KD Month

Welcome To Patrick Losty's Pictorial History Of The Bombardier KD Class Bus.
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During March 2010 We Showcased Historical Photographs And Information From Patrick's Collection Of The KD Class Exclusively Here On Dublinbus.cc.

Picture 1.
Dublin Bus, (Donnybrook), FFG, Hamburg, Germany built prototype, two-stroke supercharged General Motors Detroit V6 diesel engine Bombardier, KD 1, (I JZH) was over 10 years old when pictured on 30/06/90 on Chesterfield Avenue, Phoenix Park, Dublin while participating in the 1990 Dublin Bay Bus Rally. The bus was beautifully turned out by the Donnybrook maintenance team complete with special advert frame inserts wishing the Ireland Soccer team well in the Italia 1990, World Cup matches. Phibsboro's equally superbly turned out Bombardier, KD 203, (203 OZU) in PMPA Insurance, AOA (All Over Advertisement) livery is parked behind. KD 1 was one of a 2 bus batch delivered to Donnybrook Garage, KD 1 (1 JZH) to KD 2 (2 JZL). Registered in 1979, KD 1 was delivered in 1981 in tan livery but by the time it entered service at Donnybrook on the 28/05/81 on the route 8, it had received the brand new two tone green livery but still retaining its blue plastic covered seat facings and matching sidewall trim. KD 1 was seen in Broadstone withdrawn from service, stripped of useful parts and awaiting disposal in June 1995, a service life of 14 years (1981 - 1995).

Picture 2.

Dublin Bus, (Clontarf), Bombardier, KD 16, (I6 JZL) was photographed on 01/06/91 at the Lower Abbey Street terminus of the route 29A to Newgrove Cross. Notice the Ryanair advert highlighting flights to/from the then new Stansted Airport, at the time Ryanair had a fleet of 8 aircraft, three ATR 42-300, 46 seat turboprops and five Bae 1-11 500's, three owned and two leased from Tarom of Romania. KD 16 was one of a 22 bus (1st) batch delivered new to Clontarf Garage in 1981, KD 3 (3 JZL) to KD 24 (24 JZL).

Picture 3.

Dublin Bus, (Donnybrook), Bombardier, KD 31, (3I JZL) was photographed on 25/05/91 at the Bray, County Wicklow train station, terminus of the route 84 to College Street, Dublin. KD 31 was one of a 9 bus (2nd) batch delivered new to Donnybrook Garage, KD 25 (25 JZL) to KD 33 (33 JZL) joining two bus (1st) batch KD 1 to KD 2.

Picture 4.

Dublin Bus, (Ringsend), Bombardier, KD 37, (37 JZL) was photographed on 29/06/91 at the College Green terminus of the route 15B to Rathfarnham. KD 37 was one of a 5 bus (1st) batch delivered new to Ringsend Garage, KD 34 (34 JZL) to KD 38 (38 JZL). Notice Ringsend’s ex. Donnybrook, Leyland Atlantean, Vanhool, ex. Smarties AOA livery, DF 754 (754 BIK), operating the route 3 from Sandymount to Whitehall and Ringsend’s brand new Leyland Olympian, Alexander, RH 101 (91-D-10101) in the background waiting for it’s departure time on the route 15A College Green to Limekiln Farm. Also in the picture is renowned photographer Jonathan McDonnell.

Picture 5.

Dublin Bus, (Donnybrook), Bombardier, KD 44, (44 JZL) with KD 45 (45 JZL) behind were photographed on 22/08/91 at the Sandymount Green terminus of the route 18 to Palmerstown. KD 44/45 were two of a 10 bus (3rd) batch delivered new to Donnybrook Garage, KD 39 (39 JZL) to KD 48 (48 JZL).

Picture 6.

Bus Eireann, (Capwell, Cork), Bombardier, KD 49, (49 JZL) was photographed on 19/08/92 northbound on Patrick Street, Cork operating the route 8, Bishopstown to Lotabeg. KD 49 was a one bus (1st) batch delivered new to Capwell Garage, Cork. Notice the communications aerial located on the offside roof panel, this was to allow roof clearance into the maintenance area at Cork’s Capwell Garage.

Picture 7.
Bus Eireann, (Roxboro, Limerick), Bombardier, KD 50, (50 JZL) was photographed on 16/06/91 stopped on William Street, Limerick while operating the route 3 to Rathbane. KD 50 was a one bus (1st) batch delivered new to Limerick Garage. At the time of the photo, KD 50 was still in very original as delivered condition complete with bumper mounted number plate and CIE crests still visible.

Picture 8.

