MkIII Merc Farewell Tour - 12 July 2009

[HCVA]

With less than 40 MkIII's left in service as of today, and plenty more withdrawals planned over the coming weeks, it is fitting to announce that we will be holding a MkIII Farewell tour on
Sunday 12 July 2009.

Planning is currently in progress with finer details to be announced shortly.

Our Tour will commence at Kingsgrove Depot at 9am SHARP, plenty of parking is available in Richland St to the North and South of the depot. The tour will pickup opposite the depot. We will then travel into town via the Motorway for a 9.30 pick up at Railway Square (possibly at the Collonade aswell). Then we will head for Earlwood via the 412 route with plenty of photo stops along the way. We do realise it is against the morning sun, but we will pose the buses for photos along the way. Once arriving at Earlwood terminus by about 10.45 we will head towards Campsie along the 499 route towards Drummoyne with photo stops at Brighton Ave, Greenhills St, Croydon, Five Dock Park, Rodd Point and Drummoyne, possibly even stopping under the Gladesville Bridge for a photo.

After that we will head towards Ryde depot where we will join the Ryde MkIII's to continue our tour. The Ryde segment will take in areas such as North Epping, the 545 route, Rydalmere Area and Oatlands Area possibly even the former Harris Park Transport routes. We will then head back into the City (possibly in a convoy of upto 4 MkIII's via Victoria Rd) where we will farewell our patrons, and then drop others back at Kingsgrove Depot.

We may be able to do a pickup earlier from Ryde depot before proceeding to Kingsgrove.

Our expected MkIII's will be 2664 and 2702 from Kingsgrove. And 2619 and 2707 from Ryde, these are subject to change. By this time unfortunately there should unfortunately be no more Leichhardt MkIII's in service.

We hope you can join us on this momentus occassion, in the weeks after this the MkIII's will dwindle very quickly and then become just part of our memories. Note that the MkII Farewell was only 12 months ago, on Saturday the 27th of July. We're not expecting a MkIV Farewell in July of 2010 however lol.

[Simes]

Thank you to the tour gods for choosing a day that I am off, so I shall be there - probably hung over

although if something family crops up, then I'll be at that instead

[newcastle man 2]

I'll most definately be there. Is it possible 2617 from Ryde could be used? It was my favourite Newcastle MkIII.

[David-]

Myself and aec007 will attend the tour and iam lucky that iam not rosterd at tempe that day

[Ben_Daui]

Sounds good I'll see if can make it for a full tour.

[TOXANA]

By this time unfortunately there should unfortunately be no more Leichhardt MkIII's in service.

There are no more Leichhardt mark IIIs as from yesterday Tuesday 23/6/2009

[Volvo B12BLEA]

I am attending but am trying to work out how to get to Kingsgrove Depot from the Airport. I am getting the Virgin Blue flight that arrives at 730am from Brisbane the morning of the tour (have to work the Sat evening) and am looking at flying back to Brisbane about lunchtime the Tuesday. Will also need cheap, reasonable accomodation for the Sunday and Monday night.

[Simes]

Easiest option would be to get the train into Central (although it will not be cheap, about $15 single) or train to Kingsgrove (about $15 again) walk up the stairs, turn left then a 5 minute walk to Omnibus Rd

The cheaper option would be a combination of 400 to Rockdale and 492 to Kingsgrove (Omnibus rd and Kingsgrove rd) - however in looking at the 400 there is just one at 7:45 and 8:05 - seems tho with the 8:05, it arrives at Rockdale at 8:20, then a 492 departs at 8:23 (kinda tight if you ask me), but if you're able to get the 7:45 (depending on disembarkation from the plane etc) you'd have a tidy 20 minutes up your sleeve at Rockdale.

Another bus option, 400 from the airport, which would connect with the 8am or 8:40am 423 out of Clemton Park (400 runs along Bexley Rd, 423 runs along William St)

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source= ... 13797&z=16

[newcastle man 2]

I am estimating an arrival time of 8:55, hope thats not cutting it to fine.

[Mr Bean]

By this time unfortunately there should unfortunately be no more Leichhardt MkIII's in service.

There are no more Leichhardt mark IIIs as from yesterday Tuesday 23/6/2009

Then why did 2701 call in this afternoon and tell me he was operating L063?

[TOXANA]

just to annoy you

[Mr Bean]

It didn't annoy me. It cheered me up greatly to know that Toxana was wrong and Mk III's are still operating from Leichhardt depot.

[Tim]

yer will be coming

[Ken]

I am estimating an arrival time of 8:55, hope thats not cutting it to fine.

I'd suggest PM'ing "Deano" so you have contact details of him or someone else who will be there in case you end up late so they can wait a few minutes or make alternate pickup plans. Same goes for Volvo B12BLEA or anyone else .

Anyone coming by train from the Western line should note that trackwork is on between Granville and St Marys/Richmond and Blue Mtns services terminate at Penrith on this day.

I don't see myself or a few other gunzels making it to this tour myself as work (and sleep) commitments that weekend don't leave much spare time. That plus the fact that Mk III's are just a poor imitation of a Mk II

[shovelyjoe]

Sounds great, I should be able to make it.

[mark2 2304]

regarding the mark 3 tour do you need to book or just turn up If booking required who do I contact regards

[Simes]

Just turn up

[Lewis G.]

That plus the fact that Mk III's are just a poor imitation of a Mk II

Yeah maybe, I guess it's about the body shape more than anything else, for this reason I could be going on my first tour..

[blind bus spotter]

hi I hope to attend. hoping the buses of choice sound great and go like the clappers!

[Albatross]

Would love to attend but I won't be in Sydney these holidays-here's hoping for another problem with some of the new buses LOL...

Sydney will be different without them-the loss MKIIs were not as shocking-but the MKIIIs are it-the end of that design... [wearing flameproof asbestos suit]

The real question is-which will go first, the IIIs or the O305G's...

[3808]

I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to make it to this one - can't do 'em all, I suppose

[Windy]

Would love to attend but I won't be in Sydney these holidays-here's hoping for another problem with some of the new buses LOL...

Sydney will be different without them-the loss MKIIs were not as shocking-but the MKIIIs are it-the end of that design... [wearing flameproof asbestos suit]

The real question is-which will go first, the IIIs or the O305G's...

That is very true. The last of the round roof design with the corner windows at the rear.

[HCVA]

Hi Everyone, Just confirming details for Sundays tour.

Pickup is at Kinsgrove Depot in Omnibus Road at 9.00am.

We will proceed into the City via the 423 route, and pickup at Railway Square Stand D (rear of the stop, this is the Parramatta Rd departures stop) at 9.40am.

Those working on the day will be able to join a Shuttle from Ryde Depot departing at 8.00am which will arrive at Kingsgrove Depot for the 9.00am departure. You will be returned to Ryde by 1.00pm on the day. Those wishing to use this bus should contact Deano or Ken so they can let the driver of the bus know to who to wait for.

The tour is expected to conclude at Ryde at 5.00pm, the City 5.45pm and Kingsgrove depot at 6.30pm.

Will be an excellent day, with less than 30 of these buses left in service they need to be farewelled now.

The cost will be determined on the day, though it will most likely be around the $25 mark. The more attendees the cheaper it'll be.

Enjoy

[Rick R]

I'll be there, assuming I'm fit from the night before!

[Simes]

I'll be there, assuming I'm fit from the night before!

lol, I've got no plans to repeat 2 Saturdays ago mate