32541 Volvo B7TL Wright Eclipse Gemini

32541 was delivered new to First Eastern Counties in February 2005, as one of four vehicles that were ordered for Halifax but then diverted to Norwich for use on Park & Ride services until the intended fleet was ready for service.

By early 2006, 32541 had come North to Halifax and was branded for Calder Valley ‘Green Line’ Overground services from Halifax to Todmorden, Burnley, and Rochdale. Route branding was relatively short-lived and by mid-2008 had been removed and the vehicle transferred into the general Halifax fleet; however was still a regular sight on Calder Valley services. In 2011, YJ05 VWF was repainted into the then new Olympia corporate colour scheme (potentially one of the first at the depot).

In December 2015, First West Yorkshire introduced the Zest brand for the route 503 between Halifax and Huddersfield. 32541 was one of eleven B7TLs to receive the striking orange fronted livery, a reupholstered interior, and free Wi-Fi. However as a result of a front-end rebuild following a collision in 2018, the vehicle lost its route branding and was returned to the general fleet with it’s second coat of Olympia paint work.

Early 2022 saw the removal of 32541 from general service work, and along with others was reallocated to replace withdrawn BMC Condors on yellow school bus work. But this was only for a brief period, as in November 2022 32541 was withdrawn from service completely, following the arrival of ex-London B9TL Gemini 2s.

32541 was bought privately in December 2022 for preservation, however was mothballed after discovering defects. Work began, albeit at a slow pace, in 2025 to restore the vehicle in partnership with Wigan Bus Preservation. In time, 32541 will be returned to 2006 condition with Overground branding and willow leaf interior.