Dublin Bus, (Conyngham Road Garage), Bombardier, KD 68, (68 JZL) was photographed on 10/08/91 at the Middle Abbey Street terminus of the route 66 to Maynooth, Co. Kildare. KD 68 was one of a 20 bus (1st) batch delivered new to Conyngham Road Garage, KD 51 (51 JZL) to KD 70 (70 JZL). Conyngham Road's Leyland Olympian, Alexander, RH 65 (91-D-1065) can be seen behind on its first day in service the newly applied 'Harp Larger' hand painted AOA livery, joining other Harp Larger AOA's, RH 4 (Phibsboro), RH 9 (Ringsend), RH 24 (Summerhill), RH 40 (Donnybrook) and RH 64 (Clontarf).

Picture 9.

Dublin Bus, (Summerhill Garage), Bombardier, KD 76, (76 JZL) was photographed on 03/08/96 at the Artane terminus of the route 20B to Eden Quay, Dublin. KD 76 was one of a 21 bus (1st) batch delivered new to Summerhill Garage, KD 71 (71 JZL) to KD 91 (91 JZL). Notice the bus stop information carousel advertising Dublin Bus Wedding Bus hire featuring Phibsboro's RH 39.

Picture 10.

Dublin Bus, (Ringsend Garage), Bombardier, KD 101, (101 JZL) was photographed on 15/06/91 at the Aston Quay terminus of the route 65 to Tallaght. KD 101 was one of a 10 bus (2nd) batch delivered new to Ringsend Garage, KD 92 (92 JZL) to KD 101 (101 JZL) joining Ringsend’s 1st batch KD 34 (34 JZL) to KD 38 (38 JZL).

Picture 11.

Dublin Bus, (Clontarf Garage), Bombardier, KD 109, (109 JZL) looking very smart after a repaint was photographed on 02/08/92 at the Seapark Road, Clontarf terminus of the route 44A to Lower Abbey Street, Dublin. KD 109 was one of a 13 bus (2nd) batch delivered new to Clontarf Garage, KD 102 (102 JZL) to KD 114 (114 JZL) joining 1st batch KD 3 (3 JZL) to KD 24 (24 JZL). Notice the front Bombardier badge is on the nearside rather than the factory fitted offside position.

Picture 12.

Dublin Bus, (Conyngham Road Garage), Bombardier, KD 115, (115 JZL) was photographed on 18/08/96 on Chesterfield Avenue, Phoenix Park, Dublin when acting as observation/time keepers platform at the 1996 Phoenix Park Motor Races, the upstairs seating had been removed for this, its last private hire. KD 115 was one of a 9 bus (2nd) batch delivered new to Conyngham Road Garage, KD 115 (115 JZL) to KD 123 (123 JZL) joining Conyngham Road's 1st batch, KD 51 (51 JZL) to KD 70 (70 JZL). At the time of the 18/08/96 photo, KD 115 was not long withdrawn from service coinciding perhaps with the August/September 1996 delivery to Conyngham Road of brand new green liveried Volvo Olympian, Alexander (Belfast), RA 299 (96-D-299) to RA 310 (96-D-310).

Picture 13.

Dublin Bus, (Phibsboro Garage), Bombardier, KD 126, (126 JZL) in 'Sunday World Newspaper' AOA livery was photographed on 15/06/91 southbound on O'Connell Street, Dublin while operating the route 19A, McKee Road, Finglas to Bulfin Road, Rialto. KD 126 was one of a 26 bus (1st) batch delivered new to Phibsboro Garage, KD 124 (124 JZL) to KD 149 (149 JZL). Included in this batch was Cummins engined KD 146 (146 JZL) which was non standard in the Phibsboro fleet, it was later transferred to Conyngham Road Garage where Cummins engined GAC, KC single deckers were based from 1983 onwards.

Picture 14.

Dublin Bus, (Conyngham Road Garage, ex. Phibsboro), Bombardier, KD 146, (146 JZL) was photographed on 15/06/91 at the Middle Abbey Street terminus of the route 26 to Palmerstown. KD 146 had a Cummins L10 six cylinder engine, Voith three speed automatic gearbox and Kirkstall axles and wheel rim size similar to a GAC, KC single deck bus, for that reason it was transferred out of the Phibsboro fleet to Conyngham Road Garage where mechanically similar Cummins engined KCs were based. Notice the visual differences to a standard KD, chiefly the larger sized wheel rims and tyres plus the radiator air intake grille forward of the offside rear wheel. Notice the driver depositing fare cash into a plastic bag, these were the days before the Autofare, 'exact fare, no change given' was introduced.

Picture 15.

