Dennis Trident 2

The Dennis Trident 2 is a 2-axle low-floor double-decker bus chassis originally manufactured by Dennis, which was unveiled in 1997 and replaced the Dennis Arrow. It was built by TransBus after Dennis was incorporated into the group in 2001, then from 2004, it was built by Alexander Dennis following the collapse of TransBus.

For the 3-axle, longitudinal-engine Dennis Trident built for export, see Dennis Trident 3.
Dennis Trident 2
Stagecoach London Alexander Dennis ALX400 bodied Trident 2 at Queen's Hospital on route 498 in 2015
Overview
ManufacturerDennis
Alexander Dennis
Production2-axle Trident: 1997–2006
Enviro400: 2005-2018
Body and chassis
Doors1 or 2
Floor typeLow floor
Powertrain
Power outputCummins C Series:
220hp, 245hp
Cummins ISCe:
225hp, 260hp
Cummins ISBe:
250hp (diesel), 185hp (hybrid)
Cummins ISLe:
320hp
MAN D0836LOH:
250hp
TransmissionVoith DIWA
ZF Ecomat
ZF EcoLife (Enviro400 only)
Dimensions
Length2-axle Trident:
9.9m, 10.5m, 10.6m, 11.4m
Enviro400:
10.1m, 10.2m, 10.5m, 10.8m, 10.9m, 11.4m
Width2.55m
Height4.1m to 4.4m
Chronology
PredecessorDennis Arrow
SuccessorAlexander Dennis Enviro400

Design
Maghull Coaches East Lancs Lolyne bodied Trident 2 in 2013
Blackpool Transport East Lancs Myllennium Lolyne bodied Trident 2 in 2013
First Kernow Plaxton President bodied Trident 2 in 2018

The Trident 2 chassis features a transversely mounted engine on the right side, with the radiator mounted on the left side of the engine compartment. It could be fitted with C-series Euro II engine (later Cummins ISCe Euro III engine), coupled to Voith DIWA or ZF Ecomat gearbox. It was available with Alexander ALX400, Plaxton President and East Lancs Lolyne/Myllennium Lolyne bodywork.

Orders

In the first few years of production, the Trident 2 was popular with a large number sold to large bus operators such as Stagecoach, FirstGroup, Travel West Midlands and Lothian Buses. A total of 2,255 Dennis Tridents would be built for London bus operators, 998 of these built for Stagecoach London with Alexander ALX400 bodywork, and another 425 being built for First London.[1] Some Tridents were exported to Ireland (for Dublin Bus[2]) and Spain (for sightseeing operations in Barcelona and Madrid). But later, due to increased competition after the launch of the Scania OmniDekka and TransBus being put into administration, the sales of Trident 2 dropped significantly, leaving Stagecoach as its major buyer.

Rebrand to Enviro400 chassis
Main article: Alexander Dennis Enviro400

In 2005, Alexander Dennis developed the new version of Trident 2 chassis for its Enviro400 double-decker. Marketed as the Enviro400 chassis, the name "Trident 2" continued to appear on the manufacturer's plate[3] and it retained the Cummins ISCe Euro III engine (soon replaced by Cummins ISBe 6-cylinder Euro IV) and Voith/ZF gearbox, it also received a number of modifications such as a longer front overhang, with a different shape of fuel tank became available. Production of the older version of Trident 2 chassis continued until 2006, with the newest example being delivered to Isle of Man Transport.

The new version of Trident 2 chassis was also available with Darwen/Optare Olympus bodywork, the first example was delivered to CT Plus of London in 2008.

In 2008, Alexander Dennis unveiled the hybrid-electric powered version of Trident 2 (the Enviro400H) using BAE Systems's HybriDrive series drive system with Cummins ISBe 4-cylinder engine fitted for power generation.[3] Also in the same year, Alexander Dennis unveiled the further developed version of Trident 2 for the "New Generation" Enviro400, with the engine being moved to the left side and the radiator being moved to the right side of the engine compartment.[3] It could be fitted with Cummins ISBe Euro V/EEV or MAN D0836LOH engine, coupled to Voith DIWA or ZF EcoLife gearbox. In 2009, Alexander Dennis developed the Hong Kong version of the Trident 2 (Enviro400). Based on the further developed version unveiled in 2008, it has a longer rear overhang and could be fitted with Cummins ISLe Euro V engine.

Preservation

In 2014, Stagecoach donated the first London Trident (TA1) to the London Bus Museum, Brooklands while another (TAS524) was donated to the Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust.[4] In September 2019, TA1 was subsequently sold in to preservation to the Bromley Bus Preservation Group, along with the last Trident in service in London.

In November 2019, Stagecoach North West donated a Transbus Trident to the Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust, making it the charity's first low-floor bus.[5][6]

In 2021, Stagecoach Manchester donated their first Dennis Trident, which was the first low-floor Stagecoach bus outside of London, to the Museum of Transport in Greater Manchester.[7]

References
  1. Wharmby, Matthew (31 July 2021). The London Dennis Trident. Pen and Sword Transport. p. 280. ISBN 978-1-5267-8694-4. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  2. Dublin Bus - Latest News, 18 September 2003
  3. Buses Magazine December 2008, Issue 645
  4. "Stagecoach donates London Tridents to two museums" Buses Magazine issue 715 October 2014 page 65
  5. "Trident at the ready". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough: Emap. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.(subscription required)
  6. "Trident / ALX400". Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust. 21 April 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  7. Larkin, Nick (2 February 2021). "Low-floor pioneer donated to museum". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough: Emap. Retrieved 20 August 2021.(subscription required)
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