The last RH Leyland Olympian delivered to Dublin Bus in 1993 remains in Ringsend Garage until withdrawal in September 2006
During the Ryder Gup golf in September 2006, Ringends batch of stored Leyland Olympians RH 105- 110 * & 168-175 re entered service on mostly peak time Xpresso services to cover for Volvo B7TL's used at the golf. ( * RH 106 never re entered service due to mechanical problems & remained at Broadstone )
Here is a feature on RH 175 ( 93 D 10175 )
Side view of RH 175
Due to their imminent sale & transshipment to Ensignbus UK, all the Donnybrook & Ringsend RH Olympians re entered service during September 2006 with all their ads removed from the frames & an unusual appearance in the corporate livery.
RH 175 is seen at the specially constructed Xpresso bus terminus close to the main bus interchange at U C D ( Belfield ). The main interchange became unsuitable for both normal services such as the 3, 10 & 17 along with the peak time Xpresso services such as the 15X, 27X, 49X & 50X etc, so the Xpresso routes were moved to this area, with plenty of space & bus shelters provided. Given that most of the evening Xpresso routes are given generous layover time to ensure a guaranteed departure time, most Xpresso routes load well ahead of their actual departure time.
Interior upper & lower decks of RH 175, still in superb condition.
RH 154 upwards during 1993 were delivered in a revised grey trim & green panel trim. The grey trim was eventually replaced by the now familiar ball & seal pattern
Finally, RH 175 is seen on Waterloo Road having departed from Belfield as the 15X departure @ 16.35, with a timed departure from Eden Quay @ 17.00 to Templeogue. The afternoon duty started @ 15.00 from Ringsend Garage & operated in service from Trinity College as route " 10 " to UCD Belfield. The same duty operates as a 46A from Belfield to Parnell Square having worked the morning 15X service in from Templeogue.
All photos above taken Thursday 21st September 2006. By the following week, RH 175 along with the rest of the temporary RH's would be returned to Broadstone pending shipment to the UK.
