Sydney Bus Museum in Leichhardt, New South Wales, Australia | Arts and entertainment

Sydney Bus Museum

Locality: Leichhardt, New South Wales, Australia

Phone: +61 2 9572 6789

Address: Old Leichhardt Tramshed, 25 Derbyshire Road 2040 Leichhardt, NSW, Australia

Website: http://www.sydneybusmuseum.com

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• Non-profit organisation
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• History Museum
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25.01.2022 Tickets for our Open Day this Sunday are almost sold out with less only 14 tickets available for sale. There is only one more Open Day in 2020 on the 20th December with only 15 tickets avaliable for this day. We are now taking bookings for January and February 2021 and will announce two special events for 2021 soon. If you would like to book a visit please click on the link below. https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=637154&

24.01.2022 #flashback Friday From 1985 to 2008, Ken Bowman's buses were a regular sight on the streets of Goulburn. Ken's father Frank (deceased 10/83) entered the industry in 1928 purchasing a service in Toowoomba, Queensland. In the mid-1930s he acquired the Lismore-Rosebank operation and in 1941 moved to Forbes. Frank was the brother of Fred Bowman who operated a large bus service based in St Marys (western Sydney) for many years.... Frank and Annie Bowman's children Ken and Francis joined the business at Forbes, with Ken taking over the operation in 1971. After splitting up the Forbes operation in 1981, Ken moved to the Gold Coast to pursue other interests. Ken returned to the industry in 1985 when Goulburn Bus Service became available for purchase from Macquarie Towns Coach Lines (MTCL). The interesting fleet variety inherited from MTCL attracted the interest of enthusiasts, who Ken welcomed to his operation with open arms. While Ken gradually standardised his fleet mostly on Hino chassis, he did prolong the life of a few older fleet members including two immaculate Bedford VALs, reflecting his love of the Bedford marque that had formed the backbone of Bowman's operations back to the Forbes days. These VALs were the last used in commercial service in New South Wales. Bowmans Coachlines sold out to Punchbowl Bus Co on 1 December 2018 with 15 buses, with a number of the Bowmans vehicles still in service. Four Bedfords were sold separately. Ken continued to live at his property in Run O Waters at Goulburn until early 2017, when he relocated to Coolangatta on the New South Wales South Coast. Coming from the country with a family heritage in the bus industry, Ken ran an exemplary business. He passed away on 8 April 2019, aged 76 years.

24.01.2022 #throwback Thursday - Camden Coaches H.E. Hunt & Sons were a trucking family based at Camden in south-western Sydney. In 1971, the Camden to Razorback school service was taken over from H. Rafferty with MO 5672 Albion Viking / PMC (10/70), trading as Camden Coaches. As the housing developments in South Camden expanded, so did Hunts school services. By the late-1970s, three services emanated from the South Camden area, known as the Elizabeth Macarthur Estate, Ponderosa Estate ...and Rosalie Avenue runs. A public route services linked these areas with Camden township, operating every hour off-peak, as well as a late afternoon workers bus. In addition to the school runs, Camden Coaches maintained a healthy charter connection with a selection of late model coaches sporting Hunts distinctive livery of Egyptian bronze with yellow sign writing. In May 1981, H.E. Hunt & Sons (Holdings) Pty Ltd sold Camden Coaches to neighbouring operator Higlett's Motor Coach Service Pty Ltd, who in turn sold to Macarthur Coaches Pty Ltd (Rowe) in June 1986 to become part of the Rowe's Busways empire. In more recent years, Busabout assumed operation of the former Camden Coaches services in June 2014 (now under Sydney Metropolitan Bus Contract Region 15) after Busways lost the contract through the competitive tendering process. After selling to Higlett's in 1981, the Hunt family retained their trucking interests. Of the 5 Hunt sons, Graham Hunt returned to the bus industry to take over the Canberra to Orange stage service from Bob Stephens, trading as Hunt's Capital Coaches. Ian Hunt also returned to the industry, operating charter coaches from Camden and working in with his brother Graham at Canberra, later taking over Graham's coach interests. Several of the former Camden Coaches vehicles were subsequently reacquired by the Hunt family. A well known identity around the regular coach haunts, Ian Hunt and his wife Ros sold their last coach in recent months.

