Alice Springs Transport Hall of Fame Reunion 2010
The Thornycroft truck was driven from Sydney to Alice Springs and back over the period 15 August to 6 September 2010 to participate in the transport reunion held every 5 years. The truck carried almost enough fuel (about 2,000 litres) for the round trip, a crew cab to carry loose items and to sleep in, and another vehicle in the form of a 1951 Ford F1 Freighter tray-back utility. For this, a complete canopy was constructed for protection, comprising a steel frame and heavy plastic sheeting ex-advertising signage. Here are some photos of the setup.
Travel outbound was via Mudgee, NSW, where some of the convoy met, then on to Narromine (374 Km total) for the first night's camp and to meet up with the balance of the convoy. People came from Lithgow, Bathurst, Mudgee, Newcastle, Canowindra, the Gold Coast in Queensland, as well as the Sydney area. Here are some of the vehicles in the convoy. As can be seen, most were carrying other vehicles.
The second day we travelled via Dubbo and Nyngan to a farm west of Cobar (347 Km total) where we camped. Here there were many relics of interest. The Thornycroft blew a tyre approaching Cobar, and we were fortunate in being able to buy a replacement second-hand one in Cobar. The third day we arrived at Broken Hill (372 Km total) with enough time to visit the Railway Museum before settling in at the camping ground. Here are a few photos of relics at the farm and the railway Museum at Broken Hill.
The main feature after Cobar was the large number of goats - obviously they are much better survivors than sheep or cattle in these parts.
Day four saw us enter South Australia and a notable feature upon climbing a significant hill out of Peterborough was the large fertile valley that extended for some 50Km to the next range of hills. After a detour via Quorn, we made the caravan park at Port Augusta (453 Km total). Most refuelled at Port Augusta, as prices were better than Sydney.
Day five saw us head north up the Stuart Highway, calling in at Woomera, where there were many examples of the rockets that were trialled on the range. After Woomera, we headed further up the highway to camp at a rest area (463 Km total) where there were no facilities whatever.
Day six and we next visited Coober Pedy, the opal mining town, where we spent several hours exploring the sights. From there we travelled as far as Kulgera just north of the SA-NT border, where we camped in the camping ground (506 Km total). Here are a few photos of Woomera and Coober Pedy.
Day four saw us enter South Australia and a notable feature upon climbing a significant hill out of Peterborough was the large fertile valley that extended for some 50Km to the next range of hills. After a detour via Quorn, we made the caravan park at Port Augusta (453 Km total). Most refuelled at Port Augusta, as prices were better than Sydney.
Day five saw us head north up the Stuart Highway, calling in at Woomera, where there were many examples of the rockets that were trialled on the range. After Woomera, we headed further up the highway to camp at a rest area (463 Km total) where there were no facilities whatever.
Day six and we next visited Coober Pedy, the opal mining town, where we spent several hours exploring the sights. From there we travelled as far as Kulgera just north of the SA-NT border, where we camped in the camping ground (506 Km total). Here are a few photos of Woomera and Coober Pedy.
Day seven and we travelled the 325 Km west to Yulara camping ground near Uluru (Ayers Rock). Some of the party were able to run out to the rock that afternoon, others consolidated the campsite as we were staying two nights. Day eight dawned wet and cold, and we all travelled out to the rock and witnessed the rare event of water cascading down it. Then a visit to Kata Tjata (the Olgas) which are equally majestic. Here are some photos.
Day nine (23rd August) we travelled the 445Km to Alice Springs, arriving mid-afternoon with plenty of time to set up camp in the Heritage Caravan Park, quite a convenient location. The semi-trailers had to rough it without powered sites, but the rest were accommodated near all the facilities. Vehicles were unloaded and made ready for display at the Truck Museum. Day ten was raining, and most took the opportunity to go into town, or visit some of the tourist spots. Some went out to the Truck Museum which was already a hive of activity, and the volunteers were absolutely run off their feet trying to supply pre-purchased merchandise etc. The grounds were generally very wet, but this did not stop many from displaying their vehicles, but the areas surrounding the complex where many prime movers were directed to park were decidedly boggy. A couple of wives flew in that day to join us. Day eleven on were fine days, and we took our vehicles out to display them each day, returning afternoons. We took time out to visit some of the features such as the Overland Telegraph Station.
There was an amazing range of trucks on display, with a strong presence as you would expect of Macks, Kenworths, Internationals, Commers, Whites, Diamond T's and so on. It was great too, to see the iconic pioneers of road trains which are part of the Museum Display. Not one Ford Louisville was present, and this surprised some, whilst I was disappointed to see so few British trucks, and no rarities like Vulcan and Corbitt. Here is a selection of trucks that caught my eye.
There was an amazing range of trucks on display, with a strong presence as you would expect of Macks, Kenworths, Internationals, Commers, Whites, Diamond T's and so on. It was great too, to see the iconic pioneers of road trains which are part of the Museum Display. Not one Ford Louisville was present, and this surprised some, whilst I was disappointed to see so few British trucks, and no rarities like Vulcan and Corbitt. Here is a selection of trucks that caught my eye.
