The Mezzanine Takes Shape
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Installation of the mezzanine floor in shed A is almost complete. Last week the floor was completed and Neil and his team had the stairs installed in a flash and the guard rails are in place. Ron and Shane worked on the remaining guard rails whilst the task to move artefacts and other items up into the racking got underway. Terry and Dean manned the mezzanine floor whilst Tom and Jacob sorted and loaded from the ground floor. The workshop and mezzanine now looks neat, tidy and work has begun on the tool store below.
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2019 Annual General Meeting
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The birds were calling and the kangaroos were watching as BPSWA members gathered at the Whiteman Park workshop depot for the 2019 AGM. The well-attended meeting started with a bus parade around the Park and business got underway at 13:00 hours. President, Tom Curtis, gave a report on the year's achievements and finances and an overview on the direction of our future efforts toward restorations and a museum. The existing council members were re-elected unopposed and attendees were very appreciative of the afternoon tea that followed - once again provided by the generosity of Daryl Clark. Photos by Dean McDiarmid |
Shuffle Bus
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The 3rd dome shelter on the southern lease is now complete and work has begun in the workshop to install a mezzanine floor for archive storage. The first step is to shuffle the buses around to allow access to the workshop floor space.
The Mercedes Benz H2 Fuel Cell Ecobus and our office bus, (the colourful star of the movie "Drift") have now been moved to the southern lease. Our Leyland OPS4/1 Tow Wagon did the heavy work moving the Ecobus with Colin Davison at the wheel, while Ray McNaughton steered it into the undercover storage. Tom Curtis and Ron Franklin directed operations on the ground. Packing up and clearing of Shed A has begun in preparation for installation of the mezzanine floor. A big job! |
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Trimming the Seats for 378
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It's full steam ahead with the upholstering project for our 1950 AEC Regal III (MTT 378). It has been cold and rainy in Perth but that hasn't stopped our enthusiastic team of restorers. One of our newest volunteers, Claudia Armstrong, teamed up Brett McPherson and Ian Richter to get some hands-on restoration experience with the seat trimming for 378. Claudia said she enjoyed the day and will definitely be back for more. Ron Franklin made sure that the efforts of the team are preserved for the future by asking the BPSWA members to sign the back of one of the seats. A nice touch Ron!
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A Busy Tuesday Morning
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Capable volunteers, Shane and Ron donned their construction hats and were measuring up panels to build a shed. The end result of this project is a much-needed enclosure for the bus cleaning equipment so that our cleaning crew can secure all the necessary cleaning supplies and equipment in a single, purpose-built shed.
_____________________________________ In addition to the construction and restoration works in progress at the workshop, this week we were visited by the Hon Donna Faragher MLC, a regular visitor, who caught up on developments and improvements to our facilities since her previous visit. It was a beautiful sunny morning and President Tom Curtis provided an overview of the restorations in progress as well as the new office facilities and our future plans for building a museum. |
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ABC Radio Perth Visit
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ABC Radio Perth came out to our workshop on 14th June and interviewed some of active volunteers on the day including our President Tom Curtis and the ever-lively Pat Hallahan. If you were up early and listening to ABC Breakfast Radio on Saturday 25th May you might have heard the interview with the ABC's Emma Wynne. If you missed it you can always watch the ABC online video - click on this link
Photo: Dave Tierney |
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It's a Long Way to the BPSWA Workshop
(if you live in the UK!)
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A regular visitor to our Whiteman Park workshop recently is BPSWA Member, George Luke, who visited from the UK. Despite the long journey to Perth, George rolled up his sleeves and was actively involved in our Tuesday workshop days by helping us to set up our new offices as well taking a keen interest in the current restoration projects and collection. George has also given us a digital copy of a booklet that he has painstakingly compiled on buses and routes of the MTT (Perth). There were lots of laughs around the lunch room table with our other esteemed volunteers and we hope that George enjoyed the visits. Thanks George for all your help and we look forward to seeing you on your next visit to Perth.
Enjoying some laughs around the lunch room table are BPSWA members George Luke (right) and Dave Tierney (left) |
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Getting Ready for Heritage Displays
Our beautifully restored 1929 Leyland Lion (Metro 22) has been taken over to the Revolutions Museum in Whiteman Park to become our latest Heritage display. This replaces the equally beautiful 1938 International D35B (SBS15) which has had pride of place as our display for some time. See these and more of our heritage buses and restoration projects at Whiteman Park - click here to find out what's on at Whiteman Park.
