Bowmans Buses, St Agnes Depot

Forum rules
  • A topic icon must be used with the thread title of all threads.
  • No more than 10 photos per post with a maximum of 50 in any one page in a thread.
  • Maximum photo width 1000 pixels.
  • For full photo rules and how to attach photos see viewtopic.php?f=10&t=28459
  • Thank you :)
Post Reply
User avatar
operator541
Posts: 151
Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2012 3:55 pm
Favourite Vehicle: AEC Swift 760 series

Bowmans Buses, St Agnes Depot

Post by operator541 »

Hi guys , just wanted to share a couple of slides i've converted. St Agnes Depot when it was under Bowmans buses just about the time my Dad started up there, you'll notice my sister and i standing on the step of 7120, loved the Hinos they had up there but the old 3 door Worldmasters where awesome, enjoy!! :D
Attachments
Bowmans St Agnes 1.
Bowmans St Agnes 1.
2011-10-11_33.JPG (134.5 KiB) Viewed 24853 times
Bowmans St Agnes 2
Bowmans St Agnes 2
2011-10-11_32.JPG (89.76 KiB) Viewed 24853 times
User avatar
B59 Volvo
Posts: 44
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2008 2:04 pm
Location: Adelaide

Re: Bowmans Buses, St Agnes Depot

Post by B59 Volvo »

Interesting photos. Thanks for posting.

I'd guess the photo was circa 1976. Actually, the bus fleet and depot at the time of the photo were owned by the State Transport Authority. Bowman's fleet and routes had been acquired by the State Government in 1974.

The evidence is on the bus. Even if the STA Roadliner poster is ignored, this bus carries STA number 7120.
User avatar
The Phonj
Administrator
Posts: 2873
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2004 11:09 pm
Favourite Vehicle: MAN SL202, PMCSA body
Location: Somewhere in suburban Adelaide
Contact:

Re: Bowmans Buses, St Agnes Depot

Post by The Phonj »

The photo couldn't be any earlier than 1977: the STA Roadliner advert you draw attention to has the telephone number as 294 5577 - the number of Morphettville depot which opened in 1977.
Bus Preservation Association of South Australia https://www.bpasa.org.au/
Tramway Museum St. Kilda https://www.trammuseumadelaide.com/
National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide https://nrm.org.au/
ben610
Posts: 69
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 9:29 pm

Re: Bowmans Buses, St Agnes Depot

Post by ben610 »

The Phonj wrote:The photo couldn't be any earlier than 1977: the STA Roadliner advert you draw attention to has the telephone number as 294 5577 - the number of Morphettville depot which opened in 1977.
The brown rego sticker with the number 4 on it would indicate an expiry in either April 1974 or April 1980. Based on the other evidence it looks like the picture might date from 1979 - that's my guess anyway :mrgreen:

Nonetheless love seeing these old photos - keep it up, thanks for sharing.
TT
Posts: 1725
Joined: Sun Mar 07, 2004 11:13 am
Favourite Vehicle: Anything without SCANIA badge.
Location: Adelaide [West Lakes]

Re: Bowmans Buses, St Agnes Depot

Post by TT »

It's got a G (for Government) regiistration sticker. The brown 4 is the inspection sticker, like today's green and white triangles.
User avatar
The Phonj
Administrator
Posts: 2873
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2004 11:09 pm
Favourite Vehicle: MAN SL202, PMCSA body
Location: Somewhere in suburban Adelaide
Contact:

Re: Bowmans Buses, St Agnes Depot

Post by The Phonj »

The parking canopy also would provide a big clue for dating the photograph; it was demolished at about the time of the first Volvo B59 arriving at St. Agnes: the evaporative air cooling unit on the roof of the B59 would have fouled the canopy, so the canopy was simply demolished.
Bus Preservation Association of South Australia https://www.bpasa.org.au/
Tramway Museum St. Kilda https://www.trammuseumadelaide.com/
National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide https://nrm.org.au/
Denv12
Posts: 1112
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:17 pm

Bowman's Bus Service,Adelaide.

Post by Denv12 »

I remember this bus company going back to the 1960s,1970s.I went on a primary school camp on a Bowman's deck and a half Freighter Lawtons bodied Hino.That was around 1973.

As some of my posts have been popular I thought a post on one of Adelaide's well known bus companies should be contributed to.So,I'm devoting this topic to the photographic history of "Bowman's Bus Services",formerly based at their St.Agnes bus depot.Please contribute if you can.This is a tribute to one of Adelaide's former bus companies.

There were at least 2 photos posted on another topic in regards to Freighter Lawtons.

Its possible that 2 buses from the Bowmans fleet were purchaed by former Klemzig company Ambassador Coachlines.They had 2 Freighter Lawton bodied Hino's.These were eventually bought by Flynn's Buslines.Would anyone be able to confirm if that is the case?
Attachments
Possibly ex Bowmans Bus Serice.Then in the fleet of Flynn's Buslines.
Possibly ex Bowmans Bus Serice.Then in the fleet of Flynn's Buslines.
2.23 (468 x 472).jpg (38.63 KiB) Viewed 23873 times
User avatar
The Phonj
Administrator
Posts: 2873
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2004 11:09 pm
Favourite Vehicle: MAN SL202, PMCSA body
Location: Somewhere in suburban Adelaide
Contact:

Re: Bowmans Buses, St Agnes Depot

Post by The Phonj »

Do you have a sharper photograph which clearly shows the bus registration?
Bus Preservation Association of South Australia https://www.bpasa.org.au/
Tramway Museum St. Kilda https://www.trammuseumadelaide.com/
National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide https://nrm.org.au/
Denv12
Posts: 1112
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:17 pm

