[GB/IRL/SIN] 30 Years On - Leyland Olympian (29 pics)

As we approach the end of the 2010, it's probably time to celebrate the 30th birthday of what is, arguably, the most iconic British double decker in the 80s and early 90s - the superlative Leyland Olympian.



The story of the Olympian is well known - it was conceived in the light of Leyland's misguided optimism that its all-singing-all-dancing Titan would become the ultimate replacement of the three double decker types then offered by Leyland - the Atlantean, Fleetline and Bristol VRT. However, a lack of choice - the Titan was only available in 1 length and height specification, coupled with the threats from rivals such as the Dominator, Scania BR112 and, most significantly of all, the MCW Metrobus, resulted a strong backlash from propective customers, and forced Leyland to reconsider its strategy. At the end, in 1977 Leyland announced that a chassis version of the Titan would be offered to the market, and Bristol was given the job to develop the what was later designated the B45 project, one that would eventuates the birth of the Olympian.

The first development vehicle, dubbed B45.01 was actually completed just before the end of 1979. This vehicle had no seat and would spend years with Leyland on development work. The next vehicle though, B45.02 (DBV100W), would be the one to enter service first, as no.2100 of Ribble. This vehicle would spend its entire life with the company. Seen here on its final year of service with Stagecoach Lancashire, and renumbered under the Stagecoach system as 14100, it was withdrawn later in the year and saved for preservation. With B45.01 scrapped before the millenium, it becomes the oldest surviving Olympian of all.



Ribble, being part of the government owned National Bus Company (NBC), would take a significant number of Olympians up to the point NBC was privatised. In fact, the same would hold true for vast majority of NBC-owned companies, with the ECW-bodied low height version being the most favoured version of all. This example was new to Trent, but was then sold of to Blackpool Transport during the difficult time of deregulations in late 80s.



Another favoured version for NBC companies are the Roe bodied standard height version, like this ex-London Counties example (formerly LR73):



The oddest version under NBC inventory though, are the coach versions that appeared in early 80s. Unfortunately, they were not a success, being less reliable than coaches designed from ground up that tackles hundreds of motorway miles. One example would found itself under preservation, and made its debut appearance at the Cobham rally this year:



For everywhere else, things were a bit more difficult for Leyland - A number of traditional Leyland customers have moved on to acquire new types like the Metrobus. It would take time and effort, sometimes unsuccessfully, for Leyland to manage selling the Olympian to them. One of them, Greater Manchester PTE, would ultimately ditch the Metrobus for Olympians, everntually taking 306 examples.



Thankfully, the Olympian became the favourite of municipal operators, which are traditionally supportive to British products. For Lancashire operators like Blackpool and Preston, the Olympian has additional appeal for being a local product, a key factor for Leyland to receive orders from them.





One of the major municipals would actually become one of the most enthused customer of the Olympian - Edinburgh-based Lothian took up 296 Leylands between 1982 to 1993, before moving on to the succeeding Volvo version:



Unlike the Scottish Capital city, London was a late convert of the Olympian. Only the demise of Titan in 1984 would drive them towards its successor. It was not without a fight though - the Olympian had to beat off the challenge of the Metrobus Mk.2, Dominator and Volvo Ailsa in the Alternative Vehicle Evaluation (AVE), to win what became to final major order from London Transport. LT would acquire 265 Olympians (inc. 2 coaches), all bodied by ECW. Sadly, they also became the final buses bodied by ECW, which shutted down following the fulfillment of this order.



Winning the last major LT order was hardly the end of Olympians in London though. With London services now offered for tender, sooner or later new buses were needed. Eventually, London Buses would order another 91 Olympians in 3 batches, like this Leyland-bodied example with London United:



And 40 Alexander-bodied examples for Leaside. Following replacement by low floor DAFs, they went over to The Original Tour for use as open-top sightseeing buses:



The Olympian also became a favourite choice for independent London operators to fulfill their new double decker requirements, like Armchair:



Sovereign:



Kentish Bus. This company would demise from over-expansion, its vehicles taken over by Arriva London. Here is L552 under new management:



The most interesting of all is Capital Citybus, which took a variety of Olympians through its increasing presence in London, including this demonstrator:



And this unique example fitted with the prototype Palatine 2 bodywork:



Another capital to find favour of the Olympian is Dublin. Another late convert of the Olympian, it received its first example as late as 1990. They would take 175 Leylands in all, but all will be gone by mid-2000, and found life with other operators in Ireland, like this ex-Dublin Bus RH116:



And Britain, like ex-RH83:



Back in Britain, the Olympian would find its biggest supporter in the country of all - the fast expanding Stagecoach inherited a huge number of Olympains during its takeovers of other operators, and bought another 223 of the Alexander RL-bodied examples - a combination which becomes the standard in the fleet:



Three of these buses were actually rather special - They are 11m tri-axle version, much like the export versions. Two of them were built to dual-purpose spec and delivered to Cumberland, and would found their way to various Stagecoach fleets throughout their life. The 3rd example was fitted with 3+2 bus seats, boosting 110 seats and rightfully charished as the Megadekka. Unlike its sisters, it found itself in Glasgow, but soon would be transferred and adored as a showbus through its remaining life with United Counties in Bedford.



