Over the past 2-3 weeks, Dublin Bus began a gradual withdrawl of the remaining 18 strong RA Fleet, all of which remained in Donnybrook, with the sudden transfer of 19 AX's to Donnybrook from Phibsboro & Harristown.The RA's had beene expected to last until the arrival of the 2008 EV's from October.

With that in mind a Farewell run with the last remaining RA's in Donnybrook was organised, with RA302 & 305 bringinmg down the curtain. RA305 is seen here arriving on O'Connell Street for the first leg to Dun Laoighre.

**(Note-some photos are in a larger than normal format for the site. This is a trial and feedback is welcomed)**

The 3 Buses,  RA305,302 & 176,are all seen here at the 46A terminus at Dun Laoighre DART Station.

RA302 was the other standard RA in the 3 strong fleet, with RA176 making up the batch.

RA302 & 305 were new to Conyingham Road depot in June 1996, being mainly used on the Lucan & Clondalkin routes. The arrival of RV343 to 349 (331-349 Batch) into Conyingham in Mid 1997 saw them move to Donnybrook,leaving RA307-314 in Conyingham.

RA176 arrived into Donnybrook in 1994 and spent her career there, spending a fair bit of time on the 13B prior to it's demise. It & RA177-181 joined the driving school in 2006 when AX526-545 arrived in Donnybrook.

After Dunlaoighre it was back into Parnell Square, from where the buses were to operate a 15.15 Route 14 to Dundrum. RA302 & 176 seen here.

Their was a brief stop on Braemor Road for photos where ironically former Phibsboro AX 613- one of the veichles which replaced the Donnybrook RA's, overtook on a Route 14 to Dundrum!!

Dundrum LUAS Station provided the oppertunity for some very unique photos, from the William Dargan Bridge & for the veichles themselves to pose, as can be seen above.

After Dundrum it was onto St. Stephens Green South for the last photos of the Day. After this the veichles were dropped off and tripped back to Broadstone & Donnybrook respectively.

Custom Made blinds and a brief synopsis of the RA's were also on hand. The blinds didnt stop people from "signalling" for ths bus, although RA305 carried a small numeral blind for much of the day.

Many Thanks should go to the 3 drivers of the RA's ,Tony, Barry & Kevin ,Dublin Bus Management in Donnybrook & Broadstone depots & Gabriel Conway/Garaiste for the organisation and advertising of the trip, as well as keeping RA302 & 305 aside for the trip.

With the RA's now withdrawn attention will switch to the RV's, with Donnybrook's RV326-331 & Conyingham's RV332-346/348/9 going first, so make the most of them while you can.

Click here for a few in service RA photos.

Related Site Links

RA 277 in the UK

Bygone Bus Photos

Garaiste Thread & Links to Pics