536:
325:
357:
189:, CIÉ would supply all the bus-building equipment and materials for the contractor (Bombardier/GAC) to build the buses to CIÉ design, who in turn employed the manufacturing staff. The jobs created in Shannon would then create thousands of "spin-off" jobs through suppliers to the new bus-building plant. CIÉ would purchase an agreed consignment of vehicles every year to make the factory "break even", and any extra buses that the manufacturer could produce themselves and sell to the export marked would provide their profits. Although the build-to-export plan was good in theory, it turned out in the end to be an unsuccessful enterprise.
414:
Bombardier built 364 double deckers to CIÉ's own specifications between 1980 and 1983, 363 of which were powered by
Detroit Diesels and one solitary Cummins L10 powered (CIÉ KD 146) bus. Bombardier built two prototypes with the Rolls-Royce Eagle engine, one in 1981 (reg. no. 20 JZL) as a prototype for the UITP conference which was hosted in Dublin that year and another in 1982 as a hope for securing export orders for the Baghdad Transport Authority. 20 JZL became KD191 (191 JZL) in the CIÉ fleet in 1982 and no further export orders were made.
423:
872:
1006:
249:"pneuride" suspension was retained and was the same type as the KD type, although the length of the KC bus was approximately 1 metre longer than the KD type. The Cummins engine in the KC was a much more "European" engine with parts easier to source than for the Detroit Diesel engine, parts for which had to be largely sourced from
199:
1996 when it was withdrawn. This particular vehicle differed from the other
Shannon built KC type buses (built 1983–1986) as it was delivered in the tan (sometimes mistaken for orange) or the CIÉ coined "buttermilk" livery and unique "blue" interior as seen on prototype double-decker "KD 1", and the rest of the
256:
With exception of KC1 and KC2, which were badged as "Bombardiers", the rest of the KC Citybuses were badged "GACs", as by the time KC3 onwards were on the production line, Bombardier had sold their stake and interest in the factory, with GAC taking sole control of the operation, which produced 201 KC
465:
The first withdrawals of the KDs came in 1995 when KD35 was withdrawn from
Ringsend garage. Between 1995 and December 2000 the entire Dublin Bus KD fleet was withdrawn, with KD 284 the last withdrawn on 15 December 2000. The training school vehicles ran a little longer with KD 70 being the last
381:
The model was based on the prototype bus designed and built by FFG known as B1 (later this bus became KD1 in the CIÉ fleet) for CIÉ. The bus was built on an all welded integral design frame. The model was offered with a choice of engine/gearbox combinations, including the
Detroit Diesel 6V71/Allison
198:
The prototype
Bombardier "KC" Citybus (of single deck design) was built in 1979/1980 by FFG in Hamburg, Germany. Although designated "V1" in the factory, it later received fleet number KC1 when entering service with CIÉ, and was allocated to Conyngham Road depot from new in 1981 to its final days in
551:
Unlike the KE, KD and KC classes, the DAF-powered KR employed chassis construction, which proved to be more durable than the integral body by quite a margin. 2007 saw the last KRs withdrawn after more than twenty years in service. No KR class has been preserved yet, although survivors do exist
181:
It was intended that CIÉ would commission design of a "family" of buses, designed by FFG in
Hamburg, to their own specification, with identical and interchangeable body and mechanical parts throughout the bus "family" and it would greatly reduce the logistical and financial problems associated with
177:
To address a serious unemployment issue in the local area caused as a result of the Rippon piano factory's closure. There is no doubt that local and national political influences had their part to play in this project as
Ireland was in a deep recession at the time, although the Shannon project was
430:
CIÉ took the prototype bus built by FFG into its fleet as well as 365 of the 366 double decker buses built by
Bombardier. The first production bus entered service in late May 1981. KD 2 entered service the day before the prototype FFG built KD 1 from Donnybrook Garage on route 8 (Dublin City
240:
D851 gearbox, which was more economical to run unit, which parts were cheaper and easier tl access than its wholly
American counterpart, and from an enthusiastic point of view, this bus has its own distinctive sound, compared to the loud roar from the Detroit 6V-71, which was an American engined,
413:
Bombardier began production of 'KD-class' double deckers for CIÉ under the build code 'DD' to their standard specification in 1981. These buses featured the
Detroit/Allison/Rockwell driveline and were built as 72 seaters (45 upper saloon / 27 lower saloon) with dual door bodies.
