(7/4/2018) Herberts L736SNO (ex-CTB 378 FS6384) Leyland Olympian 12m A/C - Bert's Hong Kongers

FS6384 is one of the 54 bus-spec Leyland Olympian 12m (342-395) built in 1993, when Citybus rapidly expanded its fleet for "Network 26", which is the first batch of franchised routes taken over from China Motor Bus. It was a dual-doored bus with longitudinal seats over rear wheels and 3+2 seats on the upper deck, but the centre door has been removed, and the seating arrangement has been converted to a coach-like style since 2006 when the bus was shipped back to UK and re-registered as L736SNO.

It was one of the 3 ex-Citybus tri-axle Leyland Olympians used in the "Bert's Hong Kongers" tour, which aimed at "roads very rarely or never normally served by double deckers", organised by Leyland Olympians Group. L736SNO ran on the 3rd tour, which had a good mix of high-speed running on motorways and kick-downs on hilly countryside roads.

The Cummins LT10 engine and ZF Ecomat 5HP500 gearbox (5th gear overdrive matched with low ratio rear axle) performed well and sounded nice, except the squeaking belt, and the loud brakes are what I particularly love. Although the interior layout has changed a lot, the distinctive air-con smell was still very familiar to me.

It ran from Bedford towards Leighton Buzzard via Woburn Safari Park, but fell into a ditch on the way:    • (7/4/2018) Half-mile long reverse - H...  
Then it was rescued an hour later:    • (7/4/2018) Towing out from a ditch - ...  
And driven back to Herberts Travel's depot:    • (7/4/2018) Herberts L736SNO (ex-CTB 3...  

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