Historical information

Victorian Railways began offering several petrol bus services in the late 1920s, including in services to tourist destinations around Melbourne such as Queenscliff, Portsea, Monbulk and Warburton. This bus, running from Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook, is interesting given this route was already serviced by rail. It opened on July 7th 1930, but by 1931 was cut back to Cockatoo; it ceased operation entirely on February 14th 1941. This bus may be built on a 1929 Thornycroft chassis, which this line used two of by the time it ceased operation. Even by 1934, the line mostly only ran as far as Belgrave, with limited Cockatoo services on weekdays, one on Saturdays and none on Sundays.

Significance

While relatively short-lived, the Victorian Railways motor service is part of the complex tapestry of the region's transport history.

Physical description

This item includes a printed black and white photograph mounted on card. The photograph is framed by green and black lines, and accompanied by annotation in marker below it. The reverse of the card has further annotation handwritten in pencil, alongside an accession number. The photograph shows a stationary bus parked on grass, with trees and a hedge behind it. In from of the bus, a man stands facing the open door.

Inscriptions & markings

Obverse:
Annotation: "Rail Bus - Run by / Railways - about 19[30 crossed out]20s"
Bus, Front: "RAIL BUS / 35-485"
Bus, Side: "RAIL BUS U.S. [illegible] / PAY AS YOU [illegible]"
Reverse, Annotation: "Rail bus from Ferntree Gully to Gembrook 1920s"