ex ACTION O305's

Simes · July 29, 2009, 01:37:33 AM

Hey all,

There is only one left in service with Premier Illawarra, that being ex 647 - m/o 6408 (the Canberra disposal list seems to have mixed 646 and 647 up)
The ones I know,
ex 619 - Parts @ Manly Coaches (they also have another)
ex 605 and ex 612 are both still at Nowra, looks like they will be scrapped
ex 646 I got for parts and a shed

I also hear on the grapevine that the Metrolink ones are for sale at the moment, I'd imagine Interline's will soon be as well.
Also two up at Glen Innes for sale at ridiculous money as well

Irisbus Rider · July 29, 2009, 11:51:05 AM

Thanks for the info there, it's hard to keep up with where all of these buses are.

Yeah, a group of enthusiasts down here in Canberra would love to purchase and restore a Merc, but the biggest barrier at the moment is the cost of Registration. I think the general concensus is that we will wait until they are old enough to go on heritage plates, which at this stage will be another 4-5 years.

Interesting to see a fair few operaters selling off these buses, especially when they're all around 25 y/o. Although, funny you say Metrolink will be selling their O305, I thought there'd be there for another few years, as they only just sold their Leyland (Worldmasters?).

Snorzac · July 29, 2009, 03:51:07 PM

An idea a driver had was to bring it to Canberra and store it until it can go on heritage plates.

Simes · July 29, 2009, 11:48:53 PM

Quote from: Irisbus Rider on July 29, 2009, 11:51:05 AM

Yeah, a group of enthusiasts down here in Canberra would love to purchase and restore a Merc, but the biggest barrier at the moment is the cost of Registration. I think the general concensus is that we will wait until they are old enough to go on heritage plates, which at this stage will be another 4-5 years.

What's the system in the ACT? Here rego for a 30+ yr old vehicle is chicken feed (on club plates, regular rego that's a different story!). Given their mild steel construction, they're certainly no PMC merc. Best to get one now while there is ample choice. How much longer are Deanes going to run theirs?

Quote from: Irisbus Rider on July 29, 2009, 11:51:05 AM
Interesting to see a fair few operaters selling off these buses, especially when they're all around 25 y/o. Although, funny you say Metrolink will be selling their O305, I thought there'd be there for another few years, as they only just sold their Leyland (Worldmasters?).

Well from what I hear the worldies did very little work (a school run if that) and Interline and Metrolink are in line for new vehicles this year. Their bodies let them down ultimately

Irisbus Rider · July 30, 2009, 04:33:34 PM

Quote from: Simes on July 29, 2009, 11:48:53 PM
What's the system in the ACT? Here rego for a 30+ yr old vehicle is chicken feed (on club plates, regular rego that's a different story!)

Well, if the bus is under 30 y/o, it costs somewhere around $1200 for bus rego, whereas, with the heritage plates, they're just $200 (open to correction on figures).

Yeah, they are becoming more and more rare, so Lemon mentioned the most realistic option, purchase one and store it.

Ultimately, an MAN SL200 would be ideal, got my eye on Martins of Albury, they still have a MAN SL200 with a rear door, which would be ideal. All we need is for them to sell it off!

Simes · August 11, 2009, 01:34:43 AM

Quote from: Irisbus Rider on July 30, 2009, 04:33:34 PM
Well, if the bus is under 30 y/o, it costs somewhere around $1200 for bus rego, whereas, with the heritage plates, they're just $200 (open to correction on figures).

Yeah, they are becoming more and more rare, so Lemon mentioned the most realistic option, purchase one and store it.

Ultimately, an MAN SL200 would be ideal, got my eye on Martins of Albury, they still have a MAN SL200 with a rear door, which would be ideal. All we need is for them to sell it off!

Which one? According to the fleetlists, both are front door only now? Although I would not hold my breath, the two mkII leopards only got withdrawn in April $:-\$

Irisbus Rider · August 12, 2009, 12:20:33 PM

I'm actually not sure.

When I checked the fleetlist last month, there was a bus there that indicated it had a rear door, I have a feeling it was 512, the MAN that got withdrawn in April.
But I saw that bus in the active fleet last month! Confusing.....
Maybe Fleetlists isn't as reliable as I'm making out to be.

The reason I got enthused by all of this is that Martins recently received a delivery of 2 or 3 school buses.

Irisbus Rider · August 12, 2009, 12:28:43 PM

Sorry to be a serial poster, but the only other realistic option is Loves Coaches in Cairns, http://www.lovebus.com.au/index.php?pageid=350 - two problems with that, Cairns to Canberra isn't exactly a short distance, and they appear to be in poor condition.

So hard to find a MAN close to Canberra in good condition with a rear door!

Buzz Killington · August 12, 2009, 12:55:01 PM

Quote from: Irisbus Rider on August 12, 2009, 12:28:43 PM
So hard to find a MAN close to Canberra in good condition with a rear door!

maybe you should try RSVP.com.au?

Simes · August 13, 2009, 10:05:18 PM

On a bit of a tangent, Ritchies in NZ have 3 of their ex Canberra O305's are up for sale as well (seems they had 10, maybe the rest have disappeared? like 2 PMC mkI's seem to have...)

Quote from: Irisbus Rider on August 12, 2009, 12:28:43 PM
Sorry to be a serial poster, but the only other realistic option is Loves Coaches in Cairns, http://www.lovebus.com.au/index.php?pageid=350 - two problems with that, Cairns to Canberra isn't exactly a short distance, and they appear to be in poor condition.

So hard to find a MAN close to Canberra in good condition with a rear door!

Goodness!!! For 2k I'd go up get the guts out and truck it down, you'd probably spend more on fuel coming back down - they look in worse nick than the O305 I got. If it came to it, just go there, get what you need and put that back into a Martins one. I take it the MAN's were the same as the Mercs in having moulded steps?
I reckon Cairns too - sea air? Albury - it'd just be the salinity you'd need to worry about

lol

Irisbus Rider · August 15, 2009, 04:05:46 PM

RSVP? Lol, worth a try..........

Yeah, that could be an option, getting the engine, possibly the gearbox too, and keeping it.
Ha, rust, yeah, biiiig problem.

Honestly, this is that complicated, it's getting to the point where it's just not worth it.

Simes · August 16, 2009, 01:13:35 AM

If you're mechanically minded (or feel you are, just haven't found your outlet) , take it from someone who now knows, it's worth it. Sure I'm no mechanic, but I know a snot load more now than I did on the 10th August 2007 (the day I picked up 2413) and a good day is when I've been under a bus or peering thru the floor hatch and I walk away and something's sorted!

You won't get anywhere trying to do it all by yourself, get a likeminded group together....

Irisbus Rider · August 16, 2009, 01:22:05 PM

Thanks for that advice. I know for sure that a driver on this board is somewhat mechanically minded, so I'll definately bring that up with him next time I see him.

Sir Pompously · August 16, 2009, 10:48:35 PM

Well that is the ultimate aim, to have a group of us preserve ACTION's ex-vehicles. We already have about 4 that are willing to participate, and hopefully we will be able to get a small fleet (And we mean small, finding storage is the hardest part) of those buses ACTION felt unworthy to keep in their Heritage fleet (Now dwindling to a a count on one hand number), or similar vehicles.

Simes · August 17, 2009, 01:58:06 AM

Goodluck with it, if you ever need it, I'm happy to put you in touch with people at the HCVA/STBML if you're after advice.....