Confidential Briefing : (Names have been changed to protect the innocent)

Hi all Albert Crew!

Herewith the latest from No 2004 . . . (dated 16th July 2011)

Restoration . . . advanced significantly with ALBERT now independently mobile again.
This means . . . the overhauled engine is in the bus and fires up on the starter button!
With new batteries and exhaust system, all transmission, gear-boxes, drive shafts, etc., in place, and fuel in the tank, the big bus is free to roam the farmyard and re-adjust position for the next stage of work, being a rear-end body overhaul, a new set of windows (original style) and . . . a lower new, red roof.
The photo belies the extent of restoration already completed, most of which is underneath, out of sight, and concentrated into that magnificent rumble of the Albion EN243 engine. Do not be distressed at the shabby exterior. We are leaving the best to last - when there are most hands to help.
(For technically minded readers: the EN243 was a larger, 10 litre, identical-looking, version of the original Sydney EN242 9-litre engine. That engine had had to be replaced after troubles in 1970. Albion Motors Ltd. designed and built their own very successful diesel engines).

Crew Registrations . . . Albert has a serious registration list of fifteen (including myself), of whom eleven hold Albert-Shares.
Long haul Crew - of the eleven, FIVE are for the long haul, being: Myself; D G; R D: Popeye (can't name him just yet, his employers don't know); T W.

Sector Crew - joining for high energy adventure bursts are: P and A D; AM; L P; K P; H W.

Pausing Crew - accounting for those who are not yet in a position to commit themselves and bearing in mind two places are reserved for film crew/sponsors, I am very satisfied with where we are.

The most important thing is to have the right people involved, and that we have - dreamers and wannabees stay clear, please!

DG has agreed to be Albert's 2iC, for which I am most grateful; in other words to take over the helm should I step on an IED or otherwise fall over laughing with the Kazaks. For those who don't know him, D has not only restored and still owns an identical ex-Sydney Albion double-decker - so he knows where all the bits and bolts are - he is just a fine guy, engineer by profession, larconic sense of humour, articulate, speaks Russian (!) and shares the same dream . . . to get No 2004 home to Sydney by the most entertaining route!

RD lives in Perth, the one in the shire of Perth & Kinross, and will be Albert's Purser. A Scot with many years living and adventuring in South Africa, R's profession took her high in the secretarial and sales corporate world; she is an experienced librarian and currently . . . a secret-shopper. She told me she was heading into a quiet and peaceful retirement tending gardens and playing golf . . . until she found out about Albert. Now R is knee deep in exploring Silk Road visa regulations, driving licence rules and other critical journey data. Oh yes, she is fluent in Spanish too!

Others joining, please let me know your Crew portfolio preferences as soon as possible . . . your bus needs you - now!

Big Brother turns up:
Film Making and Sponsorship - until a week ago M (our film man) and I were in detailed discussions with an American based media promoter, with the prospect of film financing and trip sponsorship all taking place under one roof. However, when we reached the point at which they wanted us to recruit 5 dollie birds (under 30) and have all on board legally sign their lives away, we withdrew. Sorry boys! The company was steering Albert into a reality-type production - a big brother bus, as I saw it. No worries - we still have our Hong Kong based Media-mover agency talking the talk for us.

Improved Itinerary - always looking for ways to make the adventure more interesting we are currently researching the option of adding another journey sector from China to Singapore. This would take us through Laos, Thailand and Malaysia into Singapore. Personally, I would be thrilled because in the "old days" we trained that section, from Thailand to Singapore. Also, they drive on the correct side of the road. One other significant benefit would be shipping; Singapore to Perth is a 5 day sea voyage and . . . who knows . . . we might even get to sail with ALBERT. Now, that would be something!

Please feel free to share any thoughts on this.

One point I should add, if we do make the change, it will add another journey sector (2 x Albert-Shares), except for those who have already subscribed, of course.

Next Media Release will be when we have movie footage of the bus driving around the Farm . . . rattle, roll, shake and blue smoke!

