RA TTLER
MAY
NUMBER
1982
118
NEWS SHEET OR
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN TRANSPORT MUSEUM
AND
THE PERTH ELECTRIC TRACTION SOCIETY
EDITED BY
ALL CORRESPCNDENCE TO
-
Bruce S. Harris
P.O. Box 46, Ccmo, W.A. 6152
Registered by Australia Post - publication No. WBH 0544
RATTLER
flay 1982
W.A.T.fl. NEWS
Bus 31 , the fletro Leyland 0PS4, was exhibited at the
Westrail Centre at East Perth on the weekend of 8/9th flay
for the Telethon "Trains Galore" display.
It was exhibited alongside fl.T.T. Mercedes 359, and
provided a good illustration of the progress made in bus
travel and comfort over the years. The dark, spartan,
functional Interior of 31 contrasted the the modern
brightness, comfort and complexity of the Mercedes.
Several W.A.T.M. members, who were also fl.T.T. employees
drove both buses to the site, and explained the workings
of each to members of the public who attended. Both buses
were housed in Causeway Depot overnight, the half cab bus
evoking memories of the past.
COVER PHOTG
Darwin Bus Service number 36, a P.fl.C. bodied Leyland B21 ,
or Lion as this model is being marketed, the third such use
of this name by Leyland.
In common with that model of bus in Perth, the body
incorporates the B2l/Leyland National front married to the
adapted Mercedes style body, in this case a Sydney version.
The bus was photohraphed at Casuarina Interchange last
year.
David Collins photo.
May 1982
RATTLER
W.A.T.M. NEWS
Members will note that renewal applications and nomination
forms for elected positions are enclosed with the "Rattler"
this month. Instructions for the return of these forms are
printed at the foot of each.
FLASHBACK - 17 yaers ago this month
Written by Howard Cowell
The M.T.T. Trigg depot, situated in Karrinyup Road, was
opened on 30th May 1965. This enabled the Trust's northwestern operations to be transferred from premises in
Scarborough Beach Road, Osborne Park, which had originally
beer, the depot of the Scarborough Bus Service and workshop
of its subsidiary company, Motor Body Builders. These
premises had been leased by the M.T.T. since the acquisition
of the Scarborough company in 1962.
With the rapid residential development in the northern
coastal suburbs, Trigg soon became one of the principal
M.T.T. depots and today, the number of buses regularly
housed is exceeded only at the Causeway depot.
Trigg was also the last stronghold of Daimlers, the make
most favoured by the former Scarborough company.
flay 1 9 6 2
RATTLER
flay
1982
RATTLER
to Karima, This saved the long river trip
round ore of the larger bends of the Nile, by
cutting 250 kilometres straight across the
desert, resulting in considerable savings of
time and temper.
These buses were based en the tough AEC
"ITammoth flajor" 6 chassis, with a 192 bhp,
six cylinder diesel engine, driving through
twin rear axles to provide maximum traction
in bad conditions.
The 48 seater bodywork was built by
Oonckheere of Belgium. These buses were
fitted with sun blinds to protect passengers
from the glare, and carried a 60 litre tank
of drinking water for emergencies. Hand
baggage was carried on overhead racks, and
heavy luggage stowed on a roof rack,
accessible by a ladder carried internally.
A bulkhead separated the passengers from the
driver's compartment, which also contained a
seat for the courier who accompanied each
trip.
UiVV^
SHIP OF THE DESERT
- 1966 STYLE
The carnal has leng since given way to more sophisticated
forms of desert transport. Nowadays, for tourists, camels
are only photographic props. Desert travellers nou use buses
for their normal journeys.
In 1966 Sudan Railways put into service two buses, specially
designed and equipped, to carry tourists from flaheila Road
Before the days of mechanisation, this
courier and his 48 tourists would have
travelled on 49 riding camels. The 250
kilometre journey would have taken at least
five days, probably eight, depending on
their strength and riding skill.
Their baggage would have necessitated a further 50 camels,
while food, water, camping equipment and servants, 30 or 40
more. Fuel in the form of fodder, would have been carried,
despite the ability of the camel to live off the country to
some extent. With guides and armed guards, the total number
of camels in the caravan would probably have equalled the
number of horse power produced by the engine of this 1966
bus. The speed and comfort of these two forms of transport
are beyond comparison, and one trusts that the mechanical
"ship" would have proved more reliable than the illtempered, capricious "ship of the desert".