Dublin Bus, (Donnybrook), Bombardier, KD 155, (155 JZL) and brand new Leyland Olympian, Alexander, RH 145 (92-D-145) photographed on 18/08/92 on Crofton Road at the Dun Laoghaire terminus of the route 46A to Fleet Street, Dublin. KD 155 was one of a 25 bus (4th) batch delivered new to Donnybrook Garage, KD 150 (150 JZL) to KD 174 (174 JZL) joining 1st batch, KD 1 (1 JZH) to KD 2 (2 JZL), 2nd batch, KD 25 (25 JZL) to KD 33 (33 JZL), 3rd batch, KD 39 (39 JZL) to KD 48 (48 JZL).

Picture 16.
Bus Eireann, (Capwell, Cork ex. Limerick, ex. Bombardier demonstration bus), Rolls Royce engined KD 191, (191 JZL) was photographed on 19/08/92 southbound on Patrick Street, Cork operating the route 8 to Bishopstown. Originally delivered to Limerick later transferring to Cork, KD 191 had a Rolls Royce Eagle 180, six cylinder, 12.1 litre engine plus a unique wood effect interior side wall trim, grey velour fabric covered seats and a radiator air intake forward of the offside rear wheel, larger wheel rims/tyres, Kirkstall axles similar to GAC, KC single decker city bus. Built in 1981 as a Bombardier demonstration model, KD 191 then in brown/cream livery complete with front single line dot matrix destination display was temporarily registered (20 JZL) and appeared at the 1981 UITP Congress and Exhibition held at the RDS, Dublin. A left hand drive red liveried Rolls Royce engined double decker demonstrator similar in appearance to KD 191 was sent to Baghdad Transit Authority for evaluation in the early 1980’s. Notice KD 191’s low height roof as seen on the KD 2 to KD 13 batch which would suggest that numerically KD 191 was built within that production batch.

Picture 17.
Bus Eireann, (Limerick), Bombardier, KD 194, (194 JZL) was photographed on 04/08/92 while on loan for the summer season 1992 to Bus Eireann, Waterford Garage operating the route Waterford City to the seaside town of Tramore. KD 194 was one of a 6 bus (2nd) batch delivered new to Limerick Garage, KD 191 (191 JZL) to KD 196 (196 JZL) joining one bus (1st) batch, KD 50 (50 JZL). Total Bombardier KDs delivered to Limerick Garage was 7 less KD 191 which transferred to Cork giving an active Limerick fleet in the early 1990's of 6.

Picture 18.

Dublin Bus, (Phibsboro Garage), Bombardier, KD 203, (203 OZU) in 'Evening Herald' AOA livery was photographed on 25/07/92 northbound on O'Connell Street, Dublin while operating the route 19, Bulfin Road, Rialto to Cedarwood Road, Glasnevin. KD 203 was one of a 26 bus (2nd) batch delivered new to Phibsboro Garage, KD 197 (197 JZL) to KD 222 (222 OZU) joining 1st batch, KD 124 (124 JZL) to KD 149 (149 JZL). The first OZU registered KD was KD 202 (202 OZU). Donnybrook's KD 169 (169 JZL) received a similar 'Evening Herald' AOA livery. Notice 'Batman Returns' was showing in the Carlton cinema at the time of the photograph.

Picture 19.

Dublin Bus, (Donnybrook), Bombardier, KD 223, (223 OZU) in test fleet livery was photographed on 11/04/93 on Eden Quay, Dublin. KD 223 was one of a 14 bus (5th) batch delivered new to Donnybrook Garage, KD 223 (223 OZU) to KD 236 (236 OZU) joining the 4th batch, KD 150 (150 JZL) to KD 174 (174 JZL) and 3rd batch, KD 39 (39 JZL) to KD 48 (48 JZL), 2nd batch KD 25 (25 JZL) to KD 33 (33 JZL) and 1st batch KD 1 (1 JZH) & KD 2 (2 JZL).

Picture 20.

Dublin Bus, (Summerhill Garage), Bombardier, KD 241, (241 OZU) was photographed on 10/05/91 on O'Connell Street, Dublin while operating northbound on the route 16 from Grange Road, Rathfarnham to Santry. KD 241 was one of a 5 bus (2nd) batch delivered new to Summerhill Garage, KD 237 (237 OZU) to KD 241 (241 OZU) joining the 1st batch KD 71 (71 JZL) to KD 91 (91 JZL).

Picture 21.

Dublin Bus, (Conyngham Road Garage), Bombardier, KD 245, (245 OZU) was photographed on 28/07/91 at the Middle Abbey Street terminus of the route 66 to Maynooth, Co. Kildare. KD 245 was one of a 5 bus (3rd) batch delivered new to Conyngham Road Garage, KD 242 (242 OZU) to KD 246 (246 OZU) joining 2nd batch KD 115 (115 JZL) to KD 123 (123 JZL) and 1st batch, KD 51 (51 JZL) to KD 70 (70 JZL).

