News From the Workshop

BPSWA's 2019 in Pictures

With 2020 off to a start, we looked back at the happy snaps of our 2019 busy days, at the progress of our restorations, at our participation in providing essential bus services within Whiteman Park, in community events, weddings and reunions and at the work in and around our workshop.  Despite the busy schedule and workload, the enthusiasm and camaraderie of our team of dedicated volunteers shines through.  

Our sincere thanks to all our volunteers and supporters on their amazing achievements in 2019.

Charlie Loves Buses!

In the workshop this week, visiting from the UK, was Charlie with his family.  Charlie was keen to try out the driver's seat in all the buses in our workshop.  He especially liked our 1938 International D35B (Scarborough Bus Service #15). 

After taking a good look at the restoration projects and the buses, Charlie declared that he was driving to Nottingham!
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​Enjoy your trip Charlie, we enjoyed your visit and hope you had fun with the displays.  
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Although we don't have a museum we invite and encourage members of the public to visit and view our heritage bus collection. Click here to contact us if you would like to visit.   
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Working Hard!

Any Tuesday is busy at our depot workshop and here is just a glimpse of the activities that interest and engage our members. 
​From the top left clockwise: 

• Ray is entering data into our recently installed Mosaic archiving system.  In addition to our buses, we have a large collection of transport heritage artefacts to record in the database - we have only just begun.
• Brett and Ian are working on upholstery for our 1950 AEC Regal III (MTT 378).
• Brian is cleaning and buffing parts from our 1930 Thornycroft.
• Graham is making a replacement engine mounting for our 1938 International D35B (SBS15) whilst some of his suitably impressed colleagues look on. 
• Tom found a part that needed some precision drilling.
• Peter is preparing our 1950 Leyland OPS4/1 Tow Wagon for a fresh coat of paint.

If you would like to contribute to preserving Western Australia's bus heritage, there are ways you can help - join as a member and participate directly in our workshop days, drive a heritage bus around Whiteman Park, attend events, do admin work, or make a donation - click here to find the Membership Application form on our Members page.  
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SBS15 Gets Ready For Licencing

Or 1938 International D35B, Scarborough Bus Service#15, is over the pit for final checking and maintenance in readiness for its licencing inspection.  Licencing a heritage vehicle for the road poses some unique challenges.  In addition to meeting some current day requirements, such as indicators and stop lights which may not have been on the original model, heritage vehicles must also meet the standards which applied at the time of original manufacture.  Because of the age and service years of the vehicle, parts are often worn and replacements are not readily available.  Sometimes this requires specially manufacturing a worn or damaged part.  SBS15 is currently undergoing some work on the steering and suspension to ensure it is up to standard.
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1965 Leyland Royal Tiger Looking Sharp

Our 1965 Leyland Royal Tiger (MTT 591) has had an extensive session over the pits recently.  Under the skilled hands of John Young, Graham Horton and Ross Tinley, the Worldmaster is now back in service and looking very sharp.  Following many years of faithful service, the water pump had to be rebuilt and and the cooling system hoses replaced.  Swan Transit in Midvale generously provided a full wash and steam clean - inside, outside, under and over - efficiently delivered by Apprentice Mechanic Brendon.  The popular Worldmaster will return to the Whiteman Park services this week.  

Click here to read more about this 1965 Leyland Royal Tiger Worldmaster.

A Facelift for Tow4

Our 1950 Leyland OPS4/1 Tow Wagon is in the workshop for some overdue TLC.  The ex MTT #4 tow wagon is used extensively by the Society at events and at the workshop depot and the body and paintwork is showing its age.  The team are preparing the trusty workhorse for a well-deserved face-lift.  Watch this space for progress.
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The Hino Powers Up

Some of our heritage buses are not just static displays - they are used to provide essential shuttle services in and around Whiteman Park.  A good example is our 1974 Hino (ex MTT #83) which is a popular bus in the park due to its eye-catching City Clipper yellow livery.  For some time, the engine was losing power and required major work.  Glenn Boorn and the team stripped the engine down and replaced piston rings and bearings and fitted reconditioned cylinder heads.  The compressor and radiator were also reconditioned and Glenn can now finally shut the engine cover on a job well done.   
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The Mezzanine Floor

A major project commenced in the workshop in early July was installation of a mezzanine floor in Shed A.  The mezzanine was purchased second-hand to provide better storage for our archive material.  First, to enable better access to the shed floor space, some of the buses, including the colourful Drift bus which served as our office for many years, had to be moved to the southern lease compound. 
Then began the huge task of sorting the archive material onto the floor space.  Over the following weeks, the mezzanine floor, guard rails and staircase were installed, followed by re-packing the archive material back onto the mezzanine. 
The final step in the project was to enclose one section below the mezzanine which will serve as a tool store.
Our sincere thanks and appreciation are extended to all BPSWA members who helped bring this project to fruition, either directly, or by supporting and sustaining our essential workshop, driving and restoration activities over the past 3-months.  A great team achievement!
 

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Trimming the Seats for 378

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 with 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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ABC Radio Perth Visit

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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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

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!

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.

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.

Turning Scrap into Cash

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

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

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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Making Tyres Last The Distance

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!

Kevin and Mike repair rusted panels on this 1987 Mercedes Benz coach.

Visitors were enjoying a conducted tour of our workshop and bus collection.

Jacob was cleaning up the woodworking machinery.

Ian was polishing a wheel trim for AEC Regal Bus 378 which is undergoing restoration.

Glen and Ron were stripping an old engine for sale as scrap.

Paul was cleaning up scrap metals.

Mark was ensuring that our buses are sparkling clean inside and out.

Jorja was scanning historical documents for safe-keeping.

A box of spare parts was being prepared for despatch to the Sydney Bus Museum.

Check out the recently featured article with...

The Australasian Bus & Coach 

A team from ABC (Australasian Bus & Coach) recently visited the BPSWA workshop  to gather material on some of our restored heritage buses.  A wonderful featured review recently appeared on their website.  Check it out - click on their website link below.  

Australasian Bus & Coach

About Our Workshop

• ​​​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;

• ​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.