That's it for now.

Andy

The Bright New Interior

The top deck as it was in 1968: looking to the rear there were six double bunks, and some homely curtains

While the mechanical work was underway, restoration inside also began on the new floor to the top deck, complete with fresh wall panelling and a splash of brightly coloured paint.

Above: the top deck floor painted , new wall panelling and kickboards .
Below: the new galley and forward lounge / dining room.

The "before" shot: how the bottom deck front bulkhead looked after 20 years with the hippies. All the original sign-writing has survived and a previous tenant has added a gas heater!

Everything including the kitchen sink (R).

Once these ‘small jobs’ are finished, Andy will start on reducing Albert's height to accommodate the bridges. In total, Albert will be reduced by 9 inches. “Bridges always brought a bit of excitement to Albert's former journeys”, says Andy. There still seems to be quite a bit of work to finish on No. 2004, but Andy is on track for Albert's departure to Sydney, in April 2012, with the route now being extended from China to include the Malaysian Peninsula to Singapore. The old route was abandoned, due to the difficulties of travelling safely through Afghanistan. The new route will now go from Scotland, across Europe and Central Asia, through to China before finishing in Shanghai. Here, Albert will board a ferry to Australia and will disembark in Perth, in order to continue the historic journey home to Sydney. “Take me with you”, I can hear you say. I am sure there are many who would love to join Albert on his final journey home. Well, you can; Albert will have a total crew of 12. So far, eight are enrolled; four from Australia, two from the UK and two from Brazil. Crew portfolios will be allocated, including Skipper, First Officer, Purser, Biographer and Film Co-ordinator. There are still places available, and even if you are not able to enjoy the whole journey home with Albert and Andy, there is the opportunity to just do portions. A full documentary film is being made of the restoration, and the repatriation to Australia. It will include clips of the various ‘fix‘n’fit’ processes that have taken place and which are continuously being added to the already sizeable, Albert movie library.

For more information on the Crew Register, visit the website: www.highroadforoz.info

Now, for the Rear Axle ......

As many would be aware, our old trucks and buses can be very slow by today's standards, and this was definitely the case for Albert. The decision was made to increase Albert's road speed to help keep up with today's speed; nobody wants to be stuck behind an old bus, right? Andy is currently working on the installation of a higher ratio differential which, when combined with the previously fitted 2 speed transfer box, will allow a top road speed of 50mph (80kph)...”vital for safe driving on European motorways and trans- Australian highways!” explained Andy.
With a higher ratio it means that even though the engine speed may remain the same, the rear wheels turn faster, so the bus goes faster.

The 2 speed transfer box (silver case, looking to the rear of the bus. When its higher speed is engaged, the wheels turn 30% faster than normal. So instead of doing 40 mph, the bus (theoretically, and if you are brave enough) can do 53 mph. (83 kph!)

STOP PRESS!

On close examination the rear axle was found to be in quite good condition.

Andy, head down tail up, cleans off the diff. after taking off the top cover.

And the greatest surprise of all was that it was already the higher ratio: how could this be?? According to all the known wisdom, Sydney Albions were limited to 32 mph by having a 6/24 axle ratio. (don't worry about remembering that). Albert has a 5/27 axle: photographic evidence:

Can you see it? At centre LHS, stamped into the casing is 5/27 (click on the photo)
Further proof, as if the stamp on the case could be wrong! There it is, stamped into the pinion itself: 5/27.

The innards of the axle: the worm drive wheel and inside it, the differential.

The bronze wheel is in lovely condition despite thousands of miles on rough terrain, and the passage of 40 years since it was last looked at. A caliper is used to check the wear on the teeth of the bronze pinion: only 0.26 mm. wear after 50 - 60 years! A brand new pinion was measured and found to be 8 mm. at his point.

As an aside: this question of the axle and its ratio must have generated about 20 emails: there was much discussion on just how a bus supposed to be capable of 32.5 mph maximum governed speed, could now apparently do 40 mph!

