Rare vehicles still in service

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a350a380
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Rare vehicles still in service

Post by a350a380 »

Hi All,

I'm going to be in Adelaide today from 5pm and tomorrow. Unfortunately I cannot download the transittimes app. Would any of you be kind enough to advise me on where is best to find and ride the following rare vehicles. I would have posted this in SL202 retirements but since a couple of other types opted for this. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

TT SL202 425
TT SL202 426-439 (only a few active)
LCB NL202 1347
LCB 11.180 1xx

Many Thanks
TA3001
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by TA3001 »

It's hard to define a 'rare' vehicle that's in service. Nonetheless, if you just want a ride and aren't fussed what it sounds like, these are my following suggestions.

Bus 425 - it's the only one with facing seats behind the rear door in service. I think it is literally 25 years old now, so it's days are definitely numbered. It's a diesel ZF SL202. It could be anywhwere in the arvo, but stops D1 Currie St, R1 North Tce, stop D North Tce might enable you to find it. Same with 432.

432 - Has a rough gearbox and a high pitch sound even at 60kph. Bangs into third gear. This one is diesel with a Voith as are what's left out of 426-445.

443 - I think this was is out of service last time I checked, but if you're lucky enough, you could find it on the O'bahn during your visit. It is the only SL202 still equipped with it's guide wheels. Stop C1 Currie St is the best I can suggest for this

1637 - This vehicle has a stand alone diff ratio, which causes it to possibly perform slightly different to the others. My suggestion to find it is to look up R1 North Tce, D1 Currie St, or stop D North Tce

840 - This one reminds me of an aircraft when it accelerates. It also has a different diff ratio and was the last SL202 delivered new to Adelaide. Stops B2 Pulteney and R1 North Tce are my suggestions for find it.

3269 - This is a 1999 built Volgren L94UB which has very comfy seats compared to the others, and overall is a great vehicle. It operates in the hills mainly, so look for it in Currie/Grenfell Sts if you want to try and find it

2801 - It's a Volgren bodied L94UA artic which was trialed in 2002. It's called the 'Zone Cruiser'. It operates from Lonsdale depot, so look for it on 7__ runs like T721s etc.

There's also the double deckers (3401 and 1790). The first one mentioned does the 3:56PM T840 and the 5PM 840X pretty much daily. The other is used on the J1X only, which runs express between Adelaide and the airport.

There's probably more which I haven't listed.
Last edited by TA3001 on Thu May 04, 2017 1:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
a350a380
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by a350a380 »

Thanks for your response. I will take note of these too. More specifically I'm after where I can find 425, anything between 426 and 439, 1347 and any 1xx numbered MAN 11.180. Thanks
Diesel_MAN
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by Diesel_MAN »

426 is the first diesel-fueled MAN SL202 with Voith transmission, one I would recommend catching due to its unique sound. You will probably come across it if you go to the eastern end of North Terrace and wait at Stop R1 or R2. Afternoon peak will be a good time to look for it. You may also find it and 425, 428, 432, 438 and 439 on routes servicing King William Road, such as routes 174, 190, 230 and 232.

The 11.190s tend to show up on 591 loops and morning 361s and 545s. 1347 tends to show up on peak hour runs to and from Paradise and other north-eastern suburbs.
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TA3001
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by TA3001 »

I forget to mention that the one vehicle you should not bother with is 1636. From my obs, this one is driven the slowest out of all SL202s at Newton.

In fact, if you want a decent ride, I would not recommend riding anything numbered from 1620 - 1640, or 852-854, and 857-858. but this one mentioned will just cause you stress.
a350a380
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by a350a380 »

Thanks for your responses. I'll wait at those stops and hope for the best. I think it's going to be difficult to get 425 but hopefully it'll show up.
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by Diesel_MAN »

a350a380 wrote:Thanks for your responses. I'll wait at those stops and hope for the best. I think it's going to be difficult to get 425 but hopefully it'll show up.
Without TransitTimes, it may be difficult to specifically find 425. However, I see it fairly often on King William Road services and on Port Road services, so it's definitely out there.
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jibb
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by jibb »

Light-City Buses 1347 has not been in service for 2 or 3 weeks now.
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by Route 506 »

Another opportunity for catching 425, 426, 428, 432, 438, 439 could be at Paradise Interchange in AM Peak in particular H30 tends to have a few.

For 115/117 at TTP at around similar time you may get a lucky chance with these last two remainders or even the unique 611/612/613.

Don't forget 441, 443, 444 and 445 are still running, but not sure for how much longer.... 443 still on the occassional O-Bahn service I believe.
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by jibb »

Route 506 wrote:Another opportunity for catching 425, 426, 428, 432, 438, 439 could be at Paradise Interchange in AM Peak in particular H30 tends to have a few.

For 115/117 at TTP at around similar time you may get a lucky chance with these last two remainders or even the unique 611/612/613.

