Alexander-bodied Leyland Olympian 5084 (F634LMJ) arrives at Milton Keynes Rail Station on an X66 working from Dunstable. In 2001 the front two bays of the upper deck of this bus were rebuilt following a low bridge accident in Watford.

A Luton & District Flagship vehicle when new, Leyland Olympian 5086 (F636LMJ) has since lost its coach seating. After several years at Hemel and then Dunstable, it finally returned to its original home in Luton in 2001.

The first Alexander RL Leyland Olympian refurbished by Arriva was 5087 (F637LMJ) in 2001. It previously carried a Travelwise ad and Sapphire decals for the X31.

Alexander bodied Leyland Olympian 5087 (F637LMJ) outside Luton Galaxy Centre.

Alexander-bodied Leyland Olympian 5091 (F641LMJ) complete with branding for route X66. Note the high-backed seating (which has since been removed). It was one of 3 of the batch of 25 to carry this seating. 5086 and 5104 (636 & 654) being the other two.

Leyland Olympian/Alexander RL 5091 (F641LMJ) loading on route 9 towards Runfold. This bus originally had high-backed seats which were removed during refurbishment in 2004. Only recently it had an allover vinyl advert for B&Q removed.

New to Luton depot in 1988, Leyland Olympian 5094 (F644LMJ) is one of two swapped with Wycombe for Gardner engined examples. This was the third Olympian of the batch refurbished by Arriva and the only one to feature green seat backs. 5094 returned to Luton in August 2009 when 5165 was retired by the company.

In 2005 the future of Alexander-bodied Olympian 5095 (G645UPP) looked in doubt when its top deck was completely destroyed in a collision with Archway Road bridge in Leagrave. However a replacement top deck shell was located, and following some drastic surgery 5095 soldiers on. Despite the faulty destination equipment, it is working a 66 to Milton Keynes.

Olympian 5095 (G645UPP) showing off the fact its destination display is once again functioning !! Luton garage have suffered with problems relating to their power blinds of late, but now appear to be getting them sorted out.

Olympian 5097 (G647UPP) was new to Luton depot in 1989. It was transferred to Aylesbury during 1996. It is seen in Queens Lane in Oxford on route 280.

Leyland Olympian 5098 (G648UPP) pauses at the Guildford Street traffic lights at the end of a duty on the 24.

Following several problems with the power blinds in Olympian 5098, it became the third Olympian in the fleet (and the first at Luton) to receive an LED destination display.

Alexander-bodied Olympian 5099 (G649UPP) is now rare in the fleet as it is one of a handful of the batch to still have its original destination display. However it's not been updated as this picture illustrates. Leighton Buzzard route 325 was changed to 35 some time ago.

Aylesbury-based Olympian 5100 (G650UPP) rests in Leighton Buzzard High Street. A handful of buses from Aylesbury are still outstationed at Leighton Buzzard to operate town routes. This bus was formerly the Mix 96 bus, wearing first a black livery, later white, between 1994 and 2002. Sister 5101 and Trident 5431 are the current Mix 96 buses.

Olympian 5100 (G650UPP) is seen in Leighton Buzzard, freshly repainted.

Leyland Olympian 5101 (G651UPP), carries an advert for Aylesbury-based radio station Mix 96. It is seen in Milton Keynes on the last day of the X15.

Leyland Olympian 5101 (G651UPP) calls at Dunstable Winston Churchill on a Saturday evening. The Mix 96 ad has been carried by this bus since refurbishment in 2001.

Aylesbury-based Leyland Olympian/Alexander RL 5102 (G652UPP) pauses for time at Silver Street in Luton before running the 15.30 61 to Aylesbury on 18.05.07. During the early '90s this bus was allover white carrying adverts for Chiltern Radio and later Fox FM.

Once amongst the flagship vehicles used by Arriva on the 280 many moons ago. Leyland Olympian 5102 (G652UPP) is seen in Oxford on the 280 deputising for a newer branded Volvo Olympian. With new 'deckers anticipated for the 280 before the end of 2008, this could well be my last photo of an Arriva Leyland in Oxford.

