New South Wales pay bus

The first of the NSW Government Railways fleet of pay buses, built in 1937, on display at the long distance platforms at Sydney Central Station.

FP1 entered service 7 July 1937 as a rail bus, but was modified the following year as the first Pay Bus. The original colour scheme was green with distinctive sweeping curves in cream over the wheel arches and a cream flash under the window. It featured twin headlights, round marker lights, a plain roof without air horns.

Entry to the car was via a centrally located sliding door and the driver sat on the right hand side near the engine. The sole survivor of the first fleet, FP1, was relocated to the Rail Heritage Centre at Thirlmere in 1969. In 2007 it was moved to the Annexe at Eveleigh Workshops in preparation for restoration.  More history here. Mike Hitchen photo from his Sydney Irresistible blog.