With this work on engine and driveline underway, work also began on the new floor to the top deck, complete with fresh wall panelling and a splash of brightly coloured paint.

For more information on the Crew Register, visit the website: www.highroadforoz.info

You can be involved in this great adventure.

Crew Registration Update

CREW REGISTRATION UPDATE from Andy Stewart, team leader

18th May 2011

To Everyone - who has taken an interest in ALBERT'S restoration and Repatriation Project which will soon culminate in the long awaited 'Highroad to Oz' overland adventure to Australia - a Big Thank You!

With the engine overhaul and back in the bus together with extensive chassis and lower deck restoration complete, work will now proceed apace to re-furbish the rear lower-deck, to fit out the upper deck and to place ALBERT back on the road.

Recent Publicity - in Scotland and in Australia - where ALBERT went nationwide on prime-time Sunday television - has generated huge awareness and more applications have been received to join the trip.

(ed.) have a squizz at:

THIS VIDEO

THIS PRESS REPORT

It is time, therefore, to formalize the various degrees of interest that have been expressed and to invite those who seriously want to secure a place on the overland adventure to proceed without delay.

To assist you all in your deliberations please read carefully the following review of the Project to date, detailed exactly as things are.

-----------------------------------

The RRR Project (Recovery - Restoration - Repatriation) - now at the half-way point, fell behind the original schedule principally because of the time required to expertly overhaul the engine, work done on a voluntary basis under some extreme Scottish winter conditions.

As with any such undertaking a delay in one area inevitably holds back progress in another and so it was that our journey dates had to be changed. Now that the bus is independently mobile again and with the extra time available our new travel dates are published (below).

The ALBERT Film - well, two films, actually. First, our Edinburgh based movie maker is persistently ear-bashing his concept of a TV series or documentary spectacular onto the powers that be, the same powers who are no doubt experiencing budget cuts.

Second, all stages of the restoration are being photographed and filmed for own in-house records, as will be the great adventure itself, so we will have our own permanent adventure movie. As with all things ALBERT, patience remains our best friend, always.

Our Sponsorship Partner to assist with the shipping has not yet arrived, but no worries, he/she will come. Albert has sailed on 10 ships in the past and will sail again. We have fall-back funds if necessary so for now we simply maintain pace and keep to schedule.

Overland Timetable - 2012

Sector 'A' Sunday 01 April dep. Glasgow

Wednesday 18 April arr. Istanbul

Sector 'B' Sunday 22 April dep. Istanbul

Wednesday 16 May arr . Almati

Sector 'C' Tuesday 22 May dep. Almati

Sunday 17 June arr . Shanghai

Sector 'D' Sunday 08 July dep. Perth

Saturday 21 July arr. Sydney !!! ------ to be escorted into town by a convoy of restored Albions!

Joining the Project - to become a part of the trip means sending in a Crew Registration form and, when accepted, buying your Albert-Shares. These two processes are detailed below.

Crew Registration - the form is attached to this Update (some of you already completed this so no need to do again). Simply, print the form, complete, scan and send back . . or . . transfer the required information via a regular email.

Trip Vacancies - with Crew Registrations now arriving frequently this is an opportunity to secure your place if you are ready to do so. Right now there are more applicants than places without including many who have verbally expressed a desire to join (but have not applied).

Those who have already joined have agreed to be flexible with regard to on-board duties, therefore all slots are 'vacant'. The aspiration is to allocate in the most appropriate way based on individual skills and anyway, we can all chip in and help one another - no problem there!

Buying Albert-Shares - first please read the Page "Become a Shareholder" at top RHS of the blog. Albert-Shares (one share = £250 or $450) can be bought as a single purchase, or incrementally as follows:

To follow the project all the way by live film footage: One Share-- makes you a silent partner.

