Gallery
Transbus ALX 400
Volvo B7TL
Volvo D7C 7-litre
ZF 5HP500
Euro 3
51mph
79 seated, X standing
2003
WX53 UKK was new to First Bristol based at Muller Road depot part of the batch numbered 32279-32292. It was part of a batch originally ordered by First intended for South Yorkshire and was assigned fleet numbers for the South Yorkshire numbering system with WX53 UKK being assigned 31753. The order for the batch was diverted to Bristol and WX53 UKK was reassigned a new fleet number of 32289 to fit in with Bristol's numbering system. 32289 is one of only two vehicles of the batch that entered service with a 53 plate rather than 03 like the rest of the batch, the other vehicle being 32290 WX53 UKL. 32289 was originally assigned the registration of WR03 YZY however was registered after the cutoff so was reassigned a new registration of WX53 UKK.
32289 was delivered new in Barbie 1 and was repainted into the new corporate "Urban" livery in 2014 where it gained the "West of England" skyline titles. During its time in service 32289 worked at Muller Road, Lawrence Hill, Hengrove, Weston-super-Mare and Bath depots before finishing its service life at Lawrence Hill in 2021.
During the preservation of 31753, extensive work was undertaken to restore and enhance its condition. In 2023 and 2024, the vehicle proudly participated in the Brislington Bus Show, showcasing its progress. A complete repaint in the iconic Barbie colours gave it a fresh and vibrant look, while outdated ad boards were removed for a cleaner appearance. Significant bodywork included the installation of new panels and the correction of the rear bumper. On the mechanical side, we replaced critical components such as air bags, shock absorbers, and brake pads, alongside smaller but essential updates like new wipers, refreshed seats, updated flooring, and thorough cleaning. In January 2025, vinyls were added to complete the look, including the original First logos and fleet number. These efforts ensure the vehicle is preserved in pristine condition for years to come.
Looking ahead, most of the remaining work on 31753 will focus on internal features. Improvements will include detailed interior refurbishments, as well as ongoing maintenance to ensure it remains in top condition. Additionally, 31753 is set to attend more bus shows and rallies in the future, continuing to share its story and progress with enthusiasts and the public alike.
WX53 UKK was collected from First West of England's Lawrence Hill depot.
The first drive around Bristol was performed and parked at its new home near Bristol Airport.
Work began on the bus with the first job being to fix the retarder. Diagnosis took place and found the throttle pedal was not applying a pre-load and was leading to a J1939 data link error. A new throttle pedal was sourced from Geoff Ripley in Barnsley, fitted and this resolved the issue of there being no retarder.
The First branding and vinyls were slowly removed. Removing the Bristol branding revealed some of its original West of England branding from when the vehicle was repainted in 2014.
WX53 UKK went on a tour to Weston-super-Mare showing the old against new.
The first exterior wash of the vehicle since purchase was performed. It had accumulated loads of road dirt from the winter roads and a heavy clean was performed at First's Hengrove depot. Due to the strong chemicals used to remove some of the dirt, some paint was sadly removed from a couple of panels that were replaced earlier in life.
Due to the lease ending at the current storage site, the vehicle was moved to a new site in Congresbury.
WX53 UKK passed its first MOT at Volvo Truck and Bus Wales and West in Shepton Mallet following some new air bags, new wipers and some wiring fixes.
After arrival at storage from Volvo, WX53 UKK began to develop some electrical faults with the most bizarre being that turning on the hazards would cut the engine out. These faults ultimately became worse and then the bus became a non-starter.
After being sat for 6 months not being able to be driven, the fault was diagnosed and finally repaired. The culprit was found to be the main chassis fuse board in the cab where some traces had corroded and were now making poor contact which ultimately led to a complete break. A second-hand fuse board was fitted and the vehicle was once again drivable.
WX53 UKK attended its first bus rally in the form of the Bristol Bus Show on the 30th July 2023.
The second MOT with the vehicle in my possession had now been completed. Just a few issues to resolve this time round with new exhaust clamps and some adjustments on the parking brake. This was also the first time I saw underneath the chassis and was able to take a good look at the rust bucket - which was actually much better than I expected!
In an attempt to fix the cooling fan being stuck permanently on, I attempted to replace the coolant temperature thermosat on the engine. However by doing so I managed to over-tighten one of the bolts and snapped this in the engine bay. The thermostat housing had to be disassembled, a new thread put in place and then the sensor put back in place. A very stressful ordeal indeed!
WX53 UKK was driven for 3 hours - its first long distance trip - to Reliance Bus Works in Stoke-on-Trent to undergo a major exterior refurbishment.
After two months of hard work by the Reliance team - 32289 emerged in its brand new paint. Extra photos of the refurbishment can be found in the gallery.
32289's first bus rally in its new repaint - the Bristol Bus Show 2024.
WX53 UKK attended the West Country Historic Omnibus Transport Trust's bus rally held at the Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare in connection with World Helicopter Day. Lots of vintage buses were in attendance as well as a couple of more modern vehicles. Helicopter rides were also offered to attendees.
Vinyls by Decal Central were applied, bringing the exterior to completion. And the return of its original fleet number - 31753.