23.01.2022 This week, Leyland Atlantean 1224 visited Port Botany depot in Sydney's south-east on the invitation of State Transit to help mark the depot's 35th anniversary. 1224 operated its entire Government career from Pagewood depot, the predecessor to Port Botany. The site of Pagewood depot is now Westfields Eastgardens. Of note in two of the pictures is the War Memorial standing at Port Botany. First erected at Dowling Street Tram Depot, it was relocated to Pagewood Bus Depot in 1...961 after the closure of the tram system, then to Port Botany in 1985. Last photo credit: Norbert Genci.

22.01.2022 50 Years since the last Albion Double Deckers Today marks the 50th anniversary of the end of Albion double decker buses in Sydney. On the morning of 10 December 1970 a little chapter in the history of Sydney's Government bus services came to an end. On that morning the last of the Albion double deckers ran into Brookvale Depot ending 36 years of Albions with the NSW Government Bus services. Albion double deckers had served all over the Government network except Newcastle a...nd were best remember for their stalwart service on the difficult and busy northern beaches servicies. By the beginning of December 1970 only 1910 1980 1937 2022 2051 2127 and 2199 were still available for service. On 4 December, 1937 and 2199 were withdrawn leaving 5 on the "books" with 2051 completing its last run on 9 December. On the final day, 1910 ran V77 finishing on route 173, 2127 V 111 route 154, 1980 unknown and finally at 10.15 am, 2022 entered Brookvale Depot after completing a school run on V 66. Unfortunately there was no send off for their last day but at least the melodious sounds can still be experienced at the Sydney Bus Museum. 1892, which was splendidly restored by David Griffiths, is now in the Museum collection and sees occasional service on the Museum's operating days. No 2023, originally retired in 1968, was rescued in 1980 by the late Bruce Pinnell and after many years of service to the Museum was set aside for suspension work in 2018 . Lastly but not least, No 1921 rescued by Hunter Valley area Member Alan Fletcher in the early 1990s, was acquired by the Museum in 2019 for continuing restoration. The subject of Transport Heritage NSW Grant, 1921 has been beautifully repainted and following mechanical repairs in the Museum's workshop will join the Museum's running fleet in 2021. Photos from the John Ward collection.

20.01.2022 Restoration News For some time the museum has been wanting to add a third operational Atlantean double decker bus into our running fleet. 2020 marked the 50th anniversary of Atlantean double deckers in Sydney. In 2019 Atlantean 1073 was delivered to the museum and has sat awaiting time for our volunteers to commence restoration. In recent months the mechanical workshop team have removed the gearbox which had several problems and have rebuilt the gearbox as well as overhauling... the flywheel. The gearbox is now ready to go back into the bus and allow a full body restoration to commence. A start has been made on the body with all off side lower panels removed which has revealed the bus has very good framework. Museum volunteers have commenced making new body panels for the bus. In the coming weeks the bus will move across to the body shop and the rest of the bus will be repanelled prior to repainting. 1073 was one of several Sydney Atlantean buses to be painted in striking all over advertising in the mid-1970s. We are exploring options to recreate one of these distinctive colour schemes. If you would like to become involved in this project please send an email to [email protected] and we will advise how you can become involved. Stay tuned for more updates on this project.

