RANDOM BUS GUFF - PART 19

Well... yes, I'm afraid to report that you've somehow stumbled into yet another collection of completely random Australian bus photos that I've accumulated over several decades while standing beside roads looking suspiciously like someone with far too much free time and far too little common sense.

As usual, there's absolutely no rhyme or reason to any of it. It's the traditional grab bag of old buses, new buses, buses that have long since disappeared, buses that probably wish they had, and the occasional oddball that made me think, "Well, I suppose I may as well waste another frame of film on that."

Normally I'd throw in the odd ticket, timetable, transfer slip or some other fascinating piece of transport paperwork to give everyone the illusion that there's a carefully thought-out theme. Sadly, this particular instalment is lacking all of that. Apparently I was far too busy loitering on street corners waiting for buses instead of collecting bits of cardboard to photograph.

So instead, what you get is a completely unscientific assortment of buses from various operators, various states, and various decades, all mashed together with the sort of organisation you'd expect from someone whose filing system consists largely of "I'll put that somewhere safe." Naturally, that safe place remains a complete mystery.

Anyway, it is what it is. There's no deep historical significance, no educational value worthy of a university thesis, and certainly no guarantee that you'll find your favourite bus lurking amongst the pages.

If you enjoy looking at old buses, hopefully you'll find something here to bring back a few memories.

If not... well... thanks for stopping by anyway. The exit is clearly marked, and I promise there'll probably be trains again before too long. Or at least that's the current rumour.

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Bedford M/O 5748 at Brooklyn (NSW)

It is believed it was shipped to Tonga around 1990.

No idea of it's current situation. But given it would be around 54 years old, it may have gone to god.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Above and below.

3398 in the Sydney Explorer livery at Randwick bus depot during 1991. Below is at Darling Harbour.

The Sydney Explorer buses are believed to have been withdrawn in 2010, this then being sold to Telfords.
It was last reported with Bluefit Fitness at Penshurst in 2019.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Mk5 Mercedes 3101 in the lovely Bicentennial livery about to depart Circular Quay (Sydney).

She has since been scrapped.

Photo: Brad Peadon

 1854 would go through numerous owners, starting with Crossley in Regents Park (Sydney), then working it's way to Cairns, with a Kempsey stopover.

Photo: Carl Millington

Brad Peadon Collection

Miss the ol Leyland Leopards, they were such a wonderful part of the Sydney.

1693 and 3823 were seen snoozing during a vist to North Sydney bus depot.

1693 would retired to beautiful Queensland, but is now scrapped.

3823 would have a few owners around Sydney, last noted as a deregistered motor home (2003) somewhere in New South Wales)

Photo: Brad Peadon

 Another Bicentennial bus in 3097, sitting next to the less impressive looking 2437 at Kingsgrove Depot in Sydney.

3097 would eventually end up with State Transit Newcastle Buses for parts, what was left sent to One Steel at Hexham for recycling.

2437 was last noted as a mobile workshop in the Narrabri area (2008), but has since been put up for a sale again. 

Photo: Brad Peadon

 3237 in the attractive 'Bondi & Bay Explorer' livery departing Circular Quay.

The bus would also see service as an Airport Express, but later sold to 'Kingsford Smith Transport', but now believed to be privately preserved.

Photo: Carl Millington

Brad Peadon Collection

2568 in the lovely livery variation in which they were delivered.

Would later be sold to  Hawkesfords, then Transit Scenic, before being sent to scrap in 2021.

Photo: Carl Millington

Brad Peadon Collection

Above and below.

Preserved 2294 during a visit to the former Rockdale signal box back when the 'Botany Railway Line MRC' had the lease.

It would later go through a few owners, but last reported as a shed at Londonderry .

Photos: Brad Peadon

Another two lovely Leyland Leopards, this time at the long since redeveloped Chullora Bus Workshops site.

1539

Both would go to Canterbury Bus Lines, but are now scrapped.

Photo: Brad Peadon

6994MO awaiting passengers at the railway station in Port Kembla (New South Wales).

