MTT 522 1958 CAC Bedford 7SB

[LocoLes]

Norton's Motors Pty Ltd purchased the bus new as No.22 in Dec 1958 and after the sale of the business to MTT became No.522. Being the 'pride of the fleet' No. 22 was used on the TAA Burnie to Wynyard airport contract towing a covered baggage trailer with lift up top. It also operated charters, sometimes accompanied by similar Bedford No. 521 [ex 21] ,including transporting invited guests on APPM tours of their forested areas south of Burnie along APPM's then private road. Rarely did it operate town services apart from covering a breakdown when it was the only 'spare' bus in the yard. An attachment [1960] shows the bus still in Norton livery still without fleet names/ number. Note the huge radio aerial attached to the front bumper, later removed by MTT. Next photo shows the bus still in original Norton livery now wearing MTT identification and fleet number. A further attachment shows the bus after returning from MTT Hobart workshops where it was fitted with a rear opening luggage boot for TAA work and exterior paintwork of Golden Cream and Larch Green. The inside was never repainted in the Trust's policy of applying white ceilings! Lastly, in June 1972 after 14 years No.522 was sold to J. Spinks for a new passenger service between Burnie and Savage River township, beyond Waratah. I do not know how long it operated for Spinks or where the bus went after then.

[system improver]

The unpainted fluting makes all the difference. A classic design.

[LocoLes]

Further to the history of this bus, I will attach my only photo of it in Spinks' livery. The Savage River service departed outside the 'opposition' airline Ansett Airlines of Australia terminal in Mount street. Note bus 522 [or 22] previously was used to 'residing' outside TAA's office so it was really in enemy territory from here on! Cheers, LocoLes.

[trainiac]

One of Ted Lidster's pics, possibly not long before disposal.

[LocoLes]

One of Ted Lidster's pics, possibly not long before disposal.

Hi Trainiac, The fact 522 is parked in the 'pride of the fleet' position inside the garage workshops suggests it is still used solely on TAA contract runs but as suggested it was probably photographed not long now before being replaced by refurbished Comair 525 which was given a rear luggage boot [at MTT Hobart I think] before it [525] took over the reins at TAA. Note the blackboard beside 522 has the bus fleet numbers with mileage recorded by garage staff as they serviced each vehicle on this particular day! Serviced usually meant an oil change and grease the underside springs and tie-rods etc.
LocoLes

[LocoLes]

General Motors Holden's aircraft building experience at their Fisherman's Bend CAC [Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation] factory produced the 'Classic Bus' of the 1950's with the 7SB Bedford in 1957. Attached is another photo of 1958 built #522 still in Norton's Motors Pty Ltd Hawthorn Green and Cream livery with MTT fleet number and symbol applied. 522 is about to leave Mount Street depot to operate a charter for A.P.P.M. to transport interstate and overseas guests along their private road into the pine forests behind Burnie.
Loco Les.