228:
In late 1983, Bombardier (Canada), on foot of lack of international orders and a significant decline in promised orders from CIE, then withdrew their participation from the joint business with GAC, leaving GAC Ireland to take over the entire running of the business as a sole entity. This event
368:
The standard double deck bus offered by Bombardier was known in the CIÉ fleet as the KD type. Bombardier produced 366 double deckers between 1980 and 1983. 365 were right hand drive and all ended up in the CIÉ fleet while a solitary left hand drive bus was constructed for the
344:
Powered by the distinctive, noisy 2-stroke Detroit Diesel 6V-71 unit, they were plagued by structural problems from the beginning. The integral body construction (also employed by the KD and KC classes) did not withstand Irish road conditions of the time.
224:
axles and the general mechanical running gear was identical to the KD/KE type buses, although the gear ratios would be more like the KD citybus (slow moving traffic) than the KE InterCity coach (which was built for InterCity, high speed driving).
547:
Production of KR-class rural buses began in Shannon in 1985. These were the last passenger buses to be built in Ireland. A total of 226 KRs were produced, the last of which were completed by CIÉ themselves after GAC folded in 1986.
336:
The first buses produced at the Shannon plant were the 51 KE type intercity/touring coaches for CIÉ, built between 1980 and early 1981. Fifty were built to CIÉ's specification and one prototype was completed in time for the
269:
from 1983 until 2001 and some of the strongest survivors went onto further service as school buses with Bus Éireann until 2005 when the entire KC fleet was withdrawn, some 22 years after they first entered service into CIÉ.
117:
bus manufacturing joint venture ceased operations in 1978 (it had taken over the bus manufacturing operations of CIÉ several years earlier), leaving the Irish Government keen to re-establish bus manufacturing in Ireland.
156:. The two companies formed a new company Bombardier Ireland Limited, 51% owned by Bombardier and 49% owned by GAC. In August 1983, Bombardier sold its shares to GAC, with the company renamed GAC Ireland Limited.
466:
to be withdrawn in early February 2001. The bulk of the Bus Éireann KD fleet was withdrawn during 1997 with one KD (KD 184) soldiering on in Cork until May 1999 when a gearbox failure saw its demise.
207:
CIÉ fleet at the time. KC1 was later repainted into the 2-tone green as worn by the rest of the Bombardier/GAC fleet before or shortly after it entered service. KC1 was fitted with a supercharged 2-stroke
121:
Aside from the midibus, all of these vehicles shared common body components, the most notable being large, inward-curving two-piece windscreens. The coach, double-decker and citybus were all fitted with
141:, also carried a Daimler-Benz engine, and featured a sliding door at the front, immediately to the driver's left. Unlike the other models, it did not go into production, and saw very little use.
891:
402:. Door systems on the early production models were made by Keiert of Germany with later buses having Deans Doors systems. SWF provided the wiper system and many electrical components.
101:
became strained, and in 1977 the company decided upon a standard "family" for its next generation of buses and coaches. It thus contacted FFG (Fahrzeugwerkstätten Falkenried GmbH) of
1167:
972:
1162:
645:
588:
994:
241:
parts were expensive to obtain and the unit had very poor fuel economy being a 2-stroke diesel engine. The axles were also changed from Rockwell/GKN type axles to
167:
was leased, and production commenced in 1980, with 51 of the KE type InterCity/tour buses, with some KD double deck production taking place around the same time.
232:
Production of the Shannon built KC class (KC2-202) began in October 1983 and the most notable change from the KD bus was the fitting of a 4-stroke, turbocharged
109:, which built six prototype vehicles: a 45-seat coach, a 72-seat double-deck bus, a 35-seat citybus, two 47-seat rural/school buses and a wheelchair-accessible
405:
The bus was 9.6 metres long, 4.4 metres in height and 2.5 metres wide. The standard tyre size was 275/70R22.5, however the Baghdad example had 11R22.5 tyres.
