Dating back to the Dublin United Transport Company & set up in the 1930's, route 51A finally comes to an end in April 2009 after many changes & even previous cancelations.
Here is a feature on the 51A during the 1990's, operated from Clontarf Garage, using KC class single decker buses. Thanks to Darren Hall for all photographs.
KC 113 ( Darren Hall )
KC 113 was part of a batch KC 111 to115 at Clontarf. KC 113 is seen on O'Connell Street, following its meandering route through the City Centre, from Talbot Street, via Gardiner Street to Cathal Brugha Street terminus.
KC 195 was part of a batch KC 195 to198 at Clontarf. KC 195 was one of the last KC's built by GAC for CIE, seen on route 51A passing through Drumcondra ( Saint Patricks College ) on the left side. Route 51A was routed up Clonliffe Road when Conyngham Road route 23 was withdrawn from the area as various shake ups were taken in the area.
KC 138 ( Darren Hall )
KC 138 was part of a batch KC 137 to139 at Clontarf. KC 138 is seen on O'Connell Street, at this stage the only Clontarf route seen on Dublin's capital street ( apart from the early morning services ). Note the wayfarer 1 cream ticket machine.
KC 195 ( Darren Hall )
KC 196 ( Darren Hall )
KC 196 is seen leaving its Lower Abbey Street stop enroute to Beaumont Hospital, well before any LUAS tracks changed the area.
KC 73 was part of a batch KC 73 to 79 at Clontarf. Clontarf used its KC fleet on such routes as the 27/27A, 51A, 88 & 101, 102 & 103 as its single decker workhorse.
KC 73 ( Darren Hall )
KC 198 ( Darren Hall )
KC 198 on Lower Abbey Street, this time further down, outside the National Lottery HQ, presumably after the terminus had been moved further down & new set down in Marlborough Street.
KC 17 ( Darren Hall )
Finally, Clontarf KC 17 on Lower Abbey Street. In the 80's, this was the terminus for the 51A, then operated by double decker VanHools on the route. It was also a stop for the cross city route 24 from Heuston Station to Marino & as both routes travelled northbound alongside until Griffith Avenue was a very busy City Centre stop. In those days, routes 20A & 20B terminated just behind, another very busy stop for Beaumont passengers.