These three example would not be the only tri-axle Olympians to be seen in Britain, as during early 2000s, a major influx of HK Olympians would find their way back to their birthplace, including those new to NWFB:



KMB:



Citybus. In fact, Stagecoach would use these examples extensively as pioneers for its Megabus network.



And even CLP staff bus:



Of course, HK itself became a major user of Olympians as well, but it will be the subject of a separate post.

Production of Leyland Olympians ceased in 1993, the finally examples for British customers being delivered in the middle of the year. One of which would find its way to Strathclyde, which ordered 52 examples to replace the 50+ vehicles (including a B45 prototype) lost in a disastrous fire at Larkfield depot in 1992.



The last of the 5,581 Leyland Olympians would end up with one of the most prominent export customer, Singapore Bus Service, who took 400 examples. SBS9162H is the one of the very last one built, the last 5 according the VIN number:



The Olympian would live on following a major redesign by Volvo, and follow up what the Leylands left off and become the most dominating double decker in the 90s. However, the demise of Leyland spells the end of a very long line of traditional British busbuilders like AEC, Daimler, Bristol, Guy and, of course, Leyland themselves. Although double deckers have and will continue to be built in the country, the Olympian is still widely regarded in Britain as the last of the heritage, the final classic British double decker.



Careful readers will note that the Olympians for Greece and USA are omitted, as I have no photos for any of them. Contributions would be more than welcomed.

[ 本帖最後由 NV58 於 2010-11-21 18:44 編輯 ]

原帖由 NV58 於 2010-11-22 02:26 發表
As we approach the end of the 2010, it's probably time to celebrate the 30th birthday of what is, arguably, the most iconic British double decker in the 80s and early 90s - the superlative Leyland Oly ...

Excuse me...
does any ex.HK 3BL still running in regular services or school contract services ? in Scotland right? can u provide more details ?
also does any ex.CTB's tri-axle Olympian running the regular services?(i mean in Stagecoach fleet) , the last one is the South west train's ex.CTB tri-axle Olympian running on the regular services ?
also, i want ask that the Stagecoah 14000 usually service on what route ?

thankyou v much =]

[ 本帖最後由 aa2_dart 於 2010-11-22 02:42 編輯 ]

另外在9部B45中，有兩部是配 Alexander 車身，除了據陳先生一書中提及原屬 Strathcylde 的 VGB364W 後來被燒毀外，原本為新加坡SBS樣板車的 PWL999W 是否已被肢解了呢？

至於首部 B45 Olympian，最記得在某期 Buses 看過是用了 VRT 那款鬼面罩：
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22455491@N02/4262707051
http://www.flickr.com/photos/georgeupstairs/4247135337

[ 本帖最後由 hkaiw 於 2010-11-22 07:35 編輯 ]

Ex Singapore Prototype in is Oxford Bus Musuem

原帖由 NV58 於 2010-11-22 02:26 發表
...[size=11.8056px]These three example would not be the only tri-axle Olympians to be seen in Britain, as during early 2000s, a major influx of HK Olympians would find their way back to their birthplace, including those new to NWFB:


...

Thank you for your summary and they remind us the last good old days.  Just to remind the batch of ten 11M tri-axles of First were new to CMB; NWFB acquired them when taking over the franchise in 1998.

The last ever Leyland being built was SBS9168S and not 9162.

原帖由 SG_Bus 於 2010-11-22 16:50 發表
The last ever Leyland being built was SBS9168S and not 9162.

I know, what I said in my post was 9162 was the last 5, not the final one built.

WLT900: Of course I knew they were inherited from CMB. Rather ironically they were the newest HK Olympians built to come back here, and in fact the earliest to come back as well, but turned out being the first to be withdrawn from service.

hkaiw: VGB364W (B45.03) was actually lost in the Larkfield fire I mentioned. As iczer3 mentioned, PWL999W (B45.07) is part of the collection of Oxford Bus Company (in as-withdrawn condition I believe). Apart from this and B45.02, the other B45 survivor is B45.05, preserved by SELNEC, and probably the left-hand drive B45.06 as well, last time I heard was still in service in Gibraltar.

aa2_dart: Last time I heard Stagecoach has taken most, if not all of the ex-3BL out of service over the summer. There might still be a handful linger on at Bluebird. As for the ex-Citybus Olympians, a few still survive as school buses with Stagecoach Wales and West Scotland. Those SWT examples are dedicated for rail replacement and special duties only.

I wish I could come to UK earlier to witness the glorious moments of Leyland Olympian.
Just to share a couple of Leylands in my collection:

Leyland Olympians

Alexander body


















ECW - bus body (incl. Leyland body)






ECW - coach body


Northern Counties body








Roe body

有無人有倫敦L classECW殼內籠相?
據Martin Curtis本Olympian書話L Class係用直梯