Charlie Wise - 1942 Chevrolet Sideloader

[Tas Bus Nut]

Charlie Wise operated the HOBART > BOTHWELL service with this 1942 Chevrolet Sideloader. Preserved with the Tasmanian Transport Museum since the 1970s, it's currently very advanced with restoration. The Chev is fitted with 216ci 6cyl overhead valve watercooled petrol engine, producing 85bhp @ 300rpm. 6 door body by Cramp Bros (Hobart)

[burrumbus]

Good morning Neil.
Many thanks for posting this.As allways very interesting.
My understanding is Cooks Coaches also operated a Bothwell-Hobart service for a very long time.
Were there two Bothwell-Hobart services ??
If so when did Charlie Wise sell out to Cooks ??
Thanks in advance.
Cheers.

[Tas Bus Nut]

Unfortunately, I don't know WHEN Cook's took over from Wise's. But YES, Cook's operated the TAA AEC Reliance (at TTMS) for many years before selling to Tasmanian Redline Coaches. As far as I know, Cook's/Wise's did NOT run in competition to each other (however, I bow to those who know differently)

[burrumbus]

Thanks for the reply Neil.Would be interesting to know the details there.Hopefully one of our other colleagues may know.
Cheers-

[caspa1960]

Hi All.
Charlie Wise sold out to Tas Coastlines in 1967, the Chevs were replaced by an Ansair Clipper. Charlie used to run 2 services most days, One Chev had a desto of Bothwell to Hobart with silver roof racks (WNB-063) driven by Harold Goggins, the other was Charlie's bus desto Hobart to Bothwell with black roof racks (WZR-984). Dad used to leave Bothwell at 7:45am & Hobart at 4:45pm from the Halls Service Station in Melville St (now McDonalds), Charlie left at 9:00am & returned at 3:30pm. Cooks ran the Federal with Roy Rayner leaving Hobart at 8:00am arriving at 10ish at Bothwell with the mail & school milk service, then leave Bothwell when the mail was sorted at 11:00am. they were partially in opposition until Tas Coachlines took over. With cars were becoming far more common and the school milk service was canned, leaving Cooks without a contract to continue an unviable run and forced Cooks to retire the service in the early 1970s. Once Tas. Coachlines took on the run, a single service left Bothwell at 7:45am and Hobart from Flynns Pet Shop in Bathurst St. at 4:45
Hope that fills in a few gaps for you.
PS. Restoration looks really good, keep up the great work.

[burrumbus]

Thank you so much for the information on Charlie Wise's business caspa1960.It's just great to get history like this on the vehicles,but the services and how they operated.
Would you know when Charlie commenced the service ??
I can create a little fleet list from your information.
Thanks again.
Cheers.

[Tas Bus Nut]

WOW, great information caspa1960. Interesting reading about the relevant services, and what Cook's supplied. It would be interesting as to when the Bothwell > Hobart service finished, as Tasmanian Redline Coaches operated Kempton > Hobart > Kempton (and with talking around by the driver) later reintroduced the Bothwell > Hobart > Bothwell services in the mid 1980s.

[Bedford-29]

Here is a picture of the Chev somewhere in Hobart.Picture from Ted Lidster in care with Trainiac flick

[tasstockau]

photo taken at the back of the Hobart roundhouse. What is the current Mac Point development auth offices (then the loco barracks) are just out of shot to the right.

Speculate that the photo would have been taken just after it was taken out of service as the group that had control of it then had a couple of guys employed as enginemen by the railways. Out of memory loco Q5 (now at the transport museum as well) would have been stabled just inside the door shown.

Phil

[caspa1960]

Thanks for the feedback,
Pushing the History & memory banks from stories told.
All is open for correction, Cooks started the Hobart to Bothwell mail run & sedan service around 1915, Charlie Wise was operating around 1929 think he took over from the Askeys after they went bankrupt. Charlie had 4 coaches in his garage, but I can remember a 5th, One was the Chev now at Nubeena (the choofer) 1 Fargo, 2 Chevs not sure if they were both Maple Leaf's & the Chev in this post. Dad started with Charlie around 1935 & drove until the start of WWII, then again from 1946 until he retired, travelled the road for 34 years as well as the football & cricket weekend trips that Bothwell played, from memory the Maple Leaf's had an extra seat & didn't had a boot door but a space behind the back seat. The Maple Leafs finished up at Tas. Coach lines & I think the others were sold privately before the change over. The years after the closure of the Apsley Rail service helped to justify both Cooks & Wise to run for so long in unison, ironically the name on Charlie's garage was Bothwell Motor Service, But it was always known as Wises.
Hope this fills in a few more gaps.

[burrumbus]

Thanks again caspa1960 for the additional info.Much appreciated.
Cheers.

[Melton girl]

Have fond memories of the old bus, wondered where it ended up - Harold Goggins was our driver - Try "Trove" online newspapers for more info. regarding the service
and Charlie Wise. - Melton girl