FGE423X was one of 51 Dennis Dominators delivered to Central SMT between 1978 and 1982, and indeed one of only 1007 Dennis Dominators built worldwide between 1978 and 1986.

The Dennis Dominators were Central’s largest class of double decker vehicle in the mid to late 1980’s, and operated alongside 30 Volvo Ailsa’s delivered in 1978/79 (AH1-30), and later 10 Leyland Olympians delivered in 1986 (LO1-10).

All of the batch, except the first, had the stylish lowheight Alexander ‘RL’ bodywork, allowing them to be used on routes such as those between East Kilbride and Clydebank, which passed under the low bridge at Busby railway station on the outskirts of Glasgow.

Mechanically, almost all of Central's Dominators was powered by a Gardner 6LXB engine, coupled to a Voith DIWA 851 and drop centre rear axle. Exception to this was a small batch of 5 vehicles which featured the Rolls Royce Eagle 220E engine instead of the Gardner, and one vehicle which obtained a Maxwell gearbox instead of the Voith.

D23 was delivered to Central SMT in June 1982 to Airbles Depot, Motherwell. The original Certificate Of Fitness document is in possession and indicates she passed her initial testing on 14th May 1982.

She ran with Central until 1988 upon which she was transferred to Kelvin Scottish and subsequently Kelvin Central Buses in 1989. She was withdrawn from service in 1994, where she passed to Moffat & Willamson, Gauldry via Ensign (Dealer). She served her time there until 2003 when she was sold to Arthur's Coaches, Coatbridge in 2004.

D23 was withdrawn from service in the latter half of 2006 due to a mechanical failure. The vehicle was secured for preservation in February 2007, and was granted a place at Bridgeton Bus Garage in April 2007. D23 arrived on tow at her new home on Sunday 22nd April 2007, joining formed Central stablemates, Leyland Leopard T150 (XGM450L), Seddon Pennine SP1 (MSJ385P) and ironically one of the vehicles replaced by her type when new, Bristol Lodekka BL346 (HGM346E).

The general mechanical condition of D23 is good - having just passed it's test prior to be withdrawn to mechanical failure. The mechanical failure was subsequently traced to D23's gearbox, and on the 16th October 2007, Sister D22 was obtained from Arthur's Coaches following withdrawl, and driven to Bridgeton as a source of spares for D23's preservation. The gearbox was removed from D22 on 16th November 2007 and will be subsequently fitted to D23 to enable her once again to drive under her own power. Other useful spares have been recovered from D22 as peace of mind for D23's future as well as replacing non-original parts on her.

The R Type was mainly an aluminium constructed body, with wooden floors, and some steel members around the lower front. Happily, the condition of D23 is subsequently excellent. The wooden floor on D23 was replaced when she was with Moffat & Willamson, so thankfully that will not need replaced. As a comparison, D22's floor - which was not replaced, was rotten through in several places, which unfortunately was one of many reasons for her to be withdrawn from service.

Over the summer of 2008, the engine and gearbox was removed from D23, the gearbox split, and the replacement drive plate and gearbox from D22 was fitted. While the engine was out, the engine was cleaned and the engine bay re-lined with new insulation and painted silver where necessary. On the 7th September 2008, D23 made her first journey under her own power once again.

Next in line, is some more remedial mechanical work, then work will commence on the bodywork.

The livery plans for D23 are for her to be restored to October 1986 livery – which is Central Scottish red and cream, with hop on vinyls on the front of the vehicle, as she would have run from East Kilbride Depot.

D23 is the only Scottish operated Dennis Dominator to so far have entered Preservation. A history is presented below:

 

June 1982		Delivered to Central SMT, numbered D23 in the fleet and allocated to Airbles Depot, Motherwell
March 1983		Re-allocated to Gavinburn Depot
June 1985		Re-allocated back to Airbles Depot, Motherwell
? 1985		Re-allocated to Airdrie Depot
June 1986		Re-allocated to East Kilbride Depot
December 1988		Transferred to Kelvin Scottish, re-numbered 1717 and allocated to Old Kilpatrick Depot (formely Gavinburn Depot)
July 1989		Transferred to newly formed Kelvin Central Buses and re-numbered 1723, Still Allocated To Old Kilpatrick Depot
June 1995		Withdrawn from Kelvin Central Buses fleet and sold to Ensign (Dealer), Rainham
September 1995		Sold to Moffat & Williamson, Gauldry
January 2004		Sold to Arthur’s Coaches, Coatbridge
February 2007		Secured For Preservation
April 2007		Arrived At Bridgeton Bus Garage

A website has been setup for more in-depth information and updates. This can be found at http://www.fge423x.info/