The Department of Road Transport and Tramways NSW took over four unusual Albion Valkyries from United Motors in 1937. They became M/0s 1512 1518 1522 and 1526 on take over with fleet numbers 312 318 322 and 326. In 1940 they were re registered m/os 1312 1318 1322 and 1326 in line with the general renumbering of the DRTT fleet. The first three are known to have run out of Burwood Depot in United motors striking maroon livery with gold leaf waist band. It is thought that the body of 1326 was not complete when acquired in 1937 and therefore may been finished off at the DRTTs Leichhardt Workshops It probably was outshopped in the standard half cab colours of 'streamline' green and cream.It is likely the others followed as they fell due for overhaul in the late 30s.Always obscure buses, few people can ever remember them.It is known that they all ended up in camouflage colours about May 1942 and ran frequently throughout the War on Navy work.Sometimes they were spotted on the 472 (In those days Bexley Nth Stn - Dobroyd Point[later extended to Rodd Point when the bridge was built over the Hawthorn Canal ]).In 1946 they were withdrawn along with a number of other old buses that had survived because of the intervention of the War . 1326, shown as M/0 013, ran in the Newcastle area firstly for Renwick and then for Baker in the West Wallsend area. 1326 dissappeared about 1952.The others all ended up with Sid Fogg (where one was made into a half cab)and were scrapped for their chasses in the early 50s. In Government service they were nicknamed 'Snowploughs' for obvious reasons.
The only known photo of one in DRTT service (undergoing repairs at Leichhardt Workshops in 1944) appears in Greg Travers' latest book.Its also interesting that the registration numbers of these little buses did not reappear until about 2001 on the 0405 NHs.
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