This bus entered service in 1935 and is one of 15 Albion double deck model 80 buses operated by the Department of Road Transport and Tramways. These were followed in 1937 by eight model 81 Albions of very similar specifications.

1187 has the first double deck body built by Waddingtons. It is of timber framed construction and has seats for 56. The body design was to some extent a standard design when a search was being made for a suitable double deck layout. It was undoubtedly the forerunner of the later design that became the standard for many years. Examples of that  design are well represented in the Museum. Exhibits of the later design range from A.E.C. Regent No. 1286, built in March, 1937 to the newest Leyland OPD2/1 No. 2761, built in March, 1953.

The bus operated for most of its life at Burwood depot. It was taken out of service in August 1948 but not sold until 1949. Punchbowl Bus Co. purchased the bus, and used it as m/o 076 for a short time before selling to be used as a Mobile Totalizator. Punchbowl Bus Co. converted the bus to meet the needs of its new ownerÕs the Totalizator Systems Company of Victoria. In this guise it was used at the Moe Racecourse in the Gippsland area until 1968. A family then purchased the vehicle and used it as a shed and kid's cubby house.

One of the members put a lot of effort into finding the bus and eventually he located it in 1982. Negotiations became protracted as the owner was not terribly interested in selling the vehicle, however he eventually relented.

The body was structurally unsound and before it could be towed, extensive preparations, including bracing had to be undertaken. This action was taken to prevent the top deck from coming adrift during the long and slow tow of well over 1000 kilometres from the Gippsland area to Sydney. The tow took 36 hours, with many stops being made to check  the bracing and the condition of the body. The tow truck driver was extremely diligent and commented on arrival in Sydney that it was his slowest trip on the Hume Highway.

A complete body rebuild was carried out with the aid of a Bi-Centennial grant in 1988.

SPECIFICATION
Engine:          
Gardner 6LW 6 cylinder diesel, 8.5 litre displacement.

Transmission:    
Four Speed "Crash" gearbox and worm drive differential..

Brakes:   
Vacuum operated front brake and mechanical hand brake.