AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

DETAIL REFINEMENT 'IN BUS CONSTRUCTION.

12th August 1924, Page 11
12th August 1924
Page 11
Page 12
Page 11, 12th August 1924 — DETAIL REFINEMENT 'IN BUS CONSTRUCTION.
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

A Description of a Type of Body which Incorporates Many Features Giving Extra Comfort and Efficiency.

A LARGE fleet of motorbuses is being .C1. operated by the British Electrical Federation, Ltd.., and their allied companies. Tkese vehicles are kept in a remarkably sound state of repair, both as regards the chassis and bodywork, and the latest types to be put into service may be looked upon as almost the last word in public passenger transport, by road.

We have recently seen bodies, complete and partially BO, built by Messrs.

Strachan and Brown for the Barnsley and District Traction Co., Ltd., who belong to the group to which we have referred. The chassis are of the latest Leyland half-forward type, the driver being situated in a separate cabin carried at the off side of the engine. The bodies are of the single-decker type, framed in ash, panelled inside with fumed oak and with long side panels of mahogany. The curved panels are in lead-coated steel, those at the _rear corners being particularly noticeable

from the fact that the rear lamp tubes are welded on to them. The floor is covered with thick cork lino, and all trap doors to the gearbox, etc., are bound by brass edges, both as regards the doors themselves and the sides of the hatchways into which they fit. Practically all the seats face forwards, with the exception of a side seat facing the entrance. The seat cushions are all fitted with double springs, giving a depth of 10 ins. They are upholstered in real bide and are exceptionally comfortable, this also being assisted by the fact that the squabs are carried on laminated spring-steel uprights. The actual backs are made of thin three-ply wood, the edges of which are bound by Dnralumin channel edging: Behind each seat is a match-striker. These and all other fittings, with the exception of Duralumin band poles and commode handles, are oxidized.

There is a wide doorway at the nearside front, the doors being constructed in four sections, two folding at each side. These doors are not provided with locks, but are held in position by an " overthe-centre " arrangement with links and springs.

In order to avoid door sag, owing to wear, all the hinges are provided with concealed springs, which can be adjusted in a few moments. To open the doors it is merely necessary to press on two finger plates marked "press," or, if opening from the interior, to pull on two handles. There is an emergency door at, the rear, this having three bolts, which are released by lifting the centre seat. This, incidentally, is just as well upholstered as the others.

Ferodo door treads are employed wherever necessary.

Ventilation is afforded by Strachan and Brqwn balanced drop windows of the latest concealed pattern and by railway-type cowl ventilators. There is a special lifting window at the left of the front entrance, which gives access to the petrol-tank filler, and can also be used while changing over the short destination boards.

Referring to the driver's compartment, this presents many features of interest. The seat, for instance, folds up to give a better degree of accessibility to the C.A.V. dynamo, which is situated under It.

At the engine side there are two large sheet-metal shields provided with handles and held in position by spring clips.

There is a swivelling windscreen and a sliding ventilator at the near side. The door is provided with a neat drop window, which can be lifted to such a height as will permit the driver's arm passing below it for signalling purposes. When in this position the window is held by a spring clip, and this clip also acts as an anti-rattling device. When

the window is in its highest position, a flap folds dawn over the opening into the interior of the door and thus preventg the entrance of rain. The door is equipped with a special safety lock, giving a double action. When partially shut, the bolt is retained behind an .outer catch on the lintel, and as it is further closed the depression of a plunger above the main bolt causes the last-named to shoot forward into the main socket in the lintel.

A Pyrene fire-extinguisher is carried within the driver's compartment and another' inside the bus at the back ot. the driver's partition.

C.A.V. lighting has been adopted, ancl there is an adjustable headlight just below the top of the canopy and on the longitudinal centre line of the body. A very 'important feature is the acces sibility of the petrol tank. In most bodies, if this must be removed for any purpose, the body• panels have to be seriously disturbed, but, in this case, the near-side panel of these surrounding the tank is strengthened by an aluminium moulding riveted on. to the steel, the whole panel .being held in position by countersunk-headed setscrews. This body incorporates the Strachan and Brown patent corner brackets joining the side pillars and roof members. These brackets are Made of pressed and welded sheet steel, and they are bolted right through steel inserts in the pillars and roof members, giving a very rigid construction.

Tags


comments powered by Disqus