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Restoration of 1930 Thornycroft Bus
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Our next big restoration project is well underway! Our 1930 wood-framed Thornycroft bus is in the workshop and restoration has begun.
Neil and his team have already started building the wooden frame onto the chassis. The "spare" vehicle in the southern lease compound has been stripped down to salvage any usable parts for the restoration. The engine has been partially stripped and poses numerous challenges. Work is progressing on three fronts with different teams - the chassis, the body work and the mechanical components. A big job ahead but the team is enthusiastic! |
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Mercedes Benz O405NH 1302
One of our latest buses, this 1999 Mercedes Benz (formerly TransPerth 1302) came up sparkling after a full inspection and cleanup by Ian and Andrew Kerr in preparation for licensing. It is planned that this bus will be used in and around Whiteman Park on the Shuttle and Explorer tours.
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Our New Office Accommodation
There was an air of excitement around the workshop when our office accommodation unit was delivered and placed on site next to the workshop. Bus restoration was put aside temporarily as the team set up the new offices. Roger and Shane took charge of the painting and replacement flooring to give the rooms a fresh new look and Neil and Brett installed a doorway through from the workshop. The final fit-out was completed with donated office equipment sourced by Councillor, Sean Kinsella.
The unit will provide some much needed, dedicated and fit-for-purpose office space, and at the same time, free up valuable space in the workshop for our restored buses. Ron Wiggins put the finishing touches to the installation of air-conditioners which were purchased using funds awarded to BPSWA under a Stocklands Care Grant. Thank you Stocklands and thank you Ron, we sure needed the warmth this winter! We now have a thoroughly modern and comfortable office.
The unit will provide some much needed, dedicated and fit-for-purpose office space, and at the same time, free up valuable space in the workshop for our restored buses. Ron Wiggins put the finishing touches to the installation of air-conditioners which were purchased using funds awarded to BPSWA under a Stocklands Care Grant. Thank you Stocklands and thank you Ron, we sure needed the warmth this winter! We now have a thoroughly modern and comfortable office.
Turning Scrap into Cash
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Two of our industrious volunteers, Reg and Tom, got busy stripping copper wire from an old electrical motor. The copper wire will be sold as scrap along with other scrap metals and batteries to bring in much needed funds for our restoration projects.
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It's A Multi-Talented Team at BPSWA
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The talents of our volunteers at BPSWA are not restricted to bus restoration and driving. This enthusiastic team can turn their skills and intellect to many things. In recent months, a working party has been erecting dome shelters to protect the heritage buses stored in the southern lease compound.
Photos: L McDiarmid, C Davison and D McDiarmid |
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Service Inspection
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After a very successful day providing free bus services around York at the 2018 Motor Show, John Young put our 1962 Leyland Royal Tiger Worldmaster (MTT 452) over the pits for a thorough inspection to check for any oil or water leaks. The Worldmaster performed beautifully on the day in York but it pays to be cautious and provide the 56 year-old bus with the care and respect that it deserves.
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Some TLC for our Lion
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John Young and Graham Horton are continuing the maintenance on our 1967 Leyland Lion. The former WAGR DP90 is having a full chassis lubrication, replacement fuel filters and radiator hoses, repairs to engine and gearbox oil leaks and a general engine bay clean up.
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Making Tyres Last The Distance
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One way of getting the most out of tyres is to re-groove them and the latest addition to our workshop equipment is a tyre re-groover. Not all tyres can be re-grooved, but those that are marked "Regroovable" can be given a new lease on life. A single new tyre for a bus can cost upwards of $700, so this little machine has already earned its keep. Ron Franklin (who has extensive experience with re-grooving), Ron McDiarmid and Paul Gentelli were getting acquainted with the equipment whilst Colin Davison looks on with interest.
