John Oram's photos with the keyword: Leyland Olympian

As the country prepared for a second national lockdown and I felt this might be my last opportunity for a while for meaningful photography, I had the most pleasant of surprises at Fareham station. I had gone there anticipating rail replacement services and these were indeed running (and are illustrated in my photostream) but of even greater interest was a gathering of classic buses in the car park. There were eventually six before all departed. This was, apparently, not an organised event as such but a last trip by their respective owners before storing the vehicles for the winter. Stagecoach Alexander bodied Leyland Olympian 14271/G101AAD. 200_4_P1000966CE

As the country prepared for a second national lockdown and I felt this might be my last opportunity for a while for meaningful photography, I had the most pleasant of surprises at Fareham station. I had gone there anticipating rail replacement services and these were indeed running (and are illustrated in my photostream) but of even greater interest was a gathering of classic buses in the car park. There were eventually six before all departed. This was, apparently, not an organised event as such but a last trip by their respective owners before storing the vehicles for the winter. ECW bodied Bristol RE MH1257/DAE511K with Stagecoach Alexander bodied Leyland Olympian 14271/G101AAD. 200_4_P1000964CE

My Christmas Day morning excursion for photography was enhanced by an unexpected encounter with much documented Northern Counties bodied Leyland Olympian G510SFT. The vehicle appears in pictures with former operators including Bee Line Buzz and Kentish Bus and even on a FB page for a preservation group but nothing I saw or read explained why it was today in Northern Parade, Hilsea (Portsmouth), parked in row of regular cars and vans. Photograph by John Oram Photoshop (blur) by Gregory Halse 200_3_P1090119CE_PS

I was sad to learn that the quirky and varied fleet of Southbourne based Emsworth & District was to cease operating which it finally did on 31 July 2018. By Sunday 26 August 2018, many vehicles had been disposed of but several were still to be seen at the rather spread out site at Clovelly Road. Northern Counties Palatine bodied Leyland Olympian G503SFT was formerly in all over yellow for school bus operations with Emsworth & District. 200_3_P1070493CE

The Junglebuddies Playbus, Leyland Olympian FWL780Y, was formerly a familiar sight in the Fareham and surrounding areas. It was a surprise to see it many miles away at Dartmoor Zoo, Sparkwell where its positioning seems to suggest that it is not expected to move again. A notice on the door suggests that it is intended to be opened as a soft play area. 200_3_P1050940

The Junglebuddies Playbus, Leyland Olympian FWL780Y, was formerly a familiar sight in the Fareham and surrounding areas. It was a surprise to see it many miles away at Dartmoor Zoo, Sparkwell where its positioning seems to suggest that it is not expected to move again. A notice on the door suggests that it is intended to be opened as a soft play area. 200_3_P1050933E

Southampton East Lancs bodied Leyland Olympian 289/E289HRV at Bursledon Brickworks. I was on a private visit the day before the 2018 Bricks, Beer & Buses Festival. I am immensely grateful for the hospitality received from David, Mike and Tom, volunteers with the Southampton & District Transport Heritage Trust. 200_3_P1050558R

A pair of East Lancs bodied Southampton buses, AEC Regent V 367/BTR367B and Leyland Olympian 289/E289HRV at Bursledon Brickworks. I was on a private visit the day before the 2018 Bricks, Beer & Buses Festival. I am immensely grateful for the hospitality received from David, Mike and Tom, volunteers with the Southampton & District Transport Heritage Trust. 200_3_P1050556CE

This beautifully preserved East Lancs bodied Leyland Olympian E289HRV started life as no. 289 of Southampton City Transport. Its interesting history is documented on a page of the website of current owner Southampton & District Transport Heritage Trust. I was pleased to find that I have previously photographed it when it was with Xelabus. It is seen here arriving slightly dramatically at Swanwick station with the driver's jacket flapping from an open cab window. It would leave as the 1315 departure to Bursledon Brickworks Museum. A free shuttle service operated throughout the day in conjunction with the Museum's latest open day, its Bricks, Beer and Buses Festival. 200_3_P1000544

This beautifully preserved East Lancs bodied Leyland Olympian E289HRV started life as no. 289 of Southampton City Transport. Its interesting history is documented on a page of the website of current owner Southampton & District Transport Heritage Trust. I was pleased to find that I have previously photographed it when it was with Xelabus. It is seen here at Swanwick station waiting as the 1315 departure to Bursledon Brickworks Museum. A free shuttle service operated throughout the day in conjunction with the Museum's latest open day, its Bricks, Beer and Buses Festival. 200_3_P1000549R

Now an established sight in Cosham, this part open top Alexander bodied Leyland Olympian J345BSH was introduced there by Southsea restaurant Al'Burrito to bring their food to a wider clientele. Their bus is advertised for travel to festivals as well as being available for events and seats 30+ on the top deck. This vehicle has become popular at its Cosham site and I understand the restaurant hopes to acquire another. 200_2_P1150285E

Now an established sight in Cosham, this part open top Alexander bodied Leyland Olympian J345BSH was introduced there by Southsea restaurant Al'Burrito to bring their food to a wider clientele. Their bus is advertised for travel to festivals as well as being available for events and seats 30+ on the top deck. This vehicle has become popular at its Cosham site and I understand the restaurant hopes to acquire another. 200_2_P1150282

I don't think any bus company has brought me as much joy and interest as Xelabus. The latest vehicle to come to my attention, again on ASDA Freebus service at the Fareham store, is Northern Counties bodied Leyland Olympian 514/H551VAT, former Stephensons 951. 200_2_P1050807

Solent Blue Line ECW bodied Bristol VRT 37/NDL637M (left) and ECW bodied Leyland Olympian 700/A700DDL at the Isle of Wight Bus and Coach Museum. The excellent museum features mainly ex-Southern Vectis buses and coaches although some appear in the liveries of other users in the history of the individual vehicle. These were 637 and 700 respectively with Southern Vectis. 200_2_P1040521C

Solent Blue Line ECW bodied Leyland Olympian 700/A700DDL at the Isle of Wight Bus and Coach Museum. The excellent museum features mainly ex-Southern Vectis buses and coaches although some, such as this, appear in the liveries of other users in the history of the individual vehicle. 200_2_P1040522

Seen here at Rownhams Services M27(W), the Junglebuddies Playbus FWL780Y, based in Fareham, is an ECW bodied Leyland Olympian with a varied history dating back to 1983. Note the modified forward entrance. 200_2_P1020015

Seen here at Rownhams Services M27(W), the Junglebuddies Playbus FWL780Y, based in Fareham, is an ECW bodied Leyland Olympian with a varied history dating back to 1983. Note the modified forward entrance. 200_2_P1020012

The Funky Playbus is a Leyland Olympian, A949SAE, which I have been able to photograph previously only in fading light so I was pleased and surprised to see it on hire in Lee on Solent on a sunny Saturday lunchtime. 200_P1010118