Action 670

[TAA727]

After recently purchasing this bus from Canberra, it made the long trek north over the past weekend.

Fuelling up in Canberra before setting out on her long trip.

IMG_0515.jpg (175.01 KiB) Viewed 8171 times

670 Bids a final farewell to Canberra. Minutes later it was as if Canberra was crying at her leaving as I encountered a most torrential rain storm! (at least I now know the wipers work!!!)

IMG_0516.jpg (159.3 KiB) Viewed 8168 times

A stopover was had in Goulburn to meet with The Omnibus Preservation Society members who were heading south with MkII Leopard 1613 (TAA727 stupidly forgot to take photos of 670 with 1613... hopefully fearnes3848 can post some photos?)

DSC_0064.jpg (115.7 KiB) Viewed 8168 times

Due to family commitments 670 made a detour for the night to Taralga where she spent the night at what once was Taralga rail yard!!!

DSC_0066.jpg (127.37 KiB) Viewed 8168 times

670's paint scheme nicely complimented a glorious sunset.

DSC_0069.jpg (87.17 KiB) Viewed 8171 times

More fuel, this time at Marulan

IMG_0520.jpg (122.32 KiB) Viewed 8171 times

After a long day 670 finally made it to her new home and here greets her new companions - MkIVs 2765 & 2829

IMG_0522.jpg (261.48 KiB) Viewed 8168 times

670 rests in the afternoon sun after a long hard day.

IMG_0523.jpg (176.66 KiB) Viewed 8168 times

Today 670 has trekked to Sydeny's eastern suburbs to allow for mechanical inspection and servicing.
The opportunity was taken to visit TAA727's former depot and a chance pose with hopefully a future stablemate - MAN 3291

IMG_0527.jpg (149.73 KiB) Viewed 8168 times

With all lights ablaze 670 looks quite a fine sight

IMG_0533.jpg (135.74 KiB) Viewed 8168 times

[Simes]

Lu lu won't like her bus being on the internet!!!

Remember to keep an eye on it, you don't want it to melt into the yard

[Dave Wilson]

Very attractive livery . It's good that 670 was saved in the first place - considering how the Action heritage collection was decimated some years ago.

[Bedford-29]

Well I can`t see anything wrong with the paint work all 670 needs is a cut and polish and it will come up like a new pin at least its in good hands.

[Lemon]

And it needs to have all the places I failed at masking fixed, lol.

[Chris Guru]

Well I can`t see anything wrong with the paint work all 670 needs is a cut and polish and it will come up like a new pin at least its in good hands.

Already tried that. The paint has reacted with the base coat underneath it. Needs to have an isolating layer applied then a new top coat. I just wasn't able to put the time and resources into her to get it done. I'm looking forward to seeing how she comes up now that she is with someone who is able to devote the time and resources required to make her stand out.

It is unfortunate the paint did that, as the a majority of the blue paint and all of the white paint went on perfectly. I f###ed up around the doors and below the windscreen where the interline blue once was, and failed to key the surface deep enough for the paint to stick, lesson learnt, more aggressive sanding next time.

Her interior is in good shape with all the seats in cloth and in excellent condition. Only work needed on the inside is a strip down and repaint/powder coat of the hand rails and to complete smoothing out the rust repairs which were done the window frames.

[TAA727]

Thankyou all for your words of faith and encouragement. Hopefully I can eventually get 670 up to a standard worthy of this praise.
However for the moment my main concern is keeping her on the road, which immediately means re-registration in NSW. To achieve this I'm beginning to feel that a proficiency in jumping through hoops would be of great benefit!!!

[fearnes3848]

Great shots TAA727, im glad that 670 didn't end up going for a caravan or a shed or something, I have always liked Canberra's Ansair bodied O305's, we had a few at Fearnes but unfortunately the centre doors got removed.

Here is a shot of our TOP's Leopard 1613 alongside 670 at Goulburn

[busntruck]

Good luck with 670.

[TAA727]

Just a quick update, 670 has been sitting with a mechanic for the past few weeks after having an initial inspection for rego which identified a number of areas requiring attention. Unfortunately, as it is not an important or urgent job (ie I don't require the vehicle for my income) she has been pushed aside until time permits for work to be carried out. Frustrating as this is it does mean that I am getting free secure storage for the time being!