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1950 AEC Regal MkIII (MTT 378)
Work is progressing well on the restoration of this 1950's era half cab bus. This is an example of a Western Australian Government Tramways (WAGT Bus 73) AEC Regal half cab bus that was later modernised by the MTT (MTT Bus 378). It has undergone a near complete body restoration including replacement of the floor and repair or replacement of exterior body panels. The mechanical components have been checked and repairs carried out and new tyres have been fitted. The destination rolls have been returned to original MTT display format and work is now being directed to the interior and exterior. The external panel and paint work in green and cream is looking spectacular under the skillful guidance and work of Peter Hancey and is almost complete. The next major tasks will include installation of glazing, and the internal floor covering prior to installation of the seats.
It's always a busy time at the Workshop - come join us!
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About Our Workshop
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- The BPSWA Workshop is situated inside Whiteman Park along with the Bennett Brook Railway, the Perth Electric Tramways and the Park's maintenance workshops.
- Visits by the public to the 'Workshop area are welcome by arrangement - click Contact Us to request a visit. The Workshop hours are 8am to 1pm each Tuesday.
- When visiting the workshops, please consider your safety - wear close-fitting clothing and closed shoes. Children must be supervised at all times. Hi-Vis vests, safety glasses and ear plugs are available for visitors thanks to one of our generous Sponsors - Stocklands.
- Morning Tea is generally at 9.30am and lunch at 12.00pm. You would be very welcome to join our volunteers in the crib room for coffee or tea and a biscuit.
- If you would like to join our volunteer organisation and participate in preserving Western Australian history - click Join The Fun.
The Workshop
BPSWA has about 2,500 square metres of workshop and undercover storage space at our depot at Whiteman Park. Here we house about 27 buses, some of these we have restored or rebuilt; some are in undercover storage as they are rare or unique and need to be protected from the elements. Others (about 15) have been rebuilt /refurbished and operate as part of our unique collection of operating 'in service' buses and need storage undercover.
The dedicated workshop area has;
The People
Each area has a committed team of trades and trade assistants, and each project has an identified Project Leader working under the management of the workshop foreman. A 'stores' controller, manages the supplies of (largely) recovered parts from previously 'broken up' buses. Usually the 'crib room' has about 25 to 30 people enjoying the fellowship at morning tea or lunch. A small group collect batteries and metal waste from sponsors who continually donate these items to the Society. These are 'on-sold' to earn funds for the restoration activities. There is a group of administrators/archivists who prepare material for display; digitise manuals and other documents for use in the workshops; record and manage the archival material and some 20,000 items of memorabilia, books, photographs and other records.
A small group of volunteers check tyres, batteries, water, oil and fuel each week for the operational buses in the fleet. As well, these intrepid group of volunteers service these buses on a rotational basis to make sure that they are available for the weekly running on the Shuttle and Explorer services operated by the Society for Whiteman Park, each weekend. All our members are volunteers who give up their time and energy to work on a range of projects and activities such as these.
BPSWA has about 2,500 square metres of workshop and undercover storage space at our depot at Whiteman Park. Here we house about 27 buses, some of these we have restored or rebuilt; some are in undercover storage as they are rare or unique and need to be protected from the elements. Others (about 15) have been rebuilt /refurbished and operate as part of our unique collection of operating 'in service' buses and need storage undercover.
The dedicated workshop area has;
- a pit and floor space for general maintenance,
- a body shop,
- a mechanical workshop,
- a dedicated section for up to five major projects/rebuilds.
The People
Each area has a committed team of trades and trade assistants, and each project has an identified Project Leader working under the management of the workshop foreman. A 'stores' controller, manages the supplies of (largely) recovered parts from previously 'broken up' buses. Usually the 'crib room' has about 25 to 30 people enjoying the fellowship at morning tea or lunch. A small group collect batteries and metal waste from sponsors who continually donate these items to the Society. These are 'on-sold' to earn funds for the restoration activities. There is a group of administrators/archivists who prepare material for display; digitise manuals and other documents for use in the workshops; record and manage the archival material and some 20,000 items of memorabilia, books, photographs and other records.
A small group of volunteers check tyres, batteries, water, oil and fuel each week for the operational buses in the fleet. As well, these intrepid group of volunteers service these buses on a rotational basis to make sure that they are available for the weekly running on the Shuttle and Explorer services operated by the Society for Whiteman Park, each weekend. All our members are volunteers who give up their time and energy to work on a range of projects and activities such as these.
