Photo of the Week - Week 2:
Harristown's AV166 is seen at the Dunboyne Terminus of Route 270 on the 4th January 2013. Much of Dublin Bus' fleet has being going around without advertisements this month, with January being a slow month for adverts and there being a necessity to remove festive adverts in the new year. This and the murky day, doesn't do the appearance of AV166 much good.
Harristown's AV166 was one of the later vehicles of the first batch of low-floor vehicles that heralded a new age for Dublin Bus. Its incredible to think that now we are watching these early AVs with almost the same vigour that we show other aging vehicles, the 00 batch being next in line for withdrawal. Though a number of the 00 batch of AVs have been refurbished and fitted with new LEDs, indicating a life extension beyond the typical 12/13 year life-cycle, AV166 has not been so lucky. Maybe it will retire onto Tour duties or to the Training school in due course, but it would look like 2013 might be its last year in operational service.
AV166 is seen at the last stop before the terminus on the Dublin Road Dunboyne on the 4th January 2013. This is a typical lay-over spot for both the 70 and the 270, with passengers usually all alighting at this stop due to the time taken to get to the terminus sometimes.
AV166 was one of the 100 00-D AVs to be built in the Alexander Falkirk plant in Scotland. The other 85 were built in the traditional Mallusk Belfast facility, that had built the RH body for Dublin's Olympians. It was delivered early in 2001, though received a 00 plate, and was stored until late April, before going into service in Broadstone on new extended Route 19A to Limekiln Avenue, which replaced Route 155. It worked in Broadstone till 2004, though the delivery of the new DT-class did cascade it to other duties. It transferred to Harristown from Broadstone upon the opening of the new depot in late-October/early November 2004, which took over all Euro duties from Broadstone. AV166 is often to be found on Route 17A, however with the loss of the RV-class, the 17A regulars also get allocated to the Blanchardstown local services.
Harristown's AV166 is seen operating a Euro duty of Route 38 on Lower Pembroke Street on the 23rd June 2011.