The Spirit Of Cobb & Co. Cobb and Co. The   original   company   was   established   in   Melbourne   in 1853   at   the   height   of   the   excitement   created   by   the Victorian    goldrushes,    by    four    newly    arrived    North Americans    -    Freeman    Cobb,    John    Murray    Peck, James    Swanton    and    John    B.    Lamber.    Initially    the company   traded   as   the   "American   Telegraph   Line   of Coaches,"     a     name     that     emphasized     speed     and progressiveness.   With   financial   support   from   another newly    arrived    US    businessman    George    Train,    they arranged   the   importation   of   several   US-built   wagons and   Concord   coaches.   By   early   1854,   the   Company operated   a   daily   service   to   Forest   Creek   and   Bendigo, and     soon     afterwards,     expanding     the     service     to Geelong and Ballarat other goldfields. In   common   with   many   operatives,   Cobb   &   Co's   horses were   changed   every   10–15   miles   along   a   stagecoach "line",   often   at   inns   or   hotels   that   could   also   cater   for the    needs    of    drivers    and    passengers.   As    Historian Susan   Priestley   notes,   "Coach   lines   did   not   attempt   to compete     with...     railways.     Instead,     as     rail     lines extended,   coaches   were   transferred   to   feeder   routes and were timetabled to link in with trains. Within    a    few    years,    Cobb    &    Co    had    established    a reputation   for   efficiency,   speed   and   reliability,   although they   had   not   won   any   of   the   lucrative   mail   contracts. Their      imported      coaches      used      thorough-brace technology   whereby   thick   straps   of   leather   provided suspension   to   the   body   of   the   vehicle,   thus   providing the   passenger   with   considerable   comfort   on   the   rough roads   to   the   goldfields,   by   comparison   to   coaches   with traditional steel-springs. The   Australian   Teamsters   Hall   Of   Fame,   among   it’s many   exhibits   has   an   original   Cobb   and   Co.   coach fully restored for visitors to view and to learn about. Owner    and    world    record    holder    Steve    Ralph    will entertain you with tales of Cobb and Co.

Incredible    as    it    may    seem    these    coaches    were licensed     to     carry     17     people     and     the     service throughout Australia   was   extremely   well   used.   Cobb   & Co.'s      among      the      innovations      included      using experienced   American   coach   drivers,   many   of   whom had   driven   stagecoaches   in   the   west.   Later   they   also bred   their   own   horses   which   were   suited   to   the   task   of pulling    a    fully    laden    coach    at    a    gallop.    From    the beginning,    they    also    ensured    that    each    trip    was divided   up   into   sections   of   around   10   to   30   miles   so horses   could   travel   quickly   and   then   be   swapped   for   a fresh    team.    This    was    perhaps    one    of    the    most important   steps   taken   by   the   new   company   of   Cobb   & Co.   as   it   meant   a   faster   trip   for   passengers   and   a relatively more comfortable ride. Staging   posts   were   set   up   along   each   route   where teams    of    horses    were    swapped    and    tired    horses stabled,   rested   and   fed.   As   a   coach   approached   the changing   station   the   driver   sounded   a   horn   or   bugle   to let    the    groom    know    the    coach    was    arriving.    Every driver   had   his   own   call,   so   the   groom   knew   which team   of   horses   to   have   ready.   This   system   meant   that changeovers   could   occur   as   quickly   as   possible   and the coach could continue on its way. The   visitor   the   the Australian   Teamsters   Hall   Of   Fame can    visit    one    these    staging    posts    opposite    the museum     that     has     been     full     renovated     and     the museum   oposite   is   located   on   the   original   land   that the holding yards and stables stood. Whilst   the   Teamsters   and   indigenous   population   all played   their   part   in   opening   up   Australia,   Cobb   and Co.   got   the   settlers,   gold   miners   and   business   people around   Australia.    But    …    the    17    seater’s    were    not enough   for   them,   they   wanted   to   up   size   and   so   they came up with the ‘Leviathan’.