The RAs were much more popular in the garage than the R900s, due to the semi-auto gearbox.

Thus for the final years 1977-1981 all of those RAs would be out in all-day service, whereas around half of the R900s would be sitting in the garage as spares in between peaks.

The first batch of KDs to Clontarf in late summer 1981 killed off the R900s, but the RAs survived into 1982, being withdrawn slowly between February and April.

The final two which lasted into April (RA33 and 95) were still in service because KD13 was away in Germany, and KD105 had been retained in Broadstone as a technical trainer..

KD140, 141 were diverted temporarily from the Phibsboro batch to replace them, and were released later by KD252, 253.

Aquavid