New To: Pan Atlas Coaches

Chassis: Leyland Olympian ONCL10/1RZ ON11126

Body: Northern Counties Palatine NC3861 H45/30F

755 was delivered in October 1989 to Pan Atlas Coaches as fleet number AB61 and formed part of a batch of nine similar vehicles. Built on a Leyland Olympian chassis and powered by the 10-litre Cummins L10 engine developing 180hp, it combined strong performance with the reliability for which the type became well known.

755 carries Northern Counties Palatine bodywork, with seating for 75 passengers – 45 on the upper deck and 30 downstairs. This high-capacity specification was ideally suited to the three-year contract Pan Atlas had recently won to operate London route 107 between Queensbury and New Barnet Station.

The batch was joined in 1990 by G21 HHG, a Leyland-bodied Olympian which had been new in September 1989 as a demonstrator. It was purchased to meet additional requirements on service 112, normally operated by Leyland Lynxes, although it also appeared on the 107 from time to time.

Pan Atlas retained the 107 contract until October 1994, when it was lost to Metroline. In the run-up to the changeover, Pan Atlas sold its Atlas Bus operation to the Pullmans Group, a subsidiary of London Coaches, in August 1994. The Olympians were not included in the deal and soon reappeared with United Automobile Services that same month.

The Olympians were subsequently spread between the United and Tees & District operations. In 1996, the Cowie Group purchased Tees & District and, in November 1997, Cowie was renamed Arriva. By 1998, Tees & District had become Arriva Tees & District, and in February 1999 755 transferred to Stevensons of Uttoxeter, another Arriva-owned operator.

In 2000, 755 transferred to Arriva Midlands North, where it regularly saw service on route 130 between Macclesfield and Manchester Piccadilly.

In 2006, 755 was purchased by Johnson Bros and Redfern Travel alongside 754, 759 and 762. All but 759 subsequently received Redfern’s distinctive green livery. During 755’s near 20-year career with Redferns, current owner Adam frequently saw the vehicle operating local college services.

In January 2026, South Notts 129 travelled to Redferns for chassis repairs. During one of several visits to check on its progress, Adam expressed an interest in viewing G759 UYT, which had recently been withdrawn from service. After viewing 759, however, it was decided that it wasn’t the right vehicle.

Having heard that 755 remained stored at Hodthorpe depot, we asked whether it might be possible to view that vehicle instead. 755 had already been earmarked for export, but fortunately the other interested party was happy to take 759 in its place, allowing 755 to become available.

Following a successful MOT test, 755 was delivered to its new home at Hucknall on 8 May 2026.

Thanks to the high maintenance standards maintained throughout its time with Redfern Travel and Johnson Bros, very little work has been required since its arrival. Attention so far has largely concentrated on smaller cosmetic jobs, including descaling and repainting the wheels and fitting replacement mirrors and arms which we already had in stock.

755 made its first appearance in preservation just two days after arriving, taking part in our Olympian Running Day on 10 May 2026.

Having spent almost two decades carrying Redfern’s green colours and becoming a familiar sight on local services, 755 will remain in Redfern Travel livery while part of our collection.