Special request - skystar320 - Hobart Coaches

[Tas Bus Nut]

HOBART COACHES in Tasmania(Hobart) ARE NO MORE. Initially established by Don Hazell some 20 odd years ago, the final pieces were sold off back in 1999. Metro brought the New Norfolk, Richmond and Channel rural services along with Kingston urban services. Next week the New Norfolk services have been sold, Richmond 18mths ago and all that's left is Channel. However, "Hobart Coaches" the company ceased operating back in July when ALL were incorporated into METRO. The name quickly disappeared off the buses/coaches. The following thread shows Hobart Coaches as they were, from the days of Hazells through to more recently. In particular some photos specially requested by member skystar320. ENJOY Greg!!

[metro_tas]

put all the mechanical problems aside with coach #13 neil at least whoever buys it knows it is going to be clean

[skystar320]

Thank you so much for that Tas Bus Nut, It was nice too see some pics of HC back in 'her days'
I have fond memories of 52(5) & 53(4), they weren't the nicest coaches in the world but were a hell of a lot nicer to travel in than the Orana's we sometimes had up to New Norfolk.
I remember Colin making me start the buses if i bet him to the (tamarak) yard in the morning, and his morning ritual of 'cleaning' Ian's wheels... I'll let you work out how he used to clean them HAHAHA...
I remember when we had Tas Bus Nut as our driver we always made record times!! he wasn't (and sure still isn't) a slow 'coach'

But the best trip I can remember was when Ian cut his hand (in the lost property bin?) and couldn't drive! So a Metro Driver picked us up in HC4 (late!)........
But the fun began when we started to climb the few hills, as the driver familiar with the 'auto' buses! Clunk Crunch grind! it was a hoot!
It was a Hilarious ride! and I remember telling him which way to go as he had NO IDEA of where the HC New Norfolk Service went!

Hobart Coaches was a great company and had great drivers!
and i know of at least one great guy that's still with HC/Metro.. Tas Bus Nut!!

Thanks Again!!!

Greg

[yoda]

HOBART COACHES in Tasmania(Hobart) ARE NO MORE. Initially established by Don Hazell some 20 odd years ago, the final pieces were sold off back in 1999. Metro brought the New Norfolk, Richmond and Channel rural services along with Kingston urban services. Next week the New Norfolk services have been sold, Richmond 18mths ago and all that's left is Channel. However, "Hobart Coaches" the company ceased operating back in July when ALL were incorporated into METRO. The name quickly disappeared off the buses/coaches. The following thread shows Hobart Coaches as they were, from the days of Hazells through to more recently. In particular some photos specially requested by member skystar320. ENJOY Greg!!

Was there another coach similar to HC#5 that sold to Cresswells? I'm sure they have an old Hobart Coaches Mercedes with A/C mounted on the rear of the roof...

[skystar320]

Maybe that was HC10! that was a BEAST!
Tas Bus Nut can u clarify?

if so that is REALLY freaky! As I just made myself a signature (see below)......................

[Tas Bus Nut]

HOBART COACHES in Tasmania(Hobart) ARE NO MORE. Initially established by Don Hazell some 20 odd years ago, the final pieces were sold off back in 1999. Metro brought the New Norfolk, Richmond and Channel rural services along with Kingston urban services. Next week the New Norfolk services have been sold, Richmond 18mths ago and all that's left is Channel. However, "Hobart Coaches" the company ceased operating back in July when ALL were incorporated into METRO. The name quickly disappeared off the buses/coaches. The following thread shows Hobart Coaches as they were, from the days of Hazells through to more recently. In particular some photos specially requested by member skystar320. ENJOY Greg!!

Was there another coach similar to HC#5 that sold to Cresswells? I'm sure they have an old Hobart Coaches Mercedes with A/C mounted on the rear of the roof...

Yes!! correct yoda. The original HC#12 that became HC#10 @ Metro WAS sold to Cresswells. HC#10 was a 1617 Mercedes Benz with PMC executive body.
Bit slow with the air conditioning, but a hell of a lot better than the Mercs I drove @ Redline.
HC#5 went to Lovells @ Kettering I think they are, or at least somewhere down the Channel
HC#4 went to O'Driscolls @ Austins Ferry (May go back on Norfolk's HA! HA!)
HC#1 went to Jacks @ Cressy. Apparently @ Metro Hobart today (so I was informed)
HC#41 that became HC#2 @ Metro went to Seabourne @ Sorell (Scania K92 with CAG gearbox)
HC#14 that became HC#7 @ Metro went to Wisbey @ Margate as well as HC#8 (originally HC#17)
Regards Neil

[yoda]

HC1 is back? lol!I have seen Jack's now has what I think was 102! It's certainly one of the first of the old Scania's - different rear lights and windows to the majority

[skystar320]

Seen this one before Neil?

[Tas Bus Nut]

Seen this one before Neil?

Bit of PHOTOSHOP there Greg EH!! ???????

[Tas Bus Nut]

HC1 is back? lol!I have seen Jack's now has what I think was 102! It's certainly one of the first of the old Scania's - different rear lights and windows to the majority

Hi again yoda. I'm pretty sure Jack's purchased #101 but I may be wrong. If you can remember if it had (2) lights @ rear on top (#102) or only a set of indicators @ the top(#101)that will give you your answer.

[skystar320]

Seen this one before Neil?

Bit of PHOTOSHOP there Greg EH!! ???????

