*LOUD* Ride on Midland Red 4528 - B190 BLG - Leyland Olympian - Shuttle Run

This year, there were two NBC spec ECW Leyland Olympians at Quorn. The first was 1902, which I’ve already got on the channel, and the other was 4528, which is this one. Although it wasn’t new to Leicestershire, it is generally regarded as more of a Leicestershire bus. It was actually new to Crosville in North Wales in February 1985 (so it’s not long turned 40), where it was numbered DOG190. It didn’t stay there long and swiftly transferred to Midland Fox along with a few others, and became 4528. It survived into Arriva ownership, and last operated with them for Thurmaston in 2006. Its regular haunt by this point was the 104. Leicester’s last remaining ECW Olympians were withdrawn at this time so they could be replaced by the newer Northern Counties Volvo Olympians from Wigston and Southgates that had been replaced by the big order of Geminis. Following withdrawal, it passed to C&N in Barrow-upon-Soar, and then to Confidence in Wigston. It has been preserved since around 2014, but only last year was it restored into the NBC Midland Red livery. Personally it looks better than 1902, though 1902 drives smoother. However, in real life, Midland Red East had already been rebranded as Midland Fox when it was new, let alone when it had transferred. Sister 4527/DOG187 is also preserved in its original home. Unlike this one, that’s been preserved with its Crosville number. However, it’s still in the Confidence livery.