#38 - 1989 Scania K113CR
Coach #38 is a 1989 Scania K113 with Northcoast Bus & Coach body. Bought new by Don Hazell (Hazell Bros Group) the coach was purchased to operate the Channel and Kingston services under the Hobart Coaches brand.
In the early 1990s, the touring arm of Hobart Coaches was rebranded tigerLINE and numerous luxury coaches were repainted into their new livery and colours. It was at that time, #38 became mainly used for school charters and day tours, particularly into the Florentine Valley where HC/tigerLINE had a contract with Forestry Tasmania.
In 1999, #38 along with 10 other coaches were sold to Metro Tasmania along with Channel, Richmond, New Norfolk and Blackmans Bay services. Although not suited to urban work, #38 operated under the Metro/HC banner for 11yrs before being put up for auction in 2010.
Matt Partridge (operator Warrigal Charters Wollongong NSW) purchased the coach sight unseen after discussions with local enthusiasts whom driven the coach at HC and Metro. The coach served Warrigal Charters well, being some of the driver's favourite, however Matt Partridge had always promised the Tasmanian Bus & Coach Society, that when he'd finished with the vehicle, he would donate it to the Society so it could live out its days where it began (TAS).
In 2016, members of the Society travelled to Wollongong NSW to return the coach "home". Although there were a few minor hiccups enroute, the coach safely arrived back to TAS where it was displayed at the 2017 Tasmanian Truck Show, where it was seen by Hazell Bros director Robert Hazell, who offered to paint the coach back to it's tigerLINE livery.
Christmas 2018 saw #38 receive her new colours and the transformation back to tigerLINE was complete. Nowadays, the "Tasmanian Tiger" can be spotted around the state as #38 travels Tasmania appearing at all the larger transport / car shows, showcasing another piece of Tasmania's public transport history..
The Tasmanian Bus & Coach Society wish to thank Matt Partridge (Warrigal Charters) Spirit of Tasmania and the Hazell Bros Group for bringing another historic Tasmanian coach / company back to life for generations to experience.
Specifications
Chassis: Scania K113CR
Engine: Scania DS11 (turbocharged)
Cylinders: 6 in line
Output: 300 bhp
Displacement: 11litre
Mounting: Inline, at rear
Transmission: Scania 5spd synchromech manual
Body
Built by Northcoast Bus & Coach QLD
Features: Airconditioning, semi-coach seating, thru-bins, TV-video.
Capacity: 55 seated passengers,