956:
394:
6LXB/ZF 4HP500 Ecomat. The GM combination ran on Rockwell axles, the remaining powerpacks driving on Kirkstall axles. Steering was provided by
450:
service. When CIÉ was broken up into operating companies in February 1987, of the 364 KDs still in operation (KD 317 was destroyed by fire in
535:
1002:
338:
1172:
987:
431:
Centre – Dalkey). Production began to flow during the summer of 1981 and by August the KDs were entering service in force across the city.
1177:
961:
754:
742:
715:
691:
615:
980:
85:, Ireland. It traded from 1980 until 1986, and almost all the vehicles it built were for the Irish state-owned transport company
138:
675:
1157:
827:
508:
482:
284:
911:
781:
766:
627:
1026:
446:
saw regular KD operation. During the summer months for a number of years Waterford borrowed a KD from Limerick for the
434:
All of the CIÉ KD fleet was in service by September 1983. Most were to be found operating in Dublin but the cities of
174:
CIÉ's requirement for new buses as a matter of urgency, and their preference not to purchase any more Leyland products
727:
923:
492:
KD70 (driver training livery) - Glasgow Bus Museum (now defunct), current status is under restoration as of 2021
1010:
399:
469:
Bombardier finished the last double decker for CIÉ in August 1983 and thus the end of double deck production.
324:
144:
CIÉ looked for partners to build these buses in Ireland, eventually finding two: the Canadian conglomerate
242:
672:
1062:
556:
523:
KD156 (driver training livery) - Kells Transport Museum, Cork (stored Louth Commercials), scrapped 2019
935:
356:
277:
KC48 – preserved in Dublin (repainted in Dublin Bus green 2004 – 2nd restoration took place in 2013)
850:
820:
361:
209:
519:
The following examples of the KD series were released for preservation but subsequently scrapped:
1100:
233:
593:
217:
1136:
164:
82:
47:
1031:
383:
8:
1021:
1005:
906:
886:
813:
391:
53:
1110:
568:
395:
348:
All were withdrawn and scrapped by 1997, although KE14 and KE35 have been preserved.
200:
703:
1082:
901:
856:
631:
571:
coaches were built at GAC's plant for Star Coach Corporation in the United States.
329:
114:
477:
The following examples of the KD series are currently in preservation as of 2021:
861:
679:
204:
170:
The idea behind the Bombardier/GAC project was inspired by a number of factors:
1115:
1105:
1072:
1067:
1052:
916:
836:
186:
145:
123:
98:
800:
459:
266:
229:
occurred just at the end of KD production and the beginning of KC production.
1151:
257:
type buses out of the Shannon plant. The KC type ran in general service with
246:
650:
213:
131:
422:
435:
871:
526:
KD184 (Bus Eireann livery) - Kells Transport Museum, Cork, scrapped 2021
398:, suspension by Dunlop pneumatics, shocks by Koni and the air system by
148:, and the United States-based General Automotive Corporation (GAC) from
1077:
455:
262:
127:
1131:
387:
149:
892:
Bombardier Aerospace and Embraer S.A. government subsidy controversy
1047:
896:
540:
451:
439:
160:
153:
89:(CIÉ) with the first delivery out of a 749 order in November 1980.