Believed to still be in service with Premier Illawarra

Photo: Brad Peadon

AEC Regal IV 3197 seen at the former 'Historic Commercial Vehicle Association (now Sydney Bus Museum) museum at Tempe bus depot in Sydney.

Likely at the Leichardt depot museum now.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Mk4 Mercedes 2767 at Campsie (Sydney).

Sent for scrap in 2013.

Photo: Brad Peadon

3319 departing Circular Quay in 1990.

Sent for scrap from Randwick Depot in 2015.

Photo: Brad Peadon

3880 (MET845) and 3791 (MET837) when used in Melbourne.

Seen here at the Doncaster bus depot.

Both would go to Sita Buslines at Footscray, but never used. Now scrapped.

Photo: Brad Peadon

3434 takes on a van near the former railway crossing in Mascot (Sydney).

Bus would become part of Transit Systems when they took on the region 6 contract, then a private owner, before going to 'Kingsford Smith Transport' in 2019, and then another private owner in Castle Hill during 2021.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Leyland Atlantean 1003 outside the former 'Historic Commercial Vehicle Association' (Now Sydney Bus Museum) museum in Tempe.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Same bus noted during the 1989 Chullora Railway Workshops open day.

Photo: Brad Peadon

3203 on Elizabeth Street (Sydney) opposite St James station.

Now privately preserved.

Photo: Brad Peadon

2776 passing the Wansey Road light rail stop on Alison Road in Randwick.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Bendy 2574 waiting to depart from Wynyard on route 182 to Warringah Mall.

Current situation unknown.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Unidentified Mk1 Mercedes stored at Randwick bus depot.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Found this old school bus stop sign around Eastlakes (Sydney) a couple of years ago and reported it to the Sydney Bus Museum should they be interested in saving it.

Photo: Brad Peadon

That's all for the 19th dreary installment.

I've little doubt you will eventually be enduring the 20th.

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Coming Soon

A new project of the Semi-Retired Foamer team.

#semiretiredfoamer

ROSEHILL MODEL TRAIN EXHIBITION 25/10/2025 PART 1

 

Part 1

Awards awarded in part 2.

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The Grand Queue of Rosehill

It was another fine Saturday at Rosehill Racecourse — fine, if you count standing in a kilometre-long queue as a form of cardio. There we were, Kevin, Ben, the asawa and myself, blending seamlessly into a line that stretched further than some branch lines ever did. You could practically see people ageing in real time as we shuffled forward at the speed of a X200 with a fully laden rake of steel coils. Still, spirits were high — or at least Red Bull-assisted — as we joined the congregation of the faithful, all bound for the sacred halls of the model train exhibition.

Oh look, it's the famous Mr Kevin Medley.
Photo: Brad Peadon

If you ever want to see the full spectrum of humanity, skip the airport and come to a model train show queue. There were dads herding small children like wayward wagons, elderly gentlemen discussing the correct shade of Indian Red on 42 class, and teenagers pretending they were dragged there against their will (but secretly fascinated). The air buzzed with anticipation, and smelt a little of racehorse dung — and also with actual flies, which took turns reminding us that we were indeed outdoors, and in close proximity to aforementioned racehorse dung. Sweat, small talk, and the occasional whiff of BO combined into a uniquely Australian waiting experience.

Oh look, its a preserved Westbus bus.

Photo: Brad Peadon

They keep saying the model railway hobby is dying. Funny, because if this crowd was any indication, it’s more alive than ever — and possibly breeding (now there's a scary thought).
 Thousands of us, willingly enduring dehydration and sunstroke just to see miniature worlds in motion. By the time we finally crossed the threshold, we were half delirious, half triumphant, half starved, like explorers discovering new land. Inside, the sound of tiny locomotives humming away was almost drowned out by the collective sigh of relief. The hobby’s not dead — but after that queue, a few of us nearly were. :-)

Above and below.

Just when we had about given hope of finally getting inside, or being able to squash enough flies to make any difference the airborne torture, we found ourselves inside and forking out some dosh to have a squiz.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Trains For Kids With Cancer.