To join project : 2 Shares - guarantees place on trip

by 28 July 2011 : 50% of Shares balance for your travel sectors

by 28th Sept 2011 : 100% of Share balance for your travel sectors

With an Option to buy in either Australian or British currency, there may be an advantage in buying in British pounds. A bit of swings and roundabouts perhaps, not uncommon when you travel, but it is your choice as to which currency you choose. Please note, if only joining us in Australia then your Albert-Share purchase must be in Aussie $.

Your Investment - in ALBERT is confirmed with your Albert-Shares purchase. If you are forced to withdraw for a genuinely unforeseen reason and if we can replace you with a suitable participant your investment in the ALBERT RRR Project may be refunded to you.

If Albert's Repatriation - does not take place for any reason your investment remains in the outstanding balance of the Albert operating fund and in the value of the bus.

General Information

ALBERT. The fun of all this is the bus which really has a personality of its own; an Aussie bus with Scottish ancestry and a gearbox that all enthusiasts fall to the floor to listen to. Crazy people! If you do decide to come along, ALBERT will be your home on wheels for the duration.

Accommodation. Two-tier bunks on the upper deck. Basic, but cosy, comfortable and secure. Some nights we park in official roadside parking areas; sometimes in suitable caravan parks; more regularly 'out East' in safe off-road parking areas. In major cities pre-booked hotel accommodation is an option to the chosen city caravan park.

Lounges (firm bus seating) - front and rear lower deck; front upper deck.

Chart Room - for navigation, online contact, film making etc.

Galley (kitchen) - with gas rings, pressure cooker pans, sink, fresh water, refrigerator, cupboards, work top. Strictly for Chefs of the Day!

Bathroom - Outside! hand shower, wash bowl, mug and limited water.

Loo - No! Near civilisation we stop by public facilities; out 'east', desert rules apply, stopping where there is cover. Never a problem.

Extra Costs - Beyond your on-board travel entitlements budget for:

a) Food Kitty, The bus carries reserve supplies plus basic food, (dried and canned products) to supplement meals. Fresh food is bought along the way at local markets from the Food Kitty to which we all contribute in local currency. Approx £10/$20 per week each.

b) Visas - approx £150/A$300 for full trip (for AU/GB/NZ passports)

c) Personal spending along the way.

d) Your airfare(s) to connect with ALBERT travel.

Accurate detail on all these additional costs will be provided later.

Crew Responsibilities. ALBERT travel is participation travel. We all take on a role for the trip, look after the bus, help one another. Our input will add to the trip - for you and for your companions. The difference between being a 'passenger' and being an Albert-eer!

Detailed Updates - will be circulated well in advance of travel. Meanwhile the website information is up to date and correct.

All Elements - of this ALBERT RRR Project are portrayed and will be conducted in Food Faith and with Honesty and in accordance with the Principles of Fair Play and Common Sense.

The Engine; Albion 6-cylinder diesel

In order for Albert to be mobile again, the engine was removed for overhaul and after re-installation, No. 2004 was to be independently mobile for the first time in 30 years.

The engine comes out for overhaul
The only Albion engine to have been from Britain to Australia five times. Paul Adams, Scottish owner of restored Sydney Albion no. 1877, watches
In every Albion diesel, the engine side plates and their bolts are rusted from the cooling water. Andy gets into some skilled fitting work drilling out the bolts and threading them for new bolts.
Friends, and Albion experts, John Rentoul and Derek remove pistons and connecting rods.
Cleaned, parts laid out, Derek, John and Davie make it look easy.
In the finest traditions of Scottish engineering: Peter Burt, John Rentoul and Derek Ferguson machine engine valves to a perfect finish
Reassembled: the engine is started for the first time in perhaps 20 years, in a cloud of smoke (and deafening noise?) from the exhaust . Note the makeshift oil gauge, battery leads to the starter, and a pipe at right to stop the engine itself spinning around! John Rentoul and Cliff Martin feel quiet pride.Up top, the valve gear clatters in a satisfying sort of way. John's hand is on the exhaust manifold so it can't have been running long!
The rebuilt engine and gearbox at rear is readied for installation. In a double decker you need lifting gear which can reach under the top deck overhang. The piece of orange tube along the bottom casing is where the dynamo should be: more of that later.

