726 at Kendal Depot © Photobus 

Hitched up ready for the long tow back to

Lancashire from London - June 1982© C. Fenner

Notes:

This coach was one of a batch of 20 delivered in 1963 with the same attractive 'Cavalier' body style as the tour coaches (see 1036) but to the new maximum permitted length of 36'. Like many of Ribble's coaches they featured a four speed synchromesh gearbox with an Eaton twin speed rear axle. Unlike the tour coaches these had fixed side windows and forced air ventilation which became standard for Ribble coaches. Many drivers preferred these coaches to the later semi-automatic Panorama Elite bodied Leopards because they had better hill climbing capabilities.

From new 726 was allocated (along with 725) to the Keswick outstation of Ambleside Depot. The Depot at Keswick being owned by Cumberland. 726 later transferred to Kendal Depot .

The batch were withdrawn between 1972 and 1974 with the introduction of the Duple Dominant bodied Leopards, with the initial withdrawals being sold on to Jones of Aberbeeg (a less well known NBC subsiduary). Because of their comparitively young age several vehicles of this batch had their bodies scrapped and new bodies fitted by their new operators. 

726 was sold to Norths in May 1974 and quickly found a new owner with Deeble of Upton Cross, Cornwall. It was withdrawn in May 1978 and passed to Gainsbury of Chadwell heath, Essex who used it until April 1980 before converting it to a mobile storeshed. It was acquired by its present owner in June 1982, and moved to Freckleton in October 2000.