Sounds like a movie - The Last Olympian - but in this case it's more serious. The last Volvo olympian ever built is in danger. I'm eternally grateful to Roy Northcott of
East Norfolk Bus Blog for letting me copy his post on the same subject. Not feeling my best and promised to get ths post out today so thanks, Roy!
As many of you may already know, the last Olympian built for use in the
UK currently resides in a withdrawn state in the rear yard at Caister
Road
First's 34110 W437CWX has recently attracted at least two serious bids
to secure it for preservation but both interested parties later withdrew
due to the amount of money being required to bring it back to road
worthiness
W437CWX was new to Yorkshire Coastliner in June 2000 but didn't enter
service until August that year. It sustained accident damage in December
2001 but 437 re-entered service the following month with a new rear
square registration plate between decks and bumper
 |
| W437CWX at Market Gates in November 2008 only a month after being transferred to First Eastern Counties |
437 was withdrawn in February 2006 and subsequently moved to First
Somerset and Avon. The Olympian then migrated east transferring to First
Eastern Counties during October 2008. Its move to Caister Road came in
October 2012 and it remained in service there for some two more years
So what will become of it? Will the scrap man arrive at Caister Road and
take it away or will someone/group materialise and save it?
Anyone with plenty of money and enthusiasm should come forward very soon or it will be lost forever
Just had another thought perhaps she could be donated to Carlton Colville,after all she is a seasider through and through i believe.
ReplyDeleteYes, yorkshire Coastliner, first Somerset and Avon then Great Yarmouth.
DeleteThey're not interested as it's too modern..
Do you know how much First are asking for the vehicle?
ReplyDeleteSecondly, how much will be repairs be to bring it up to roadworthy standards.
In the worst case scenario, it could be bought as it is and restored at a later date.
I know that First are asking around £500 for her, which is basically to cover the tyres. If you email me privately I can put you in touch with the person who knows far more than I do, as he tried to save her himself but was thwarted by additional probs involving transport/storage.
DeleteThanks - I do know at this stage I would not be in a position to take on a bus.
ReplyDeleteCould you confirm if it is definitely £500 as I would have expected it to be around the £5000 mark given the profit relating to salvaging the engine, gearbox for a start.
It could be worth e-mailing Bus and Coach Preservation magazine which may yield a potential result.
Many thanks for your prompt response.
Yes I can confirm that. You would be very hard pressed to get £5,000 for one in roadworthy condition these days, bearing in mind DDA comes into force in 21 months and you would be unable to use them in service after then. the amount of Olympian engines and gearboxes floating around will reach monumental proportions over the next two years as hundreds of remaining Olympians will be withdrawn and scrapped. Very sad.
DeleteHi all,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you know that I am awaiting a response from the relevant person at First regarding 437 (they're on holiday until Wednesday) - as soon as I hear positive news, I'll share it......
The price does not include the tyres BTW!
Colin
Oops my mistake Colin. Many thanks for getting in touch and we all have our fingers crossed for a happy ending.
DeleteAll the best of luck in securing this vehicle in preservation and I hope a deal can be reached with First.
ReplyDeleteHas there been any news to date regarding the purchase of W437CWX at all?
ReplyDeleteKind regards
Yes, as I mentioned in the round up on Sunday (welcome if you're a new reader) there are several interested parties, and Chris Speed is in the process of securing the best deal for the bus's future, not necessarilt First's coffers, which is quite good really.
DeleteThat is really good news. Given the locality the interest has been established, I expect it will be kept in the First colours particularly as it was owned by First for 9 years now.
ReplyDeleteI was sorry to hear about the Yorkshire Woollen District Titan. I guess we are all custodians and given we are all three pay cheques away from trouble or other circumstances can change quickly. I am sure the sale will have been made with a heavy heart and these things are not easy to sell quickly.
If I ever went into bus preservation, I would have to go for something not too significant so the custodial responsibility would be lighter.
Such as W436CWX!
Just aware a month has passed. Did W437CWX go for preservation in the end and will it be eventually repainted in First, Yorkshire Coastliner or Eastern Counties red??
ReplyDeleteAre any more W reg Olympians still in service now or have they all gone?
Keep up the good work with the Blog.
Last I heard Chris Speed was sifting through 7 interested parties to find the best one for the vehicle. I will see if he has any further news as soon as I can.
DeleteAt the moment 34108/9/11/14 and 34186 are still in service in yarmouth, although 34109 was towed back today so let's hope that's not serious. If you look at the post i made yesterday (26/5/15) you'll see 34108 in service on the 8's behind a Norwich Gemini!
Many thanks for your response. I will keep a watch on your blog for future reference.
ReplyDeleteI did catch your post with 34108 hence my asking if any were still in service. I am pleased to know they have achieved a full service life as I did suspect they were going to be taken out of service early.
Thanks for letting me know.