FUTURE MEMORY | TRANSPORTATION

Coach operated by Autocars Mestres seen at Praça Marquês de Pombal, Lisboa, in August 2012. This coach is a Noge Titanium registered in 2007. It has an overall length of 45.9 ft and can accommodate 63 passengers (63+1+1). It uses the Volvo B12B chassis. Established in 1976 and based in Valls , Autocars Mestres operates regular specialized services and occasional services. Here, we see this Noge Titanium heading to downtown Lisboa in an occasional service. Presented in 2004, the Noge Titanium is a touring coach body. Available in lengths between 40 ft and 49.2 ft, and in heights of 11.3 ft or 12.1 ft, it is combined with a variety of chassis. The Volvo B12B is a chassis with a vertically mounted engine at the rear, produced in Sweden. It is succeeded by the Volvo B13R. ● Autocarro operado pela Autocars Mestres visto na Praça Marquês de Pombal, Lisboa, em Agosto de 2012. Este autocarro é um Noge Titanium registado em 2007. Tem um comprimento total de 13,98 m e pode acomodar 63 pa...

Coach operated by KRAS Touringcars seen on Alameda Edgar Cardoso, Lisboa, in June 2012. This coach is a VDL Futura FHD2-122 registered in 2012. It has an overall length of 40 ft, features integral construction, and uses the 300 kW (408 hp) PACCAR MX 300 engine. Based in Ammerzoden , Holland, KRAS Touringcars operates regular specialized services and occasional services. The origins of this operator go back to 1922, when Johan Kras starts a passenger service between Ammerzoden and 's-Hertogenbosch. Here, we see this VDL Futura FHD2-122 in an occasional service, on a splendid summer day, enjoying the shade of the jacarandá trees (Jacaranda mimosifolia) before resuming its journey. Presented in 1982, the Futura is an integral coach with DAF powertrains, first manufactured by Bova, then by VDL from 2003. The Bova Futura features a peculiar rounded front end, which is maintained throughout its production. In 2010, it is extensively revised and presented as the VDL Futura or Futura 2...

Coach operated by VT Bus seen at Praça Marquês de Pombal, Lisboa, in April 2012. This coach with fleet number 56 is an Irmãos Mota Atomic VIII registered in 2001. It uses the Volvo B12 chassis with the Volvo D12A engine. Based in Maia , VT Bus operates regular specialized services and occasional services. Here, we see this Irmãos Mota Atomic VIII in an occasional service. Introduced in 1987, the Irmãos Mota Atomic VIII→VIIIm→8 is a touring coach body, featuring a distinctive double windshield. In the Atomic VIII, the windows are curved inwards at the top. In 2020, the range includes versions with overall lengths up to 49.2 ft, combined with various chassis. The Volvo B12 is a chassis with a vertically mounted engine at the rear, produced in Sweden between 1991 and 2001. ● Autocarro operado pela VT Bus visto na Praça Marquês de Pombal, Lisboa, em Abril de 2012. Este autocarro com o número de frota 56 é um Irmãos Mota Atomic VIII registado em 2001. Utiliza o chassis Volvo B12 com...

Coach operated by Rodonorte seen at Gare do Oriente, Lisboa, in August 2012. This coach with fleet number 347 is an Irmãos Mota Atomic V registered in 2004. It has an overall length of 39.4 ft and can accommodate 49 passengers (49+1+1). It uses the Mercedes-Benz OC 500 RF chassis. Based in Vila Real , Rodonorte operates regular services, regular specialized services, and occasional services. The history of this operator starts with the Cabanelas company, formed in 1865. After a long and interesting history, it becomes Rodonorte in 1992 and part of the Santos group in 2004. Here, we see this Irmãos Mota Atomic V enjoying a break, possibly on the Bragança–Lisboa–Bragança regular express service. Note the interesting combination of rearview mirrors. Published data on the Irmãos Mota Atomic V is scarse, but, as we can see, it is based on the first generation ( facelifted , 1999–2006) Mercedes-Benz O 350 Tourismo (RHD). Presented in 1994, the Mercedes-Benz O 350 Tourismo is a versatile...

