SHOWBUS AUSTRALIA BUS IMAGE GALLERY
Tasmanian Transport Museum
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 Bedford buses were the mainstay of many independent bus fleets across Australia, but the MTT built up a large fleet across its three distinct operating areas of Hobart, Launceston and Burnie. This SB3, 249, was the last petrol engined bus to join MTT in 1971 and it served for sixteen years when it was then presented to the Museum. The body is by City Bodyworks.
Picture ref C2624 |
 A nearside view of Bedford 249.
Picture ref C2619 |
 New in 1947 to Launceston City Council Tramways, Leyland Tiger OPS1 with Cramp Bros bodywork was bus 61 in the fleet. It was part of a batch of four which helped to replace the tram fleet. When MTT took over the Launceston Council operation in 1955 it became 361 and donned the green and cream livery. On retirement in 1967 Hobart City Council bought it to use as a mobile meal room, selling it to the Museum for $1. Due to a lack of undercover accommodation the bus remained outside for a further ten years causing its timber framed body to suffer further, but it is hoped it will be fully restored in due course.
Picture ref C2631 |
 In April 1975 the first of a fleet of 62 Leyland Nationals entered service in Hobart as 601. Completely assembled in England the bus is a standard 10.3m "short" National. "Long" Nationals were 11.3m and exceeded Australia's normal maximum length of 11m. The majority of Nationals delivered to Australia combined a "long" front half with a "short" rear half producing a 10.9m bus! MTT did get one 10.9m model as a replacemnt for an initial delivery which was either faulty or damaged in transit. The National can also be seen in the picture above behind the Tiger.
Picture ref C2633 |
 Unfortunately the National was hemmed in within the building and this view was taken from the top deck of doubledeck tram 46.
Picture ref C2632 |
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