1947 Albion Venturer SPCX19W [1917]

Norman Julian
Pickup and trip photos

Norman Julian 24th May
After an 800 odd km round trip yesterday I would like to intoduce the latest acquisition.
This is a 1947 Albion Venturer SPCX19W, built by Commonwealth Engineering. I will keep you posted.

Daniel Parish
Hi Norman Julian
If it never work in Newcastle area why does it show Port Waratah on the door
Norman Julian
Daniel Parish not a clue but it did come from somewhere close to Newcastle recently.
Daniel Parish
Norman Julian do you know what private bus company it work at
Norman Julian
Daniel Parish I'm not sure what ever happened after decommissioning.
Daniel Parish
Norman Julian thanks Norman
Graeme Knappick
Norman Julian no straight from the Government to Napoleon Reef and then to the late Bruce Pinnell, never worked as a private bus.
Norman Julian
Thanks Graeme!
Bob Gioia
Because the previous owner put a Newcastle roll in the side box.
Daniel Parish
Bob Gioia thanks Bob
Stuart Poole
I must admit, I stole your picture to justify my love of little Japanese cars, as well as big busses.
Stuart Poole
I hope to see it lovingly restored in the future.
My great uncle drove these (when they had been recycled to John Hill Coaches in Wollongong) he was probably the crankiest old bugger ever to hold the wheel!
Norman Julian
Stuart Poole it is down the list of priorities at the moment, but I have been known to change my mind!
Maxwell Mcroberts
you will be on the buses buying that one Norman
Graeme Knappick
Congrats! Here’s what she looked like back on 29/4/80 when I photographed her at Napoleon Reef with Skippy posing in front of it.
The kangaroo 🦘was very tame actually.

Peter Phelan
Apt destination, 'Without a care'.
Scott Wilson 1917.
Scott Richards
Scott Wilson wasn't that Bruce pinnel double decker
Scott Wilson
Scott Richards Yep.
Scott Richards
Scott Wilson thanks
Clynton Brown
Geez how many buses is that now!?
Chris Dempsey
Norm needs a Daimler CVG6 and a Leyland OPD to go with the TD5 and an AEC Regent III
Pablo E. Laredo
Crikey Norm, I have enough trouble sorting out my Tinny's trailer let alone taking on 3 buses... Man's gotta have a hobby to get him out from under foot though 😉
Norman Julian
Pablo E. Laredo try 5 buses not 3.
Ben Summers
Geez Norman, your collection is making mine look small.
I have my Morris Minor, Hillman Minx and AEC Regal 4 Series I.
Devaprastha Das
Congrats

Norman Julian 24th May
Some more shots of Albion 1917.

David Wilson
a fully seated running double decker is pretty rare these days
Chris Dempsey
Jeez Bruce has certainly done a lot of work to 1917 new panels all it needs paint depends on how long it had been standing since Bruce death Norm
John Clarke
Where does it stand compared to your others, Norman?
It looks great to me, but I'm just an interested bystander!
Hugh Esler
Looks in brilliant condition.
Great basis for full restoration 👍🤣
David Meddows
These were fantastic buses.
Peter Young
Yay 🤩
Brian King
Do we see another Annex on the side of your sheds ??? Norm
Norman Julian
Brian King possibly a lean to on either side
Ben Summers
Complete with ads too!
Chris Dempsey
Where is the fleet number Norm
Norman Julian
Chris Dempsey 1917
John Clarke
Congratulations! Any video at this stage? How did she get there?
Chris Dempsey
1917 one of Bruce Pinnell Albion's Bruce will be looking down and smiling Norm
Sidney Rea
Im sure will be i grew up with Bruce in Brookvale R.I.P old mate.
Mark Ellery
Congratulations Norm,
Chris Dempsey
Here you go Norm a nighttime shot of 1917 waiting at Eddy Avenue 6/6/1969.
Photographer John Ward picture from the City of Sydney archives website
Adrian Spencer
You are going have plenty of accommodation for the volunteer workers Norm. Another shed coming!!!!

Norman Julian 24th May
Everything works, internal lights, headlights and as you can hear the bell cords and conductors buttons.

Video

David Meddows
Absolute classic.

Norman Julian 24th May

Video

Fred Holland
Oh that noise brings back memories from trips to Sydney when i was a kid.
John Clarke
Wonderful!
David Meddows
Incredible.
Brings back great memories.
Love the sound of that engine.

John Lidstone 31st May
Thank you for the invitation and every good wish for the future for this great survivor.
Good wishes to the Group also.
A very long time ago, I stepped up to help stop an Albion like this in the UK being scrapped.
Amazing old stalwarts - the way they performed was outstanding and Sydney's fleet of Venturers was significant in the world,
all the more so as these Albions were an extreme rarity even in the UK, where only Glasgow Corporation had a big fleet of them.