Sydney Tram Museum - Open Day

Sunday 24th February, 2019

Another great day’s outing for the Model A Ford Club of NSW today. Our Club were once again asked if we could support the Annual Vintage Tramway Festival open day of celebrations at the Sydney Tramway Museum at Loftus.

Lined up on Main Street of the Tramway Museum at Loftus
vehicles from the Model A Ford Club of NSW help recreate the era.

For more than 80-years until 1961, trams were an important part of life in Sydney. The 25th February 2019, will mark the 58th Anniversary of the day that the last tram ran on the Sydney tram network. 

Unlimited tram rides are offered to all paying guests 
on the Museum's Tramway Festival open day

The Sydney Tramway Museum was founded in 1950 to preserve examples of the city’s tramway heritage, the exhibits not only include almost every type of tram which ran on the former Sydney system, but extend to examples from other Australian & overseas cities, chosen to give a National & international picture of the development of tramcar design.

Plenty of colourful characters on the day

This museum has approximately 28 trams, however not all these trams are operational. Here is a list of the Trams that are indeed still in use at the Museum: 2 x C class (1896-1926). 1 x F class (1899-1916). 1 x L/P class (1918-1951). 2 x O class (1908-1958). 1 x P class (1921-1960). 2 x R class (1933-1960).

A variety of trams lined up - all offering tram rides on sections
of the Museum's own incorporated 3.5 kms of tram line

The 626 'O' Class cars serviced the Sydney Metropolitan area… particularly around Easter time, when the RAS (Royal Agricultural Society) held their Annual Show [State Fair] at the Moore Park complex. With a capacity of 80 seats + 80 standing, the famous old cross bench trams, when coupled, could shift a load of 320 people.

The Display Hall houses the Museum's assemblage 
of trams and vast collection of tramway memorabilia.

Sydney’s longest tram route was from the Fort Macquarie Tram Depot, now the location of the Sydney Opera House, via George Street & Pyrmont to Ryde, a distance of 17 km.

The expression “Shooting Through like a Bondi Tram’ comes from express steam trams on the Bondi line, the fastest form of transport a city reliant on horse drawn conveyances at the end of the 19th century.

Plenty of colourful characters to complement the colourful cars,
buses & trams on display.

These wonderful people movers (no pollution) also traveled over the Sydney Harbour Bridge up to the North Shore until 1958.

The standard height of the overhead wire on Sydney’s tramways was 5.8 metres (19 feet), Double-deck buses were 4.4 metres high (14.4 feet).

The Display Hall houses the Museum's assemblage 

of trams and vast collection of tramway memorabilia.

In 1909 a total of 564 trams crossed the Sydney CBD intersection of King & George Streets between 5.00 & 6.30 pm - a tram every ten seconds.

What do you think the current NSW Gladys Berejiklian's Liberal Government would give to have these statistics.

Operating throughout the day, a tram passes
vehicles from the Model A Ford Club on static display

The last tram to operate in Sydney was in 1961, between the City & La Perouse.

As a child l can remember my Mum taking us kids into the CBD shopping & travelling from one end of the city to the other on board the trams, & for those of you that are old enough we even witnessed Bea Miles a famous eccentric identity of Sydney jumping from one tram to the other as they passed each other.

Wonderful, wonderful memories.

Vintage cars along with vintage buildings, vintage trams & buses
complete the integrated street scene setting on the Tramway Festival day

How fast do trams go? From the advent of four-motor trams such as the Sydney 'O' class, trams were expected to run at around 40 to 45 kmh (or approx 26 mph) on a level track with a full load. On good straight downhill track, speeds of 60 kmh could be achieved. 

Modern Trams being built today for street operation typically will have normal running speeds of up to 70 kmh (approx 42 mph).

The trams carry an amazing authentic array of advertising signage
that convey you back in time to another era

Now with all that useless information, l can highly recommend anyone that is interested in going back to a different era to spend a few hours at the Sydney Tramway Museum located at Loftus, less than 1-hour south of down-town Sydney. 

It's Australia's oldest Tram Museum and the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere. You will really enjoy the surroundings & friendly volunteers that are only too happy to take you back in time.

Until the next adventure, stay safe.

Cheers for now.

