Trent Olympian to return home

It has been over seventeen years since Blackpool Transport acquired a batch of ten ECW bodied Olympian buses from former NBC subsidiary Trent to replace a motley collection of life expired Atlantean buses acquired from Fylde Transport. Now, former Trent 701 is soon to return to its native Derbyshire for further preservation and restoration to Trent livery.
After withdrawal by Blackpool Transport, XAU701Y initially joined the LTT collection but later returned to active duty on the summer season 12 service, complete with an all-advert wrapped advert for Blackpool Pleasure Beach's "Hot Ice" show.
Unfortunately, 701 suffered a gearbox fault earlier in 2014 and the decision has been taken that it is surplus to operational requirements, but we wanted to ensure it found a good home preserved, preferably back in its native operating area. This has been achieved and it looks like 701 will return to Derbyshire early in 2015. We look forward to following the progress with 701's restoration in its 32nd year...

701 at Cleveleys on summer season "SeaFront 12" after returning to duty wearing an all-over wrapped advert for the Pleasure Beach "Hot Ice" show. (Photo: David Umpleby)