Leyland OPD2 2087

Department of Road Transport and Tramways, ordered chassis from various manufacturers in the United Kingdom in 1948. Leyland Motors Ltd secured orders for  90 Leyland OPD1 chassis with four speed constant mesh gearboxes. The Leyland company then supplied 203 OPD2/1s equipped with synchromesh gearboxes. These were later nicknamed the 'Synchros'. Another 50 double deck buses were introduced in 1953. The chassis were part of a purchase from Leyland of 84 special order OPD2/1s fitted with 'Wilson' pre-selector gearboxes. In all 343 Leyland double deck buses were placed into service.

The 90 OPD1 and 203 OPD2/1 double deck vehicles were built by both Commonwealth Engineering Co. Ltd. of Granville, Sydney and Clyde Engineering Co. of Granville. All were fitted with canvas concertina doors. In 1962 the doors were bolted up to prevent them from being used. The canvas doors were then removed on all the OPD2/1 buses and about half of the OPD1s at overhaul. In those that the door was removed a seat for two persons was installed. Safety reasons had dictated the removal of the canvas doors as there had been accidents involving school children. While all the buses started out as 59 seaters, a large number became 61 seat vehicles.

No. 2087 was one of the batch of 203 'Synchros'. It was issued to traffic on 21 August 1948 as one of the replacement vehicles for the Ashfield / Burwood / Mortlake / Cabarita tramway services that had operated out of the Enfield tram depot. The bus was new to Burwood depot which initially was responsible for the replacement bus services. When Enfield reopened after conversion to a bus depot on 9 January 1950,  2087 was one of 42 Leyland OPD2/1 transferred from Burwood to the newly rebuilt depot. Later in the mid 1950's the bus was reallocated to Burwood depot where it spent most of its service life of 24 years. From the late 1960's until withdrawal on 29 August 1972 it also operated at Brookvale, Randwick, Kingsgrove and Tempe depot.

A group of members purchased 2087 on 1 September 1972 only three days after withdrawal. Its acquisition set a precedent as it highlighted the fact that the days of the famous Sydney double deckers were coming to an end. As part of the restoration process, 2087 has had its canvas concertina door reinstated and is now in original 1948 condition as a 59 seat bus.

Specifications:

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: 4 speed synchromesh and a worm drive differential

Brakes: Vacuum operated foot brake and a mechanical hand brake

Body: Clyde Engineering

Status:

Operational.