BPSWA (INC)
  • Home
    • About BPSWA
    • Major Sponsors
    • Grants & Awards
    • Website Disclaimer
    • Interesting Links
  • Collection
  • Events
  • Bus Services
  • Workshop News
  • Rattler
  • Membership
    • Join The Fun
    • Fleet Inventory & Assessments
    • Meetings
    • BPSWA Constitution
  • Contact Us
    • Rattler Request
  • Home
    • About BPSWA
    • Major Sponsors
    • Grants & Awards
    • Website Disclaimer
    • Interesting Links
  • Collection
  • Events
  • Bus Services
  • Workshop News
  • Rattler
  • Membership
    • Join The Fun
    • Fleet Inventory & Assessments
    • Meetings
    • BPSWA Constitution
  • Contact Us
    • Rattler Request

1950 AEC Regal Mark III (MTT378)  

History

This AEC Regal Mark III was purchased new by the Western Australian Government Tramways (WAGT), and entered service on 31st August 1950 allocated fleet number 73. The bus was one many bought to replace trams, which had become increasingly uneconomical to keep running due to heavy wear of vehicles, tracks and other infrastructure during World War 2. 

In 1958, the WA Government established the Metropolitan (Perth) Passenger Transport Trust (trading as MTT) to take over operations of public bus service in Perth. The last of Perth's trams were withdrawn that year and the WAGT fleet of motorbuses and trolleybuses passed to the MTT, from 1st July 1960. WAGT bus 37 was assigned 378 as its MTT fleet number. 

In late 1965, the MTT extensively rebuilt the original two-door body on 378, mainly involving an enlarged drivers cab, removal of the rear door, and installation of larger side windows featured on new buses then being introduced. Bus 378 was based at the MTT's Redcliffe Depot and saw regular use until withdrawn in March 1976, after over 25 years of passenger carrying service around Perth. 

Former 378 spent a few years transporting school students at Brunswick Junction and then John Curtis High, Fremantle, before ending up at Bridgetown, where it was converted to a mobile home. In 2004, the Bus Preservation Society of WA acquired the bus for restoration - which be - came a 'long-time' and 'stop-start' project. Completed in September 2020. 

Chassis

  • Manufacturer: ​Associated Equipment Company Ltd (AEC), Southall, England.
  • Model/number: Regal III 9621E.
  • ​Engine:  AEC A208 6cyl 9.6L 125hp Diesel, vertically mounted on front.
  • ​Transmission: Fluid flywheel, pneumatically-actuated 4-speed pre-select 'Wilson type' epicyclic gearbox.
  • Brakes: Drum type, air operated.
  • Suspension: Semi-elliptical leaf springs.

Body Detail

  • Manufacturer: Bolton & Sons Ltd, West Perth, WA/MTT rebuilt.
  • Construction: Steel frame, steel and fibreglass panelling.
  • Seating: Now 39 adults, previously 43 adults. 

Dimensions

  • Length: 10.36 metres (34ft 0in)
  • Width: 2.44 metres (8ft 0in)
  • Height: 3.10 metres (10ft 2in)
  • Wheelbase: 5.87 metres (19ft 3in)
  • Unladen weight: 8 tonnes (approx., unladen)

Photo Gallery

Back to the Collection Gallery

workshop volunteer Hours:  

Each Tuesday 08:00 to 13:00 at the Whiteman Park workshop.

Second Saturday of each month from 08:00 to noon.

TO request A VISIT
​(by arrangement):

To tour the bus collection or see the BPSWA workshops in action any on Tuesday, click the "Contact Us" button below.  Visitors and new volunteers are welcome.

contact us  

CONTACT US via WEBSITE
Telephone:

0411 519 891    

How Secure is this site?

A test of this site provided by Trendmicro on 14th October, 2017, indicated that "this URL contains no malicious software and shows no signs of phishing." (Test for yourself, visit Trendmicro for an update?)
Picture
Picture
Any gift made to BPSWA of $2 or more, is tax deductible (within Australia).