L401 VCV | Dennis Pointer Dart | Fleet No. 4401

This was the first 'Dart' purchased by Western National Limited in April 1994 when the Company was part of the Badgerline Group. The fleet number alocated was 401 but this was not worn initially and is therefore not displayed on the bus as she has been restored and preserved in the original livery when delivered new to Plymouth.

This Dart and five others 402/3/4/5/6 (L402/3/4/5/6 VCV) were all fitted with a narrow Plaxton body, which suited  the west country roads and had a lower split front step to assist with boarding. All had 40 bus seats (later Darts delivered in 1995 had 38 bus seats giving more leg room for passengers) and powered by the Cummins B engine.

The livery features a bright red destination box, large fleet name lettering and displays the 'badger' towards the rear on each side which was the adopted trend in 1994. However, the red around the destination box, although carried on some VR's and Olympians, was not adopted as standard livery and several variations were then used,

This Dart spent most of its working life around Tavistock and Plymouth but in her later years in service, she moved to Cornwall and worked out of Penzance depot before entering preservation with Terry Partridge.

In 2012, the Cornwall Bus Preservation Society was given the opportunity to purchase 401 from her owner who had devoted a lot of time and money bringing the vehicle back to her 'as new' condition and we greatfully accepted his offer.

Annual appearances of 401 Dart are made at the Penzance  and Kingsbridge Running Day.