New To: Northern General

Chassis: Leyland Olympian ONCL10/1RV ON1781

Body: Eastern Coach Works 26004 H45/32F

3736 was delivered in April 1985 to Northern General Transport Company as part of a batch of 15 identical vehicles (3734–3748). Built on a Leyland Olympian chassis and powered by the 10-litre Cummins L10 engine developing 180 horsepower, it combined lively performance with the durability that would come to define the type. The vehicle carries Eastern Coach Works (ECW) bodywork with seating for 77 passengers — 45 upstairs and 32 downstairs — making it ideally suited to the heavy-load urban and interurban services of North East England.

This batch was historically significant as the first production Leyland Olympians to be fitted with Cummins L10 engines. Only one Olympian had previously been constructed with a Cummins engine — a Leyland-owned example that was never registered — meaning the 3734–3748 batch marked a genuine milestone in Olympian development and the beginning of a major shift in operator engine preference.

Northern General purchased four batches of ECW-bodied Olympians during the mid-1980s, registered on ‘X’, ‘Y’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ plates. The earlier ‘X’ and ‘Y’ registered vehicles were fitted with Gardner 6LXB engines, renowned for their economy and longevity. However, the later ‘B’ and ‘C’ registered batches — including 3736 — received Cummins L10 power, reflecting the operator’s transition away from Gardner and toward higher-powered units better suited to demanding operating conditions.

3736 entered service in the distinctive Yellow & White livery of Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive during the closing years of the National Bus Company era. Throughout its working life in the North East, it carried a succession of liveries reflecting the evolving identity of its operator. These included Red & White Go-Ahead Northern; Go-Ahead Gateshead Red & Blue in both Straight Lines and Diagonal Blue Stripe variants; and finally the Red & Light Blue corporate scheme of Go North East.

Following displacement by newer low-floor vehicles in the 2000s, 3736 was sold south to Redfern Travel / Johnson Bros of Nottinghamshire. Repainted into Johnson Bros’ distinctive blue livery, it became a familiar sight on private hire work, schools, contracts and rail replacement duties. During this period it operated alongside numerous other Olympians acquired from across the country, creating a remarkable concentration of the type in Nottinghamshire. It was at this time that the current owner, Adam, first travelled aboard 3736 and developed a particular affection for the class. 

In November 2023, 3736 was withdrawn from service and subsequently purchased by Mike Ede on behalf of the Stroud RE Group. It attended several rallies in as-acquired condition before undergoing repainting in March 2024 into Stagecoach Stripes livery, complete with Stroud Valleys vinyls — a scheme it never carried in service, but one chosen by its then-owner as a personal preference. 

In September 2025, Adam purchased 3736 from Mike, and the vehicle completed the 119-mile journey north to Hucknall to join the Nottingham Heritage Vehicles Charity collection. The following month, Adam also acquired sister vehicle 3738 (B738 GCN), reuniting two members of the original Northern General batch under preservation. Shortly before the October 2025 NHVC open day, 3736 received East Midland fleetnames in place of the Stroud Valleys vinyls previously applied.

For the present, 3736 will remain in Stagecoach Stripes, as a further repaint is not yet required. However, a future return to one of its authentic working liveries is under consideration.