No it was an interim design, when metro bought Hobart Coaches, you know how indecisive they are!!!! HAHAHA

Any Blue Sunny 'o' Logo pics???

[metro_tas]

HC1 is back? lol!I have seen Jack's now has what I think was 102! It's certainly one of the first of the old Scania's - different rear lights and windows to the majority

Hi again yoda. I'm pretty sure Jack's purchased #101 but I may be wrong. If you can remember if it had (2) lights @ rear on top (#102) or only a set of indicators @ the top(#101)that will give you your answer.

i can shed light 101 wents to jacks also it only had the indicators on top, 102 had both

[yoda]

There we go!

Who drives HC6 now? Saw it on the highway - it's the only one with Christmas decorations on it that I've seen this year!!

[Tas Bus Nut]

There we go!

Who drives HC6 now? Saw it on the highway - it's the only one with Christmas decorations on it that I've seen this year!!

HC#6 is driven by Trevor. He has always decorated his bus/coach and always dresses up as Santa. Because the services to N/N'folk are about to cease the other driver HC#13 said 'stuff it' why bother decorating. I have a picture of the front of #6. Trying to get a few pix B4 services by us cease! Neil
PS: Don't know why I keep refering to HC# considering we no longer are HC or Metro Regional (like was planned) Should just say Metro#

[skystar320]

Metro Regional would have been a silly name anyway, really when you think about it 'Metro' i.e City... Regional....

I wonder how much they will want for HC6 & HC13 when they/if they sell them??

[skystar320]

Another Re-paint Neil

[yoda]

Another Re-paint Neil

How bout an aoa?!

[Tas Bus Nut]

Another Re-paint Neil

HA HA HA THAT IS AWESOME!!! I HAVE TAKEN A COPY AND GOING TO TAKE IT INTO WORK TOMORROW. THAT IS FANTASTIC. WELL DONE

[Tas Bus Nut]

Another Re-paint Neil

I was just studying the pix and thought the Metro logo should have been under the black rubber and Coach # above the M That would have looked cool.

[Tas Bus Nut]

The more I look at that picture the better I like it. THAT IS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!! Pity Metro don't do that with a white "canvas" and see what livery would look good. That is amazing how that has transformed #13. Well done Greg

[skystar320]

Yeah I really liked the way it turned out too!
Although the 'apple green' livery is old, i think with some sort of modernization it could look fantastic
Its my favorite livery Metro have had!
With the current livery being... well lets say... crap
Next they will drop the yellow Dashes and just have Metro

I will play round with HC 13 over the weekend and see what else i can do...
If you have any other 'almost' side on coach pix, i can have a play with them as its a bit easier...
Not completely side on tho as that might look 'too fake'

Regards
Greg

[Tas Bus Nut]

Yeah I really liked the way it turned out too!
Although the 'apple green' livery is old, i think with some sort of modernization it could look fantastic
Its my favorite livery Metro have had!
With the current livery being... well lets say... crap
Next they will drop the yellow Dashes and just have Metro

I will play round with HC 13 over the weekend and see what else i can do...
If you have any other 'almost' side on coach pix, i can have a play with them as its a bit easier...
Not completely side on tho as that might look 'too fake'

Regards
Greg

I took a A4 copy of #13 to David(the driver) HE LOVED IT!!! he couldn't grab it quick enough from me. Ha Ha.
Bloody saw the NEW Derwent Valley Link coach AGAIN today, but in peak hr traffic on highway, so once again
COULDN'T GET A PICTURE. Damn it!!

[metro_tas]

hahah pop would've loved that neil! looks good greg

[skystar320]

Hey guys sorry to bring this thread back from the dead, but.........

I was thinking today (and it hurt, hahaha) that i SWEAR I can remember a COACH, maybe Hobart Coaches that many years ago had a Metro Validator in it??????
I Can remember it being on its SIDE on the dash area........

This would be like 1995-1998 sort of era.......
I think I traveled on it on a school charter, and it was definitely NOT a Metro bus........
The reason im thinking Hobart Coaches is our school used them a lot in the GOOD old Hobart Coach days.......

Am I mad?
Or does anyone have any ideas?????

Greg

[Tas Bus Nut]

Hey guys sorry to bring this thread back from the dead, but.........

I was thinking today (and it hurt, hahaha) that i SWEAR I can remember a COACH, maybe Hobart Coaches that many years ago had a Metro Validator in it??????
I Can remember it being on its SIDE on the dash area........

This would be like 1995-1998 sort of era.......
I think I traveled on it on a school charter, and it was definitely NOT a Metro bus........
The reason im thinking Hobart Coaches is our school used them a lot in the GOOD old Hobart Coach days.......

Am I mad?
Or does anyone have any ideas?????

Greg

HC#12 Mercedes Benz 1617 PMC Executive body. Later became Metro/HC#10 NOW with Cresswells. Trevor would have been your driver(unfortunately passed away recently) Had blue carpet around the base of the dash and outward opening door. When Metro took over, it was originally put on Rte.125 > Brighton then had to be back in Hobart for a Rte.5 > Mt Stuart. Poor old Trev couldn't keep to the times and resigned a few days after Metro took over. In Hazells days, it was fitted with BCU because it did the 7.40am service from Margate to the City VIA TAROONA and needed it for the Metro leg past Proctors Rd. (Goodness, I knew the answer to something!!)