447:
370:
110:
106:
102:
443:
250:
258:
86:
928:
805:
512:
486:
288:
237:
309:
KC168 – preserved in Dublin (restored at the end of 2006)
303:
KC116 – preserved in Dublin (restored at the end of 2006)
221:
280:
KC68 – preserved in Dublin (restored at the end of 2011)
97:
During the 1970s, CIÉ's long-standing relationship with
315:
KC202 – preserved in Dublin (in as withdrawn condition)
312:
KC175 – preserved in Dublin (in as withdrawn condition)
300:
KC106 – preserved in Dublin (in as withdrawn condition)
294:
KC101 – Location & condition unknown as of end 2006
126:
engines, while the rural/school buses were fitted with
1168:
Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 1986
137:
The midibus, built in 1981 as a token response to the
801:
RTE News report for the final day of service in 2001
495:
KD199 (driver training livery) - privately preserved
1163:
Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1980
957:List of Bombardier recreational and snow vehicles
1149:
504:KD241 (Dublin Bus livery) - privately preserved,
92:
193:
291:, Dublin (in as year 2000/withdrawn condition)
988:
821:
297:KC104 – preserved in Dublin (repainted 2003)
995:
981:
962:List of Bombardier Transportation products
828:
814:
81:was a bus and coach manufacturer based in
534:
421:
355:
323:
306:KC118 – Location & condition unknown
616:The Bombardier buses and coaches of CIE
382:V730, the Cummins LT10/Voith D851, the
319:
216:automatic transmission. The axles were
159:The former Rippon piano factory in the
1150:
555:One was evaluated by English operator
139:International Year of Disabled Persons
976:
809:
351:
706:National Transport Museum of Ireland
509:National Transport Museum of Ireland
483:National Transport Museum of Ireland
285:National Transport Museum of Ireland
1173:Irish companies established in 1980
912:List of Bombardier Dash 8 operators
552:in a number of Bus Éireann depots.
13:
697:
426:Bombardier KD290 in Dublin in 1988
341:conference in Dublin during 1981.
14:
1189:
1178:1986 disestablishments in Ireland
794:
530:
373:Transport Authority during 1982.
178:doomed to failure in later years.
1004:
924:Bombardier Recreational Products
870:
481:KD59 (driver training livery) -
472:
376:
273:In preservation are as follows:
113:. Furthermore, the Dublin-based
16:Irish bus and coach manufacturer
775:
760:
748:
736:
182:running a mixed fleet of buses.
1011:Automotive industry in Ireland
835:
721:
709:
685:
666:
638:
621:
609:
597:. 11 November 1980. p. 37
581:
72:General Automotive Corporation
1:
682:Companies Registration Office
574:
562:
417:
408:
124:General Motors Detroit Diesel
93:Beginnings and FFG prototypes
1158:Bus manufacturers of Ireland
716:FFG/GAC Intercity/Tour Coach
507:KD353 (Dublin Bus livery) -
194:KC – Single Decker / Citybus
185:With the closure in 1977 of
7:
654:. 4 August 1983. p. 11
454:in late 1983), 338 went to
10:
1194:
757:Bus Fleet Lists on the Web
745:Bus Fleet Lists on the Web
718:Bus Fleet Lists on the Web
694:Bus Fleet Lists on the Web
557:United Automobile Services
1124:
1091:
1040:
1017:
949:
936:Bombardier Transportation
879:
868:
843:
283:KC100 – preserved by the
68:
60:
42:
34:
26:
1101:Henry Ford & Son Ltd
851:Joseph-Armand Bombardier
646:"Bombardier shares sold"
1063:O'Gorman Coach Builders
767:GAC prototype joins NBC
678:22 January 2021 at the
782:Whal to Star in States
544:
427:
365:
333:
134:engines respectively.