Picture 22.

Dublin Bus, (Ringsend Garage), Bombardier, KD 250, (250 OZU) in ‘Leopardstown Races’ AOA livery was photographed on 19/07/92 at the bus stop outside Clerys department store on O’Connell Street, Dublin while operating southbound on the two person operated route 3 from Santry to Sandymount. KD 250 was one of a 5 bus (3rd) batch delivered new to Ringsend Garage, KD 247 (247 OZU) to KD 251 (251 OZU) joining 2nd batch KD 92 (92 JZL) to KD 101 (101 JZL) and 1st batch KD 34 (34 JZL) to KD 38 (38 JZL). Donnybrook’s KD 25 (25 JZL) also received this ‘Leopardstown Races’ AOA livery.

Picture 23.

Dublin Bus, (Clontarf Garage), Bombardier, KD 252, (252 OZU) was photographed on 15/06/91 at the Lower Abbey Street terminus of the route 30 to Dollymount. KD 252 was one of a 2 bus (3rd) batch delivered new to Clontarf Garage, KD 252 (252 OZU) to KD 253 (253 OZU) joining 2nd batch KD 102 (102 JZL) to KD 114 (114 JZL) and 1st batch KD 10 (10 JZL) to KD 24 (24 JZL).

Picture 24.
Dublin Bus, (Ringsend Garage), Bombardier, KD 257, (257 OZU) was photographed on 18/06/94 at the College Green terminus of the route 15A to Limekiln Road. KD 257 was one of a 10 bus (4th) batch delivered new to Ringsend Garage, KD 254 (254 OZU) to KD 263 (263 OZU) joining 3rd batch KD 247 (247 OZU) to KD 251 (251 OZU), 2nd batch KD 92 (92 JZL) to KD 101 (101 JZL) and 1st batch KD 34 (34 JZL) to KD 38 (38 JZL).

Picture 25.

Dublin Bus, (Donnybrook), Bombardier, KD 273, (273 OZU) in newly applied Panasonic 'AOA' livery complete with wheel trims was photographed on 08/08/91 at the Sandymount terminus of the route 18 to Palmerstown. KD 273 was one of a 20 bus (6th) batch delivered new to Donnybrook Garage, KD 264 (264 OZU) to KD 283 (283 OZU) joining the 5th batch KD 223 (223 OZU) to KD 236 (236 OZU), 4th batch, KD 150 (150 JZL) to KD 174 (174 JZL), 3rd batch, KD 39 (39 JZL) to KD 48 (48 JZL), 2nd batch KD 25 (25 JZL) to KD 33 (33 JZL) and 1st batch KD 1 (1 JZH) to KD 2 (2 JZL).

Picture 26.

Dublin Bus, (Summerhill Garage), Bombardier, KD 287, (287 OZU) was photographed passing Busarus (Central Bus Station) on 24/08/91 while operating the route 20B from Eden Quay to Beaumont. KD 287 was one of a 5 bus (3rd) batch delivered new to Summerhill Garage, KD 284 (284 OZU) to KD 288 (288 OZU), joining the 2nd batch KD 237 (237 OZU) to KD 241 (241 OZU) and 1st batch KD 71 (71 JZL) to KD 91 (91 JZL). Notice Bus Eireann, GAC Rural Bus, KR 145 (PZV 145) waiting for it’s time to enter Busarus to pick up passengers bound for The Curragh, County Kildare.

Picture 27.

Dublin Bus, (Conyngham Road Garage), Bombardier, KD 290, (290 OZU) was photographed on 27/04/91 at the Middle Abbey Street terminus of the route 26A to the Old Lucan Road, Palmerstown, the last day that the route 26A operated. KD 290 was one of a 5 bus (4th) batch delivered new to Conyngham Road Garage, KD 289 (289 OZU) to KD 293 (293 OZU) joining the 3rd batch KD 242 (242 OZU) to KD 246 (246 OZU), 2nd batch KD 115 (115 JZL) to KD 123 (123 JZL) and 1st batch, KD 51 (51 JZL) to KD 70 (70 JZL).

Picture 28.

Dublin Bus, (Phibsboro Garage), Bombardier, KD 301, (GSI 301) was photographed on 13/08/96 at the McKee Road terminus of the route 19A to Kellys Corner. KD 301 was one of an 8 bus (3rd) batch delivered new to Phibsboro Garage, KD 294 (294 OZU) to KD 301 (GSI 301) joining 2nd batch, KD 197 (197 JZL) to KD 222 (222 OZU) and 1st batch, KD 124 (124 JZL) to KD 149 (149 JZL). The first GSI registered KD was KD 301 (GSI 301), so Phibsboro had the last JZL, KD 201 (201 JZL), the first OZU, KD 202 (202 OZU), the last OZU, KD 300 (300 OZU) and the first GSI, KD 301 (GSI 301). Donnybrook had all possible KD registration letters in its allocation, JZH (KD 1 - 1 JZH), JZL, OZU, GSI and YSI (KD 366 - YSI 366).

