12-metre Leyland Olympians

After the success of 3BL1, KMB introduced 162 12m Leyland Olympians during 1983-1986.

The first batch consists of 20 buses, 3BL2 to 3BL21. Unlike 3BL1, they were built with Alexander bodywork of standard height. They are powered by Voith D851 gearboxes and Gardner 6LXCT engines. As for the bodywork configurations they are very similar to the first batch of 2-axle Leyland Olympians BL4-23.

The second batch, 3BL22 to 3BL41, were built in 1984. They are very similar to the ones in the first batch, except for the difference between the window designs. These two batches of buses are classifed as Type A in the KMB fleet. Each can carry up to 149 passengers.

The third batch, 3BL42 to 3BL61, are classified as Type B. These buses, built in 1985, have windows green in colour and a larger front destination panel. Still, they are powered by Voith D851 gearboxes and Gardner 6LXCT engines.

The last batch, which is also the biggest one, consists of 102 buses, 3BL62 to 3BL163. They were built in 1986. This time all buses were installed with green windows. Some of them have got ventilation systems. These buses are the biggest buses in the KMB fleet, for they can carry up to 164 passengers. The buses from this batch are classfied as Type C. After this year all orders of Leyland Olympians have been replaced by the 11m ones which they think are operated more easily.

KMB began to withdraw 12m Leyland Olympians in large quantities since July 2000. Not many of them are surviving in the fleet today. It is believed that 12m Leyland Olympians will all disappear in KMB by 2003.

3BL3
3BL3 entered KMB's training school in 1996, and the bus has now retired. Note it's special livery with a red stripe.
Date: 25/12/2001
3BL26 (right) and 3AV115 (left)
Although both buses are 12m Olympians with Alexander body, 3BL26 is 11 years older than the other one.
Date: 26/08/2001
3BL27
After 17 years 3BL27 is still serving route 26 in a healthy condition.
Date: 26/08/2001
3BL30
3BL30 is one of the few Leyland Olympian training buses in KMB. Most KMB training buses are Dennis Dragons.
Date: 22/09/2001
3BL31
This photo was taken three months before the bus' withdrawal.
Date: 12/12/2001
3BL34
The bus in this photo looks very old, but since the bus has already retired I think the photo is historically invaluable.
Date: 12/12/2001
3BL50
This photo was taken a fornight before the retirement of the 18-year-old bus.
Date: 08/02/2003
3BL58
This scene will never appear again, for 3BL58 has retired already. The 11m air-conditioned Leyland Olympian beside her rarely appears on route 5.
Date: 30/12/2002
3BL59
This photo was taken shortly before the withdrawal of the bus.
Date: 31/12/2002
Offside of 3BL59. Note the unique design of the rearside.
Date: 31/12/2002
3BL60
3BL60 had been a scheduled bus of route 5 for many years.
Date: 12/12/2001
3BL60 was seen taking rest at the Choi Hung Bus Terminus one afternoon.
Date: 30/12/2002
The window between the two exits was smaller than that of 3BL62 onwards. Therefore Leyland Olympians in this batch are slightly shorter than those of 3BL62-163.
Date: 30/12/2002
Offside of the bus.
Date: 30/12/2002
Shortly before retirement, 3BL60 was seen dashing into the Star Ferry Bus Terminus on a Saturday afternoon.
Date: 08/02/2003
3BL104
This bus has retired in December 2001.
Date: 26/08/2001
3BL105
Note the difference between 3BL104 and 105 that the latter one is not installed with new headlights.
Date: 26/08/2001
3BL114
This photo demonstrates flexible air suspension on Leyland Olympians.
Date: 26/08/2001
3BL115
It has been very rare for KMB buses to have a Leyland badge on the front.
Date: 26/08/2001
3BL126
3BL126 turned out to be the last 12m Leyland Olympian to retire.
Date: 04/02/2003
3BL135
The bus looks very new because it has just finished the COR test and been repainted.
Date: 12/12/2001
3BL145
3BL145 was one of the two very last 12m Leyland Olympians that served on route 86K.
Date: 04/02/2003
3BL158
Not many of the KMB buses are without banners today.
Date: 28/07/2001

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	3BL3 3BL3 entered KMB's training school in 1996, and the bus has now retired. Note it's special livery with a red stripe. Date: 25/12/2001
	3BL26 (right) and 3AV115 (left) Although both buses are 12m Olympians with Alexander body, 3BL26 is 11 years older than the other one. Date: 26/08/2001
	3BL27 After 17 years 3BL27 is still serving route 26 in a healthy condition. Date: 26/08/2001
	3BL30 3BL30 is one of the few Leyland Olympian training buses in KMB. Most KMB training buses are Dennis Dragons. Date: 22/09/2001
	3BL31 This photo was taken three months before the bus' withdrawal. Date: 12/12/2001
	3BL34 The bus in this photo looks very old, but since the bus has already retired I think the photo is historically invaluable. Date: 12/12/2001
	3BL50 This photo was taken a fornight before the retirement of the 18-year-old bus. Date: 08/02/2003
	3BL58 This scene will never appear again, for 3BL58 has retired already. The 11m air-conditioned Leyland Olympian beside her rarely appears on route 5. Date: 30/12/2002
	3BL59 This photo was taken shortly before the withdrawal of the bus. Date: 31/12/2002
	Offside of 3BL59. Note the unique design of the rearside. Date: 31/12/2002
	3BL60 3BL60 had been a scheduled bus of route 5 for many years. Date: 12/12/2001
	3BL60 was seen taking rest at the Choi Hung Bus Terminus one afternoon. Date: 30/12/2002
	The window between the two exits was smaller than that of 3BL62 onwards. Therefore Leyland Olympians in this batch are slightly shorter than those of 3BL62-163. Date: 30/12/2002
	Offside of the bus. Date: 30/12/2002
	Shortly before retirement, 3BL60 was seen dashing into the Star Ferry Bus Terminus on a Saturday afternoon. Date: 08/02/2003
	3BL104 This bus has retired in December 2001. Date: 26/08/2001
	3BL105 Note the difference between 3BL104 and 105 that the latter one is not installed with new headlights. Date: 26/08/2001
	3BL114 This photo demonstrates flexible air suspension on Leyland Olympians. Date: 26/08/2001
	3BL115 It has been very rare for KMB buses to have a Leyland badge on the front. Date: 26/08/2001
	3BL126 3BL126 turned out to be the last 12m Leyland Olympian to retire. Date: 04/02/2003
	3BL135 The bus looks very new because it has just finished the COR test and been repainted. Date: 12/12/2001
	3BL145 3BL145 was one of the two very last 12m Leyland Olympians that served on route 86K. Date: 04/02/2003
	3BL158 Not many of the KMB buses are without banners today. Date: 28/07/2001