Rex Law's Redline Coaches

[Looselion]

Thinking about it, the vehicle in Industry's photo can only be ex-Redline No 22, which is quite historic, being the first of a long line of rear-engine tour coaches built by Alan Denning. It was the last delivery from his original factory site on Annerley Road opposite the Red Brick Hotel , before he relocated to Yerongpilly.
Here's the official Denning pre-delivery photo of 22:

[bjg154]

Hi Glenn

This is a really interesting discovery. It becomes more interesting when you see that 23 became 22. Is this your photo?

Redline 23 renumbered to 22

6a.jpg (175.84 KiB) Viewed 16929 times

Denning body 6 was (22) NLS 437, then NML 349 at some time after 7/1962 (perhaps to replace a lost or damaged plate?), then sold on the same plate as per Industry's photo.

Denning body 8 was (23) NML 349, then became TV 382 in 7/1962 - and became (22) at some time then or after (though I note that it might have been another repaint error a la 47/50). It must have been this one that became NYE 619 at Pioneer Bus Service of Ayr in early 1966.
_

[Industry]

Glenn
Here is another exercise for you to work on, it appears it was ex Redline

[Looselion]

If Redline, we're looking around the No 39 era......
Not much to go on there Industry, but there's my initial guess.....

[mcmuttley]

Just at a guess I would say this was ex Collins Grafton Mr Scania would be able to comfirm so that would make it an ex Redline

[Industry]

Not my find this was posted on Net from Old NSW Photos, just found the post on Facebook and share to this forum but cannot find it

found some old photos today from looking though a family collection and came across these 3 photos. I don't know any dates except for some time in the 1950's and if anyone knows the location of the buildings and ferries? I'm only guessing that it is the Pacific Highway as the bus says Brisbane-Sydney and that route had many ferry crossings in the 50's. Post by Daniel Thornton in Facebook Old NSW Album

[Industry]

Another photo from the NSW Album Post

[Looselion]

Great history Industry.......!!
Upper shot shows Rex Law beside Redline No 14, the third of three Tiger Cubs in the fleet. (Note Rex's habit of hanging his uniform jacket cover-all on the pax door lever....)
The photo was taken at the roadside diner opposite the old Harwood ferry loading ramps at Maclean, NSW. The building still stands, although altered somewhat since the heady days of the 1950's and early '60's, before the opening of the bridge to Harwood Island put an end to commercial activities. It's probably a private 2 story home now.
The lower shot shows No 14 on board what was likely the Wardell car ferry, probably on the same trip north. In the '50's the Redline 2 Day Syd/Bris northbound tour had to navigate 3 car ferries between Port Macquarie and Ballina.....
Blackman's Point ferry (Port Macquarie)
Harwood Ferry (Maclean)
Wardell Ferry (Wardell) or Burns Point ferry (Ballina)
The photos were very likely taken in 1958, between 14's introduction in Sept 1957 and Rex's early decision to hang the spare tyre externally on the back of the coach, rather than lolling around on the rear baggage hold floor, taking up valuable room.
Here's the Maclean diner today, via Google maps, and note the much wider road paving than back when No 14 was pictured:

[Industry]

Its not a coach but the old Redline Motel in Ayers Rock

[Looselion]

There were 22 air conditioned units, the motel opening in 1967.
In 1983, this establishment (by then named the Inland Motel) along with the four others at the rock, were all compulsorily bulldozed on Federal Govt orders, leaving absolutely nothing to show they ever existed.
Such was the way the hardy pioneers of Central Australia tourism were regarded by Canberra's cold bureaucrats.....few of whom no doubt ever risked a penny on any new business venture, let alone miles from nowhere like "The Centre."
They clearly gave no thought to any kind of memorial plaque in historical recognition of these entrepreneurs and their contribution to the thriving (if largely sanitized) tourist industry of today....

[Industry]

Looselion a Custom Coaches Coach with Derwent Valley in Sorrell Tasmania photo by Geoffrey Foster.

Thought to be an ex Redline Unit

[Reo]

I came upon this unsourced photo on another site and wondering if anyone can throw some light on this "odd" bus ?

[Industry]

Reo

The link below will put you the track to these interesting buses from Victoria

http://bcsv.org.au/vm/landliners

[Reo]

Thanks Industry....this photo was taken in Toowoomba, Qld.

[Mr Scania]

If Redline, we're looking around the No 39 era......
Not much to go on there Industry, but there's my initial guess.....

Number 53
Mary Kathleen. Sold to Tintenbar.

[system improver]

Looselion a Custom Coaches Coach with Derwent Valley in Sorrell Tasmania photo by Geoffrey Foster.

Thought to be an ex Redline Unit

The CCMC bodied Bedford for Redline was No 38, new 6/63. Is this that bus or is it a later model?

[Looselion]

If Redline, we're looking around the No 39 era......
Not much to go on there Industry, but there's my initial guess.....

Number 53
Mary Kathleen. Sold to Tintenbar.

I'm wondering what's the proof that this is ex Redline No 53.....??

[Looselion]

Looselion a Custom Coaches Coach with Derwent Valley in Sorrell Tasmania photo by Geoffrey Foster.

Thought to be an ex Redline Unit

This appears in every respect to be ex Redline No 38.
The bull bar was a later post-Redline addition.

[Industry]

Were these Custom Coach Body only used on tours or express also

[Looselion]

Were these Custom Coach Body only used on tours or express also

Only on tours.....

[bjg154]

Hi Glenn

This is a Vic Hayes photo of what I understand to be Redline (53). If you compare it to Industry's photo above, photos of (53) in service with Redline, and the photo earlier in this thread of the motorhome 011 REO, I think they are all the same coach.

[system improver]

And here's a John Masterton photo of No 53 taken in 1969:

[Looselion]

Hi Glenn

This is a Vic Hayes photo of what I understand to be Redline (53). If you compare it to Industry's photo above, photos of (53) in service with Redline, and the photo earlier in this thread of the motorhome 011 REO, I think they are all the same coach.

There are some subtle differences in the Redline Dennings between the fleet units numbered in the mid to late 40's and early 50's, including No 53......Maybe you had to be there......
The earlier builds featured inward curved skirt bottoms, which are obvious in the motor home picture, which had been discontinued by the time 53 was built.
Another earlier build difference from No 53 is the flat panelled lower skirt with lower rub-rail.....both very obvious in the motor home shot.
There's no way the motor home is ex-Redline No 53.

****Correction, and apologies**** I should have said:
There are some subtle design differences in the Redline Dennings between the fleet units numbered from the mid to late 30's and early 50's, including No 53....

[bjg154]

Don't just tell us what is isn't Glenn, tell us what it is

[Looselion]

Don't just tell us what is isn't Glenn, tell us what it is

I can't readily identify it as an ex-Redline unit actually, while I initially thought it was very close to No 39.
So far as I can recall no Denning build for Redline incorporated recessed baggage bin door handles as can be seen on the motor home...all of our Dennings of this era incorporated T key latches.
Can anyone suggest another operator?