Day 15 (Sunday, 29th August) was the culmination of the whole event when the Grand Parade took place. It was impossible to grasp its magnitude from my place at the wheel, but one of our co-travellers took a 3 1/2 hour video, after editing out some gaps, which gives some idea. At the end of the parade, we all headed back to camp to start loading and packing, as we wanted to get away as early as possible the next day
Day 16 saw the convoy leave Alice Springs heading north, and after a fuel stop at Ti Tree, we stopped for a time at the Devil's Marbles, a most remarkable feature. Some photos are shown below. It was then on to Tennant Creek for more fuel, then we turned to the east at the Three Ways and reached Barkly Homestead just on dark, the longest day of the whole trip, covering 719Km.
Day 16 saw the convoy leave Alice Springs heading north, and after a fuel stop at Ti Tree, we stopped for a time at the Devil's Marbles, a most remarkable feature. Some photos are shown below. It was then on to Tennant Creek for more fuel, then we turned to the east at the Three Ways and reached Barkly Homestead just on dark, the longest day of the whole trip, covering 719Km.
Day 16 was much less ambitious, travelling just 443Km to Mount Isa. This gave an opportunity for a couple of our convoy, who had stayed back at Three Ways the night before, to catch up. The road across from Tennant Creek to the Isa is known as the Barkly Highway, and it is a most featureless plain for the most part, with not a tree to be seen at times. Near the NT/QLD border is the town of Camooweal where we took a break. An amusing sign and a few relics were spotted in a yard not far off the main road. Some are shown below.
Day 17 we travelled to Winton, a total distance of 449KM. Along the way we stopped at McKinley, where we inspected the Walkabout Hotel of Crocodile Dundee fame. A road train was caught on camera passing by. The outside was receiving a much-needed coat of paint, and the bar was decorated with much Dundee memorabilia.
Day 18 started with an inspection of Winton's Truck Museum, with excellent displays under cover and many more outside. We then travelled 175KM to Longreach where we spent the afternoon at the Qantas Museum, which is very well set up. Here are some photos.
Day 19 started with a beautiful sunrise, and we visited the famous Stockman's Hall of Fame where we enjoyed an all-too-brief visit. At least a full day must be set aside to do it justice, so all of us resolved to pay another visit. Then it was a short distance down the road to Ilfracombe where a large number of tractors and related items are simply displayed along the road. There are some true treasures amongst them and here are a few photos.
After spending quite some time amongst the 1.5Km of displays at Ilfracombe, we headed off via Barcaldine and Tambo to camp at Augathella, having travelled exactly 400Km that day. A few shots of the Augathella campsite.
Day 20 and we departed Augathella for Charleville where we enjoyed a long stop, because a number of our fellow travellers were parting company with the main group. Then through very heavy rain to Cunnamulla and finally into NSW to Bourke. We covered 483Km that day. The campsite at Bourke was awash from the heavy rain, and we were very lucky not to have bogged some of the vehicles. The photo above left shows just how wet it was!
Day 21 and we had the scent of home and after a stop at Trangie where we farewelled the last of our travelling companions, it was just down to piloting the old Thornycroft on our own. After 475Km we called it a day at Molong, and on the 22nd day (6 September) and another 247Km, we arrived at the home of my travelling companion. Within two hours, the back of the truck had been unloaded and stripped of the protective canopy and all of the structure that supported it. Then for me it was another 25Km to home and the end of a most memorable trip.
The trip was not without incident. The Thornycroft suffered a few mishaps - two tyre blowouts necessitating the purchase of a second hand one, the loss of the 200 litre water tank that broke its restraints because of the poor roads, the near loss of the extremely precious windscreens for the same reason (the ratchet strap used to retrain them can be seen in a photo above), and intermittent electrical problems which plagued the truck at times. It used less engine oil than expected, and fuel consumption was about 3.8Km/L overall. The total trip was 6760Km (~4200Miles). My passenger undertook some driver training, and relieved me of some of the driving. However, the crash gearbox (10-speed Road-Ranger) was his nemesis!
Day 21 and we had the scent of home and after a stop at Trangie where we farewelled the last of our travelling companions, it was just down to piloting the old Thornycroft on our own. After 475Km we called it a day at Molong, and on the 22nd day (6 September) and another 247Km, we arrived at the home of my travelling companion. Within two hours, the back of the truck had been unloaded and stripped of the protective canopy and all of the structure that supported it. Then for me it was another 25Km to home and the end of a most memorable trip.
The trip was not without incident. The Thornycroft suffered a few mishaps - two tyre blowouts necessitating the purchase of a second hand one, the loss of the 200 litre water tank that broke its restraints because of the poor roads, the near loss of the extremely precious windscreens for the same reason (the ratchet strap used to retrain them can be seen in a photo above), and intermittent electrical problems which plagued the truck at times. It used less engine oil than expected, and fuel consumption was about 3.8Km/L overall. The total trip was 6760Km (~4200Miles). My passenger undertook some driver training, and relieved me of some of the driving. However, the crash gearbox (10-speed Road-Ranger) was his nemesis!