Leyland Olympian ONLXB/1R

This vehicle formed part of the first production batch of Leyland Olympians built (number 6 of an eventual 21080) and as such also formed the first of a large number to be bodied by Alexander at Falkirk. The Leyland Olympian would be produced from 1981 until 1994 when the Volvo Olympian superseded the Leyland design. The Volvo Olympian was built until 2000.

NLO5 was allocated to Aberdeen depot, being allocated to the ‘City Service’ fleet. In 1983, collaboration between Northern Scottish and Grampian Regional Transport saw the formation of Grampian Scottish, with both companies operating City Services under this banner using the same livery, although NLO5 never received these colours. At deregulation the two companies found themselves competing rather than co-operating.

After the City Services received new vehicles in 1987, NLO5 was downgraded to country work. In March 1989 it moved to Stonehaven depot, then Elgin depot in May 1990 and finally Macduff in April 1991.

Stagecoach bought Northern from the Scottish Bus Group and renamed the company Bluebird. NLO5 was renumbered 005 and repainted into Stagecoach livery.

After withdrawal by Bluebird in 2002, 005 passed to Stagecoach North East and ended its days based at Hartlepool. Bought for preservation in 2004 it was restored in early 2005 and has since been rallied in original Northern Scottish livery.