RNA 236J was new to SELNEC PTE in 1971, and was based at Princess Road Garage. After 7 months, 2236 was passed onto Greater Manchester Transport, and moved to Northenden Garage (NN), where the bus remained in service until 1984.

2236 was aquired from service into preservation by current owner, K Ellis in 1984. The bus had become the first vehicle in the TBG Collection.
TBG originated around a couple of friends, that helped to restore 2236 and take it to outings. Over the years the group has grown, and now there are over 20 vehicles within the collection.

This unique vehicle is 1 of 8 Mancunian bodied vehicles still to exist.
2 at Manchester Museum of Transport:
1001 - HVM 901F Ley Atleantean. First Manchester Mancunian.
1205 - SRJ 328H Ex-Salford. Currently under restoration.

5 at SELNEC Preservation Society: (Awaiting Restoration)
1066 - LNA 166G Ley Atleantean. Converted to an Exhibus when with GMPTE
1142 - NNB 547H Ley Atleantean. East Lancs body.
1177 - ONF 865H Ley Atleantean.
2130 - NNB 589H Daimler Fleetline
2220 - RNA 220J Daimler Fleetline

Besides 1001, which left service and went straight to Manchester Museum of Transport, RNA 236J was the first Mancunian to come directly out of GM service and into Preservation.

Our special, rare Mancunian, 2236 has been kept in roadworthy condition, and has attended many rallies.

Sadly, in March 2002, 2236 failed its MOT due to corrosion on the Chassis Member. The bus was driven from Shrewsbury to Preston Bus in September 2002 for work to commence. This involved removing the floor at the back, repairing the chassis members and replacing the floor using new flooring and checkerplate. 2236 returned in February 2003, where it passed its MOT. During the absence of 2236, owner, K Ellis moved from Telford to Pelsall, therefore 2236 was returned to its new home in Pelsall.

Since 2002, 2236 has attended many rallies. However, the years were starting to show on the 'old girl', therefore K Ellis decided some painting was required. K Ellis was planning to repaint the bus back into it's original Orange/White GMPTE livery, however he decided that an 'Cosmetic Painting' would allow the bus to last until an full repaint was available.

The Brown bottom of it's GMPTE White/Orange/Brown livery was repainted by Trans-Lancs on 5th September 2004. The wheels and Wing mirrors were repainted Orange by EFE Showbus, Duxford on 26th September 2004, and 2236 was looking great with freshly painted wheel trims at Big Orange on 9th October 2004.

Another extra that K Ellis repaired in 2002/04 was the Passenger Trapped Alarm on the two passenger doors. This was fitted to all Manchester vehicles. This worked when an object/passenger got trapped in between the doors, the alarm would go off to notify the driver. This required removing the doors and replacing small, fragile rubber tubing.
This is a fantastic device until you hit an pot-hole on a road in Walsall, and all you hear is an loud buzzer. This buzzer only switches off when the doors open, which is an hassle when travelling on the M6 motorway.

In 2004, 2236 celebrated 2 anniversairies. 35 years since the formation of SELNEC PTE (which 2236 was new to in 1971), and 30 years since formation of Greater Manchester Transport PTE. We celebrated this, with many other enthusiasts and GM vehicle owners, at Manchester Museum of Transport, which was holding an 2 day event on 9/10 October 2004, for this special occasion.

As the window rubbers were starting to perish, and leaks were starting to appear in 2236, K Ellis purchased some window rubbers to replace all the windows. However there are no plans of changing the rubbers until the repaint was ready.

Between the period of 2005-2006, 2236 has attended many rallies over the country. In 2006 and 2007, 2236 has been used on nearly every trip. This is because our other vehicle, FAR 724K has been off the road since July 2006 due to bodywork repairs.

In the new year of 2007, K Ellis decided that 2236 would be repainted.
After getting the colour matched after dead-end enquiries for correct colour codes, he was able to get some paint from an company from Manchester direction.
In April he started to rub, fill gaps and applied first coat of paint to the roof. From the front to 2nd window from the back, had recieved it's first coat by end of April.
  

By the end of April 2007, K Ellis has also painted the Destination blind panel, and had completed the remaining edges by May. By the end of June, the full front of 2236 had recieved it's 1st coat of paint.
    

On 30th July 2007, K Ellis and J Ellis started to try to replace the perished window rubber around an downstairs window. This was completed, however the work was a huge project. Therefore on 4th August 2007, all of the side passenger windows were all changed by an professional window company.
    

During the remainder of 2008, K Ellis continued painting the bus in various stages.
    
    

The painting of the off-side was completed by 6th September 2008, only leaving the front window surround, the bottom brown panels on the nearside and the engine compartment to be prepared and painted.
By Showbus on the 28th September 2008, the nearside and offside had been completed, including the addition of "Greater Manchester Transport" logos. The rear engine cover had recieved an undercoat, meaning that only the front window surrounds and the engine compartment was awaiting the top coat of paint.
  
The remaining of the top coats was completed during October 2008.

The only final touches required are the Fleet Number and lettering transfers.
However in April 2009, RNA 236J had failed it's MOT due to Steering RAM was worn. As a replacement was not sourced on time, 2236 was unable to attend the Llandudno Transport Festival on the 3rd May 2009. However, a replacement part was found shortly after, and 2236 made it's first rally in 2009 at Potteries Rally at the Wedgewood Visitors Centre, Stoke.

If you wish further information about this vehicle, e-mail telfordbusgroup@yahoo.co.uk