Rex Law's Redline Coaches

[Looselion]

Looselion a Custom Coaches Coach with Derwent Valley in Sorrell Tasmania photo by Geoffrey Foster.

Thought to be an ex Redline Unit

Here's a very bad image of Redline No 38, supplied to me recently by one of Redline's Tassie tour drivers, Brian Cleary.
I thought it worthwhile to post this in order to confirm the original identity of the Derwent Valley coach photographed by Geoffrey Foster

[system improver]

That, and the "Central Australia" desto would seem to provide conclusive proof. Glenn, any info on the purchase of this "one off" bus?

[Looselion]

That, and the "Central Australia" desto would seem to provide conclusive proof. Glenn, any info on the purchase of this "one off" bus?

Rex introduced five standard Bedford SB3's to the fleet over the years, always under a "stop-gap" scenario brought about by the consistent strong growth of the company. In fact No 18 successfully performed more than one Central Australia camping safari....
These were:
No 9: CAC 1956
No 15: Watt Bros 1958
No 18: CCMC 1960
No 19: Hedges 1960
No 38: CCMC 1963 (I believe delivered just prior to change to Custom Coaches)

[VIKing]

I have recorded Redline fleet #38 as (NSW) ISJ909 Bedford SB5 (chassis # 91101S) / CCMC body # 63.79 6/63, new with 33 coach seats (C33F)

[Looselion]

I have recorded Redline fleet #38 as (NSW) ISJ909 Bedford SB5 (chassis # 91101S) / CCMC body # 63.79 6/63, new with 33 coach seats (C33F)

Many thanks VIKing...
The coach carried the NSW ISJ-909 plates more or less long enough for the transfer to Tasmanian operations, at which time it was re-plated WMB-607, according to Tasmanian Govt regulation.
Thanks for correcting me as to its diesel power....my oldie memory had me believing it was a petrol unit....

[Looselion]

That, and the "Central Australia" desto would seem to provide conclusive proof. Glenn, any info on the purchase of this "one off" bus?

Yes SI, there would certainly have been very few SB Bedford operators of any era looking to include "Central Australia" on their desto rolls........

[Grumpy]

Hi Rex,
We have been cleaning out the Mother in laws things and found this, the farther in law did a 22 day Safari in 1967 with Redline and they kept the Itinerary.
thought you may be interested in seeing it.
I have seen some pictures of the bus used somewhere in the clean up, if I see them again will post.

redlinerr.jpg (32.89 KiB) Viewed 9844 times

[attachment=1]redline pricesr.jpg[/attachment}

[Looselion]

Nice piece of history Grumpy, especially as it includes the now rare camp ground prices insert.
I'm hoping you may find some photos of the coach.
Have you found any clues to the driver's name?
Many thanks for posting.
My book includes images of many holiday brochure covers, including this one, as well as the complete 1967 express schedule.
Glenn

[Grumpy]

Hi Looselion,

Have not found photos yet, not sure who the driver was but have many more boxes yet to look in may find more info then.
Will update after checking them out

[Tas Bus Nut]

I occasionally catch up on this very interesting conversation and believe (which I'll confirm) Redline #38 (CCMC Bedford) went to Seabourne Coaches of Sorell in the purchase of Derwent Valley Coaches. I shall endeavour to track down it's possible disposal location. Seabourne Coaches STILL operate buses nowadays.

[Industry]

1967 no 85 was sent to me and not sure whom to credit for the photo, Love's did not do much to this.

[Car177]

Richard, when you copy someones material make sure that they got it right, it is bus 84 not 85.
This bus was at Oakey, Queensland a few years back it had been re-fronted to a more modern style.

[Industry]

Car 177 this photo was sent to me as a email from a friend in WA and a little info as said in post not sure whom to credit for it as a least 3 people identified there. Have you got your grumpy old man shirt on since you have come back from holidays Car177.

[Industry]

Glenn I have been asked in another group if I know is this Denning an ex Redline Coach. I cannot find my old fleet list must be in storage in Garage which cannot get into that area at present.

[bjg154]

Should be Albion Viking with Denning body 103.
Redline (60) NXX 232; Southern Highlands MO 5252, later MO 7027.

