[NSW] Once upon a time ...... Batterham's Bus Lines

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Centralian
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[NSW] Once upon a time ...... Batterham's Bus Lines

Post by Centralian »

Known in the early '70's as Batterham's Antelope Tours. Depot was at Kitchener, near Cessnock. They operated a number of school services and charter/tours. Later operated a Cessnock to Sydney daily service. Another operator now passed into history.



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TV 588 was this imported Silver Eagle new to Batterham's and later carried mo 5814 registration. Vehicle dates to 1976.



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mo 5812 was this Mercedes Benz 0303 with Ansair body of 1980. I believe this vehicle was also new to Batterham's.



http://www.busaustralia.com/gallery/dis ... ?pid=20356
MO 5709 with Batterham's was this AEC Merlin 4P2R with MCW body of 1968. Formely MB393 with London Transport.
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SMS88AEC
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Favourite Vehicle: AEC Merlin MO 7291

Post by SMS88AEC »

Thankyou :D for posting the photo of the Merlin -I am so pleased to finally see a photo of this bus which was scrapped in the early 1980s, by its owner who apparently didnt want to wish this awful bus on anybody else, so I was told by Kirklands who bought the chassis for spares.......

Now I am only missing color photos of MB175 & 180 (both Shave) ,MB186 (Katoomba) and MBS268 to have a full set of all 51 Aussie Merlins :D
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Centralian
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Post by Centralian »

SMS88AEC wrote: Now I am only missing color photos of MB175 & 180 (both Shave) ,MB186 (Katoomba) and MBS268 to have a full set of all 51 Aussie Merlins :D

Tell me about the Katoomba one. Do you know who the operator was as I don't think I've ever seen a Merlin in the Blue Mtns.
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SMS88AEC
Posts: 398
Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2007 9:57 am
Favourite Vehicle: AEC Merlin MO 7291

Post by SMS88AEC »

Centralian wrote:
SMS88AEC wrote: Now I am only missing color photos of MB175 & 180 (both Shave) ,MB186 (Katoomba) and MBS268 to have a full set of all 51 Aussie Merlins :D

Tell me about the Katoomba one. Do you know who the operator was as I don't think I've ever seen a Merlin in the Blue Mtns.
Would you allow me to share your photo of the Batterhams Merlin with the English Merlin and Swift owners on http://www.middx.net photo forums?

It was M/o 873 ex Hadfields of Engadine circa 1986. Leopard 1543 saw it and has a photo somewhere although he hasnt managed to find it yet. I went looking for it in June 1988 but found no trace -it was with the guys who owned these:
Image
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Centralian
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Post by Centralian »

The only full British import I have seen at Katoomba-Leura BS was the example below. I haven't been able to find any reference to it and I have no idea of what it is (Panther ?) but obviously not a Merlin, even with a full front rebuild the window line is not MCW Merlin. I notice the Merlin disposal list details MB186 to Katoomba about 1986 and the shot below certainly pre-dates that. I would love to see the photo if Leopard 1543 finds it, especially if it's in Katoomba-Leura livery. No problems with sharing the Batterhams Merlin photo with the British Merlin & Swift owners photo site. I also have a shot of a Merlin in Morgan Cessnock livery (brown ?) and I'm not sure if it's MB393 after sale or another one.


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SMS88AEC
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Favourite Vehicle: AEC Merlin MO 7291

Post by SMS88AEC »

Please do share your brown Merlin photo too -I am very keen to have one shot of each bus with each operator in my virtual library :D
It does look like an MCW Panther with an Aussie front panel -accidents did happen and this looks better than the original IMHO. MB186 Mo 873 may or may not have entered service -Leopard 1543 told me in a pm that it rings a bell but he couldnt remember if it was re-painted for service or just for spare parts.I hope he reads this thread and wants to share that missing photo :shock:
Baby_Bear
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Re: [NSW] Once upon a time ...... Batterham's Bus Lines

Post by Baby_Bear »

Does any one have pics of the landseers Batterhams operated?? (or even once passed over to keans)
or a better pic of the silver eagle??

thanks
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Landseer
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Favourite Vehicle: RFW trucks- Custom Hand built
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Re: [NSW] Once upon a time ...... Batterham's Bus Lines

Post by Landseer »

Looking for a photo of Batterhams RFW coach
Can anyone help
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Industry
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Location: NSW

Re: [NSW] Once upon a time ...... Batterham's Bus Lines

Post by Industry »

Check Gallery on Bus Australia
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