Re: Bowmans Buses, St Agnes Depot

Post by Denv12 »

The Phonj wrote:Do you have a sharper photograph which clearly shows the bus registration?
Its either SA plate: RXV-441 or RXW-441.This is all I had.There must be a list of Flynns fleet somewhere.
User avatar
busben777
Posts: 79
Joined: Wed Dec 26, 2007 3:48 pm
Favourite Vehicle: MAN 18.360 EEV
Location: Adelaide, SA
Contact:

Re: Bowmans Buses, St Agnes Depot

Post by busben777 »

Hi Guys,

Attached is a picture of ex Bowmans #20.
A 1965 Bedford SB with a 300ci petrol, recently restored by Bus Stop Adelaide and residing as a part of Willunga Charter's Historic Collection.
Attachments
496270 1965 Bedford ex Bowmans Adelaide
496270 1965 Bedford ex Bowmans Adelaide
image.jpg (124.99 KiB) Viewed 23800 times
User avatar
system improver
Posts: 2893
Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 8:38 am
Favourite Vehicle: 1949 MBA Seddon
Location: Melbourne

Re: Bowmans Buses, St Agnes Depot

Post by system improver »

Denv12 wrote:
The Phonj wrote:Do you have a sharper photograph which clearly shows the bus registration?
Its either SA plate: RXV-441 or RXW-441.This is all I had.There must be a list of Flynns fleet somewhere.
It's RXW 441 and was number 48 in the Bowman fleet, one of a pair delivered on the Hino RC320P chassis in January 1973. They had a few others to the same design (see below). Someone at Bowman's liked windows. I think Milton Bowman is still around, or he was a few years ago.

To busben777, I am so glad that someone has restored this design of Freighter Bedford - always a very handsome vehicle to my eye, probably the best of its era.

Image
Photo by Bruce Tilley.
User avatar
Bedford-29
Posts: 4942
Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2010 1:31 pm

Re: Bowmans Buses, St Agnes Depot

Post by Bedford-29 »

Three more for the pot.Pictures from the Andrew Potts and Graeme Turnbull collections.
Attachments
BOWMANS BUS SERVICES COMMER 247-949
BOWMANS BUS SERVICES COMMER 247-949
Bowmans bus service Commer 247-949.jpg (151.7 KiB) Viewed 23786 times
BOWMANS BUS SERVICES LEYLAND NATIONAL SAF-086
BOWMANS BUS SERVICES LEYLAND NATIONAL SAF-086
Bowmans bus services Leyland National SAF-086.jpg (130.92 KiB) Viewed 23577 times
BOWMANS BUS SERVICES LEYLAND WORLDMASTER
BOWMANS BUS SERVICES LEYLAND WORLDMASTER
Bowmans bus services Leyland Worldmaster.jpg (128.72 KiB) Viewed 23786 times
Previoulsy known as United Diesel 15
User avatar
OLYMPIAN
Posts: 3242
Joined: Sun Mar 07, 2004 7:32 pm
Favourite Vehicle: Leyland Victory Mk2, Olympian
Location: Enviro 500
Contact:

Re: Bowmans Buses, St Agnes Depot

Post by OLYMPIAN »

What is the decker in the 2nd last pic?
Detroit 6VT92/ZF 4HP500...the best bendi bus power train!
User avatar
Bedford-29
Posts: 4942
Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2010 1:31 pm

Re: Bowmans Buses, St Agnes Depot

Post by Bedford-29 »

Its the Lewis Bros AEC Renown.Picture from the Graeme Turnbull collection.
Attachments
LEWIS BROS AEC RENOWN SGH-736
LEWIS BROS AEC RENOWN SGH-736
Lewis Bros AEC Renown SGH-736.jpg (110.11 KiB) Viewed 23739 times
Previoulsy known as United Diesel 15
Denv12
Posts: 1112
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:17 pm

Re: Bowmans Buses, St Agnes Depot

Post by Denv12 »

This decker went into the Quest Tours fleet based at their Provident Ave,Glynde depot.It was sold in December 1985 and went to Roller Coaster Tours just off the formerly named Burbridge road.Their buses were stored behind the service station near South Road/Burbridge Road.I drove this bus whilst at Quest and a brief stint with RCT in early 1986.

All local charter buses with Quest Tours were sold some with charter licences from December 1985 onwards.As Max Winkless was going all out to run 3 coach companies all charter buses,school runs and local charter came to an end.Several buses went to RCT.The company kept their 3 axle coaches and a few single axle coaches.
Whistle
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2020 6:33 pm

Re: Bowmans Buses, St Agnes Depot

Post by Whistle »

Denv12 wrote:
The Phonj wrote:Do you have a sharper photograph which clearly shows the bus registration?
Its either SA plate: RXV-441 or RXW-441.This is all I had.There must be a list of Flynns fleet somewhere.

RXW441 was Bowmans, also recognised by the 3 orange lights on top of the des to box.
Denv12
Posts: 1112
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:17 pm

Re: Bowmans Buses, St Agnes Depot

Post by Denv12 »

How many coaches did Bowman's have? We went on one during 1973 to Mundallio station near Port Augusta.[attachment=0]2.20 (708 x 517).jpg[/attachment.It looked like this one but in Bowman's colours.
Attachments
2.20 (708 x 517).jpg
2.20 (708 x 517).jpg (64.52 KiB) Viewed 14002 times
Post Reply

Return to “Photos - Adelaide/SA”