I.D.s 1300 & 14709 photographed by John Ward sometime in 1982-11-00 of the Sydney Bus Museum's White unregistered (formerly m-o 1300 & 837) towed by Fleet Towing International LSP-538 at Hoxton Park, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia.

I.D.s 1300 & 14709 photographed by John Ward sometime in 1982-11-00 of the Sydney Bus Museum's White unregistered (formerly m-o 1300 & 837) towed by Fleet Towing International LSP-538 at Hoxton Park, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia.

 

The bus is a White normal control ex Department of Road Transport and Tramways (DRT&T) m/o-1300 ex Fitzgibbon m/o-

837 with a body built by Walsh Island Dockyard in 1930

 

The location is on a property off Hoxton Park Road, Hoxton Park.

 

 

837 (1300)

 

1929 WHITE MODEL 54A

 

 

In 1929, the White Motor Corporation of Ohio, U.S.A. introduced a double drop frame coach chassis with a six cylinder engine and a 250 inch wheelbase. The local dealer, Dalgety and Co. had to have the regulations relaxed from the maximum 231 inch wheelbase permitted at that time before a trial 54A model could be introduced. The bus had more power and size than any previous bus placed in service in Australia. Maximum brake horsepower was 130 @ 2300 rpm with a maximum torque of 385 ft/lbs @ 800-1200 rpm. Westinghouse air brakes were fitted with soft steel brake shoes bearing on special steel brake drums. The manufacturers claimed that the braking efficiency would not be appreciably affected by water or dirt and would not burn out in use on long grades.

 

The prototype arrived in Australia on 28th January, 1930 and was sent to Walsh Island Dockyard (Newcastle) for the first all metal bus body constructed in the country. On 15th April, 1930 this 36 seat bus entered service with Michael Fitzgibbon of Marrickville on Route 42 from Campsie to the City.

 

Three more chassis arrived on 22nd March, 1930 for Fitzgibbon's Deluxe Bus Service and had identical bodies to the prototype. Our exhibit was one of these and it entered service on 3rd June, 1930. The bus was registered as m/o 837.

 

During the early 1930’s, the government transport authorities considered that private bus competition had seriously eroded the finances of its operations, on which the capital costs were yet to be paid. Accordingly, legislation was passed which in effect taxed the buses off the road after 31 October 1931. As a result our exhibit along with other vehicles went into storage. 837 was not used again for over five years. The Department of Road Transport & Tramways officially purchased the four White 54A’s on 1 March 1937.

 

Our exhibit then became fleet number 300 and was registered m/o.1500. It operated mainly from Burwood depot. The bus was then withdrawn and auctioned in February 1939, for about 2% of its 1930 price. It became fleet No. 18 at Rover Motors, Cessnock passing to Quodling Brothers, Queanbeyan as M/O.445.

 

Realising the significance of the bus, Quodling's donated it to the HCVA in June 1966

 

SPECIFICATIONS

 

ENGINE: White six cylinder Over Head Valve, petrol, Bore 4.375",

stroke 5.750", 519 cubic inch displacement with dual ignition.

 

TRANSMISSION: Four speed sliding gear type gearbox, Crown wheel

and pinion differential.

 

BRAKES: Westinghouse Air Brakes on all four wheels.

Transmission parking brake.

 

 

Done