New To: Northern General

Chassis: Leyland Olympian ONCL10/1RV ON1783

Body: Eastern Coach Works 26006 H45/32F

3738 was delivered in April 1985 to Northern General Transport Company as part of a batch of 15 similar vehicles (3734–3748). Built on a Leyland Olympian chassis and powered by the 10-litre Cummins L10 engine developing 180 horsepower, it combined strong performance with the reliability that would come to define the type. 3738 carries Eastern Coach Works (ECW) bodywork with seating for 77 passengers — 45 upstairs and 32 downstairs — providing high-capacity service ideally suited to busy North East routes.

This batch was historically significant as the first production 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, making the 3734–3748 batch a genuine milestone in Olympian development.

In total, 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, while the later ‘B’ and ‘C’ registered batches — including 3738 — received Cummins L10 power, marking the operator’s transition away from Gardner engines.

3738 was delivered new in the Yellow & White livery of Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive during the era of the National Bus Company. Over the course of its working life in the North East, it carried a number of liveries reflecting the changing identity of its operator. These included Red & White Go-Ahead Northern, Go-Ahead Gateshead Red & Blue (Straight Lines), Go-Ahead Gateshead Red & Blue (Diagonal Blue Stripe), and finally the Red & Light Blue of Go North East.

After replacement by newer vehicles in the 2000s, 3738 was sold to Redfern Travel / Johnson Bros of Nottinghamshire. It soon received Redfern Travel’s distinctive green livery and became a familiar sight on private hires, school and contract work, and rail replacement services. During this period, it operated alongside numerous other Olympians sourced from across the country, creating an impressive concentration of the type in Nottinghamshire. It was at this time that the current owner, Adam, first travelled onboard and developed a particular fondness for these vehicles.

In late 2024, 3738 was withdrawn from service, becoming the last surviving Olympian / ECW combination in the Redfern Travel fleet. It was subsequently purchased by the White Rose Group, where it appeared at rallies in as-acquired condition. During this period, the lower vinyls were removed and the destination blind reinstated, restoring a more authentic appearance.

In September 2025, Adam also purchased ex-Northern General and Johnson Bros Olympian B736 GCN, making it especially fitting that the pair are now reunited in preservation. In October 2025, 3738 itself was acquired by Adam and has since benefited from minor cosmetic attention and ongoing care.

It is also worth noting that B741 GCN (3741) is preserved in the North East, where its owner Lee has undertaken a superb restoration into a livery carried by an earlier Northern General Olympian batch. B735 GCN (3735) also survives and remains owned by Johnson Bros. Withdrawn earlier than its sisters and used for spare parts, it was unfortunately subjected to vandalism several years ago and is therefore unlikely to enter preservation.

For the present time, 3738 will remain in Redfern Travel green, gradually being tidied and improved. A future repaint is under consideration, with the choice between a return to one of its North East liveries or a locally significant Nottinghamshire scheme carried by similar vehicles during their time in the county — either option representing an authentic chapter in the vehicle’s working life.