Warbo

Classic 1938 Ford Truck with long Australian family history

Sunday 17th February - 2019

At this past weekend's 43rd Berrima District Historic Vehicle Club Rally, I managed to catch up with Stephen & Tanya Chalker-Holz & their son Mitchell.

What a pleasure & honour it was to talk to Tanya about the history of their very rare 1938 Ford 2½ ton truck. This Ford Classic, is renowned for it’s unique shaped grill, which is often referred to as a “beer barrel” grill.

Restored to factory specifications, including the original paint colour.
The timber used in the restoration: The flatbed tray is constructed of WA Jarrah,
and the Toolbox & Headboard are made of Redwood.

The Australian Government purchased 500 of these trucks from the Ford Plant located in Windsor, Ontario, Canada for the war effort. These vehicles arrived in Australia in a knocked down form & the Ford plants here in Australia re-assembled these vehicles to Australian Army requirements.

After the war, the Australian Government couldn’t afford to bring these vehicles home, so they were mostly left in the theatres of war in which they operated, like Africa & New Guinea.

After the end of World War II, in 1946, Tanya’s Grandfather attended an Army Auction in Goulburn, NSW where all surplus military vehicles were being auctioned off. You had to be a Primary producer to put your name down in the ballot to be eligible to purchase a vehicle.

Tanya’s Grandfather elected to put his name down for a truck & this is what he received.

This rare 1938 Ford 2½ ton truck is a family heirloom and has
been in the Chalker-Holz family for the last 76-years.

For many years this vehicle worked on the family farm & later was used as the local fire truck in their district until 1965, then tucked away in a shed on Tanya’s Grandparents farm in Mittagong.

Then in 1999 they brought the truck home to Gosford, to where the Chalker-Holz family now live, where they embarked upon a 10-year restoration.

By now Tanya’s father was in his 80s (a carpenter by trade) did all the timber work to return this vehicle to its former glory. Restored to factory specifications, including the original paint colour. The timber used in the restoration: The flatbed tray is constructed of WA Jarrah, while the toolbox & headboard are made of Redwood.

Since its restoration in 2010 this master piece has driven over 30,000 miles (48,000 kms) to Adelaide, Brisbane, Victoria & appeared in several movies including Hacksaw Ridge directed by Mel Gibson in 2016.

Before Tanya’s father's death he was able to see his father's truck in Hacksaw Ridge on the big screen. Tanya’s Dad just shook his head & could not believe that his father's farm truck & the very same truck he learnt to drive in as a 15-year-old was now in a Hollywood movie.

Restored to Ford factory specifications, including the original paint colour.
The timber used in the restoration: The flatbed tray is constructed of WA Jarrah,
while the toolbox & headboard are made of Redwood.

Stephen & Tanya were telling me that their son Mitchell will eventually inherit this truck which he is very proud of. So it certainly looks like this automotive relic from another era will stay in the loving hands of the Chalker-Holz family for a 4th generation.

Now the best news about to come... 

The Chalker-Holz family have assured me that their pride & joy (this 1938 Ford Truck) will be on exhibition at Cronulla for our 5th Sylvanvale Pre-WWII Car Show on Sunday April 14th, 2019 to help raise much needed funds for the Sylvanvale Foundation to support people with disabilities to reach their potential.

Whatever you do, do not miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to view this this 'Classic'.

As the event organiser, I am delighted that 20,000+ Motor Enthusiasts will be able to enjoy this very, very special part of history right here on the tiles of Cronulla Mall on Sunday, April 14th, 2019.

See you there,

Ken Warburton

Visit to the Sydney Jewish Museum

Wednesday 6th February, 2019

Thirty members of our Model A Ford Club visited the Sydney Jewish Museum in Darlinghurst in inner Sydney today.

We all mustered at a coffee house at Circular Quay before boarding a bus that delivered us to the Museum in Darlinghurst Road. Once we all processed through the security checks we entered into another world.

Part of the facade of the Sydney Jewish Museum
in Darlinghurst

The Sydney Jewish Museum was established in 1992 by the generation of Holocaust survivors who came to Australia. The Museum is an institution that collects and preserves historic objects, commemorates and educates, with a mission to challenge visitors’ perceptions of morality, social justice, democracy and human rights.

The Museum collects and conserves original memorabilia related to the Holocaust, Judaica and Australian Jewish history to make these available for display and research for generations to come.

