TST 942 – Caetano Enigma


Coach operated by TST seen at Gare do Oriente, Lisboa, in March 2019. This coach with fleet number 942 is a first-generation Caetano Enigma registered in 2000. It has an overall length of 39.4 ft and can accommodate 51 seated passengers (51+1+1). Fainsa seats. It uses the MAN 18.310 HOCL/A chassis with the 228 kW (310 hp) MAN D2866 LOH engine. Based in Laranjeiro, TST, or Transportes Sul do Tejo, operates regular services, regular specialized services and occasional services. Here, we see this Caetano Enigma on regular service 562, Lisboa (Gare do Oriente)–Setúbal.

Presented in1996, the Caetano Enigma, preceded by the Gaia and the Delta and succeeded by the Winner in 2004, is in my opinion one of the best coaches designed and built in Portugal.  In 2019, I have the chance to ride in several examples, including this TST 942, and in spite of their age I am still impressed by the comfort and ride quality of the Caetano Enigma and by the almost complete absence of parasite noises in the bodywork.

As a note of interest regarding the MAN chassis, HOCL/A denotes a bus chassis (OC, Omnibuschassis), equipped with a rear engine (H, Heck) and air suspension (L, Luft). Credible sources tell me the /A comes from the Portuguese expression Autoportante, denoting a self-supporting body. Still, I find peculiar the presence of a Portuguese expression in the technical nomenclature of the German manufacturer. ●

Autocarro operado pela TST visto na Gare do Oriente, Lisboa, em Março de 2019. Este autocarro com o número de frota 942 é um Caetano Enigma registado em 2000. Tem um comprimento total de 12 m e pode acomodar 51 passageiros  (51+1+1). Assentos Fainsa. Utiliza o chassis MAN 18.310 HOCL/A com o motor MAN D2866 LOH de 228 kW (310 hp). Baseada no Laranjeiro, a TST, ou Transportes Sul do Tejo, opera serviços regulares, serviços regulares especializados e serviços ocasionais. Aqui, vemos este Caetano Enigma no serviço regular 562, Lisboa (Gare do Oriente)–Setúbal.

Apresentado em 1996, o Caetano Enigma, precedido pelo Gaia e pelo Delta e sucedido pelo Winner em 2004, é na minha opinião um dos melhores autocarros projectados e construídos em Portugal. Em 2019, tenho a oportunidade de andar em vários exemplares, incluindo este TST 942, e apesar da sua idade continuo impressionado com o conforto e a qualidade de rodagem do Caetano Enigma e com a quase total ausência de ruídos parasitas na carroçaria.

Como nota de interesse em relação ao chassis MAN, HOCL/A denota um chassis para autocarro (OC, Omnibuschassis), equipado com um motor à retaguarda (H, Heck) e suspensão pneumática (L, Luft). Fontes credíveis dizem-me que o /A vem da expressão portuguesa Autoportante. Ainda assim, considero peculiar a presença de uma expressão portuguesa na nomenclatura técnica do fabricante alemão. ●


Transportes Sul do Tejo 

Based in Laranjeiro, TST, short for Transportes Sul do Tejo, operates regular services, regular specialized services and occasional services. It gives way to Carris Metropolitana/TST in 2022. ●

Fleet Number

Registration

Year

Built

942

Coach

93-31-PA

2000

2000


Carris Metropolitana comprises four operational areas serving 18 municipalities in the Área Metropolitana de Lisboa. 

Operational Area

Operator

Geography

1

 

Carris Metropolitana – Viação Alvorada

Services available from January 1st, 2023.

North and west of Lisboa. Municipalities of Oeiras, Sintra and Amadora. Connections to Cascais and Lisboa.

2

 

Carris Metropolitana – Rodoviária de Lisboa

Services available from January 1st, 2023. 

North and east of Lisboa. Municipalities of Mafra, Loures, Odivelas and Vila Franca de Xira. Connections to Lisboa.

3

 

Carris Metropolitana – Transportes Sul do Tejo

Services available from July 1st, 2022.

South of Lisboa. Municipalities of Almada, Seixal and Sesimbra. Connections to Lisboa.

4

 

Carris Metropolitana – ALSA Todi

Services available from June 1st, 2022.

South of Lisboa. Municipalities of Alcochete, Montijo, Moita, Palmela and Setúbal. Connections to Barreiro and Lisboa.


Any due corrections are welcome. | Quaisquer devidas correcções são bem-vindas.


● References

Wikipedia | "MAN Truck & Bus"
Wikipedia | "Laranjeiro"
Wikipedia | "Laranjeiro" pt-PT

1 m → 3.281 ft 
1 kW → 1,360 hp (metric/PS)
1 kW → 1,341 hp
1 hp (metric/PS) → 0,986 hp
1 cm³ → 0.0610237 ci
1 m³ → 35.315 cu ft


● Check it out here, the second and third generations of the Caetano Enigma.

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