The Friends of King Alfred Buses (FoKAB) and its partners have made what the group says is “incredible progress” on rebuilding the 1950 Leyland Olympic monocoque single-deck that was severely damaged by fire in December 2023.
Eight vehicles were affected by the blaze in a storage building on a farm near Andover, with FoKAB having originally believed that the Olympic was destroyed. It had been returned from Ireland and then subject to a long restoration before making its debut with the group in 2012.
Earlier in 2025 the remains of the bus were taken to the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum at Lathalmond in Fife for repairs to start. Since then there have been “some really tangible steps to turn the reconstruction project from being just a dream to a reality,” FoKAB says.
Project leader Andrew Crockett is heading the work, which is described as “a complex and all-embracing reconstruction” of the bus. FoKAB adds that Mr Crockett “is certainly set on producing an amazing result.” The first phase of project completion, which will deliver a rolling underframe, is set for early 2026.
The vehicle’s remaining structure has been dismantled and everything that survived the fire has been assessed to determine whether it can be overhauled and reused or if it must be replaced.
Most of the underframe that is now emerging is mainly brand-new material, made to original dimensions and specifications thanks to availability of Leyland’s original drawings. FoKAB adds that some original material has been reused, and that mechanical parts tend to have survived the inferno.
Mr Crockett hopes to bring together the three pieces of structural work that on conventional buses would be the chassis so that the combined unit can sit back on its axles before the close of 2025. That will allow the engine, gearbox and other components to be mounted back onto the frame.
FoKAB Chair and former First Bus West of England Managing Director James Freeman notes how a three-year project plan was formulated for the restoration with a budget requirement of £500,000.
“Our challenge is now to raise this gargantuan sum in good time to keep the project rolling,” says Mr Freeman. “Already, we thank the generous people who together have contributed some £125,000, and on top of that up to another £175,000 has been committed, but the big task is now to raise the last £200,000 to finish the job.”
Donations are being accepted via a JustGiving page, by cheque, or via bank transfer. The latter two contributions should be made out to Friends of King Alfred Buses; for bank transfers, sort code 40-52-40 and account number 00009790 should be used. Cheques should be sent to 2 Highcroft Road, Winchester, SO22 5GJ.
