Another 3 c wt. Saved in New Metal Body
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TWO 8-ft.-wide prototy,pes of the I Leyland Farington double-deck body have been mounted on Leyland PD.2/3 125 b.b.p. oil-engined chassis and were delivered last week to the Burnley, Colne and Nelson Joint ' Transport Committee. They form part of an order for six, and are 57-seater Hybridge models.
Structurally, the body framework is based on the brace-girder principle (standard Leyland practice), but the amount of timber employed has been reduced. In this way, 3 cwt. has been saved, compared with the weight of the present Leyland 8-ft.-wide body. In the sides, timber is now used on' to form part of a pillar section and, even -then, is fully enclosed. Aluminiumalloy extrusions have replaced all horizontal wood battens, window sills and cant-rails in the upper saloon.
Among new features is the system of glazing. The windows are now fitted flush with the outside metal panels to facilitate mechanical cleaning and to eliminate projections in which dirt and moisture could collect.
The basis of the glazing system is a self-sealing
anti-oxidizing mouldedrubber strip with three grooves running along its length. One fits around the periphery of the window opening, another carries the glass window pane, and the third receives a separate strip of rubber which, when wedged into position, locks the glass firmly in the window opening. Any pointed tool can he used to pull out the locking strip, and the window can then be easily. removed.
By the use of this method of glazing, it has been possible to incorporate a durable, hygienic interior metal finish around the windows and throughout the body sides. Wood mouldings are no longer used, and interior side panels, mouldings and window-pillar facies are covered with leather cloth.
Externally, the body is different, in that the normal belt rails have been eliminated.
The roof and front and rear domes of the upper saloon have double skins. Ventilation has been increased by fitting two small fanlights in the windows of the front bulkhead.
Batteries are slung horn the body frame beneath the floor of the lower saloon. There are two on each side of the body, and they can be reached through trap doors in the floor or hinged flaps on the outside.
The holding-down bolts for the body mounting at the rear are accessible through a hinged flap in the bulkhead, just above the loading platform.