Townobile electric city transit system

[mddawson]

I found the following brochure attached to a file at work last week. The brochure dates from the mid 70s.

sp1.JPG

[mddawson]

sp2.JPG

[mddawson]

sp3.JPG

[mddawson]

sp4.JPG

[Andrew]

How bizarre - thanks for posting. That wheelbase is awfully long for turning corners! Does anyone know if it actually ran on the route(s) shown on the map through Sydney's CBD? and where that numberplate on the bus in the picture is from - it looks a bit like an ACT plate to me.

It appears Elroy Engineering are still around - in Hornsby.

[mddawson]

Found a photo of one outside old Parliament House in Canberra here: http://trevorl.mvps.org/ratec/Various%2 ... 11-77.html

[Windy]

Certainly is bizaare. Loving the flares and hairdos of the people depicted in the brochure. It certainly is futuristic, although Elroy is the name of George Jetson's son Also notable is that it has reduction gearing in the rear wheels, and seems to adopt the tram principle of a traction motor driving the wheels directly. I see on the brochure that there is a 9m version and they range in length (8.1m, 9.5m, 10.6m, and 12.2m). The 4 hour driving range for the batteries is quite labour intensive, along with the kerbside maintenance centre (which I'm sure the MOT would frown upon, if OH&S doesn't). Still, it seems one was actually built... I wonder where it ended up? Very odd door mechanisms as well, they open INTO the centre of the door, rather than to the sides!

[AEC Decker]

I remember seeing the Townobile in Sydney in the 1970s and I think it operated a free service on route 417 (Circular Quay - Railway Colonnade) or similar.

[The Inspector]

What an ugly beast,if its still around somewhere it should be put in preservation.

[boronia]

The Townobile was designed by Roy Leebruggen (spelling??), the man behind Tulloch d/d trains, and other transport developments.

It did a few demonstration runs in various places but I dont think it ever carried passengers commercially.

It may have ended up in the former Canberra Bus Museum ??

[davemail66]

Brisbane City Council's (Department of Transport) must of also did some trials at one stage on these electric buses back then. Here is a LINK to a photo on the Brisbane City Council's website, the photo was taken in 1978.

[Member 2298]

How bizarre - thanks for posting. That wheelbase is awfully long for turning corners! Does anyone know if it actually ran on the route(s) shown on the map through Sydney's CBD? and where that numberplate on the bus in the picture is from - it looks a bit like an ACT plate to me.

It appears Elroy Engineering are still around - in Hornsby.

No it is not ACT as it is a NSW Trade plate dated in 1976 as it was demonstrated as I remebered it was on the evening news at the forecourt of the Opera House in mid 1976. NSW dated trade plates always have a white base as opposed to ACT that had D (vehicle) and E (trailer) trade plates in yearly colour base.

[ed K]

I was told by Roy it was offered to the museum but they were not interested.
It was then given to a farm around Dural where it (is) a farm shed.

[Windy]

That is quite sad to hear... although it would be nothing more than a static exhibit, wherever the vehicle went...

[mddawson]

I was told by Roy it was offered to the museum but they were not interested.
It was then given to a farm around Dural where it (is) a farm shed.

Any idea which farm? If so then maybe it can be spotted on Google Maps?

[lunchbox]

Prototype Townobile, No 1, of 1976, is alive and well and stored under cover in Sydney.