CONTROL FROM AN UPPER-DECK POSITION.
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A New Type of Vehicle in Use in America Which Has Several Novel Features.
ON one of the oldest and most popular motorbus routes in the United States, the 500-mile run between Los Angeles and San Francisco, California, a new type of vehicle—generally known in America as a parlour car—has just been placed in service. An outstanding feature of this vehicle is that it is designed to afford the passengers practically the same facilities as are available on passenger trains, including the serving of meals en route. In this respect it follows a movement 'which is making big strides in Great Britain.
The new vehicle has been designed and built by.the Pickwick Corporation. of Los Angeles, and is a double-decker, but it differs from the usual bus of this typo in several distinct ways. The upper deck is in the centre of the vehicle, and is .enclosed ; it projects about 2 ft. above the level of the roof of the lower deck.
One of the most interesting features of the design is that the driver's compartment is built on the same level as the upper deck. As the accompanying pictures clearly show, it is entirely enclosed and isolated from the passenger seating space in the upper deck. All the controls for . the vehicle have been extended about 2 ft. from the normal position. By carrying the driver in this position he is not only afforded an excellent view of the road (an essential consideration in the case of n passenger vehicle which maintains high average speeds), but additional space is available for the accommodation of Passengers On the lower deck.
Each of the passenger compartments seats 12 people, and accommodation for four additional passengers is available on an observation platform located at the rear. Below the floor of the lower deck is a spacious compartment intended for baggage, as well as storage tanks for petrol, oil and water.
The kitchen is located on the Iowar deck, immediately behind the passenger compartment and in front of the observation space. Heat for cooking is supplied by Prest-o-Lite gas and a small hot-plate. The facilities are such that complete meals can be served on trays which are arranged to be clamped to the seats. These trays have special racks so that the receptacles in which the food is served are held perfectly secure, A storage tank beneath the lower deck provides water for a small but completely equipped rest-room. A compressed-air system is used in connection with the lavatories, which empty into a chemical tank.
The bus weighs 15,000 lb., and is propelled by an engine taken from a PierceArrow touring car made in 1917; this has been found a most satisfactory unit and stands up to the 500-mile run in good style. The vehicle makes the journey between Los Angeles and San. Francisco in about 12 hours, and stops are only made on the journey in order to obtain fresh supplies of fuel at prearranged depots.