This is something I was once involved in, a worthy cause that aimed to help the families of kids suffering this horrible disease.

Sadly, some hobby individuals worked hard to force me to give up helping these families, but thankfully MrX keeps the candle burning.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Having been forced into early retirement from the hobby , I don’t really make it to many exhibitions these days. In fact, this could very well be my grand farewell tour of Rosehill — my “last run to the terminus”, if you will. Still, I pop in occasionally for the social side of things. There’s nothing quite like being reminded just how many friends you’ve accumulated over the years — so many, in fact, that a single lap of the exhibition hall can take longer than a cross-country passenger service. Who needs exercise when every three metres someone stops you for a chat about ballast or bogies?

Here we have Rodney 'the not so fat controller' Smith and Sean Foyel.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Planes, Trains & Automobiles 

Photo: Brad Peadon

Above and two below

The very impressive Lego based Bricklandia layout. 

The 48 class below was particularly impressive.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Above and five below.

Strathburn was an impressive Adelaide Hills based layout with some beautiful South Australian operations. 

Photos: Brad Peadon

Dr Cooties and I talking to the legendary Phil Badger of Gopher Models and Ixion Model Railways. 

Photo: Brad Peadon

Above and two below.

Southern Highlands is another beautiful looking layout, based on the popular area around Werai to Exeter.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Above and below.

One of my favourite layouts given it's also one of my favourite locations :-)

Photos: Brad Peadon

Waterfall.

Based on, hardly surprisingly, Waterfall on the NSW Illawarra line.

Photo: Brad Peadon

The windows give a lovely view out across the horse racecourse.

Photo: Brad Peadon

90 Mile Beach is loosely based on New Zealand but using Marklin trains and some interesting automation of road vehicles.

The little yellow van at the bottom of the photo was driving across the layout. Something that will be more apparent in my YouTube video of the event.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Another of my dearest friends is fellow South Maitland obsessive Mr Nathan Chapple. Always a special treat catching up with him. 

Photo: Brad Peadon

On Track Models.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Mr & Mrs Ian of IDR Models, makers of interesting items such as the NSW 70 and X200 class, Victorian F class and DERMs, and the Queensland SX suburban carriages.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Mr Steve Pracy and SDS Models.

He makes English Electric models like these which on it's own makes him a top bloke. 
However he also makes quality models of lesser locomotive manufacturers :-) and they can be all found on his website.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Rollingstock On The NSWR.

Photo: Brad Peadon

The terrific, and fellow English Electric aficionado, Mr Zane Maber.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Above and three below.

I was particularly interested in this layout given my having a thing for the South Maitland & Richmond Vale Railways , the later of which this is based on.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Mr David Kirklansd, is probably the railfan I have known longest given we both grew up in the same St George suburb, and attended the same school.

Oh, and his interest in my main passion nowadays, the Moreton Sugar Mill system, means he has pretty good taste as well.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Above and three below.

Brigadoon is owned by Scott Fitzgerald and based on the Avon Valley area of Western Australia.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Above and below.

Southern Cross Model Railway Association.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Bergs Hobbies of Parramatta.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Great to meet Mr Jason Macklin who I've seen many many times on Facebook, but came up at the exhibition to say g'day.

Greatly appreciated mate.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Another dear friend, and internet superstar, Bradly 'Dr Cooties' Coulter, or for two days Brock Emmett according to his badge.

For the weekend he took a break from his SRF Youtube and Australian Locomotive Roster duties to help out on the Railway Coins stand.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Above and two below.

Electric Car Sheds is another particular favourite.

'Historic Electric Traction'

Photos: Brad Peadon

Also great to catch up with ol mate Lindsay Lucas for a chat.

Photo: Brad Peadon

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A second dreadful part to this momentous occasion will be dropping soon.

Not to mention a video that you will also have to eventually endure.

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Note: Coming up on our SRF YouTube channel is a visit to the the 2025 model railway exhibition at Rosehill Racecourse. A good look around, with footage of the utmost lowest quality you have come to demand.

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Epping Model Railway Club.

Ones Patient Asawa.

All my many friends who I had a ball catching up with.

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