One of just two Alexander bodied Leyland Olympians in the Arriva The Shires fleet to sport the original red interior is 5103 (G653UPP). It is seen on the local 35 service in Leighton Buzzard.

Olympian 5104 (G654UPP) in Aylesbury bus station, having just completed its final run on route X15. This bus carried a special livery for the X14/X15 routes when new.

Dusk descends over Leighton Buzzard High Street, as Leyland Olympian 5104 (G654UPP) prepares for the short 150 journey to Aylesbury

Alexander-bodied Leyland Olympian 5105 (G655UPP) takes its turn on Luton route 9. This bus was based at Dunstable's Tavistock Street garage until closure when it transferred to Luton. Between 1993 and 1995 this bus wore a yellow advertising livery for Jessup's Nissan in Dunstable.

Alexander bodied Leyland Olympian 5106 (G656UPP) was one of a trio new to Dunstable depot in 1989. It moved to Wycombe depot from Luton in 2005 in exchange for 5831. However in 2009, 5106 returned "home" to Luton as a replacement for 5170. It is easily recognisible by the non-standard headlights fitted whilst at Wycombe.

Leyland Olympian 5107 (G657UPP) was numerically the last of the batch of 25 delivered to Luton & District during 1988-89. It was based at Dunstable garage until it closed in 2001 when it moved to Luton. 5107 also carried a blue Travelwise advert from 1995 until 2000.

Acquired in 1990 when Luton & District took over London Country, was Northern Counties bodied long wheelbase Leyland Olympian 5109 (G129YEV). 5109 has been a Wycombe bus since that acquisition.

Another former London Country and City Sightseeing Olympian, 5110 (G130YEV) leaves the Eden Bus Station in High Wycombe, bound for Castlefield.

All-Leyland Olympian 5113 (G283UMJ) was originally delivered to Watford garage for LT Contract route 142. After 13 years the 142 was finally given new buses and these Olympians were cascaded to other garages, this one ending up at Wycombe. 5113 was decapitated by a low bridge in Cookham Rise in January 2008.

5120 (G290UMJ) is an All-Leyland Olympian which was transferred to Wycombe from Watford garage. Coincidentally the Volvo Olympian parked behind it (5150) was also transferred from Watford more recently.

All-Leyland Olympian 5121 (G291UMJ) in Wycombe Bus Station, having recently transferred from Aylesbury depot.

New to Watford for route 340, All-Leyland Olympian 5126 (H196GRO) visits its old home on the 500 from Aylesbury. 5126 was scrapped at Aylesbury in September 2008, donating its engine and drive train to 5099.

Olympian 5128 (H198GRO) calls at Hemel Hempstead Bus Station bound for Aylesbury on the 500.

Former Ensign Northern Counties bodied Leyland Olympian 5134 (G131YWC) loads in Frogmoor Link in High Wycombe bound for Micklefield.

Leyland Olympian/Northern Counties 5135 (G132YWC) prepares for an early evening working on route 38. This bus has recently been transferred to Luton from High Wycombe depot.

Northern Counties-bodied Leyland Olympian 5135 (G132YWC) gets an evening run out on route 24. This bus is a real crowd shifter, boasting 83 seats.

Volvo Olympian 5136 (N36 JPP) was new to Luton garage in 1996. It is now based at Hemel Hempstead and its regular route is the 6 to Maple Cross. It is seen in Watford High Street working the 6.

Volvo Olympian 5137 (N37 JPP) arrives in Dunstable working the long 24 route. This was the first Volvo Olympian delivered to Luton in 1996.

Northern Counties Palatine I-bodied Volvo Olympian 5138 (N38 JPP) in Silver Street, Luton. This bus previously carried a Herald & Post allover advertisement.

Volvo Olympian/Northern Counties Palatine I 5139 (N39 JPP) at Silver Street, Luton on 12.05.07.