After recent renovations the Museum offers fantastic displays
and exhibitions of curated items in a modern environment.

Seeing that there were so many of us, we were divided into three groups of 10 people in each group. Our group's guide (Vera) whose parents were survivors of The Holocaust took us all on an informative, but frightening journey for the following one & a half hours.

Our guide Vera [in white, with her back to the camera] conducts
our tour group through the exhibitions and displays.

I was well aware of what to expect, because in 1969 (50-years ago) when I was a young man travelling around the world in a Volkswagen camper van, I visited Dachau the First Concentration Camp, which was established immediately after Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933.

For these people that say the Holocaust never happened, WELL, let me tell you, just allow yourself a few hours one day to visit the Sydney Jewish Museum, I can assure you it would be well worth the visit.

For lunch we headed for the Courthouse Hotel located on
Taylor Square on Oxford Street in Darlinghurst.

Once our guided tour of the Museum had finished all thirty of us made the short stroll to the Courthouse Hotel located in Taylor Square on Oxford Street in Darlinghurst for a Pub lunch & discuss the morning's events.

Our group enjoying lunch inside the Courthouse Hotel after an
enlightening visit to the Sydney Jewish Museum.

Cheers for now.

Warbo.

Australia Day 2019, Cronulla

Australia Day - Cronulla - 26th January, 2019.

HUUUGE Day!!!

Mixing in the right company with the current Prime Minister of Australia, my friend, Scott Morrison.

I'm certain he did not realise that he was sharing the BBQ plate with the Australian Open BBQ Champion held at ‘Swallow Rock’ Greys Point in 1972.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison visits Cronulla Beach for the
Australia Day festivities and grabs a pair of tongs to help man the
BBQ to raise money for struggling farmers.

I showed the head of our nation a few tricks about cooking a minute steak, he took my advice & scoffed into a beautifully cooked minute steak with the onions (under the meat) of course.

Cronulla Rotary members really appreciated the PM dropping by our set up to say a BIG HELLO!!! & to personally thank us all for our efforts to raise money for our farmers that are doing it real tough right now.

The Cronulla Rotary BBQ on Australia Day

The PM Scott Morrison would have spent 10-minutes talking to every one that was there working away either cooking on the BBQ serving the customers, collecting money, or what ever their tasks were, he even grabbed a long pair tongs & actually helped cook the sausages & minute steaks.

All proceeds raised go to a great cause, Rural Aid.

Cronulla Rotary volunteers man the BBQ hotplates on Australia Day
in Cronulla Park on Cronulla Beach

In the photo above, you can see a happy bunch of volunteers cooking the Minute Steaks, Gluten free snags & onions on (4) BBQs.

Today was one hell of an effort from everyone involved, by the time we finished around 8.30-9.00pm this evening we had cooked 500 minute steaks, almost 3,000 gluten free sausages, plus kilos of onions. 

The Australian Day Concert & Festivities on the Beach at Cronulla
Photo: John Veage

I would like to personally thank one of our quiet achievers Mark Ellis. Mark has worked his BUTT off over the past couple of months organising today’s events & guess what, every thing went off to plan, (no hiccups at all). Congratulations & well done mate. You are a CHAMPION.

I must admit the Cronulla Rotary set up for today’s events was very impressive as you can see in the photos showing the punters lining up for their Steak Sanga, or Sausage & onion on a roll cooked by a former Australian BBQ Champion. How good is that?

Great day had by all involved, it will be interesting to see how much today’s event raised for Rural Aid, I will let you know as soon as I know the figures on my Blog.

That is just about it for this bout, stay safe.

Warbo.

Model A Ford Club - Luncheon Run to Burrawang Cafe

Sunday 18th November - 2018

Another wonderful day's outing with the Model A Ford Club of NSW members & their vehicles driving through the picturesque Southern Highlands & then onto the Burrawang General Store & Cafe for lunch.

This morning started for me at 0600, my first obligation was to prepare morning tea for our first stop at Pheasants Nest (south) on the Hume Highway approximately 1 1/2 hours south of Cronulla where I reside in 'the Shire'.

My favourite morning tea on occasions like this is: SAO biscuits, cheese & Vegemite then of course a Thermos full of (hot) Bushell's tea to wash it down with.

