Mercedes O305G Articulated Farewell - August 30

[Deano]

Thanks very much for organising this guys - sorry I couldn't stay for more than the first couple of hours and had to leave at Queenscliff.

Was wondering where you went to. I saw you walk down the bridge and was worried you'd get left behind, you weren't there so I could call out. Cheers

[The Inspector]

I also enjoyed the day out, thanks again to stoney & AC for running the tour.

A few good photo opps, couple of pax left behind at one stage and all in all a good day out, a good gunzel gettogether.

[newcastle man 2]

Big thankyou to everyone for organising. After riding no less than 3 Monavale B12BLEA's to catch up with 2554 and 2568, I have to say how soothing it was riding the Mercs after the whirring, clunky, rattle boxes on the L90.

[Deano]

A few good photo opps, couple of pax left behind at one stage and all in all a good day out, a good gunzel gettogether.

Don't know why that has to be mentioned. The people who were left behind were taking alot of time and did not make themselves known to the drivers that they had left the vehicle. One thing to remember on tours is not to wander off and take your time doing things as once again we found out yesterday, the sun sets very early in winter, ruining traditional photo stops from 3pm onwards!

[The Inspector]

Don't know why that has to be mentioned.

Didnt mean it as a bad thing against the tour, the driver as you said wasnt aware they had wonderd off and did the right thing in waiting for them which cost us more time. Even us on the bus didnt know they were left behind til we departed and saw them wandering back to the stop.

For all we knew they changed to the other bus.

[Rick R]

Glad to hear everyone had a great time. Would have loved to be there except I had to finish a rather nasty uni assignment.

Now like the MkII and MkIII farewells, how much longer will the G's be in service??? Anyone want to stare into their crystal balls to devine an exact date

[Rail Bus]

Now like the MkII and MkIII farewells, how much longer will the G's be in service??? Anyone want to stare into their crystal balls to devine an exact date

I wont be so bold as to suggest a date, but in the last 2 days I have hardly seen any in service. I saw 2558 in Brookie depot this morning just after 7am, then 2574 and 2576 later, with 2574 being on Spit Rd this evening heading to town around 6pm. Caught a glimpse of 2575 at Manly Coaches as I came around the corner from Mitchell Rd into Chard Rd just on 7am this morning in my regular Mk2 Merc, but still looking for 2579 on the road...

AC suggested on Sunday that the last 0.305G will not run for a few months yet, but this could mean Christmas or just after, depending on deliveries of new buses. Judging by my observations today, or lack thereof compared to the last few weeks, the 9 remaining members (2554, 2256, 2557, 2258, 2561, 2564, 2568, 2571, 2574, and 2576) are on borrowed time...

[Deano]

2574 is definately withdrawn Jason and has been for sometime.

[Stoney!]

2574 is definately withdrawn Jason and has been for sometime.

That was my baby and I had it on its last night...... absolute ball tearer that thing was.

2574V_139_ManlyWharf.jpg

Stoney!