This mobility then allowed the rear end overhaul to begin, including a back platform, stairs, rear wheel arches and the rear chassis.

Independently mobile: the engine is back in, running, a lot of new bodywork has been done, but that roof, my dear!!.... Well it had to be made like that to fit under bridges in India, and is to be remade with Andy's skills having matured over the last 35 years!The engine refitted, running, and a temporary radiator from an Albion truck in place. Andy couldn't wait for the original to be finished off in Glasgow before he could take Albert for a run, however brief.

Paul Adams and Derk Ferguson in Glasgow this time, work on Albert's original bus radiator: different in some ways to the truck ones. At left to confuse the issue is another Albion, a truck, under restoration.
The original radiator, polished, and with new gaskets and rubbers throughout, fitted. All the Sydney Albions had a 'Venturer' badge once, but they were souvenired or just left off by staff, and to find one now has been lucky.

The dynamo presented a challenge as the original had been taken sometime during the 2002-2009 era. An original Chullora (NSW) dynamo was donated by friends of Albert, which resolved the problem. Shipping from Australia was a challenge but Roy Bartlett of Freightbiz, himself a Pom, gave us a pretty good deal on the 5okg. crate. Off it went by air, then, just when everything seemed to be going well, the dynamo was ‘hijacked’ by a handling agent wielding ‘red tape’ and imposing amazing import fees at Edinburgh Airport! A nice little earner for an unscrupulous Customs man, referring 'clients' (i.e. victims) to his mate. A direct appeal to a commonsense UK customs official finally saved the day. An original CAV 24 volt dynamo (generator) in amazing condition for its 50-odd years, gets a cleanup at Turramurra Works.

A thing of beauty (in the eyes of some beholders) is a joy forever: the rotating armature from the dynamo polished and ready to be assembled.

A Discovery: in 2001

Sadly, in 1976, with the Iranian Revolution creating serious safety hazards,the Asian Highway was closed and trip No. 16, destined for Sydney, Australia, was cancelled. The regular journeys had come to an end. Andy, not wanting to sell the bus, was as a result forced to find Albert a comfortable home. He left the bus with small yard preservationist at Canvey Island, Essex . . . a Mr. Cunningham.
Mr Cunningham, after some years, moved/sold the bus which re-appeared on a caravan site in Lincolnshire. Then a group of well-intentioned hippies took it to Chepstow, South Wales to use as a home, during the years 1984 to 2001.
Fast forward to January, 2001. Andy with the help of Paul Adams, another Albion owner and restorer, had traced Albert to Steyning, near Brighton in Sussex (England). An offer was made to buy back No. 2004 but, unfortunately, this was declined, with the owner wanting to preserve the bus for its historic value. It would be eight years before Andy heard of Albert again. With the restoration of Albert being difficult, the then-current owner re-contacted Andy, who, in December, 2009, bought the bus back. Andy knew Albert was up to the challenge of completing his 16th, and final, journey home to retire in Sydney, Australia. There was also no doubt, that Albert’s current condition, and the restoration required, was going to be a physical and mental journey all on its own! Notorious Scottish weather being what it is, ensured that a large part of the restoration had to take place under cover.

When given the chance, and a break in the weather, some of the restorations were moved outdoors. Some modifications were made to incorporate a removable floor, which, when removed, exposed the gearbox and chassis. This was deemed a necessity in case running repairs needed to be undertaken throughout the journey.

The old floor has been ripped out allowing access to the body cross members which rest on the (red) chassis Rusted sections are cut out and new pieces (home made) are welded in.
Friends Cliff, Davie and John get into it. Look at the rusty cross members (below)!

The furnishings now included a lounge and collapsible tables, with a kitchen in the middle of the bus that has a gas stove and storage for enough water to last a week.

