Reg No: EEH 902Y – new
Year: 1983
Operator: Midland Red North (Mercian branding for Tamworth Operations)
Chassis: Leyland Olympian
Engine: Gardner 6LXB 10.45 litre diesel
Gearbox: Leyland Hydrocyclic (Semi-automatic)
Body: ECW 68 seats
In service
EEH 902Y was 1 of 10 first Leyland Olympians delivered new to Midland Red North in July 1983. 1901-1905 operated from Tamworth Garage carrying the livery which it carries today. 1906-1910 operated from Cannock Garage, with a burgundy “ChaseRider” stripe. This was the last batch of vehicles to be acquired in Midland Red NBC Livery.
1902 operated on most of the high capacity routes (i.e. routes 110 and 116 from Birmingham to Tamworth), as well as alternating with other local routes throughout the day.
Delivered in the livery which it carries today, EEH 902Y remained in this livery until July 1989, where it was repainted into the revised “Drawlane” Yellow/Red livery.
After 10 years at Tamworth – 1902 was transferred to Macclesfield In July 1993 for C-Line operations., where it was repainted into an allover “Midland” livery. 1902 remained within the Cheshire area until withdrawal from Midland Red Operations in December 1994.
In January 1995, Macclesfield Operations were transferred to Stevensons of Uttoxeter – renumbered fleet number 85 until being renumbered back to 1902 in June 1996. The bus remained with Stevensons until December 2000.
In December 2000 – EEH 902Y was passed to Ensign Bus Co (Dealer) before being sold to Bennetts of Gloucester in April 2001. Later passed to Marchants of Cheltenham,
In preservation –
On 13th December 2008, The bus entered preservation with Paul Emery and Steve Riley, being exchanged from Marchants with a newer Olympian G918 LHA (East Lancs bodied Leyland Olympian).
During December 2008 and March 2009 – work was carried out to return 1902 into original livery.
During Easter Bank Holiday in April 2009 – 1902 was repainted inhouse into the current livery The green line was first applied with the white outline, before being taped off and the remainder of the bus being undercoated and painted. This was carried out over 3 days, with a deadline to ensure that the workshop was to return to normal on Tuesday morning.
A number of original transfers that were acquired over the years and applied. The “Mercian” lettering and NBC arrow were supplied and fitted by Mike James.
1902 was completed by the end of April 2009, and debuted at the Llandudno Transport Festival on 3rd May 2009.
Unfortunately, 1902 was suddenly sold in March 2010 and moved to Trewint, Cornwall to be converted to a roadside cafe. Luckily the bus was rescued by Mick Woods, Tamworth and Steve Riley, Tamworth in November 2010.
Upon return, the small bodywork issues which had occurred since March 2010 were rectified and the bus was prepared for a new MOT. The bus returned to the road ready for its first event in 2011.
1902 continued to attend various events nationally. Following an MOT failure in 2014 – the Olympian was off the road with serious Chassis Corrosion, which was repaired by Reliance Bus Works.
In October 2021, Dean Howdle, Brownhills acquired 1902 for further continual preservation. The Tamworth Herald advert was shortly fitted by Lee Hobson (Decal Central).