22398 is a MAN 18.220LF ALX 300, powered by a 6.8-litre Euro 3 MAN D0836 engine and driven by a 4-speed Voith gearbox. The body is a last version of the ALX 300, designed by Alexander (although at this point an Alexander Dennis product).

The Mk3 ALXs 300s originally were somewhat uncommon at Stagecoach Manchester. Having received a large delivery of Mk2 ALX 300s in 2004/5, only 9 Mk3 ALXs were ordered specifically for Manchester, being 22391 (the first 06 plate MAN to enter service with Stagecoach) - 22399. These 06 plates were new to Stockport for the 378 service and were part-funded by the Council. In later years, Manchester received a lot more Mk3 ALX300s (some from the batch directly after the Manchester ones (22400 - 22407) from Scotland, and registered on 55 / 06 plates to join their existing fleet of MANs. 22398 - 22407 were all chosen to become training vehicles, with 22398 - 22404 remaining at Manchester and working out of Hyde Road and 22405 - 22407 returning to Scotland. They remained in daily use on training services and sometimes venturing onto driver shuttles, and later joined by 22521, 22583, 22586 and 22742 out of Hyde Road until its transfer to Metroline in January 2025, where each was displaced between depots. 22398 transferring to Queens Road. One by one the remaining MANs were pulled from service across the Manchester training fleet, all being scrapped bar 22583 which joined our collection and 22742 transferring back to Scotland. 22398 soldiered on to her last day of MOT before being withdrawn on 16th March 2026, 19 years and 11 months after her arrival to Manchester. Making her the last MAN powered vehicle to operate with Stagecoach Manchester. Bringing a close to MAN operation after 28 years 1998 - 2026.

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This vehicle in specific is far more than just another bus in our collection. This vehicle formed our careers, lives and as a result allowed us to create WBP. Jamie started at Stagecoach in 2019. Doing nearly all his training in 22398 and ultimately passing his test in early 2020 in 22398. Alex, similarly, completed most of his training and passed his test in 398. And finally, as if by fate, my (Rhys’) allocated vehicle for training, virtually day in, day out for six weeks or so, was 22398; however, unfortunately, being pulled for her MOT on the day of my test, I passed in 22403. However, after driving over 200 miles and training on her, she became a favourite. We all sat down in 2022 and discussed 398; the decision was made to preserve her when withdrawn, and the training school and Manchester were informed and on board.

It followed us around to several events at the museum, originally supposedly bringing service buses and the new heritage liveried enviros to shows; however, when we arrived, 22398 arrived and posed next to 69154. As if by fate, on one of her last weeks in service ventured to Stockport to taunt us and wave 22583 off as it left Viaduct Street. As I said, this bus means so much to us as a group.

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The plan… well, nothing. The vehicle means far too much to us as a training vehicle, so we’re going to leave everything as is. In due course, it will receive a repaint and body refurb, however, will keep its current training livery, just refreshed. The interior will remain unchanged. Not only for personal reasons, but there are very few, if any, preserved training buses left in their current state. It’s where the career, like ourselves, starts for thousands of people, and 22398 will have put hundreds of people through tests and seen some very happy moments, and some unfortunate fails. So many people have stories about this bus; everyone remembers their training days, even non-enthusiasts. It’s so lovely seeing the stories pop up in our comments about 22086, 22583, and 60663, so why not preserve that history!

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