1137:National primary road
628:Bombardier make a hit
589:"First bus delivered"
538:
425:
388:ZF 4HP500 Ecomat
359:
327:
165:Shannon, County Clare
87:Córas Iompair Éireann
83:Shannon, County Clare
48:Shannon, County Clare
1032:Transport in Ireland
567:In 1984, three-axle
320:KE – InterCity coach
210:Detroit Diesel 6V-71
1022:Automotive industry
907:De Havilland Canada
887:Bombardier Aviation
743:FFG/GAC Double Deck
673:GAC Ireland Limited
618:Classic Irish Buses
458:, the remainder to
360:Bombardier KD82 at
328:Bombardier KE13 at
187:Spa Road coachworks
23:
1111:Stellantis Ireland
1027:Economy of Ireland
728:Bombardier exports
545:
428:
366:
352:KD – Double decker
334:
21:
1145:
1144:
1094:foreign companies
970:
969:
755:FFG/GAC Rural Bus
201:Leyland Atlantean
76:
75:
1185:
1083:Van Hool McArdle
1009:
1008:
997:
990:
983:
974:
973:
902:Canadian Vickers
874:
857:Laurent Beaudoin
830:
823:
816:
807:
806:
788:
785:Commercial Motor
779:
773:
770:Commercial Motor
764:
758:
752:
746:
740:
734:
731:Commercial Motor
725:
719:
713:
707:
701:
695:
692:FFG/GAC City Bus
689:
683:
670:
664:
663:
661:
659:
642:
636:
635:22 November 1980
632:Commercial Motor
625:
619:
613:
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602:
585:
362:Donabate station
330:Rosslare Harbour
115:Van Hool McArdle
24:
20:
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1183:
1182:
1148:
1147:
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1141:
1120:
1093:
1092:Subsidiaries of
1087:
1036:
1013:
1003:
1001:
971:
966:
945:
875:
866:
862:Alain Bellemare
839:
834:
797:
792:
791:
787:14 January 1984
780:
776:
772:8 February 1986
765:
761:
753:
749:
741:
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733:30 October 1982
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680:Wayback Machine
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234:Cummins L10-185
205:Leyland Leopard
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17:
12:
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1125:Related topics
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1116:Toyota Ireland
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1106:Nissan Ireland
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1073:Spa Road Works
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917:Short Brothers
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795:External links
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531:KR – Rural bus
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543:in April 1989
542:
539:GAC KR189 in
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520:
514:
510:
506:
503:
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497:
494:
491:
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473:Preserved KDs
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453:
449:
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377:Specification
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37:
33:
29:
25:
19:
1057:
940:
784:
777:
769:
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750:
738:
730:
723:
711:
699:
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668:
656:. Retrieved
651:Windsor Star
649:
640:
630:
623:
611:
599:. Retrieved
592:
583:
566:
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550:
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518:
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464:
433:
429:
412:
404:
380:
367:
347:
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335:
332:in July 1988
272:
255:
231:
227:
214:Allison V730
197:
169:
158:
143:
136:
132:Daimler-Benz
120:
96:
78:
77:
43:Headquarters
18:
1058:GAC Ireland
941:GAC Ireland
594:The Gazette
460:Bus Éireann
384:Rolls-Royce
364:in May 1985
267:Bus Éireann
245:axles. The
79:GAC Ireland
22:GAC Ireland
1152:Categories
1078:TMC Costin
837:Bombardier
704:Stock list
575:References
563:Star coach
456:Dublin Bus
418:In service
409:Production
263:Dublin Bus
146:Bombardier
1132:Euro NCAP
880:Companies
853:(founder)
658:20 August
601:20 August
559:in 1986.
253:, Texas.
243:Kirkstall
150:Ann Arbor
1068:Shamrock
1048:Alesbury
950:Products
897:Canadair
676:Archived
541:Scarriff
515:, Dublin
489:, Dublin
452:Donabate
440:Limerick
390:and the
218:Rockwell
161:new town
154:Michigan
61:Products
1041:Defunct
448:Tramore
392:Gardner
371:Baghdad
111:midibus
107:Germany
103:Hamburg
99:Leyland
54:Ireland
35:Defunct
27:Founded
844:People
501:KD236,
498:KD221,
444:Galway
386:Eagle/
251:Dallas
247:Dunlop
929:Roski
513:Howth
487:Howth
400:Wabco
289:Howth
238:Voith
69:Owner
64:Buses
660:2012
603:2012
442:and
436:Cork
339:UITP
130:and
38:1986
30:1980
569:MAN
259:CIÉ
222:GKN
163:of
128:DAF
1154::
648:.
591:.
511:,
485:,
462:.
438:,
396:ZF
287:,
152:,
105:,
51:,
996:e
989:t
982:v
829:e
822:t
815:v
662:.
605:.
265:/
261:/
220:/
203:/
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