Preserved: First Capital: 218 (S218LLO) Volvo Olympian/ Northern Counties Palatine I

And now for a particular bus I've been on many a time with one of London's last step-entrance buses, the Volvo Olympian. With this particular Palatine being a mighty fine example. We have First Capital 218. S218LLO was new in 1998 to First London as 218, comprising one of 17 Northern Counties bodied Volvo Olympians, and the last order of step-entrance double deckers for First Capital. New to Northumberland Park (NP) for the lengthy route 341 where it ran for its operational life, except for a stint at Rainham (R) for a month in 2005. Renumbered to VDN34218 in 2005, it was soon transferred to Dagenham (DM) in 2008. S218LLO then moved to First Berkshire and was based at Bracknell garage in 2012 for use on the Windsor 100 service before withdrawl and entering preservation in 2013. 218 recieved a full repaint in 2016 for the Londoner Live event at West Ham in 2016 and has recently had a full interior re-trim. With the Olympian being one of many vehciles at the Epping Ongar Railway's "Odds & Sods" event. 218 was running on route 247C, a circular clockwise service running from North Weald Station via Ongar, Passingford Bridge, Abridge, Theydon Bois, Wake Arms & Epping High Street. 218 is powered by a Volvo D10A-245 engine coupled to a ZF Ecomat 4HP500 4-speed automatc gearbox. Where there may even be some kickdown in use and being driven by owner, and friend, Adam Green. Do enjoy. Start: Theydon Bois Green Finish: North Weald Station