19.01.2022 Today we are launching our campaign to restore our 1983 Mercedes-Benz O305G 'Bendy Bus' to as-built condition. The Mercedes-Benz bendy buses were a popular favourite on Sydney's Northern Beaches during the 1980s, 90s and early 2000s. We are now fundraising for $5,000 to help fund the supply of paint and materials to return the bus to its original orange, brown and white livery, as delivered new with the then Urban Transit Authority of NSW. ... Body and seating modifications will also be included in the project. We are fortunate to have a painter prepared to carry out the work among our volunteer workforce, as well as access to a spray booth. Our hope is to have the bus ready next year to mark 40 years since the first Mercedes-Benz bendy-bus ran for the UTA. For more information and to donate visit: www.sydneybusmuseum.com.au/mercedes2556

18.01.2022 #Flashback Friday Sydney route 202 came into existence in February 1966, when the Richmond - Londonderry - Penrith segment of Duffy's route 217 was transferred to F.C. (Fred) Howe and renumbered 202. Ownership of Howe's Bus Service passed to Owen MacPherson in April 1972 and T. (Tom) & R.A. O'Brien on 1 July 1977. O'Brien renamed the business Richmond Bus & Coach Service around 1979. Buses parked at 31 Paget St, Richmond. O.A. & G.R. Richardson took over in 1987 (associated ...with Richadson's Waste Disposal Service). In this era, route 202 was extended from Richmond to Grose Vale and the Penrith service improved from a Thursdays-only shopping service to a regular Monday - Saturday service, operating Grose Vale - Richmond - Londonderry - Penrith. A healthy charter connection was inherited from O'Brien and expanded off the back of deregulation in the Sydney charter and Australian long distance markets. Vehicles began to be signed for Richardson's Bus & Coach Service. Around 1990, Richardson's took over Casino 99 from Nowra Coaches Pty Ltd, operating an express service from Sydney to Brisbane via Pacific Hwy. Unfortunately this service was one of the many victims of the collapse of the Australian express coach market in the early-1990's. Route 202 was sold to Westbus Pty Ltd on 18 January 1994 with no buses. The route was reorganised and renumbered 677 in the Sydney Region Route Number System as of 31 October 1994. Richardson's continued as a charter only operator, later relocating to Regents Park.

16.01.2022 If you are looking for something different for Christmas presents, how about a small model of a Sydney Ferry or a Sydney Ferry 100-piece jigsaw puzzle. The Museum Bus Shop is now stocking these items from Tasman Toys. You can buy them from our online shop and have them posted out to you. Follow the link below to buy yours now. https://www.busshop.net/toys/

16.01.2022 Spring Cleaning at the Sydney Bus Museum Our fleet presentation manager Adam Stevens has been burning the midnight oil with his spring cleaning program. Yesterday two display vehicles were washed as part of the continuous program of cleaning the display vehicles as well as the operational buses. The museum Will be open again next Sunday for pre booked visitors. We hope you can visit us soon.

16.01.2022 #Throwback Thursday This week we look back on Ted & Cheryl Hosken's Illawarra Escape Tours, which operated in Wollongong from March 1995 until their sale to Warrigal Charters in August 2015. Hailing from Temora, Ted established Auto Rentals of Wollongong in 1971 as an adjunct to his service station located in Crown St, central Wollongong. After a successful run renting out a Toyota mini bus for hire-drive, the decision was made to establish an accredited charter operation. Il...lawarra Escape Tours hit the road with a Toyota Coaster Deluxe in March 1995, followed by a superbly turned out Dening Denair (GM 8v71) purchased from Castlemaine Bus Lines in August 1995, lovingly named 'Dorothy'. Ted brought that country service mentality to the "big smoke" and ran an interesting fleet of older, but well presented buses and coaches. Bus enthusiasts were always welcomed at their Unanderra depot as long as they had time for a cup of coffee and chat about the industry and historic vehicles. On 29 November 2012, Ted and Cheryl hosted members of the Sydney Bus Museum on a tour of Illawarra charter operators, allowing enthusiasts to sample the operations two Denning Denairs 'Dorothy' and 'Noel', 'Buddy' the Cat 3208t motored Bedford YRT3 and 'Lucy', a lovely old Custom Coaches bodied Volvo B58 school bus. The company's remaining vehicles were sold to Warrigal Charters on Tuesday 18 August 2015, allowing Ted and Cheryl to retire after more than 40 years of operation in Wollongong. It is with sadness that we received the news of Ted's passing on Tuesday 1 September 2020. RIP Ted, thank you for all the memories.

