STA Tour - "First and Last" Merc mkIV tour - 27/11/11

[HCVA]

With the demise of the mark IV Mercedes Benz O305 over the past 18 months - over 200 buses withdrawn since the beginning of last year. Now is the time to get the first mkIV and the last mkIV out on the road while we still can. To that end, we propose to host a tour on
Sunday 27th November
We will also hopefully be taking out an example of the refurbished mkIV's, 3005 has been selected since it is in the latter livery and it was one of the last in the final batch of buses delivered to the now closed Enfield depot.

We will be taking these buses over the routes that they may have plied throughout their time with the STA taking in some of the scenic sights around Sydney

The tour will pick up at Leichhardt, Norton and William St bus stop (the park side of Norton St) at 9:00am - , then make its way to Central, Eddy Ave Bay 6 to pick up at 9:15am.

If you are driving to meet the tour, you are advised to park at Leichhardt, near the depot.

We will then (subject to approval) later on in the day head over to Ryde depot, pick up 3082 and will traverse some of the routes that it would have operated.

At the moment it is intended that we are using 2728, 3005 and 3082 but some other mk4s might be used.

The tour will conclude at around 5:40pm at the City and 6:00pm at Leichhardt

Costs Members $20 and Non members $30

[Dave Wilson]

Good stuff. I don't think there's ever been a dedicated Mk IV tour before in Sydney (2984 was used in Newcastle last year). In fact, the only time I recall one ever being used was when 2766 was brand new at Ryde - and that was substituted for a broken down Mk I Leopard.

[ed K]

I hope the theme of 0305 mk4's is kept and not distracted by newer buses.

[NewcastleBuses]

Dont forget about L depot member 3037!

[Simes]

I hope the theme of 0305 mk4's is kept and not distracted by newer buses.

Believe me, the focus is on the mk4's.

Hopefully this will be the start of the farewells region by region, from my own reading it looks like the North will be first with Brookvale starting to loose more. Mona Vale and North Sydney - Willoughby, if you're using the "old" area divisions, which I will, have not had O305's for quite a while. Then hopefully we will do the East and South West with a grand finale of a XXX load of O305's for the last of them

[Deano]

I'd be assuming the Kingsgrove Volvo's are going to go to the Northern Beaches once their new Scania's arrive.

[Rail Bus]

Still quite a few Mk4's to be seen running out of Brookvale during the week, but yes, I have wondered how much longer they will be here. Any hints as to what depot will be the last to have them? My guess now is Ryde. A couple of months ago I saw Greg Travers at Leichhardt and had a quick word to him regarding the remaining life span of theses buses, and he suggested 12 to 18 months. Still, I full agree that now is a good time to start doing farewell tours. I know that they are getting thin at Port Botany, have gone from North Sydney, Willoughby, and Mona Vale depots. What about Burwood? Any left there? Waverly appears to have a few, along with Ryde and Leichhardt. For those interested in possibly buying one for preservation, this will be a good opportunity to see how good or bad certain buses are. I look forward to Sunday 27/11.

[gld59]

My guess (FWIW) would be Port Botany. Brookvale, Ryde and Waverley all have MkVs already, so the IVs can be easily flushed from them without introducing a new type. Leichhardt's expansion was intended to result in a gas + artic depot, so if that's still the intention it should get gassies from somewhere (whether or not it's gas Scanias from Kingsgrove, as I would like to see). There's nothing quite as obvious for Port Botany unless the MkV is added to its already impressive list of types.

gld

[TOXANA]

For those interested in possibly buying one for preservation, this will be a good opportunity to see how good or bad certain buses are. I look forward to Sunday 27/11.

2 of the buses being used on the day are already spoken for ie 2728 3037

[AEC Decker]

2 of the buses being used on the day are already spoken for ie 2728 3037

AEC Decker doesn't want to put a fly in TOXANA's ointment, but if it is the "First and Last", then one would think (excluding the prototype 2717) that MKIVs 2728 and 3082 should be used on this tour.

[TOXANA]

Is there some rule I'm not aware of that says we are limited to just 2 buses.
It would be a very dull tour if that were the case.
Of course 3082 is to be used, assuming some $2 driver at Y doesn't write it off before the tour

[AEC Decker]

Of course 3082 is to be used, assuming some $2 driver at Y doesn't write it off before the tour

$2 driver ?
STA SWA is the usual reference used these days.

AEC Decker hopes he hasn't spoiled TOXANA's surprise appearance of 3082.

[boronia]

[
AEC Decker doesn't want to put a fly in TOXANA's ointment, but if it is the "First and Last", then one would think (excluding the prototype 2717) that MKIVs 2728 and 3082 should be used on this tour.

Boronia also had this expectation from the heading.

But he doesn't have any flies.

[AEC Decker]

But he doesn't have any flies.

This is Australia, AEC Decker is sure Boronia could catch some common flies or even the odd blowie if he puts in some effort.

[boronia]

Boronia will have to activate his afghan fly trap.

[AEC Decker]

Boronia will have to activate his afghan fly trap.

Here's some flies to get you started.

Flies.gif (2.03 KiB) Viewed 1565 times

[boronia]

[AEC Decker]

Bugger, that's the end of the flies.
Djuavagoodweegend ?.

[Simes]

Is there some rule I'm not aware of that says we are limited to just 2 buses.
It would be a very dull tour if that were the case.
Of course 3082 is to be used, assuming some $2 driver at Y doesn't write it off before the tour

There's 3 for the tour, plus a couple of surprises

[URABUS]

If you're looking for a driver then I'm happy to help.

[Stu]

Still quite a few Mk4's to be seen running out of Brookvale during the week, but yes, I have wondered how much longer they will be here. Any hints as to what depot will be the last to have them? My guess now is Ryde. A couple of months ago I saw Greg Travers at Leichhardt and had a quick word to him regarding the remaining life span of theses buses, and he suggested 12 to 18 months. Still, I full agree that now is a good time to start doing farewell tours. I know that they are getting thin at Port Botany, have gone from North Sydney, Willoughby, and Mona Vale depots. What about Burwood? Any left there? Waverly appears to have a few, along with Ryde and Leichhardt. For those interested in possibly buying one for preservation, this will be a good opportunity to see how good or bad certain buses are. I look forward to Sunday 27/11.

MkIV's left Burwood some time ago now

[TOXANA]

Yes, most of them went to L and a handfull went to V

[Bedford-29]

When the last MkIV 0305 is withdrawn it`ll be time for a 0305 Mk 1,2,3,4 rally what do you think.

[Ben_Daui]

When the last MkIV 0305 is withdrawn it`ll be time for a 0305 Mk 1,2,3,4 rally what do you think.

Yes Agreed

[Cowra]

I do believe I will be working on another bus that day, pity as I would like to farewell the mkIVs but it sounds like there will be plenty of other 'farewell' tours.