Don't forget 441, 443, 444 and 445 are still running, but not sure for how much longer.... 443 still on the occassional O-Bahn service I believe.
443 has been out of action for about 3 weeks and is still sitting in the same spot outside LCB's Morphettville Depot's workshops.
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by bigrobbo »

115 or 117 generally does the 591 loop service from Golden Grove Village in the am and pm. 117 has been lacking power uphill lately. It is around a 40 minute ride.


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Lt. Commander Data
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by Lt. Commander Data »

bigrobbo wrote:115 or 117 generally does the 591 loop service from Golden Grove Village in the am and pm. 117 has been lacking power uphill lately. It is around a 40 minute ride.


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I thought it was 115 which was lacking power? Either way, she's a nice old girl.

The 591A/C loop isn't the most accessible route though, only running 4 times a day in each direction. After doing the 4:33PM 591C last week with Mr Nicoster, we didn't arrive back in Adelaide until nearly 6PM. It was definitely worth it though.
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a350a380
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by a350a380 »

Thanks again for the responses. I found 425. Caught it on a W90/91. I

Guess I shouldn't bother with 1347 if it has been withdrawn.

Still after the 426-439 remainers - nowhere to be seen.
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by TA3001 »

How was it? That strange rattle it makes, and it's resemblance to 859 which is terrible condition start to ring a bell after a dozen or more trips on it.
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by Diesel_MAN »

a350a380 wrote:Still after the 426-439 remainers - nowhere to be seen.
439 was on an H30 when I found it on TransitTimes this evening. I didn't find any of the other ones in that number range today, but don't forget about 441, 444 and 445.
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a350a380
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by a350a380 »

TA3001 wrote:How was it? That strange rattle it makes, and it's resemblance to 859 which is terrible condition start to ring a bell after a dozen or more trips on it.
It sounded alright in my opinion. Pretty smooth. The only comparison I have is of 5160 Trasndev Melbourne. I'd say 425 sounds better.
439 was on an H30 when I found it on TransitTimes this evening. I didn't find any of the other ones in that number range today, but don't forget about 441, 444 and 445.
Thanks. I managed to get 428 in the end on a 147 having just missed it on a H30.
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by TA3001 »

428 was still out at about 8PM tonight, although I'm not sure what it was doing. I saw it in Currie St heading east.

Regarding 425, it's issue is audible in fifth gear, but tends to become more obvious at over 60kph. I have only noticed this on a J1 which has a short 80 zone, and is the only section of road which is served by Torrens Transit routes with a speed limit that is over 60.
a350a380
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by a350a380 »

[quote="TA3001"]428 was still out at about 8PM tonight, although I'm not sure what it was doing. I saw it in Currie St heading east.[quote]

428 did the H30 to West Lakes sene in city approx 19.10. After this it formed the 147 to Beaumont leavong city at 20.30. I caught it on this trip. Productive evening.

As for 425 - yeah it didn't get enough speed up to experience.
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by MrNicoster »

I too saw it at approx. 8:30. I only saw the rear as I was exiting a building. It did sound nice though.
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by Eagle Eye »

Port's remaining SL202s are also often seen on 230/232 and 190 services through to Glenelg.
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by Tim Williams »

I would just like to add that 3401 (Scania/Gemilang DD) seems to operate all day long on the T840 Mondays to Fridays - I can catch the T840 from the City the Arkaba stop (outside the wonderful Frewville Foodland) - that stop is the first set down for the T840, which I use sometimes and I see 3401 regularly and sometimes catch it!!

Not sure what happens at weekends.
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by Lt. Commander Data »

3401 has a set shift it follows every weekday
Inbound (departing Mt Barker Dutton Road Park'n'Ride)
07:06 840X
09:06 T840
15:56 T840
Outbound (departing D1 Currie Street)
10:14 T840
14:40 T840
17:05 840

On weekends it can operate any T843 service, with no rhyme or rhythm.
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Tim Williams
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by Tim Williams »

Thanks for the detail.

It's a pity those 2 Malaysian built Volvo B9TL/Volgren DD's, which seem to have done nothing since arriving in Australia, couldn't be added to the local fleet for the Mount Service!!
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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by jibb »

bigrobbo wrote:115 or 117 generally does the 591 loop service from Golden Grove Village in the am and pm. 117 has been lacking power uphill lately. It is around a 40 minute ride.

Does the 591 service get many passengers?


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Re: Rare vehicles still in service

Post by Lt. Commander Data »

I did a 591C with Mr Nicoster a few weeks back, besides us there were 3 people. 2 got off along the C2/548 route on Golden Grove Road, using an actual bus stop and the last guy got off somewhere along Reuben Richardson Road making use of the hail and ride/drop off on request. That was the 4:33 service. Afterwards I didn't see anyone getting on for the 5:20 service, but a few alighted at Golden Grove Road ex-3:45 service.
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