PASSENGER TRAVEL NEWS.
Page 28
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The Latest Doings and Developments in the Bus and Coach World.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COACH WITH FORWARD CONTROL.
A Type of Passenger Vehicle which is Rapidly Becoming Popular for Several Important Reasons.
WHEN at first the large types of bus were built with the driver's seat alongside the engine, the appearance was apt to impress the observer as being somewhat odd and, in fact, was considered, by many to be really ugly, but as improvements were gradually incorporated in the form of the forward dash, so that it merged into the general lines of the body, the appearance was greatly improved and a comparison is not now odious. With the latest model coaches having a low load-line and generally decreased overall height, the bonneted pattern, hitherto so popular on account of its close resemblance to the private car, is being superseded in many quarters by the type in which the driver is positioned beside the engine ; yet so cleverly is this done that it requires a second glance to note any striking deviations from standard practice.
The forward-control vehicle possesses many advantages, the chief of which is, of course, the increased space afferded for the passengers on a vehicle of• moderate length, as the passenger accommodation is brought right up to the rear of the engine. Another important point is that the driver is entirely separated from the passengers, so that his attention can be kept to the road and other traffic instead of it being diverted by remarks from the passengers. Now that greater use is being made of pneumatic tyres, it is of some importance to distribute the weight more evenly between the front and rear wheels, and the addition of a further row of seats, permitted by the new arrangement, exercises this effect, giving easier riding of the vehicle and better road-holding capabilities.
The accompanying illustrations show one of the latest products in this direction. It is a Leyland Tiger coach built for Mr. 0. Smith, Junr., a well-known c44 coach operator in Blackpool. It constitutes one of several of this type of vehicle which he has placed on order with Leyland Motors, Ltd. The chassis has a particularly low loading line, the top of the frame being only 1 ft.
10 ins, from the ground. It will, of course, be remembered that this chassis has a powerful six-cylindered engine, giving unusual flexibility and remark ably smooth running. It is designed to seat 22 passengers and the body Of the particular vehicle shown was built by John Buckingham, Ltd., of Birmingham.
The reef, following a standard practice of to-day, folds into the permanent coachbnilt rear when not in use. Large headlamps have been provided to facilitate night driving and, amongst the extras is a glass visor, which enhances front appearance, the whole constituting a most striking outfit.
This type of vehicle is capable of high average speeds, but the braking is extremely powerful, so that it can be controlled as easily as a private car, the driver's effort being assisted by a Dewandre vacuum servo.