The Maxwell name is highly regarded in the Tasmanian bus industry. Jeanette & Dennis Maxwell, operated the Cradle Mountain service for over 50yrs, taking tourists from across the globe into this remote spectacular region. Dennis Maxwell with his lively personality promoted this part of our state and was instrumental in developing tourism in the region.

This little coach was used on the Cradle Mountain service in the early 90s after extensive use on tours & charters around Tasmania along with operating their many school runs. It was (and still is) Jeanette Maxwell's pride & joy.

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However, it started it's life new in 1963 with Brien's Comfort Coaches in Victoria. Originally with a 214 petrol Bedford motor, it was upgraded in it's early days to the more powerful 300 petrol motor.

In 1970, Dennis Maxwell purchased the bus, and his wife Jeanette drove it on their school run into Devonport for about 5yrs. It then saw service operating tours around Tasmania on contract to Centralian amongst others, before finally ending her days operating the Cradle Mountain service. Because of the harsh conditions, Dennis decided to install a 4WD from a S-series Bedford truck, to better cope with the conditions into Cradle, a feature still on the vehicle today.

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In 2013, the bus was passed onto a Society member for preservation, however circumstances changed and it has now been passed onto the Society to allow the Society to showcase the bus across the state, highlighting another Maxwell vehicle from our past.

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Again the Society are thankful that the Maxwell family entrusted us, to preserve a part of their family history, a history that was recognised in 2015 with Dennis Maxwell being inducted into the National Transport Hall of Fame.

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Photo credits: Brien's Comfort Coaches BCSV Archives/GM & Bruce Tilley

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