15.01.2022 Spring Cleaning at the Sydney Bus Museum Our fleet presentation manager Adam Stevens has been burning the midnight oil with his spring cleaning program. Yesterday two display vehicles were washed as part of the continuous program of cleaning the display vehicles as well as the operational buses. The museum Will be open again next Sunday for pre booked visitors. We hope you can visit us soon.

15.01.2022 Looking for some ideas for Christmas presents? Why not buy from our online Bus Shop. Just arrived are the 2021 NSW Rail Museum calendars. https://www.busshop.net/publications/calendars/

14.01.2022 The restoration of our 1926 White bus is progressing slowly. With many of the original fittings either missing or beyond repair we have had to search all across the world to find some of the missing parts. This week we received delivery of two new headlights and a tail light assembly from a manufacturer in the USA. These lights have been made to the original specifications and are exactly what we have had looking for. The manufacturer was Speedway Motors in Minnesota. We will provide further updates on this project later in the year.

13.01.2022 Sydney 2000 This week marks the 20th anniversary of the beginning of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Between September 15th and October 1st 2000, the worlds eyes were on Sydney as we hosted the Olympic Games. Bus transportation was an important part of the games that helped to move both the spectators, athletes and officials to and from the various event venues. ... In the lead up to the Sydney 2000 Olympics the State Transit Authority ordered 300 new Mercedes O405NH compressed natural gas buses with the newest Custom Coaches Citaro bodies. During the Sydney Olympic Games many of these new Mercedes Citaro buses were used to transport athletes around the various venues. Bus 2000 was originally numbered 1108 however it was renumbered 2000 just prior to the Olympic Games as has retained this fleet number and registration plate ever since. As part of the 20th anniversary celebrations, State Transit has recently decorated bus 2000 with a distinctive wrap and the bus was used this week at a media event to commemorate this anniversary. The Sydney Bus Museum has previously made known that we would like to add this bus to our collection because of its historical significance and we have now been advised that this bus will soon be retired from service and given to the museum for inclusion in the collection. We will soon be sharing some exciting news about this bus and our plans for it once it arrives at the museum.

12.01.2022 Tickets for our Open Day this Sunday are almost sold out with only 5 tickets available for sale. There are three remaining open days in 2020 on 15th November, 6th December & 20th December. Bookings for these days are filling fast. We will be announcing some exciting news about our plans for 2021 very soon. https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=637154&

11.01.2022 Today marked the 50th anniversary of female bus drivers in Sydney. The Sydney Bus Museum was proudly involved in marking this historic occasion at Brookvale Bus Depot. https://www.youtube.com/watch https://www.facebook.com/NSWPublicTransport/videos/1019796165185274

11.01.2022 Looking for something to do this Fathers Day? The Sydney Bus Museum will be open on Sunday with restricted access to keep our visitors safe. We will only allow entry to those who have prebooked tickets online. There are 3 sessions available at 10am, 12pm and 2pm. We include a bus ride on two different double deckers to Huntleys Point and return and each session has limited numbers to allow social distancing. ... Come and join us this for a nostalgic and fun visit to the Sydney Bus Museum. https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=637154&

11.01.2022 Recently the Museum had a visit from Jamie Parker, our local MP for the seat of Balmain. Jamie was given a tour of the site, a bus ride around Leichhardt and officially opened our new Function Room, which was funded by a Community Building Partnership Grant.

10.01.2022 Our 1947 Albion CX19W 1892 ventured north to its former home depot at Brookvale as part of an event organised by State Transit, marking 50 years since the first female bus drivers took to the road. Keep an eye out for the pink liveried Volvo operating around the Northern Beaches, also commemorating the occasion.

10.01.2022 Five years ago this weekend, we closed George Street. October 3rd 2015 saw our historic bus fleet operate shuttles between Railway Square and Hunter Street. Some images from Peter Jacono are attached from the days operations. Fast forward five years and the long-awaited City & South East Light Rail is completed, and once again it is possible to catch a tram from Circular Quay to Randwick and Kingsford.