Departing Fitzroy Falls in the Morton National Park

I picked up my travelling mate Peter Deane at 0730 at Loftus, we hit the road running, transversing the Heathcote Road to hook up with the Hume Motorway at Liverpool for the 1-hour drive to the mustering point at the 7-Eleven at Pheasants Nest (south) roadside stop. 

Upon arriving at the 7-Eleven we set ourselves up on the picnic table & chairs to enjoy our morning tea & biscuits. It was not long before other Club members joined us.

Once every one had arrived & enjoyed their morning tea we once again set sail at 1000 for the 1-hour drive to Fitzroy Falls Lookout and visitor centre.

Twenty-three happy members of the Model A Ford Club
captured at Fitzroy Falls in the NSW southern highlands

In the photograph above you can see at least twenty-three happy Model A Ford Club Members enjoying the scenery looking out over the Yarrunga Valley - 640 metres above sea level, at the Fitzroy Falls lookout on a picture perfect day. 

The falls are where the Yarrunga Creek cascades over the escarpment into the Kangaroo Valley and flows into the Kangaroo River. We enjoyed taking in the scenery for about 1-hour, then it was time to leave Fitzroy Falls in the Morton National Park to drive on to the Burranwang General Store & Cafe for our luncheon reservation at noon.

The Fitzroy Falls are where the Yarrunga Creek cascades over the escarpment into
the Yarrunga valley and flows into the Kangaroo River.

In one of the photos above you can see my Burgundy 1931 2-door Tudor Delux sedan departing the Fitzroy Falls, shortly after departing the Park l needed petrol badly, so Peter recommended that I continue up the road a couple of clicks & we would find a service station to get me out of trouble (I always carry a spare 5-litre container on petrol just for occasions like this).

When we stopped at this very small service station out in the sticks, they would only allow us to purchase a maximum of $20 worth of fuel, because they were running low themselves, at least that would get us out of trouble & allow us to drive onto the next service station, hopefully to fill the 8-gallon tank of the Model A Ford.

A friendly Parakeet joined us a local fuel stop.

Whilst stopped at the Service Station for our 20-bucks worth of fuel, three or four Parakeets decided that they wanted to check out the Model A Ford more closely, you can see Peter checking out one of the Parrots that had landed on the roof of the Model A Ford, (How cool is that?). 

Peter Deane checks out the parakeet that wanted
to take a closer look at my Model A Ford

Now that we were mobile once again we drove onto the Burrawang General Store & Cafe to meet up with every one else for lunch. When we arrived at the Burrawang Cafe, Peter and myself were the last to arrive because of the unplanned petrol & Parrot diversions. 

The Burrawang General Store & Café

Here we were in the Southern Highlands only a couple of kilometres from Robertson, we were greeted by this wonderful (1867 General Store) that has been trading continuously for over 140 years, now converted into a magnificent restaurant. 

There were a total of 30 people or more in our party, so guess what there was no room left for us inside the restaurant so management found us a table on the outside verandah which was OK by us.

Lunch on the verandah of the Burrawang General Store & Cafe
with Peter Deane [left] then myself and Leon Panov and
Gary Smith from the Model A Club

Such a lovely setting, you can see that Peter & myself were also joined for lunch by Leon Panov & Gary Smith from the Model A Car Club on the verandah.

Once lunch was completed & our bellies were full it was time to say 'Cheerio' to the Burrawang Cafe & the other Club Members & head for home.

We made a great diversionary stop into the Robertson Pie Shop
for a road-stop dessert of Apple Pie with cream.

Of course l could not help myself & suggested to Peter my Navigator, that we will be calling into the 'Famous' Robertson Pie Shop on the way home for dessert. What better way to finish off a delightful lunch with an Apple Pie & Cream, (the icing on the cake, I reckon).

By now I really felt like a 'Whale' & decided it was time to once again hit the road & head for home via the rugged Macquarie Pass driving the Model A Ford down the mountain to Albion Park to by pass the HARS Aviation Museum located at the Illawarra Regional Airport. 

Every time I drive past the HARS Aviation Museum my heart always skips a beat or two because they have one of the ex-Qantas Boeing 747 Jumbo jets parked on the tarmac. During my flying career of 34-years l would have spent 100s of hours, on this particular aircraft flying around the world serving the punters, chicken or beef, followed by hot tea or coffee.

