The Internal Makeover Gathers Pace

Looking forward: the Chateau Tanunda Brandy ad. is still there 60 years later, and the signwriting: "To Stop Bus pull signal cord once when approaching the stop required" (doh!).  The lines in the floor are the removable hatches to get at clutch, gearboxes, etc.

Downstairs looking back: original 1940s lamps.  Notice green frames which held the ads. for Vincents APC powders: (Aspirin Phenacetin Caffeine).  Addictive and very bad for your liver. Bored housewives lived on them. Now banned. And ads. for funeral homes, and terylene, and Griffiths Brothers teas (no relation).   Remarkable how little has had to change inside to make a very liveable mobile home. The paint colours could revert to brown trims white ceiling and tan fleck finish on the linings, original seats could go back in and the conductor could step on, pull the bell cord twice (one for stop, two for go, three for emergency stop) and away to Newport beach on route 187

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