Volvo Olympian 5139 (N39 JPP) shows its recently installed LED destination display and also the application of interurban livery.

5139 (N39 JPP) in unfamiliar surroundings. On Saturdays Hemel Hempstead loan some Green Line coaches to Luton to help with the 757. In return Luton normally send a couple of buses to Hemel Hempstead, where they can sometimes be found on front line services. One of the buses this particular Saturday was Olympian 5139, which was actually waiting to pick up a Watford bound 500 journey from one of the depot's DAFs.

Northern Counties-bodied Volvo Olympian 5140 (N46 JPP) in Silver Street, Luton about to start a Saturday 25 to Sundon Park. Following repaint into Arriva interurban livery in July 2008, 5140 was deroofed in Acton on a Rail Replacement duty in September 2008.

Looking smart in Arriva's interurban livery; 5140 (N46 JPP) awaits collection for a Rail Replacement duty from Luton depot. Rail Replacement is generally the only time you will find 'deckers parked at the very front of the yard. The front dome of the bus had been replaced following a low bridge accident in September 2008.

Volvo Olympian 5141 (N41 JPP) makes its second appearance in three years at Duxford Showbus. During 2007 this bus was transferred to Watford from Luton.

Volvo Olympian 5141 (N41 JPP) now carries decals advertising driver recruitment. Although based at Garston the bus can be tactically swapped between depots where Arriva may be keen to recruit new drivers. It had recently returned from a 2 month stint at Aylesbury before this photo was taken.

Volvo Olympian 5141 (N41 JPP) at Lane End on the 32; during its Summer 2009 loan spell at Wycombe depot.

Volvo Olympian 5141 carried this impressive super-rear ad for Duxford airfield. The bus is parked outside the American hangar at Duxford during Showbus 2007. The ad was removed shortly afterwards when a new scheme promoting driver recruitment was applied to 5141.

Northern Counties-bodied Volvo Olympian 5142 (N42 JPP) deposits a large college loading in Silver Street on a drizzly Friday afternoon.

Volvo Olympian 5143 (N43 JPP) in Silver Street, Luton. This was the first Volvo Olympian painted into Arriva livery in early 1998.

Northern Counties bodied Volvo Olympian 5143 (N43 JPP) rests inside Arriva's Luton depot early one Sunday morning.

Volvo Olympian 5144 (N35 JPP) was originally bought for Luton routes 24/25/26. Now working from Aylesbury garage it is seen in Thame High Street. In complete contrast to the traffic jams and residential streets of the 24, it's working Aylesbury - Oxford express route 280.

Volvo Olympian 5144 (N35 JPP) received interurban livery over the summer of 2007, intended for Aylesbury to Buckingham route 66.

More changes to Volvo Olympian 5144 (N35 JPP) requires another photo! It has recently gained an LED destination display and a nearside advert for the Eden Centre in High Wycombe.

Volvo Olympian 5144 sports rather unorthodox engine bay doors, looking somewhat like a cupboard !! This modification was made sometime during its stay at High Wycombe depot.

Nice to see the engine cover of 5144 was restored during repaint !!

Volvo Olympian/Northern Counties Palatine I 5145 (N45 JPP) loads for Aylesbury in St. Aldates, Oxford. The regular branded Volvo Olympians on this route differ from this bus by having full-height bodies and a re-styled front end.

Volvo Olympian 5145 (N45 JPP), now in interurban livery with LED destination display and unusually fitted with non standard round headlights.

Despite many of Watford's S-reg Volvo Olympians moving to other garages, 5146 (S146KNK) is still there for now. It carries a bright advertisement for TGI Friday's restaurant, which is directly opposite Arriva's Watford depot.

Northern Counties bodied Volvo Olympian 5147 (S147KNK) in Hemel Hempstead Bus Station.

Volvo Olympian 5148 (S148KNK) is one of only four double deckers to be based at Hemel Hempstead depot.