EFE SHOWBUS International 2003 photos |
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Southern Vectis originally intended to bring along one of their new B7TL Plaxton
President deckers, but when they discovered EFE's new casting was to be one of their
Olympians a subsitution was made. 723 (TIL6723) used to sport the same livery as
the EFE model but is now in the "Route Rouge"
colours of the round the island scenic route. |
To celebrate EFE's new casting this special Olympian line up arranged to
greet Showbus entrants. London General's recently open topped Northern Counties bus, the first
in the line up, won the prize for the best London bus at the rally.
Alongside is a recent acquisition from another Go-Ahead company, Oxford,
by Woottens of Chesham - an Alexander bodied Olympian. which is now in colours
reminscent of when it worked on Park & Ride work in that city.
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Preston Bus operating near the Leyland factory were long supporters of the local product and this all Leyland Olympian is still a proud member of the fleet. It is seen in Preston's new sweeping livery - 110 (J110JCW). |
Alongside Olympians from Carousel of High Wycombe, the London Borough of Redbridge and
Roundabout Buses is an Alexander (Belfast) bodied example recently acquired by
Kimes of Folkingham from CIE, Dublin. The Redbridge example is still in Southern
Vectis colours, the same as on the EFE model released at SHOWBUS. The driver went home
with a mounted replica as the vehicle won the prize for the best Olympian at the
event. |
Carefully posed side by side was this pair of Alexander Royale bodied Olympians which were both part of the Airbus fleet when new and operated between Heathrow and Central London. The Airbus operation passed to London United on the privatisation of London Buses and more recently has passed on to National Express. The advent of the Haethrow Express rail link, amongst other factors, has reduced the level of service and a few of the buses were passed to National Express' Birmigham based operation. N128YRW is clearly lettered as part of the Private Hire fleet, fellow A129 (N129YRW) has recently been rebranded in the new National Express livery and has also lost the London red bus image. |
This view better shows A129's new Airport livery. |
The line up of Olympians met up with more TWM buses in the shape of a new Travel Coventry Dennis Trident with ALexander ALX400 bodywork. In silver grey and two tone blue is an ex Oxford example from Worths of Enstone. |
A similar view.
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The final view of the Olympian line up showing examples with Arriva and Stagecoach
fleets and one of the last Olympians to have worked for the Oxford Bus Company. |
EFE SHOWBUS International 2003 photos |
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