that CIE was an acronym for "Cycling Is Easier" – though by the time I had cause to use Iarnrod Eireann/Bus Eireann/Dublin Bus services regularly (early 1990s) things had markedly improved. Anyway, you couldn’t call this an attractive design of body but at least its different, in a "functionally brutal" sort of way – I think it’s got more going for it than, say FRM1 which was 50s half-cab styling dumped on a rear engined chassis, in so far as it pushes design and tries to be different.

Philip Rushworth

24/04/13 – 11:27

If I remember correctly the replacement front panels were the result of accident damage and were fabricated in CIE’s own works – and simplicity being the watchword.

Phil Blinkhorn

25/04/13 – 07:36

Yes, Brendan, you’re right, this is Cork. The bus is heading north up Grand Parade towards the landmark "Father Mathew" statue which had been a city terminal point since tramway days. Nice to see this bus in its original blue and cream livery.

Paul Haywood