Back in 1999, MTL took delivery of 75 Dennis Darts with Marshall Capital body work. To many, these were deemed as MTL’s last throw of the dice due to there extremely cramped interior and the fact they were replacing 75 seat Atlanteans! They were deployed across the entire MTL network, with examples working out of Gilmoss, St Helens, Southport, Speke and Green Lane. The original Marshall allocations are as follows,

7601-11 Gilmoss (7602-6 were the only 8.8M examples, whilst 7607-11 were the only 10.1M examples)

7612-23 St Helens

7624-32 Southport

7633-52 Speke (7633 later moved to St Helens as it only had 27 seats)

7653-7665 & 7667-76 Green Lane

7675 later became the last bus new to MTL.

7676 was originally registered V666 DVU but because of the financial state MTL were in, they couldn’t afford for it to keep that registration!

On 18th February 2000, all these buses became part of the Arriva group. Upon the sale of Gilmoss Garage, 7601-11 passed to the newly formed Glenvale Transport along with the majority of MTL’s Leyland Titan’s. Huge Marshall reallocation took place between 2000 and 2003, with many examples moving away from their home depots to depots further a field, like Wales and Winsford. Many early examples went to these depots. Speke lost all of it’s Marshall allocation in 2002, with the majority going to Skelmersdale depot. Although a few are currently residing at Winsford depot. In July 2005, the Glenvale examples became part of the Stagecoach group. The Marshalls were quickly sent to Stagecoach North West, were the longer examples worked from Preston whilst the shorter ones worked from Lillyhall. Later on in July, 7650 was involved in a serious accident. It was repaired by January 2006.

There was doubts whether these vehicles would actually be suitable for the Double Deckers and full size Single Deckers they were replacing. Many peoples logic was 100% right with the vehicles operating one of the busiest routes in Liverpool, the 79. Many journeys were extremely cramped with people being left behind at stops on a regular basis. It was literally a case of get a seat in town or don’t get one at all! Many complaints were made both to MTL management and the press. Many people were furious these tiny vehicles replaced Leyland Atlanteans! Today, Dennis Darts are long gone from the 79 with the route about to receive brand new Wright Gemini’s! What a change 12 years makes, with the route operating with 38 seater vehicles in 1999 an now it operates with 70+ seater vehicles in 2011!

In other parts of Merseyside, the Marshalls were used on much more suitable routes. The Gilmoss, Southport and St Helens examples were all used on local routes which the vehicles were originally designed to operate. They may have replaced Leyland Nationals, but they were a good replacement for them!

The Green Lane examples were used on route 92 (now known as 62). Although these vehicles didn’t fair well with loadings they certainly coped a lot better then sister vehicles down the road at Speke!

All 75 are still going strong today, with many examples having been refurbished over the years. Green Lanes remain un-refurbished as do the original Bootle batch (by original I mean the ones which weren’t acquired from Skem).

Many Marshalls are in an extremely poor condition, with the bodywork being extremely rattly. They have always been like that but poor maintenance really hasn’t helped these vehicles. A few good ones slip through the net, but it is very rare!

Marshalls will go down in bus history as the last batch of vehicles new to MTL. Who knows, one day maybe one of these vehicles will be preserved and treated how they should.

Thanks for reading.