Picture 29.

Dublin Bus, (Ringsend Garage), Bombardier, KD 309, (GSI 309) was photographed on 10/08/91 at the Aston Quay terminus of the route 50A to Jobstown, Tallaght. KD 309 was one of a 10 bus (5th) batch delivered new to Ringsend Garage, KD 302 (GSI 302) to KD 311 (GSI 311) joining 4th batch KD 254 (254 OZU) to KD 263 (263 OZU), 3rd batch KD 247 (247 OZU) to KD 251 (251 OZU), 2nd batch KD 92 (92 JZL) to KD 101 (101 JZL) and 1st batch KD 34 (34 JZL) to KD 38 (38 JZL).

Picture 30.

Dublin Bus, (Summerhill Garage), Bombardier, KD 314, (GSI 314) and KD 315 (GSI 315) were photographed on 31/08/91 while operating a private hire. KD 314 & 315 were two of a 6 bus (4th) batch delivered new to Summerhill Garage, KD 312 (GSI 312) to GSI 317 (KD317) joining 3rd batch KD 284 (284 OZU) to KD 288 (288 OZU), 2nd batch KD 237 (237 OZU) to KD 241 (241 OZU) and 1st batch KD 71 (71 JZL) to KD 91 (91 JZL). Total Bombardier KDs delivered to Summerhill Garage was 37.

Picture 31.

Dublin Bus, (Conyngham Road Garage), Bombardier, KD 320, (GSI 320) was photographed on 16/08/91 at the Middle Abbey Street terminus of the route 67A to Maynooth via Celbridge, County Kildare. KD 320 was one of a 6 bus (5th) batch delivered new to Conyngham Road Garage, KD 318 (GSI 318) to KD 323 (GSI 323) joining 4th batch, KD 289 (289 OZU) to KD 293 (293 OZU), 3rd batch KD 242 (242 OZU) to KD 246 (246 OZU), 2nd batch KD 115 (115 JZL) to KD 123 (123 JZL) and 1st batch, KD 51 (51 JZL) to KD 70 (70 JZL). Notice Conyngham Road's Leyland Olympian, Alexander, RH 73 (91-D-1073) parked behind which was only a few months in service at time of picture.

Picture 32.

Bus Eireann, (Capwell, Cork ex. Galway), Bombardier, KD 324, (GSI 324) was photographed on 19/08/92 southbound on Patrick Street, Cork operating the route 8 to Bishopstown, Cork. KD 324 was one of a 2 bus (1st) batch of delivered new to Galway Garage, KD 324 (GSI 324) to KD 325 (GSI 325) which later transferred to Cork joining 2nd batch KD 175 (175 JZL) to KD 190 (190 JZL) plus ex. Limerick KD 191 (191 JZL) and Cork's 1st batch, KD 49 (49 JZL). Notice the McDonald's advertisement in Irish. Total Bombardier KDs delivered to Cork Garage was 17 + 1 (KD 191 transferred from Limerick) + 2 (KD 324 & KD 325 transferred from Galway) giving Cork a total active KD fleet in the early 1990's of 20.

Picture 33.

Dublin Bus, (Conyngham Road Garage), Bombardier, KD 327, (GSI 327) was photographed on 17/08/91 at the Middle Abbey Street terminus of the route 37 to Carpenterstown. KD 327 was one of a 2 bus (6th) batch delivered new to Conyngham Road Garage, KD 326 (GSI 326) to KD 327 (GSI 327) joining 5th batch, KD 318 (GSI 318) to KD 323 (GSI 323), 4th batch, KD 289 (289 OZU) to KD 293 (293 OZU), 3rd batch KD 242 (242 OZU) to KD 246 (246 OZU), 2nd batch KD 115 (115 JZL) to KD 123 (123 JZL) and 1st batch, KD 51 (51 JZL) to KD 70 (70 JZL). The main scroll destination of 'An Lar' even when headed to Carpenterstown would have been a normal display at the time, as Carpenterstown appeared not to have been included on the Conyngham Road's main destination scrolls. At the time it was planned to move the route 37 and 70 (Dunboyne) from Conyngham Road Garage to Phibsboro Garage which occurred nearly two years later in June 1993 coinciding with the introduction of the first Cityswift branded route, route 39 Abbey Street to Clonsilla utilising a fleet of 40 brand new DAF, SB220, Plaxton single decks. Total Bombardier KDs delivered to Conyngham Road Garage was 48 including KD 146 transferred from Phibsboro.