The retired Qantas B747-400 'VH-OJA' now sits on static display at the
HARS Museum at the Illawarra Regional Airport.
I spent many hours of my Qantas working life aboard this very aircraft.

FYI; if you are interested. This very Qantas 747-438 'VH-OJA' Boeing Jumbo Jet named the City of Canberra was retired to Wollongong after 25-years of service, the City of Canberra was in Qantas service for 25.3 years, flew 13,833 flights, carried 4,094,568 passengers and has flown nearly 85 million kilometers, which is equivalent to 110.2 return trips to the moon.

This aircraft also holds the world record for the longest non-stop flight by a commercial aircraft - London to Sydney in August 1989 for a total flight time of 20 hrs & 9 minutes at an average speed of - 893km/h for a total distance of 18,012 km.

Now, sorry l got carried away. Back to today's excursion. My 1931 Model A Ford 2-door Tudor Delux sedan covered a distance of 280 kilometres (180 miles), definitely no comparison to the Jumbo Jet that l have been telling you about. However, let me assure you that today's journey was very enjoyable with out the PC & no jet lag!

Cheers for now.

Warbo

Mission Accomplished

Monday 12th November - 2018

After their oceanic journeys across the Pacific Ocean from the US to Australia and cleared by Australian Border Force - all my ‘Babies’ are now safe & sound and are under my personal care, here in the ‘Shire’.

Today I picked up the last vehicle of my three 'new' vehicles
to be cleared by Australian Border Force;
my 1964 Plymouth/Valiant 2-door, 3-speed, manual sedan

Now comes the job of putting them all back together with a lot of TLC and make them roadworthy in preparation for Australian registration. 

Trailering home my 1964 Plymouth/Valiant
with my '81 Ford Bronco

Stay tuned for further updates. Cheers for now.

‘Squire from the Shire’

Warbo

Model A Ford Club of NSW - Maintenance Day

Saturday 10th November - 2018

Hello fellow Model A Ford Club members,

For those members that have not attended one of our club's maintenance days at
Rob Taylor’s facility at GUILDFORD - you have no idea what you are missing out on.

In attendance on the day - fifteen Model A Fords

This morning thirty Club members gathered at 0930 for a bonding session to talk about our prestigious motor vehicles & also to fix the problems of the world, as you do.

Maintenance Day is a perfect opportunity for everyone
to get together to talk 'Model A Ford' stuff

In attendance there were fifteen Model A Fords on display. Our first tour of duty was to all gather upstairs in Rob’s conference room to talk about “How to use a multi-meter”. Kevin Sherson who is one of our very knowledgeable club members was our tutor. 

In this conference room there is hundreds of years of knowledge
regarding the ins & outs of the iconic Model A Ford Motor Vehicle.

I thoroughly enjoyed the valuable information that Rob explained to us all in a 1-hour presentation, we also talked about various other electrical components of the Model A Ford. 

Great supporting audio visuals were used during our 'how to' sessions

Looking around the room as you can see by the accompanying photographs, l was not the only one that enjoyed the presentation.

Time to get in close for a detailed look...
Mal Bradley inspecting a Model A Ford 3-Speed transmission
for one of our Club members.

We then adjourned down stairs to be greeted by our 'ln-house Chef' Ron Elks who had fired up the BBQ so that we could enjoy sausage & onion rolls for leisurely lunch.

In-house Chef, Ron Elks fired up the BBQ and
took culinary control of the day's lunch presentation.

There was so much happening, Mal Bradley was checking out a Model A Ford gear box for one of the members & Jim Haling was explaining certain aspects of the water pump clearance on the head of a Model A Ford.

We had detailed chats on subjects from water pumps to gear boxes

We are very fortunate to have Rob Taylor allow us to use his premises for these occasions.

We are very fortunate to have Rob Taylor allow us to
use his premises for these occasions. Thanks Rob.

Thanks again Rob, as Club members we really appreciate your generosity once again.

Cheers for now.

Warbo

Three newest family members arrive...

Wednesday 7th November - 2018

What a Day!!! It also happened to be the Mid-Term elections in the USA. (US time).

Yesterday, l took delivery of the three newest members to the Warburton family. As you can see by the following photographs taken outside the warehouse here in Sydney.

