2761



2761 - 1951 Leyland Titan OPD2/1

1951 LEYLAND TITAN OPD2/1

Vehicle Background:
After the end of World War II in 1945, Leyland Motors supplied 90 Leyland OPD1 chassis with four speed constant mesh gearboxes. These were followed by 203 Leyland OPD2/1 chassis equipped with synchromesh gearboxes "Synchros" and finally by a batch of 50 special order Leyland OPD2/1 chassis fitted with Wilson pre-selector gearboxes.

No. 2761 is an example from the last batch of 50 front engined, rear platform double deck buses built for the Department of Road Transport and Tramways (D.R.T. & T.). The body was built by the Clyde Engineering Co. of Granville in July 1953 but it did not enter service until 4 February 1954. At this time many buses were stockpiled in readiness for conversion of tramway services to bus operation. Sufficient vehicles were held in reserve to enable a complete changeover of a tram service to be effected in one go. The stockpiled buses actually commenced service assisting with the transport of the huge crowds wishing to see Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip at various venues throughout Sydney. The Royal Couple had
arrived only the previous day for their first official visit.

While the type initially operated only from Burwood and Kingsgrove Depots, examples were later employed at Brookvale, Willoughby, North Sydney and Randwick Depots. In 1969 all fifty were transferred to Newcastle. Progressively the buses were returned to Kingsgrove and Burwood Depots between 1972 and 1975.

No.2761 was withdrawn in March 1976 and purchased for conversion to a caravan. It languished untouched in a backyard at Greenacre until August 1981. After several approaches, the owners decided to sell the vehicle to a group of members as they realised that their own project would never be realised. The syndicate commenced work on it immediately and it was soon back on the road looking quite resplendent. In 1995 a major rebuild of the framework took place and the bus is now one of the main work horses of the
vintage double deck fleet.

SPECIFICATION:

ENGINE: Six cylinder Leyland 0.600 diesel engine of 9.8 litres displacement, bore 4.8", stroke 5.5", 125 B.H.P. @ 1800 R.P.M.

TRANSMISSION: Air operated 'Wilson' 4 speed pre-selector gearbox, and a worm drive differential.

BRAKES: Air operated foot brake and mechanical
hand brake.

MAXIMUM SPEED: 32 MPH (52 KPH)

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