BCSV

ARHS & BCSV Day Tour to Port Welshpool & Port Albert
2016-10-15 08:15 - 20:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Various Pickup Points, Refer to event description
On Saturday 15th October the ARHS & BCSV took a day trip to East Gippsland onboard a chartered coach from Ventura.
At Korumburra we called into two local bus depots (Harleys and Winterhalters). There will also be an opportunity to inspect the museum at the station, previously home of the South Gippsland Railway.
Due to late running, we had to forego a visit the Agnes Falls, the highest drop falls in Victoria, before arriving at the Port Welshpool Hotel for lunch.
After lunch we will visit the Port Albert Maritime Museum.
We will then stop for afternoon tea at the Yarram Club Hotel to see a Melbourne SW6 tram!
Homeward bound we paused at the former Omega tower site before inspecting the swing bridge at Sale, enroute to Rosedale and Traralgon, finally returning to Dandenong at about 20:30.
TIMINGS:
We met at 08:15 at Dandenong Bus Interchange to board the coach for our scenic journey to Gippsland. The coach awaited the 07:28 train from Flinders St as well as the 901 SmartBus arrivals due in by 08:20.
Arrival at Port Albert was about 13 30 with roughly an hour for lunch.
We arrived back to Traralgon just after 18:30. Here people had the option to return by train (at your own expense) or continue to Dandenong by our chartered coach.
FARE:
$29 which included the coach charter and entry to the Port Albert Maritime Museum.
As the Ventura Bus coach was only half-booked, we were pleased to offer walk-up fares on the day (pay onboard). There were three options available:
Option A – $29 for a full day outing, departing Dandenong Station (844 stop) at 8:20am & returning at 8:30pm. Lunch at Pier Port Hotel & afternoon tea at Yarram Club Hotel at own expense. Option to travel back by train from Traralgon on 18:49 service.
Option B – $10 for a one way ride to Korumburra, returning via V/Line coach to Melbourne at 12:04 (with Dandenong & Pakenham connections at Koo Wee Rup)
Option C – $5 should you make your own way there by car. Please ensure you arrive around 9:30am in case we get a good run.
Lunch and drinks were at your own expense.

BCSV September Tour Day 2: South-East Melbourne Operators
2016-09-25 09:55 - 18:15 | Various Pickup Points, Refer to event description
On Sunday we visited Cranbourne Transit in the morning, before time for lunch at Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre.
After lunch we then visited Latrobe Valley Bus Lines on Sunday afternoon to ride the Volvo Hybrid Bus currently on trial, with the proposed visit to Kingstons Tours postponed until 2017 due to unforeseen circumstances.
The drop-off times were moved later to accommodate this visit, as below. Bus 1 now offered a pick-up & drop-off at Dandenong Station.
+++++++++++++++
Pick up details:
Bus 1 – Volvo B10M –– preserved by Michael Presta (ex Sita #105, ex Cardinia Transit #14, ex Grenda’s #14)
RINGWOOD – 901 stop on Maroondah Hwy: 10:10am (Awaits train arrivals ex City 9:58am, ex Belgrave 10:05am & ex Lilydale 9:55am) (drop off 6:10pm)
DANDENONG – 844 stop opposite station entrance: 10:30am (drop off 5:45pm)
Bus 2 – Volvo B10M– preserved by David Rae (ex Westrans Werribee #68 & Davis #111)
CAULFIELD – 900 stop on Sir John Monash Dr (North side): 9:55am (Awaits train arrivals ex City 9:45am & ex Frankston 9:50am) (drop off 6pm)
OAKLEIGH – 625, 701 & 733 stop on Johnston St (South side): 10:10am (drop off 6:15pm, after Caulfield)
+++++++++++++++
Costs were $10 for members and $20 for non-members (U/18 half price).
Lunch was at your own expense at food outlets at Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre.

BCSV September Tour Day 1: Whitmore's MAN Farewell (Bendigo)
2016-09-24 12:15 - 17:00 | Various Pickup Points, Refer to event description
After negotiations with local Bendigo operator Whitmore’s, the Bus and Coach Society of Victoria (BCSV) were able to secure an afternoon farewell tour for their MAN 10.180, Ansair Tasmaina, originally new to Metro Tasmania in 1992 as #512.
This bus was recently withdrawn from PTV duties and replaced with a Mercedes Benz O405 purchased from Ryans for the interim, which we will also ride.
The tour visited their small depot in Golden Square along with some other surprises, as well as a BBQ lunch.
To ensure parking for those who decide to drive up for the day, the tour commenced from Kangaroo Flat Station at 12:15pm. The bus awaited the 10:39am train from Melbourne, due into Kangaroo Flat at 12:11pm.
For interstaters flying in for the weekend, this train could be boarded at Sunbury at 11:09am, a 16km cab ride from the airport (we offered to arrange a car pick-up if required)
The afternoon concluded around 5pm, with drop-offs at both Bendigo Station and Kangaroo Flat Station. Those returning to Melbourne by train could catch the 5:35pm service (arriving at 7:27pm) or stay in Bendigo for dinner and catch the 6:40pm or 8:46pm trains home.
FARE:
Fare was a flat $10 for everyone, to cover the BBQ lunch and drink.
This tour required a minimum of 10 confirmed participants to go ahead – those attending had to RSVP to the Facebook page, send an email to tours@bcsv.org.au or call Craig Halsall (Assistant Tours Officer) on 0402 367 353
People were asked to advise if they have any dietary requirements or food allergies.

BCSV AGM & September Meeting: A look back at Noreng and Mee bodies
2016-09-18 15:00 - 17:00 | Melbourne Tram Museum (Hawthorn Tram Depot), 8 Wallen Rd, Hawthorn, Victoria, 3122, Australia
The BCSV’s Annual General Meeting for 2016 was held on September 15 at Hawthorn Tram Depot.

