History
MAN NL202 - #1333
Ex Torrens Transit 1333, Ex SERCo 366. Adelaide’s first MKII NL202
In 1992/1993, just before the SL202 CNG’s began production, 4 MAN NL202 MK I’s were produced, of which one (1347) is preserved. These were meant to test the NL202 chassis and were successful, so an order of 75 MAN NL202 MK II’s was placed by the South Australian Government.
In November of 1996, the First NL202 MK II rolled off the production line. This bus was #366 and was sent to SERCo, a contractor at the time. Before entering service with SERCo it went to Aldgate Depot and trialed with Hills Transit, another contractor which no longer exists. After that, it spent many years working the Northern Suburbs out of Elizabeth Depot.
NL202s were given to the two suburban contractors, with varying Liveries. 366 and 66 other NLs were given to SERCo. The other 7 were given to TransAdelaide.
In 2000, Torrens Transit was awarded SERCo’s East-West Contract. 366 was one of the many buses handed over and was swiftly renumbered 1333. It served with Hendon depot until 2010 when it went to Mile End, and was then transferred to Newton Depot sometime after. This is where it stayed until retirement on 23/11/2021.
My dreams came true!
I always wanted to buy MAN NL202 1333, it was always hands down my favourite bus.
Since high school started (2013) I'd been chasing it, going out of my way at times to get photos of it on the road, ride it, and get videos of it.
Going into my working life, I still went out of my way on days off to go and see it. It helped when Jamie would get it on his occasional Newton shifts, made it easy to find!
Then I was lucky enough to get to move it in Morphettville when it was "in the way", my first drive of it. That itself felt like the dream came true.
On the 24th of October last year, a friend got it allocated on his first Newton shift, and I was able to get some cracking shots and videos of it, little did I know this would be the last time I'd get it on the road.
The next day (25th) it came into Morphettville for an Aircon service, so I raced over to get it thinking it might be the last time I got the chance to drive it.
Low and behold, I got one more chance on 1/11/2021 with it coming in for a changeover.
On 23/11/2021, (R)1333 ran its last revenue service.
She was then moved to Morphettville to the government storage yard, which allowed me to continue to eye her off, and when I noticed earlier this month she had left, I knew my time was close.
It was up for auction on 11/02/2022, and at 7:18PM on 15/02/2022 the hammer struck in my favour.
Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce you to my dream, my pride, and most certainly my joy. Thirteen thirty three.
(The fourth bus I have now, and the last I think)