Picture 34.

Dublin Bus, (Ringsend Garage), Bombardier, KD 334, (GSI 334) was photographed on 08/04/95 at the College Green terminus of the route 15B to Rathfarnham. KD 334 was one of a 10 bus (6th) batch delivered new to Ringsend Garage, KD 328 (GSI 328) to GSI 337 (GSI 337) joining 5th batch KD 302 (GSI 302) to KD 311 (GSI 311), 4th batch KD 254 (254 OZU) to KD 263 (263 OZU), 3rd batch KD 247 (247 OZU) to KD 251 (251 OZU), 2nd batch KD 92 (92 JZL) to KD 101 (101 JZL) and 1st batch KD 34 (34 JZL) to KD 38 (38 JZL). Notice Conyngham Road's Mercedes, Eurocoach, ME 12 (94-D-2012) in City Imp livery about to pass by operating the route 123 from Marino to Drimnagh. Total Bombardier KDs delivered to Ringsend Garage was 50.

Picture 35.

Dublin Bus, (Phibsboro Garage), Bombardier, KD 339, (GSI 339) in 'Stanley' AOA livery was photographed on 30/03/91 southbound on O'Connell Street, Dublin operating the route 10, Phoenix Park to UCD, Belfield. KD 339 was one of a 14 bus (4th) batch delivered new to Phibsboro Garage, KD 338 (GSI 338) to KD 351 (GSI 351) joining 3rd batch, KD 294 (294 OZU) to KD 301 (GSI 301), 2nd batch, KD 197 (197 JZL) to KD 222 (222 OZU) and 1st batch, KD 124 (124 JZL) to KD 149 (149 JZL). Total Bombardier KDs active from Phibsboro Garage in the early 1990's was 73.

Picture 36.
Dublin Bus, (Clontarf Garage), Bombardier, KD 352, (GSI 352) was photographed on 18/07/91 on Lower Abbey Street, Dublin. KD 352 was a 1 bus (3rd) batch delivered new to Clontarf Garage, joining 2nd batch, KD 102 (102 JZL) to KD 114 (114 JZL), 1st batch KD 10 (10 JZL) to KD 24 (24 JZL). Brand new KD 352 (GSI 352) was allocated to Clontarf Garage to replace KD 111 (111 JZL) which was written off in a road traffic accident a few months after entering service. Total Bombardier KDs delivered to Clontarf Garage was 38.

Picture 37.

Dublin Bus, (Donnybrook), Bombardier, KD 366, (YSI 366) in white wedding livery, wheel trims and interior wedding decorations was photographed on 05/10/91 on Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire. KD 366 was one of a 14 bus (6th) batch delivered new to Donnybrook Garage, KD 353 (GSI 353) to KD 366 (YSI 366) joining 5th batch, KD 264 (264 OZU) to KD 283 (283 OZU), 4th batch KD 223 (223 OZU) to KD 236 (236 OZU), 3rd batch, KD 150 (150 JZL) to KD 174 (174 JZL), 2nd batch, KD 39 (39 JZL) to KD 48 (48 JZL) and 1st batch KD 1 (1 JZH) to KD 2 (2 JZL). KD 366 was painted into white wedding livery in February 1990 as a livery testbed/marketing concept in advance of planned 1990 delivery of brand new Leyland Olympian, Alexander (Belfast), RH double decks. Phibsboro’s RH 3 (90-D-1003) although delivered from the factory in green livery was speedily painted into the white wedding livery by June 1990 with Phibsboro’s RH 39 (90-D-1039) being the first Dublin Bus RH delivered from Alexanders in white wedding livery. Total Bombardier KDs delivered to Donnybrook was 94.

Bombardier KD Facts and Figures

Bombardier, KD, Double Decker City Bus, H45/27D, Integral, non chassis construction.

Built by FFG, Hamburg, Germany, 1979

KD 1 (1 JZH)

Built by Bombardier (Ireland), Shannon, Co Clare, Ireland, 1981 to 1983

KD 2 (2 JZL) to KD 201 (201 JZL)

KD 202 (202 OZU) to KD (300 OZU)

KD 301 (GSI 301) to KD 365 (GSI 365)

KD 366 (YSI 366)

Engines and Transmissions

General Motors, 2 stroke, 12 litre, V6, Detroit Diesel 6V-71 supercharged engine, Rockwell axles and Allison fully automatic transmission. (Fitted to all KDs except KD 146 & KD 191)

KD 146 - Cummins L10 diesel engine, Kirkstall axles, Voith 3 speed automatic transmission.