The AGM was followed by a photographical history of both the Noreng and Mees bus body builders, presented by Paul Kennelly. This is a follow-on from last year’s excellent presentation showcasing Cheetham & Borwick.

After a number of younger members joined the committee in 2015, we’d hope to see a couple of middle aged members step up to ensure the committee represents the full range of age groups within the society.

Members are warmly encouraged to nominate members to fill one of the following committee positions:

* President

* Deputy President

* Secretary

* Assistant Secretary

* Publications Officer

* Treasurer

* Tours Officer

* Social Meetings Officer

* Historical Research & Archives Officer

* Membership Officer

* Safety Officer.

Elections will be held if more than one nomination is received for a role.

We’d also welcome those who wish to fill a general committee position.

A small afternoon tea followed our feature presentation. Guests are welcome to attend the AGM along with the presentation but were asked to refrain from voting in the official proceedings.

Hawthorn Tram Depot is located at 8 Wallen Rd Hawthorn near the corner of Power Street. Tram Routes 70 & 75 stop near-by, with Hawthorn Station on the Belgrave/Lilydale line a short 10 min walk.

BCSV August Tour: North-West Melbourne Operators
2016-08-20 09:30 - 18:00 | Various Pickup Points, Refer to event description
Bus and Coach Society of Victoria’s tour in August 2016 visited various operators in Melbourne’s north-west.
We visited Moonee Valley Coaches to celebrate their 50th Anniversary (including inspecting their heritage vehicles).
A visit to Skylight Buslines depot was also arranged, along with Rockleigh Tours after lunch.
FARE
$10 for members, $20 for non members and U/18s half price.

LUNCH
A BBQ lunch & drink was included in the fare. People were asked to advise of any dietary requirements or food allergies via private message or email to tours@bcsv.org.au

BCSV July Meeting: Transport Around Geelong 1920-1990
2016-07-17 15:00 - 17:00 | Melbourne Tram Museum (Hawthorn Tram Depot), 8 Wallen Rd, Hawthorn, Victoria, 3122, Australia
In another “Transport Around” presenation, Paul Kennelly presented a comprehensively researched history of transport in Geelong City from 1920 until 1990, firstly looking back at the tramway days, which will lead into the more recent decades where bus become king.

As usual, both members & guests were welcome to attend this presentation at Hawthorn Tram Depot from 15:00 on 17 July.

A small afternoon tea followed.

Hawthorn Tram Depot is located at 8 Wallen Rd Hawthorn near the corner of Power Street. Tram Routes 70 & 75 stop near-by, with Hawthorn Station on the Belgrave/Lilydale line a short 10 min walk.

BCSV Farewell Mercedes Benz O405 Tour
2016-05-28 10:00 - 17:00 | Various Pickup Points, Refer to event description
Members enjoyed a day riding some of the last Mercedes Benz O405 high floor buses in Melbourne from numerous operators, in our latest installment farewelling the workhorses of the 80s and 90s.
A stop was made at Doncaster Shoppingtown for attendees to purchase their own lunch from the food court.
Costs were $10 for members and $20 for non members. U/18s are half price.

BCSV May Meeting: Putting buses together - matching chassis and body
2016-05-15 15:00 - 17:00 | Melbourne Tram Museum (Hawthorn Tram Depot), 8 Wallen Rd, Hawthorn, Victoria, 3122, Australia
Our May 2016 meeting featured guest speakers Tony Finneran (Scania and recent publisher of Gone But Not Forgotten series books) and Jim Lynch (formerly of Ansair and Bus Sales).
They presented a look back on the careers around the topic “Putting buses together – matching chassis and body”
The meeting was held at the usual time of 3pm on 15 May. Due to unforeseen events, the meeting was moved at short notice to the Malvernvale Hotel function room – a great alternative venue.

Hawthorn Tramways Trust Centenary Weekend (Melbourne & Ballarat)
2016-04-23 09:30 - 2016-04-24 18:00 | Various Pickup Points, Refer to event description
To celebrate the centenary of one of Melbourne’s original electric tramway operators, John Whiting arranged for a special weekend of events in both Melbourne and Ballarat. Due to low bookings, a third day of events in Bendigo sadly had to be cancelled.
Saturday 23 April saw an all day tour of Melbourne onboard two Z1 trams, which had been sadly been withdrawn from service after 40 years the previous day. The day included a lunch stop at Melbourne Tram Museum at Hawthorn Tram Depot, where John Phillips presented his AEC Regal Mk3 to acknowledge the role the depot played over several years as training facility for government bus drivers.
On Sunday 24 April we travelled to Ballarat on a convoy of 3 buses tirelessly arranged by the BCSV tours committee. At Ballarat there were options to visit the tram museums at Ballarat and Haddon (including rides) or enjoy a paddleboat ride on Lake Wendouree.

BCSV March Meeting: Buses of Germany, Austria & Switzerland
2016-03-20 15:00 - 17:00 | Melbourne Tram Museum (Hawthorn Tram Depot), 8 Wallen Rd, Hawthorn, Victoria, 3122, Australia
Kicking off another year of Sunday social meetings, Geoff Foster presented highlights from his 2015 trip around Germany, Austria and Switzerland, showcasing the numerous public transport he sampled, along with the odd scenic shot or two.

As usual, both members & guests were welcome to attend this presentation at Hawthorn Tram Depot from 15:00.

A small afternoon tea followed.

Hawthorn Tram Depot is located at 8 Wallen Rd Hawthorn near the corner of Power Street. Tram Routes 70 & 75 stop near-by, with Hawthorn Station on the Belgrave/Lilydale line a short 10 min walk.
