SSA 5X (Original Fleet Number NL05) was registered new in October 1981. It entered service in November 1981 from Aberdeen Depot. The chassis Number is ON6 and the Body Number is RL3/1980/4.

The bus is significant in being one of the very first Leyland Olympian chassis to be built (number 6 out of a total 21080), and, was delivered as part of the first production batch of Olympains for The Scottish Bus Group. Furthermore, this batch of 10 buses was the first Olympians to receive the Alexander RL bodywork. The Leyland Olympian continued to be produced until 1994 when Leyland ceased production and Volvo then continued the Olympian name.

NL05 mainly worked on Aberdeen City Services such as the 23 to Scatterburn and the 24 to Airyhall. In 1983, collaboration between Northern Scottish and Grampian Regional Transport saw the formation of Grampian Scottish, with both companies operating City Services under this banner using the same livery. The livery was based on the latter’s green and cream, although NL05 was never repainted into these colours. At this time, Northern undertook operation of the Services 9, 10 & 21. The Service 9 and 10 between Northfield and Torry required a large allocation of Olympians.

The bus remained in the “City Fleet” until April 1987 and carried the main fleet livery of yellow and cream throughout its time in this role. At this time, the bus remained at Aberdeen but was transferred to the main fleet, taking up duties on the out-of-town services.

As can be seen from the following timeline, the bus was moved around various depots in the North East of Scotland before finally ending its life in active service with Stagecoach Transit, operating from their Hartlepool Depot on school duties.

October 1981 Bus is first registered
November 1981 Bus enters service from Aberdeen Depot
April 1987 Bus transferred from City Fleet to main Aberdeen Fleet
March 1989 Transferred to Stonehaven
May 1990 Transferred to Elgin
April 1991 Transferred to MacDuff
January 1992 Re-painted from yellow and cream into Stagecoach livery
February 1992 Re-numbered from NL05 to 005
June 1998 Unallocated (probably for school holidays)
July 2002 Transferred to Stagecoach Busways and re-numbered 686
October 2002 Bus still being used at Perth prior to transfer
January 2003 Re-numbered from 686 to national number 14405
March 2003 Placed into reserve fleet but transferred to Hartlepool and used for schools
July 2004 Withdrawn from passenger service
October 2004 Sold for preservation and transferred to the GVVT museum at Bridgeton
January 2005 Re-painted into Northern Scottish yellow and cream livery

Since being acquired for preservation, various work has been carried out on the bus to restore her to her original condition. So far, much of the side panelling has been replaced and the whole bus has now been repainted into original colours. Some chassis wielding has also taken place a long with some minor mechanical attention. At the present time, the interior of the bus is receiving attention.

Hopefully, the bus will continue to run for many more years to come and be displayed at rallies and events across the country.