Premier Roadlines/Stateliner

[system improver]

Here are some pics for the John Masterton Collection, all taken by him, except the first two, which were taken by Bruce Tilley. Any additional info would be welcomed, especially info on the company history. Oh, and here is a chance for people to provide the gen:

[Tas Bus Nut]

That AEC in the 4th pix is AWESOME

[TT]

RKE200 in the second picture became a school bus operated by Ross Wuttke from Winkie to Glossop and Berri in the Riverland in the very late 70s (perhaps 1979). And carried the same rego. And private school bus operator in Berri (Bill Matthews) also picked up a 2nd hand ex Premiers at the same time: it looked a bit like the one in the 4th photo but don't think it was this exact unit. They have of course long since been replaced as school buses but don't know where they went.

[The Inspector]

That AEC in the 4th pix is AWESOME

4th pic is not of an AEC, its a Leyland Tiger

[STA 1440]

Amazing pictures!


When did Premier Stateliner come to fruition?

[Tas Bus Nut]

4th pic is not of an AEC, its a Leyland Tiger

SORRY!!

[system improver]

That AEC in the 4th pix is AWESOME

4th pic is not of an AEC, its a Leyland Tiger

I think it's a Leopard ex Yorke Peninsula. The first pic is an AEC Reliance, the second an Albion Viking, the third a VAM70, the Leyland, then a Volvo, a Denning GM and finally a somewhat unusual mid engined Denning (unsure about the engine type, probably GM).

Premier Roadlines purchased Yorke Peninsula BL 1st August 1977.

Premier Roadlines acquired a number of Stateliner routes and vehicles in 1979.

[Landseer]

The last Denning looking at the rear end may be a proper bogie drive, if its centre engine probally inline 6-71 GM. Walk in rear boot with full size door.

[system improver]

The last Denning looking at the rear end may be a proper bogie drive, if its centre engine probally inline 6-71 GM. Walk in rear boot with full size door.

Yep, you are right. On looking more closely at the gen, the card does say bogie drive.

[driverbill]

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[system improver]

Oh wow! Thanks driverbill, they are fantastic shots. And who wouldn't want to stand in front of those lovely buses. Yes, any more shots from the album would be appreciated, as would any snippets of history of this operation.

Welcome to the board, and thanks for posting.

[driverbill]

Thanks. Yes, those Freighter (and Freighter Lawton) built buses were what we considered to be some of the most handsome of their time. YPL (Yorke Peninsula Motor Service Pty Ltd) originally operated from Hinton St Underdale SA, then moved to Andrew St at the rear of the Central Bus Station. In its heyday, it had pretty well a monopoly on passenger services between Adelaide and the Yorke Peninsula (past Port Wakefield). It also took over the service to Kadina, Wallaroo and Moonta once the train service to these destinations had ceased. Prior to this and in readiness, the SA Government encouraged YPL to operate freight-only services to the above, and the passenger service was passed to YPL once the train service was discontinued. Some of the older buses at the time were used solely for the freight service. This was one of the examples, which by the way, had clocked up more than 1,600,000 kilometres in its service life with the company, and it's worth mentioning that the Leyland engines were bulletproof - can't remember any mechanical breakdowns on the road with these:

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YPL also performed Charter work to various destinations throughout Australia. This was taken in the Snowy Mountains during one such charter:

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- This was taken in the Grampians (Albion which was fairly new at the time):

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This was the last bus purchased for YPL prior to the takeover by Premier's:

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And lastly, just for interest's sake, this was a shot of a Lewis Bros Bedford taken during a charter to Moonta in the '50's:

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Cheers.

[beddy]

Hi driverbill

would you happen to have and thomas tour photographs that you could post? Thanks

[driverbill]

Sorry beddy, unfortunately no shots of Thomas's buses (local Adelaide routes of which were later taken over by the State Transport Authority). The only images I have of them are stored up top! Ah, the memories though, of those blue Bedfords hurtling through the western Adelaide suburbia in the days before speed limits mattered much!

[Industry]

Do you have any otherphotos pre 80's you can post of other companies, these have been great to view

[system improver]

Yes, the photo of the Lewis Bros CAC SB is a beauty.

[driverbill]

Sorry folks, but that is about all I can dig up for now. I am going through a bunch of my old photos and if any others of note turn up, I will post them here. I still have some old contacts that were in the game and I am sure they will have some. I'll get onto it. I just happened to be made aware of this site by accident, but it is great coming along for the ride! Cheers.

[SAFirey]

Spotted this one today, a Volgren Fleet 283

[jonwendes]

Spotted this one today, a Volgren Fleet 283

What a POS that one is, if it still has the RoadRanger Gearbox!
I used to drive that one on Barossa Vally tours, years ago!

[Mr Scania]

Thats nice, calling someones coach a piece of XXX.

[STA 1440]

Ah yes, good old 283. She's the coach I usually get for the trip to Victor Harbor and back.
Quite often she can be found at night parked in the Urimbirra Wildlife park car park.

I assure you that she most definately is not a piece of XXX. she's very comfortable, quiet and has plenty of power.

[jonwendes]

Ah yes, good old 283. She's the coach I usually get for the trip to Victor Harbor and back.
Quite often she can be found at night parked in the Urimbirra Wildlife park car park.

I assure you that she most definately is not a piece of XXX. she's very comfortable, quiet and has plenty of power.

Please don't get me wrong... I'm not trying to bad mouth the coach or the company. In fact quite the opposite! I really loved working for Premiers... some of my best jobs were with them. I'm only speaking from a driver's point of view, that the Volvo/RoadRanger combination was not the best idea that they had.
So to be fair, I retract the POS comment!