21158 Alexander Wright ALX300

New in May 1998, 21158 was ordered as part of a batch of 20 or so Voith Volvo B10BLEs with Alexander ALX300 bodywork, akin to the first batch of MAN 18.220s. Stagecoach ultimately opted for the MAN 18.220, and later the 18.240, as their go-to low floor single deck vehicle across the country; thus making the B10BLEs a rather unique addition to the Stagecoach fleet.

Originally branded in LoLiner stripes – a brand used to make low floor and easily accessible buses obviously identifiable to passengers. KRG was repainted into Stagecoach’s corporate ‘Beachball’ livery in early 2006. Around September 2013 the vehicle was sold to the now defunct Velvet Travel of Eastleigh where it received a full interior retrim complete with their moquette.

In 2015 Edward Thomas & Son Coach Hire took ownership when Velvet ceased operation and had used the bus daily on a 30-mile school service as well as other contract work.

21158 entered preservation in August 2024 and work is ongoing to restore the vehicle to as close to a fresh out of the box condition as possible.