[Looselion]

Hi Industry and bjg154
The original features point to it possibly being ex Redline, certainly a VK41 REC Viking as evidenced by the rear hub....
There's nothing I see that eliminates the likelihood that it's ex-Redline No 60.

[VIKing]

I also have this Albion Viking recorded as Denning body number 103. New to Redline Express as number 60, rego NXX232. I have it recorded as sold to Carah Coaches in 8/69. Southern Highlands BS (WG &GY (George) Ould) purchased the coach on 17/6/1971 ex Carah Coaches NXX 232 and registered it the following day as MO5252. I have the coach being reregistered as MO7097 by October 1980, it was replaced later that same by a new MO7097, a Domino Tourmaster ex Stateliner. I have a note that Albion was sold via John A Gilbert, but I have not noted where it went.

[bjg154]

Hi VIKing
Thanks for the extra detail. The transfer of the MO 7097 plates to the Tourmaster was in 12/1980. At some point thereafter the coach was sold to Stuart's of Nowra, where it was registered MO 7436 and re-seated B49F. The online Stuart's list describes the Albion as sold for a motorhome conversion in 1983.

[Looselion]

I also have this Albion Viking recorded as Denning body number 103. New to Redline Express as number 60, rego NXX232. I have it recorded as sold to Carah Coaches in 8/69. Southern Highlands BS (WG &GY (George) Ould) purchased the coach on 17/6/1971 ex Carah Coaches NXX 232 and registered it the following day as MO5252. I have the coach being reregistered as MO7097 by October 1980, it was replaced later that same by a new MO7097, a Domino Tourmaster ex Stateliner. I have a note that Albion was sold via John A Gilbert, but I have not noted where it went.

There's a good chance the vehicle was purchased from Gilbert's by Rex himself, via his Rex Law Bus Sales operation at Acacia Ridge in Brisbane. He sourced a number of units for resale from them during the 1980's. This is only speculation on my part, thus I have no knowledge of the coach's ultimate dispersal, although its sale for motor-home conversion in 1983 could well fit this scenario.

[Industry]

Here is a great shot of a Watt body coach for Redline taken from an article on Barry Watt where a group are working on having the street named after the Watt family

[Looselion]

Great proposal to honour the Watt brothers...Sheriff, John and Jim, not to mention Sheriff's son Barrie, in such a way. I'd certainly back the move.
This was Redline's second Tiger Cub, No 10, being very similar to the later No 14, which was constructed minus the mud-guards.
I remember very clearly riding aboard with Rex the day he took delivery of this unit from Watt's Wellington Road factory and proceeded into the city for machinery inspection.
Note that nobody remembered to include a desto......!!
I was around 14 years of age on that day.

[bjg154]

Link to the petition regarding the park naming:

https://www.epetitions.brisbane.qld.gov.au/petition/sign/pid/656

[Looselion]

I'm hoping someone will be able to provide correct acknowledgment details for this photo:

[mcmuttley]

Hi Looselion yes the caption is correct the photo was taken at Harwood which is just before Maclean on the old Pacific Highway. I do believe the roadhouse has been long gone but still the boat ramp which is where the ferry's came to is still there today on both sides of the Clarence River. I will be down in Grafton about the middle of next month and if you would like I will get a picture on our way through for you of the spot today. Please keep this going as its so very interesting to learn of our past history and those great men who made it through a tough times. Cheers hope this was some hgelp.

[Looselion]

Many thanks for your input mcmuttley......
Google street view dated 2008 shows all of the original buildings still existed at that time, although the old two story restaurant building behind the coach in the photo above had been significantly remodeled, with a serious front extension replacing the big balcony...
I noted also from the Google views that the ferry ramps that were originally more or less opposite have all been demolished except for the most westerly one, which appears to be doing duty now as a general public boat ramp.
If you get a photo next month it will be interesting to see if these buildings are still there today, another 11 years later.....
My main concern in making the post was to find out who owns the rights to the picture, so I can make a proper acknowledgment if I include it in my book about the wonderful bloke in the foreground....!