On the trailer after arrival from the US and Australian Border Force clearance
1931 Model A Ford 4-door, slant window, Town Sedan

Last time l was with the family was way back in Compton, Los Angeles (on 17th August, 2018) when l finally delivered my Babies to the Ocean Freight terminal for Asbestos testing before they were then packed into a 40ft container for shipping to Australia.

l must admit that l was very anxious to see if my precious cargo had arrived unscathed after their epic 7,500 mile journey across the vast Pacific Ocean. Yes, l am pleased to report that the unaccompanied children arrived safe & sound with out any damage.

Remember all the trouble that l went to regarding the removal of 'Asbestos' from my vehicles. Well let me tell you !!!

Newly arrived into Australia; 1964 Plymouth/Valiant 2-door, 3-speed,
manual sedan. (in Turquoise). A very rare vehicle in Australia.

The company that l used in Los Angeles, guaranteed that once they had cleared my vehicles in LA to the Australian Border Force requirements, l would have no problems with the vehicles entering Australia. Sure enough, my three vehicles passed the authorities here in Sydney with flying colours. 

Certain people told me that l was going overboard with my preparations regarding the removal of 'Asbestos', however let me assure you all that it sure was a good feeling not to have the worry of the Authorities slapping a $7,000.00 fine (per vehicle) plus all the other charges that could have come my way if they did not pass muster here in Aussie.

May be l did go overboard with the preparation of my vehicles before they departed LA however - l have also spoken to a couple of chaps here in Sydney that took a punt on their vehicles not being tested once they arrived here. Shock! Shock! Horror! 

Guess what? Their vehicles were inspected on arrival into Sydney & they are now in all sorts of shit including huge fines.

My 1930 AA Ford Truck with dual rear wheels.

l am very glad that l did it my way, because l can no longer afford to loose any more hair.

Now that l have the vehicles are here and safe & sound in my hot hands l will go about putting them all back together (brakes, engines, clutches, heads, manifold gaskets, etc, etc) before registering them so that l can start driving & enjoying them hopefully before Christmas.

Just to refresh your memories about the new members to the Warburton clan, they are:

1) 1964 Plymouth/Valiant 2-door, 3-speed, manual sedan. (Turquoise). Very rare vehicle.
2) 1930 AA Ford Truck with dual rear wheels.
3) 1931 Model A Ford 4-door, slant window, Town Sedan.

In summary, yes, it has been a long drawn out adventure. It all started way back in Santa Clarita in California at the Independence Day Parade on the 4th of July 2018, when l purchased the AA Ford Truck - I was on my way back to Phoenix from the 2018 Model A Ford Rally held in Reno, Nevada.

Now that this experience is behind me, l am looking forward to the next one that l hope is not that far around the corner.

Just remember!!!  - 'Adventure before Dementia'.

Hope you enjoyed the story.

Cheers for now

Warbo

Motor Enthusiasts Group - Cronulla Show & Shine

Sunday 4th November - 2018

On Sunday the 4th of November my Shire-based, local Car Club the Motor Enthusiasts Group held their Annual Show & Shine in the Cronulla RSL car park in Cronulla. The group is a regional group that caters for all marques & ages of motor vehicles. 

My '57 Chevrolet 2-door Bel Air in the
Cronulla RSL car park

Last Sunday's Show 'n' Shine was our best attended ever. About 46 cars turned out, the sun shone and the weather was great. After the morning's judging was completed, everyone adjourned to the Cronulla RSL Club directly across the road for refreshments.

We had an amazing variety of vehicles turned up, undoubtedly this is one of the strengths of our club.

Helping to recreate the '50s era, today I displayed
my US-drive-in restaurant-style 'Carhop' food service tray

l entered my '57 Chevy Bel Air for judging & l am pleased to say that my black '57 Chevy was lucky enough to win the 'Modified Class'.

Gaining plenty of attention on the day was my newly acquired US-style Carhop tray, complete with food. A carhop is a waiter or waitress that brings food to a car in a drive-in restaurant. The word Carhop is play on the term Bellhop. Popular in the US from the '50s through the '60s - carhops were slowly phased out by the innovation of drive-thru style service.

l am looking forward to our Motor Enthusiasts Group's next outing.

Cheers for now

Warbo