670 is seen here well and truly buried in the mechanics yard awaiting attention

IMG_0543.jpg (143.11 KiB) Viewed 7478 times

[3575]

Congratulations to your "precious"

The photos are great, too, first of all the sunset pic.

Can you tell me, does the "H", the last letter of the number plate, mean, this Bus is historic?

I now this typ of series from Germany as well. O305 were driving in West Berlin before the Wall fell.

[TAA727]

Thanks 3575! No the 'H' is just coincidental, they are just standard ACT 'car' plates. Annoyingly the bus isn't quite old enough to be considered historic yet - another 2 years to go!

[3575]

About the age: This is strange. The O305 Buses already are historic in Germany. Maybe it's because Australia still has 'too' many of them.

I've a request: Would you like to show us an indoor photo of your Bus? (If you don't think this would be too personal).
I'm still wondering if O305 Buses have got seats of wood or metal (in any case covered with seat cushion, of course).

[TAA727]

In NSW a vehicle needs to be 30 years old or more for historic registration. This one is a 1984 build Chassis (85 body) so still has around two years to go to be able to comply. Probably amazing to you is that there are still around 100 O.305s in regular service with State Transit here in Sydney, some even older than mine!- though not for much longer. *The two other buses in the 7th picture are Sydney design O.305s of roughly the same age...

I'm quite happy to put up an interior photo - once I get the bus back... I currently don't have any!!!
The seats are painted steel frames with cloth covered bench cushions.

[Sir Pompously]

All seats should have a wood base and back, the back usually has a metal plate over it for graffiti purposes. The frame is, of course, ACTION standard brown painted metal. Seats are covered in ACTION refurb grey Frontrunner Fabric with one red Frontrunner covered seat for the priorty seat.

[TAA727]

with one red Frontrunner covered seat for the priorty seat.

Actually 670 doesn't have the red seat - all are grey. If anybody has/knows of a spare base and back in red please let me know!

[Sir Pompously]

Ah my mistake, I thought it did, but I must be thinking of my one. Take a look at operators who have some in a yard that are derelict, you may be able to acquire one from them.

[ZIB-585]

Except the re-covered seats in 670 were not done in Frontrunner, but a similar fabric that I forget what its name is.

[TAA727]

I've a request: Would you like to show us an indoor photo of your Bus? (If you don't think this would be too personal).
I'm still wondering if O305 Buses have got seats of wood or metal (in any case covered with seat cushion, of course).

As requested a few interior photos of 670:
Saloon looking towards the off side rear

DSC_0090.jpg (158.16 KiB) Viewed 6837 times

Looking towards nearside rear

DSC_0091.jpg (152.63 KiB) Viewed 6837 times

Looking from the back towards the front

DSC_0092.jpg (161.71 KiB) Viewed 6834 times

Dash

DSC_0093.jpg (162.29 KiB) Viewed 6834 times

Drivers cab from front steps, showing the drivers cab Air Con. (which now only blows air as the compressor has been disconnected.)

DSC_0094.jpg (151.77 KiB) Viewed 6834 times

[ajw373]

Also missing the padded rolls on the top of the seats. But still looking pretty good after 28 years.

[TAA727]

670 has finally been re-regestered in NSW!
Seen here set up ready for AEC Decker to take it out for his morning express...

DSC_0097.jpg (153.05 KiB) Viewed 6633 times

[AEC Decker]

Seen here set up ready for AEC Decker to take it out for his morning express...

That desto is so close to the STA one, you would get away with it, too.
All that is required is a PrePay supplementary sign.

[fearnes3848]

670 has finally been re-regestered in NSW!
Seen here set up ready for AEC Decker to take it out for his morning express...

DSC_0097.jpg

Awesome, great to see that you got it registered TAA727, perhaps 670 would do well with you and Stoney at Tempe

[TAA727]

670 did visit Tempe for some time today and caused somewhat of a stir amongst the other drivers. Most asking what was that piece of old junk, to which I pointed out that it is a far superior piece of junk to all the red artics surrounding it!!!
670 in a rather wet Tempe yard with 2076. Please also note appropriate supplementary signage...

IMG_0587.jpg (125.74 KiB) Viewed 6618 times

[TAA727]

All that is required is a PrePay supplementary sign.

TAA727 expects that AEC Decker may be able to arrange supply of appropriate signage? Please note there IS a supplementary sign holder fitted to the dash!