The Epic Journeys 1968 to 1976

Sydney to Calcutta:
Albert left Australia on October 8th, 1968, and would take 132 days to deliver the fare paying passengers to their destination. This was to be the first of 15 journeys.
"As the GPO clock struck ten o'clock Albert began to move, bedecked with balloons and streamers. Half-way down George Street there was a distinct lack of power and the bus came to a stop . . ." and so began Albert's log to London!



Leaving George Street Sydney

With a top speed of only 50 kph round-the-clock driving was applied. After finding a low rail bridge at Narranderra, getting lost in SA's Riverland, traversing a bone shattering unsealed Eyre Highway and being shaken by an earthquake in Meredin, Albert finally arrived in Perth . . relatively unscathed . . 6 days later.



Along the Nullarbor: Trip no. 1

The next phase was to find a ship to take the bus to India. Despite earlier research the ship expected to be seen in Fremantle was not there, but others were. In the event it was one to Singapore, a scary floating transfer in a barge, then a second ship to India.


Albert's "crew" of 13 sailed aboard the good ship "Centaur", a wonderful 5 day line voyage from Fremantle to Singapore from a past era, then by "jungle train" through Malaysia to Bangkok, then by air to the "City of Joy", Calcutta."Home away from home" : the galley and forward lounge

Calcutta to Quetta
Once all were safely reunited in Calcutta Albert took to India's Grand Trunk road with the daily challenge of cyclists, ox carts, wandering cows, low bridges and dangerously overhanging trees, all demanding the driver's attention and care. Not surprisingly the journey was slow, but fascinating always.

 A routine soon set in to keep moving until late at night as best protection against intense curiosity from over friendly locals. Early every morning groups of villagers would be crouching roadside talking the name A-L-B-E-R-T and debating whether they were seeing a double or a triple decker bus.

 The next major obstacle was at Dozan in the Bolan Pass, Pakistan, along the route via Quetta into southern Iran, where it was necessary to dig out a dry riverbed plus a piece of the mountain, well assisted by railway workers and the local tourist and highway departments (see picture below - the railway crosses the parallel road via a bridge too low - out of picture).
Quetta to Istanbul

From Quetta a desolate Baluchistan led to the Iranian frontier at Zahedan then long dusty days over stoney desert to Esfahan and Tehran, our half-way point. Now mid-winter and cold . . the engine block froze up, but the lesson learned was invaluable - if it breaks - you fix it. Local tradesmen demonstrated skills long discarded in the west and a few days later Albert was rolling again.

Approaching Tabriz it was so cold the diesel froze. With a 44 gallon drum inside the bus and a fuel line via a window - the engine was kept running 24 hours a day. Entering Turkey the temperature fell even further (-27 C) followed by the vision of Horason bridge necessitating wheel removal and military assistance.
The Turkish military to the rescue

All help unhesitatingly given in the warmest and most friendly spirit (see below).

 Along the Black Sea coast a welcome thaw set in before climbing again to Ankara to join a modern highway and Turkish drivers, who apparently can see round corners. After 4 months of travel, Australia's Nullarbor heat, the tropics, crossing oceans, deserts and mountains, and then into the freezing zone of northern Iran and Turkey, the arrival into Istanbul was a real comfort, a place to prepare for the final leg to London . . .

In the mountains of Turkey: breakfast stop approaching the Black Sea

Istanbul to London
All past obstacles were there to be overcome, an accepted part of the challenge. Now safely in Europe - Albert having crossed the dividing Bosphorus waterway - the crew were looking forward to a smooth ride to the English Channel with, hopefully, some bonus wayside comforts to be included. But not so!



Snow was falling again as the bus departed for the Edirne border and travelling through Bulgaria, a country then closely allied to Cold War Russia, was like the weather, far from welcoming. As the highways became busier with frenzied European traffic Albert was beginning to feel a little bit slow and out of place.

