MAN SL200 #1890

1890 on Currie Street, performing a 110 to West Lakes
📷unknown

As mentioned for our other SL200s, they were the last of the iconic silver fleet, along with also being some of the last over-width buses delivered to Adelaide. Another unique torch the SL200s bared was being the first buses to trial gas operation. The STA in conjunction with SAGASCO (South Australian Gas Company) converted the last 10 buses into LPG (1931 – 1940) which was trialled for a few years but proved inefficient. They were then converted to CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and rebranded as “The Green Machines” where they were rebranded with a two tone green variant of the STA Corporate Stripes and also received a unique “Green Machine - CNG the cleaner alternative” logo.

They were also used to promote the introduction of the first Transit Link run, the TL1 from Aberfoyle Hub where the service was promoted as an energy efficient service, both time and fuel wise. The Green Machines also sported ‘Trees For Life’ signage in conjunction with the ‘Trees for Transit’ program. The green machines operated right up until the retirement of the SL200s with all being rebranded as the 800’s from their operation with Serco until all were sold on for scrap as they could not be on sold to the general public due to the niche market of CNG delivery.

1890 was predominantly operated out of Port Adelaide depot for the majority of its service life. When discussing the SL200s having unique conversions, they were also the only type of bus from their era to be fitted with experimental air conditioning other than retrofits for the driver. Due to the unreliability of the technology, 1890 was withdrawn from traffic early and was on-sold to be converted into a motorhome. For over a decade it was used for this purpose until it was purchased for preservation in 2020 to serve as a representation as a Green Machine unit and to be repainted out of the silver. After much deliberation and comparison of photos, the Emerald Green found on a TransAdelaide sticker and the Apple Green colours were matched to re create the colours as accurately as possible.

In time, an interior was sourced and acquired from an actual green machine scrapped unit, bus 1940, which also had to go through its own restoration by revitalising the red trim, rust removal, re fitting of broken windows and the re fitting of interior poles and components. On a personal note, the project was of sentimental value as the BPASA owner’s interest in some of the STA fleet began at the age of 3 watching the Green Machines down the street when living at Daw Park in the early 90s. 1890, although a diesel unit, now fly’s the flag of the 10 scrapped gas buses that paved the way for CNG technology to be explored and implemented with the introduction of the SL202, NL202 and NL232 buses.