AD56
DBL (141) 'Hugh Delaine-Smith MBE'
from the drawing board to entering service on December
12th 2006
becoming the first and only
Volvo 'B9TL' and East Lancs 'Olympus' to operate in service in 2006
Autumn 2005
Delaine Buses became the first UK operator to place an order for the
new Volvo B9TL chassis
which marks a return to the 9 litre engine but finished to Euro 4
specification
April 2006
East Lancashire Coachbuilders announce a new Double Deck Body later
named 'Olympus'
which is to be launched at the Euro Bus Expo NEC Birmingham November
7-9 2006
May 2006
Delaine Buses become the first Operator to place an order for the
new 'Olympus'
and delay the bodying of the new B9TL chassis which was to originally
to have been
fitted with Vyking bodywork as the previous B7TLs
May 2006 : The first Artists impression of the
Olympus
June 2006 : East Lancs begin marketing thier
new product
(This advertisment featured in all the major
UK Bus publications)
The media saw what they liked and the image featured on most front
covers
August 2006: The UKs first Volvo B9TL Chassis
arrives at Blackburn
Oct 10th : with less than a month before the
Bus Expo 141 begins to take shape
Oct
17th:the
traditional Delaine livery being lined out prior to painting
Oct 31st:
7 days to the show and the signwriting is being applied
Nov 7-9
2006 : Euro Bus Expo NEC Birmingham
Delaine Buses finally achieve the acolade of a vehicle in the National
Exhibition
Transport
Minister : Gillian Merron inspects 141
with East Lancs chairman David Powell
141 is
officially named after the company's late Chairman and
Managing Director Hugh Delaine-Smith MBE
(L-R: John Horn Sales Director East Lancs, Ian Delaine-Smith,
Anthony Delaine-Smith & Kevin Delaine-Smith)
Nov 28th:
being the first of a kind, Type Approval requires a tilt test
Dec 12th:
The first day in service for 141 seen at the depot minutes before
becoming the first Volvo 'B9TL' and East Lancs 'Olympus' to enter
service
Dec 12th:
1300 101 Bourne to Peterborough
The inaugural journey seen in Bourne Market Place