08.01.2022 A new exhibit has just arrived and is now on display in the museum. Rover Motors #20 is a 1980 Leyland Leopard with a PMC step deck body. It was purchased new by Rover Motors at Cessnock and registered m/o899 and given the fleet number 20. Initially it was a coach and in later years it was reseated with bus seats and became a route service bus. It regularly operated services to Maitland and to the BHP steel works in Newcastle. In 2000 the bus moved to Sydney for a short time... and was used to transport the public to various Olympic Games venues. In later years 899 was relegated to School Bus duties and charters to the vineyards and was finally retired in 2006. Upon retirement the bus was purchased for preservation by Paul Campbell from Kurri Kurri and restored. It has been displayed and used on club rallies. Recently Paul approached the museum and offered to donate the bus to the Sydney Bus Museum for inclusion in the collection. The museum would like to thank Paul for his generous offer. The bus was delivered to the museum today and has been placed on display.

08.01.2022 #flashbackfriday Ogden's Coaches, Western New South Wales - 40 years of service. In 2020, Western New South Wales operator Ogden's Coaches celebrates 40 years in the bus industry. In 1980, Eddie Ogden purchased the Wellington to Curra Creek school run to supplement the income generated from his bakery. Further runs in Wellington were taken over, gradually piecing together the former Offner's Bus Service business that had been split up in the late 1970s/early 1980s. Ogden’s ex...panded in the immediate area through the acquisition of school runs at Mudgee, Goolma, Gulargambone and Narromine. The early fleet was a mixed bag of Bedfords, Leylands and Albions. There were also a few unique 'odd bods' inherited through take overs, including a Leyland Super Comet, Roman 18.256 and RFW. Ogden's varied fleet has been a draw card for bus enthusiasts around the country, who have been generously accommodated by the Ogden family during many depot visits over the years. In 2007, Ogden's Coaches essentially doubled the size of their operation through the take over of Dubbo operators Fraser, Oldfield and Ferrari. In subsequent years, Ogden's have consolidated all school contracts in Wellington, the majority of contracts in Mudgee and expanded to Gilgandra, Trangie, Gulgong and Condobolin. Despite now operating a fleet of over 100 vehicles out of 10 locations, Ogden's Coaches have remained true to their origins and continue to provide a community focused service true to their small family business origins. The Sydney Bus Museum plans to elaborate on the fascinating Ogden's Coaches story in its bi-monthly Australian Bus magazine during 2021.

07.01.2022 On this day, November the 11th, lest we forget. The Dowling St Tram Depot war memorial, having passed to Pagewood Bus Depot and now standing proudly at Port Botany.

05.01.2022 #FlashbackFriday Cec Dykes' Gerringong Coaches Previously operating a bus service at Condobolin in western New South Wales, Cec Dykes moved east to take over Gerringong Bus Service from Murray Smithers on 1 May 1984 with 3 Bedfords (MO 592, MO 9076 & MO 9595). This consisted of two school runs into Gerringong Public School from the local surrounds, complemented by feeder services to Kiama Coachlines services from Kiama schools. Additionally, one of the school buses performed ...a twice weekly shoppers trip from Gerringong to Nowra via Berry under contract to Harrison's Motor Service Pty Ltd. In 1988, Dykes took over the Gerringong to St Josephs Catholic High School, Albion Park contract from L.A. & L.G. Symons (Narooma) with Bedford MO 9482 and Ford MO 9666. New runs to St Josephs were subsequently added and later sold to John J. Hill Pty Ltd and Kiama Coachlines, leaving Gerringong with only the original contract from Gerringong to St Josephs. Having owner-driven a busy charter connection at Condobolin, Dykes purchased a 45-seat Leyland Mastiff from Bankstown Coaches in September 1984 (MO 9602) to pursue private hire. A steady increase in work saw the Gerringong Coaches fleet expanded with the purchase of 3 former Pioneer Motor Service Dennings in 1989, 1991 and 1993. The Gerringong Coaches trading name and 3 Dennings passed to LBJ Tours, Wollongong (Ross Tory) in early-1998. Dykes originally moved to Gerringong seeking a semi-retired lifestyle. However, with the help of his wife Ella and family, he operated Gerringong Bus Service into the 21st century and sold the operation to Ian Johnstone (current owner) in approximately 2003 with 3 bus runs and 4 buses. Cecil Dykes passed away peacefully on Friday 31 July 2020 aged 87. RIP Cecil, a true gentleman and quintessential rural bus operator.