RATTLER
^
1982
M.T.T. NEWS
Mercedes number 384 has been fitted with electronic
destination equipment. Similar in principle to that fitted
temporarily to Leyland Panther 990, this new equipment has
a much larger, and clearer display. An unusual feature, for
the M.T.T., is that the route number is to the destination.
Precedes 383 has its windows mounted in black rubber
surrounds, instead of the usual metal. The appearance is
markedly different.
The current contract for 38 Mercedes ends at number 395.
A further 25 are on order after this, also with bodies
built by Belli. Bolton. This batch will have the curved 0307
front, virtually identical to that on M.A.N, number 12.
It will also have the modifications to assist handicapped
people, as already fitted to Mercedes 370. The final four
o* the existing contract will have these modifications,
the final two having the curved fronts.
AEC Regal VI number 507 has been noted with a side route
number display in its previously blanked off destination
blind space.
Leyland Tiger Cub 745 has been fitted with the sound and
vibration reduction modifications as fitted to bus 714.
These modifications have been described in previous issues
of "Rattler". 745, in addition, has had its centre door
panelled over, and a fixed windou situated in its place.
An additional seat has beer installed making the bus a
B40F arrangement, instead of the previous B38D. It is
understood that 714 will be similarly rebuilt, and that
other Tiger Cubs may follow.
Noted in Kensington Street workshops recently were the
chassis of a Volvo B6FA and a Scania F82. Both these are
front engined chassis, and are understood to be there for
assessment purposes.
flay 1982
RATTLER
Much has been said recently, in the press arid elsewhere,
regarding the introduction of minibuses to the M.T.T.
fleet, possibly to provide a door to door link to main
line bus routes, and to railway stations. They have also
been mooted for use on lightly patronized routes at
night. This system has beer tried in numerous cities
throughout the world and the cost of maintaining a fleet
of vehicles for use at limited periods, has been found
prohibitive. The wages costs for such buses remain,
I °f course, unchanged. London Transport used minibuses
j inaugurate services through previously unserved
areas. Certain of these met with such success that larger
buses were required, buses similar in size to the M.T.T.
Tiger Cubs.
The "Hi frequency" style of service which was first
tested on w'anneroo Road services, is being extended to
services from Gosnells to Perth (via Spencer Road) and
between Fremantle and Perth (along the Canning Highway).
The uJanneroo Road services are being reduced from a
five, to a ten minute frequency.
A programme is being instituted to install dimmer
switches for the interior lights for all flercedes fitted
with two-way radios. Such switches have been fitted as
standard to new flercedes for some time.
As and when replacements are required for the lever type
gear selectors on Mercedes, the push button type is being
istalled. Two of Gosnells Mercedes have been noted thus
modified.
All buses not equipped with the M.T.T. air cooling system,
will have a fan fitted to the cab for driver comfort in hot
waather.
Route alterations:
Route 96, Perth to Leeming, now uses the extended Kwinana
Freeway as far as Leach Highway.
Route 733 is a new route connecting Rockingham Bus Station
directly with Calista Hub Shopping Centre.
Ray 1982
RATTLER
NEW VEHICLES
362
363
385
LQE 3 P 2
UCB 363
UQE 395
Rercedes 5enz 03C
"
"
"
"
"
"
i.W. Bolton B43D
it
ii
ii
it
it
II
1/52
5/82
5/p2
Chassis numbers-:
382 = 307 001 61 030033
385 = 307 001 61 03005S
383 = 307 001 61 030045
Allocations::
332/3/5 to Torley.
Transfers:
4/82 - 586 Causeway to Gosnells.
5/82 - 639 riorley to Redcliffe
Withdrawal 4/82:
508
AEC Regal Vl/Houard Porter
ex Riorley
Pus rebuilt 6/82:
745 from B38D to B40F.
Buses reregistered 5/82:
328 from UQB 028 to UQB 328
367 from UQB 467 to UQB 367
750 from UQB 700 to UQB 750
Chassis number:
The Volvo B6FA being assessed at Kensington Ptreet carries
chassis number YV3E451055
00008788