This vehicle was one of 79 almost-new Japanese bodied Volvo B10MA articulated buses that arrived in Australia between 1985 and 1986. These vehicles, bodied by Fuji Heavy Industries in December 1984, were part of a batch of 100 which operated railway shuttle services for the 1985 World Expo held in Tsukuba, Japan. What made these vehicles rare at the time was that articulated buses were not approved for use in Japan, due to fears of traffic congestion. After the Expo concluded in September 1985, the majority of the buses (which only had about 35,000km on the clock) were shipped to Australia – with the Brisbane City Council purchasing 22 of them – the largest of any Australian operator.
Upon arrival at the Council, this vehicle underwent modification which involved removal of its centre door, installation of two-piece windscreens, and increased seating capacity from 53 to 62 passengers. It originally entered service in March 1986 as (394) for use on CityLimited service 172 between Enoggera and Chermside, before being converted to CityXpress format in October 1987 with an increased capacity of 75 and new fleet number (984). It faithfully served the Council for another eight years until it was sold to Townsville operator Campbell’s Coaches in September 1995. This vehicle was used for school and charter services in Townsville for almost 20 years, until it was replaced by a new articulated bus in 2014. It was retained by Campbells Coaches as a spare vehicle until its generous donation to the club on 15 November 2016.
Vehicle Specifications
| Year | 1984 |
| Chassis | Volvo B10MA |
| Engine | 9.6 litre, 6-cylinder Volvo THD100ED turbocharged diesel engine, 203kW at 2200rpm |
| Transmission | Allison five-speed automatic with integral retarder (retrofitted) |
| Brakes | Wabco Westinghouse air brakes and Knorr-Bremse spring handbrake |
| Steering | ZF 8045 power steering |
| Body | Fuji Heavy Industries, Shibuya, Japan |
| Construction | Hat section channel steel with 19 gauge steel panels |
| Colour | White |
| Seating | 100 passengers (75 seated, 25 standing) |
| In Service (in Australia) | March 1986 to November 2016 |
