The versatile 285.
Since its retiral from front-line service in the summer of 2009, Lothian Buses' Olympian 285 has become something of a celebrity amongst the Edinburgh enthusiast fraternity. Its official status is a special events vehicle, which sees it brought out for the likes of the annual SVBM Open Weekend, Doors Open Days, and ETG evening trips.
However, it also has another status, as the spare vehicle for the Bus & Boat Tour which operates during the summer season. On the morning of 2nd July 2011 Olympian 433, the regular Bus & Boat Tour vehicle, failed at South Queensferry whilst working the tour, and was replaced for that run by 285. 433 managed to make it back to Edinburgh after repairs and was noted working the 1415 Bus & Boat Tour departure, but it was decided to keep 285 on standby at Waverley Bridge for the rest of the day, in case 433 failed again.
This fine vehicle is seen catching the sun on Waverley Bridge, with the Balmoral Hotel forming part of the backdrop. The hotel's clock is traditionally kept two minutes fast for the benefit of passengers heading for Waverley Station. On Hogmanay, though, the clock is put to the correct time for the "bells", after which it is put 2 mins fast again.
285's presence raised a lot of eyebrows amongst the Edinburgh Bus Tours staff, although the tourists passing by didn't seem to take much notice of it! Nonetheless, it was a delight to see a real madder and white bus back on the streets of Edinburgh - if only for an afternoon.
The eagle-eyed amongst you may notice some evidence of 285's use on the June 2011 ETG evening trip still visible in its nearside windscreen!
EDIT: David Wilson aka VV773 has provided some addtional information about how 285 was called into use. See below.
The versatile 285.
Since its retiral from front-line service in the summer of 2009, Lothian Buses' Olympian 285 has become something of a celebrity amongst the Edinburgh enthusiast fraternity. Its official status is a special events vehicle, which sees it brought out for the likes of the annual SVBM Open Weekend, Doors Open Days, and ETG evening trips.
However, it also has another status, as the spare vehicle for the Bus & Boat Tour which operates during the summer season. On the morning of 2nd July 2011 Olympian 433, the regular Bus & Boat Tour vehicle, failed at South Queensferry whilst working the tour, and was replaced for that run by 285. 433 managed to make it back to Edinburgh after repairs and was noted working the 1415 Bus & Boat Tour departure, but it was decided to keep 285 on standby at Waverley Bridge for the rest of the day, in case 433 failed again.
This fine vehicle is seen catching the sun on Waverley Bridge, with the Balmoral Hotel forming part of the backdrop. The hotel's clock is traditionally kept two minutes fast for the benefit of passengers heading for Waverley Station. On Hogmanay, though, the clock is put to the correct time for the "bells", after which it is put 2 mins fast again.
285's presence raised a lot of eyebrows amongst the Edinburgh Bus Tours staff, although the tourists passing by didn't seem to take much notice of it! Nonetheless, it was a delight to see a real madder and white bus back on the streets of Edinburgh - if only for an afternoon.
The eagle-eyed amongst you may notice some evidence of 285's use on the June 2011 ETG evening trip still visible in its nearside windscreen!
EDIT: David Wilson aka VV773 has provided some addtional information about how 285 was called into use. See below.