Blain Wagon

Overview

The Blain Wagon is a single horse lorry. It would have started life as a normal table top wagon until its owner Jim Blain modified it extensively by swapping out the original axles and wheels with truck parts. These modifications enabled the lorry to be used on bitumen roads and also lowered the tray for easy access.

Historical information

General Carrier Jim Blain used this wagon in Busselton to collect goods from the Railway Station then deliver to local businesses. Jim also had a side business of carrying tourists and their camping gear from the Railway Station to the campgrounds on Marine terrace. No caravans in those days!

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-124-2021.170
Item type
Material
Contextual Information

Jim lived and worked from a site in Duchess Street and owned a property on Causeway Road where the St. John Ambulance Depot is now situated. He is known to have had an interest in trotters as district records show that he had horses for sale in November 1946.

Jim ran his transport business for many years until the competition became too much when two new carriers started up with trucks, at which time Jim and the horse retired. The wagon was then used for a short time by a local farmer to bring in his hay but eventually that too became mechanized.

The wagon was restored for the Museum by Busselton Historical Society members Malcolm Paine, Ken Littlefair, Ivan Fleay, Merv Matson, George Reynolds and friends.

Place made
Australia
Primary significance criteria
Historic significance
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Object’s condition or completeness
Well provenanced
Related Objects

Related Objects

Parent records
Busselton Historical Society

Busselton Historical Society

Organisation Details
View Collection
Item Feedback

Blain Wagon
Blain Wagon
Jim Blain with Girl Guides in the wagon in Coronation Parade 1954
Jim Blain with Girl Guides in the wagon in Coronation Parade 1954. Photo 3692 from BHS Archive

Scan this QR code to open this page on your phone ->