05.01.2022 Some progress on our 1926 White Model 50B bus rebuild this week. Recently work has recommenced on the rear section of the bus. The back corner bumpers and spare wheel carrier have been refurbished and reattached. Work is now concentrating on the rear window assembly. Stay tuned for more updates on this rare bus restoration project.

04.01.2022 SORRY BUS FULL - SET DOWN ONLY We have sold out all tickets for the upcoming Open Day this Sunday (18/10/2020). But don't worry - we're still taking bookings for the remaining Open Days for 2020 - Sunday 1 November, Sunday 15 November, Sunday 6 December and Sunday 20 December.... Your visit includes a 1hr slot to explore the Museum and a double-decker bus ride to Huntleys Point (near Gladesville) and return. To ensure a COVID safe experience, tickets are limited and must be pre-booked through our website: www.sydneybusmuseum.com

04.01.2022 #throwback Thursday - Marrickville Bus Lines m/o 4028. From October 31 1931, Mrs Priscilla Warren operated route 222 between Sydenham and Dulwich Hill (Fiveways). She became a widow as a result of her husband being hit by a car when changing a tyre. Her three sons stepped in to assist with operating the business, which was based just off Victoria Rd in Marrickville. Mrs Warren passed away in November 1967 and the service was sold to Barry Barton t/a Marrickville Bus Lines in ...Continue reading

03.01.2022 #FlashbackFriday Marrickville Bus Lines Following on from yesterday's early history of Marrickville Bus Lines, told through the story of bus registration m/o 4028, today we review the Marrickville Bus Lines fleet under the Rachwal family's ownership. Rachael commenced with the purchase of route 222 Dulwich Hill to Sydenham from Orana Tours (Bob Wood) in January 1979 with two buses; m/o 5997 Bedford SB / CCMC used on route 222 and JFZ 732 Commer / Freighter used on charter. T...he fleet grew in the 1980's trading as Marrickville Bus Lines, then as Telford Tours in the 1990's. The bus fleet was gradually improved through the purchase of successive batches of ex Government buses. The coach fleet consisted of an eclectic mix of second hand purchases, culminating in the purchase of new P&D bodied coaches from 1998. Route 448 (renumbered from 222 16/11/87) passed to STA 27/1/04. From humble origins, the Rachwal family sold their shares in Marrickville Bus Lines Pty Ltd to Dunn Group Australia Pty Ltd as of 14 May 2014 with 70 vehicles. Subsequently, Dunn Group sold the operation to Kinetic Group on 1 December 2019.

01.01.2022 Recently the Museum had a visit from Jamie Parker, our local MP for the seat of Balmain. Jamie was given a tour of the site, a bus ride around Leichhardt and officially opened our new Function Room, which was funded by a Community Building Partnership Grant.

01.01.2022 2020 TRANSPORT HERITAGE GRANTS ANNOUNCEMENT Transport Heritage NSW has just announced that the Sydney Bus Museum is the successful recipient of two separate grants. The first is for $18,893 for the mechanical overhaul of our 1952 Leyland single deck bus number 2599. ... The second for $9,823 for the production of a new book about history of State Transit and its predecessors. This book will be produced by museum member and noted bus historian Greg Travers. The Sydney Bus Museum would like to thank Transport Heritage New South Wales and the NSW State Government for making these grants available. Without this financial support neither of these projects would have been achievable in 2021.