KD 191 - Rolls Royce Eagle 180, 12 litre 6 cylinder diesel engine, Kirkstall axles, Voith 3 speed automatic transmission

KD - Garage Allocations in the 1990’s – Total KDs = 366

Donnybrook Garage

KD 1, 2, 25 – 33, 39 – 48, 150 – 174, 223 -236, 264 – 283, 353 – 366 (Total 94)

Phibsboro Garage

KD 124 – 145, 147 - 149, 197 – 222, 294 – 301, 338 – 351 (Total 73)

Ringsend Garage

KD 34 – 38, 92 – 101, 247 – 251, 254 – 263, 302 – 311, 328 – 337 (Total 50)

Conyngham Road Garage

KD 51 – 70, 115 – 123, 146, 242 – 246, 289 – 293, 318 – 323, 326 – 327 (Total 48)

Summerhill

KD 71 – 91, 237 – 241, 284 – 288, 312 – 317 (Total 37)

Clontarf Garage

KD 3 – 24, 102 – 114, 252 – 253, 352 (Total 38)

Cork Garage

KD 49, 175 – 191, 324 - 325 (Total 20)

Limerick Garage

KD 50, 192 – 196 (Total 6)

External Liveries

Two tone green livery separated by thin black line with CIE logos (1981 to 1987)

Two tone green livery separated by thin black line with Bus Eireann logos and script (1987 -1991)

Two tone green livery separated by orange stripe and Dublin Bus logo and script (1987 to 2000)

Red/white/red/white roof with Bus Eireann logos and script (1987 to 1997)

Red & White livery Dublin Bus Driving School (1996 to 2000) please see list below

48 All Over Advertisement (AOA) liveries (1986 to 1997) please see list below

Fleet test liveries x 2 on KD 223 (1993)

White Wedding Bus livery on KD 366 (1990)

Driving School Red & White Livery (1996 to 2000)

KD 20, 59, 70, 156, 157, 199, 221, 258

Fires – Write-offs

KD 7 (7 JZL), (Clontarf) (1993)

KD 71 (71 JZL) (Summerhill), Rush, Co Dublin

KD 73 (73 JZL) and KD 85 (85 JZL), (Summerhill) at Skerries Train Station

KD 84 (84 JZL) and KD 285 (285 OZU), (Summerhill) in Summerhill Garage (1993)

KD 317 (GSI 317), (Summerhill) at Donabate Train Station (1983)

Road Traffic Accident Write-offs

KD 111 (111 JZL), (Clontarf) written off in road traffic accident in 1982, Kinsealy, replaced by brand new KD 352 (GSI 352), an extra KD was built to replace KD 111 which was KD 366 (YSI 366).

KD 274 (274 OZU), (Donnybrook) having just left the garage ‘out of service’ heading for route 11 Clonskea terminus, crashed through Beaver Row roadside railings and fell onto the River Dodder onto its offside, 24/09/96.

KDs appearing on Film & TV

KD (Donnybrook) made guest appearances in the RTE (Irish National Broadcaster) weekly Sunday soap ‘Glenroe’ and a KD on the route 84 to Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow appeared in the starting titles of each show. Donnybrook’s KD 355 (GSI 355) had ‘Glenroe’ on its main destination scroll.

KD (Donnybrook) was used in ‘made for TV film’ (1990) drama/romance ‘The Love She Sought’ starring Angela Lansbury set in Ireland, a pristine condition Donnybrook based KD was used for scenes shot in Dublin and county Wicklow. In the film Angela travels aboard the KD and disembarks in the picturesque village of Enniskerry, county Wicklow.

KD 285 (Summerhill) which was withdrawn for scrap due to fire damage was used as a prop for a Belfast riot scene in the (1993) Jim Sheridan directed film ‘In The Name Of The Father’ based on the true story of ‘The Guildford Four’. The film’s riot scenes were shot in Dublin’s Sheriff Street.

Active service life span – 28/05/81 to 15/12/00 (18 ½ years)

First CIE - KD Service - KD 2 (2 JZL), (Donnybrook), 28/05/81 on the route 8.

First Dublin Bus KD planned withdrawal from service was KD 1 & KD 2, (Donnybrook), June 1995.

Last Dublin Bus KD to be withdrawn was KD 284 (284 OZU), (Summerhill), route 16, 15/12/00.

First Bus Eireann KD planned withdrawal from service was KD 179 (179 JZL) (Cork) in 1995.

Last Bus Eireann KD to be withdrawn was KD 184 (184 JZL) (Cork) in June 1997.

Special ‘Last Day Run’ of KD and KC types – Saturday 13/01/01

Ex Clontarf/Driving School, KD 114 (114 JZL), Donnybrook, KD 353 (GSI 353) and Conyngham Road KC 100 (UZG 100) went in convoy from outside Dublin Bus Head Office, O’Connell Street to the route 11 northside terminus at Wadelai Park, and then cross city to the southside terminus at Bird Avenue, Clonskea, then route 8 Eden Quay to Dalkey and a special back to Donnybrook Garage where Dublin Bus had very kindly laid on soup, sandwiches and tea/coffee for all participants.