 After Salzburg came the autobahns of Germany; it was late afternoon. The first overhead bridges strangely displayed clearance signs in feet and inches, in English, each just a few inches over Albert's height. Then, without warning - Bang! A long weary night followed stopping at every bridge across Germany.

 The ferryport at Zeebrugge arrived in a misty dawn but with some relief, crew confidence being that across the Channel double-decker bus height would no longer be a problem. Victoria Coach Station staff provided a great reception for the long distance arrival and agreed to make a bay available for Albert should there be a return service to Sydney. However that, friends, is another story too!

Victoria Coach Station, near Buckingham Palace London
A winter Monday: 17th February 1969, 132 days out of Sydney.
Slightly amazed driver, conductress and coach passengers meet the aliens!

The bus returned to Sydney in 1969, departing from Bay 1 at Victoria Coach Station as promised by the superintendent and taking the same route beneath the rail bridge at Dozan where the river-bed had been cleared in advance by the local highway authority after the annual spring water flows.

Dining lounge, downstairs front

In 1970 the third journey, Sydney to London, went via the Khyber Pass and Afghanistan to avoid the Bolan scenario yet again. The new route had only one height diversion (read the book!) and was much enjoyed by travellers as Afghanistan, a starkly beautiful country, was becoming a popular destination.
A year-round timetable was drawn up for a regular service between London and Bombay, being trip Nos 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9, and then trip No 10 running right through to Sydney and Trip No 11 from Sydney back to London. Trip Nos 12, 13, 14 & 15 operated between London and Calcutta.
In 1976, with political tensions rising in Iran, trip No 16 was planned to return ALBERT back to Sydney for a well earned retirement. However, the pace of revolutionary fervour beat our schedule with travel through Iran being considered impractical, so Albert had to be rested in England.
Over the years ALBERT made more than 150 border crossings without ever being held up for serious scrutiny and not once was a bribe proffered to smooth the passage, this at a time when other vehicles were all too often seen marooned at check-posts with neither body panels nor owners.
The bus earned universal respect as a friendly ambassador for all those on board and was always welcomed and smiled upon by officials and the countless friends made along the way for whom the name A-L-B-E-R-T was one they could read, remember and say - in any language!

Early Days: starting 1947

If you ordered an Albion bus from the factory in 1946, about six months later, this would arrive by ship in Sydney. You could have long ones or short ones. Sydney bought 143 long ones, to carry 74 passengers. Then a bus body design had to be chosen, and a bus body builder contracted to build the complete bus. Two companies, Clyde Engineering and Commonwealth Engineering, both of Granville NSW,  tendered prices for the job. Clyde got most of the work: Albert has a Clyde body, different in a few ways to the Commonwealth ones. (Easier to fix, too).
As they were completed, all the new Albions were sent to Manly Depot, which served all the routes running from the city northwards to the lovely beaches stretching from Manly to Palm Beach. The trip from Wynyard to Palm Beach took 1 1/2 hours, across the Harbour Bridge, through superb scenery to what was then a rural hamlet.

Albion no. 2036 at Palm Beach in 1954, about to leave for the City on route 190

Nearing the end of their lives as Sydney Buses, two Albions, (not Albert) seen descending The Spit Hill towards the northern suburbs of Palm Beach and Collaroy. The year is 1969: by 1970 they had all been taken out of service after 23 years' work.
Drivers were required by rule to descend this very steep hill in 2nd gear: the driver of no. 1899 (above) is clearly taking his chances in third gear. No. 1899 is also restored, owned by Robert Hood in Goulburn NSW. Click on any photo to enlarge it.

The run they were best remembered for: the 190.

The engine side cover on all the Albions was purposely left off: in Sydney's hot summer, climbing this hill with a full load of passengers and a following north-easterly breeze made for one very hot engine. Radiator boil-overs were common.

Both photos by John Ward 

A  one-hour DVD movie of a journey on this route by one of these buses, no. 2023, is available from Sydney Bus Museum, at www.busshop.net