Coach operated by EVA Transportes seen at Praça Marquês de Pombal, Lisboa, in May 2012. This coach with fleet number 9914 is a third generation  ¹  Caetano Enigma registered in 2001. It uses the MAN 18.350 HOCL/A chassis. Based in Faro , EVA operates regular services, regular specialized services, and occasional services. EVA means  Empresa de Viação do Algarve . Here, we see this Caetano Enigma in an occasional service. As a note of interest, I believe that in 2017 this coach is acquired by the Sporting CP/Tavira, becoming a support vehicle for the professional cycling team, internally reconfigured, equipped with a single-phase 10 kVA generator, and decorated in green and white. Presented in1996, the Caetano Enigma, preceded by the Gaia and the Delta and succeeded by the Winner in 2004, is a versatile coach body designed for long distance services. It can be combined with various chassis. As a note of interest, the Enigma model seems to have been conceived by Almade...

Coach operated by Rodoviária do Tejo seen at Praça D. Pedro IV, Lisboa, in May 2012. This coach with fleet number 4050 is an Irizar PB registered in 2008. It has an overall length of 42.4 ft and uses the MAN 18.400 HOCL chassis with the 294 kW (400 hp) MAN D2066 LOH engine. Based in Torres Novas , Rodoviária do Tejo operates regular services, regular specialized services, and occasional services. Here, we see this Irizar PB arriving in downtown Lisboa in an occasional service. Presented in 2001, the Irizar PB is a highly successful coach body. The PB designation means Produktu Berria , or New Product in the Basque language. Available in lengths between 40 ft and 49.1 ft, and in heights of 12 ft or 12.7 ft, it is combined with a wide variety of chassis. Irizar also proposes an integral version. The Irizar PB gives place to the Irizar i8 in 2015. The MAN 18.400 HOCL chassis is part of the MAN 18.xxx HOCL (R33) family and we can find it with a variety of coach bodies. ● Autocarro ...

Coach operated by Auto Viação Feirense seen at Gare do Oriente, Lisboa, in January 2020. This coach with fleet number 172 is an Irizar i6 registered in 2013. It has an overall length of 40 ft and can accommodate 55 passengers (55+1+1). It uses the MAN 18.440 HOCL chassis with the 324 kW (440 hp) MAN D2066 LOH engine. Established in 1936 and based in Lourosa , Auto Viação Feirense operates regular services, regular specialized services and occasional services. Here, we see this Irizar i6 on an occasional service. As part of the Internorte group, Auto Viação Feirense also provides regular international services in Europe. ● Autocarro operado pela Auto Viação Feirense visto na Gare do Oriente, Lisboa, em Janeiro de 2020. Este autocarro com o número de frota 172 é um Irizar i6 registado em 2013. Tem um comprimento total de 12,20 m e pode acomodar 55 passageiros (55+1+1). Utiliza o chassis MAN 18.440 HOCL com o motor MAN D2066 LOH de 324 kW (440 hp). Estabelecida em 1936 e baseada na ...

Coach operated by AVIC seen at Gare do Oriente, Lisboa, in July 2015. This coach with fleet number 328 is an Irmãos Mota Atomic IIIm registered in 2009. It can accommodate 55 passengers (55+1+1) and uses the MAN 18.400 HOCL chassis with the 294 kW (400 hp) MAN D2066 LOH engine. Based in Viana do Castelo , AVIC, short for Autocarros e Viagens Irmãos Cunha , operates regular services, regular specialized services, and occasional services. Here, we see this Irmãos Mota Atomic IIIm departing from Lisboa with the 12:30 express service to Monção, in the far north of Portugal. I remember the time when people gathered near the coach to say goodbye to their relatives and friends. Sometimes, it was a very emotional occasion. It's not usual now – but it still makes me smile. Launched in 1986, the Irmãos Mota Atomic III (III→IIIm→3) model is a versatile coach body designed for long distance services. In 2020, it is available in lengths between 34.4 ft and 49.2 ft. The MAN 18.400 HOCL chas...