Preserved (as at March 2010)

KD 59, 70, 156, 184, 199, 221, 236, 241, 353

All Over Advertisement/Special Liveries worn during service (1986 – 1997)

KD 25 (25 JZL) Donnybrook – Leopardstown Races (1992)

KD 28 (28 JZL) Donnybrook – CAN (1990)

KD 32 (32 JZL) Donnybrook – PMPA Insurance (1990)

KD 126 (126 JZL) Phibsboro – Sunday World (1991)

KD 150 (150 JZL) Donnybrook – Rehab Bottle Bank (1991)

KD 152 (152 JZL) Donnybrook – Brylcreem (1989)

KD 156 (156 JZL) Donnybrook – Skips (1991)

KD 159 (159 JZL) Donnybrook – Batchelors Beans & Peas (1990)

KD 160 (160 JZL) Donnybrook – Bad Bobs (1990)

KD 164 (164 JZL) Donnybrook – Sheils Food Hall (1991)

KD 169 (169 JZL) Donnybrook – Evening Herard (1992)

KD 177 (177 JZL) Cork – Heinz Beans (1994)

KD 178 (178 JZL) Cork – Evening Echo (1994)

KD 180 (180 JZL) Cork – Century Radio (1989)

KD 180 (180 JZL) Cork – West Coast Cooler (1991)

KD 180 (180 JZL) Cork – Rehab Bottle Bank (1993)

KD 184 (184 JZL) Cork – Murphys Irish Stout (1992)

KD 184 (184 JZL) Cork – Heinz Tomato Ketchup (1995)

KD 186 (186 JZL) Cork – Coca Cola ‘You Can’t Beat the Feeling’ (1988)

KD 186 (186 JZL) Cork – Coca Cola ‘Enjoy Ice Cold Coke’ (1992)

KD 186 (186 JZL) Cork – Coca Cola ‘Always Coca Cola’ (1994)

KD 203 (203 OZU) Phibsboro – PMPA (1991)

KD 203 (203 OZU) Phibsboro – Evening Herald (1992)

KD 223 (223 OZU) Donnybrook Trial liveries x 2 (1993)

KD 234 (234 OZU) Donnybrook – Canon fax and photocopier (1992)

KD 235 (235 OZU) Donnybrook – Heineken (1992)

KD 236 (236 OZU) Donnybrook – McKennas Electric (1991)

KD 250 (250 OZU) Ringsend – Leopardstown Races (1992)

KD 273 (273 OZU) Donnybrook – Euro Bus (1990)

KD 273 (273 OZU) Donnybrook – Panasonic Audio Hi-Fi (1991)

KD 339 (GSI 339) Phibsboro – Stanley Tools (1991)

KD 348 (GSI 348) Phibsboro - PMPA Insurance (1988)

KD 348 (GSI 348) Phibsboro - Lee Cooper (1991)

KD 348 (GSI 348) Phibsboro - Telecom Phone Card (1991)

KD 345 (GSI 345) Phibsboro – Coca Cola ‘You Can’t Beat the Feeling’ (1988)

KD 345 (GSI 345) Phibsboro – Coca Cola ‘Enjoy Ice Cold Coke’ (1992)

KD 346 (GSI 346) Phibsboro – Manhattan Peanuts & Popcorn (1991)

KD 353 (GSI 353) Donnybrook – Coca Cola ‘You Can’t Beat the Feeling’(1988)

KD 353 (GSI 353) Donnybrook – Coca Cola ‘Enjoy Ice Cold Coke’ (1992)

KD 355 (GSI 355) Donnybrook – Easons (1991)

KD 359 (GSI 359) Donnybrook – Golden Pages (1991)

KD 361 (GSI 361) Donnybrook – B+I Line (1990)

KD 362 (GSI 362) Donnybrook – Johnson & Johnson (1989)

KD 362 (GSI 362) Donnybrook – Smarties (1991)

KD 363 (GSI 363) Donnybrook – Century Radio (1989)

KD 363 (GSI 363) Donnybrook – Moss Technology (1991)

KD 364 (GSI 364) Donnybrook – West Coast Cooler (1990)

KD 365 (GSI 365) Donnybrook – Mars (1990)

KD 366 (YSI 366) Donnybrook – Partial advert for Bus Only Commuter Tickets (1986)

KD 366 (YSI 366) Donnybrook - White Wedding Bus livery (1990).

Video Footage Of The KD Class Kindly Provided By Mick Hughes. See His You-Tube Channel Here.