PASSENGER TRAVEL NEWS.
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The Latest Doings and Developments in the Bus and Coach World
SALOON VEHICLES OF SELECT DESIGN.
The Coachbuilding Activities of a Prominent Lancashire Company who Have Had Much Experience in the Production of Passenger-carrying Bodies.
WE HAVE, on many occasions in the past, referred to the coachbuilding activities of the Northern Counties Motor and Engineering Co., Ltd., of Wigan, and our readers who have followed the development of the passenger vehicle industry during the past season or so will have full knowledge of this company's products. They have sped alized in the production of many high-class coach and bus bodies, and examples of their craftsmanship are to be seen on various makes of chassis operating in different parts of the Country.
One of the 1924 modelsupon which the company are concentrating is a special one-man-controlled saloon bus of the type which is illustrated on this page, the. ;vehicle being to the order of the Harrogate Road Car Co., Ltd., of Harrogate.
It will be noted that the general appearance of this vehicle follows that which is usually associated with a highclass private4.car, although it obviously incorporates several features that are only to be found on the one-man-type bus
• used on regular service. The vehicle is built on most distinctive, and graceful lines,, the streamlining ofthe. bonnet, scuttle and body 'assisting to create this effect, which is aided by the bulbous censtruction. of the rear and the fully domed roof.
The body is built with a low loading line, and a singles running board gives access to the door providing entrance to the interior. The floor is of the usual one-man-operated half-folding and halfsliding type; and, as js customary, it is
under, the control of the driver. A special feature of this door is the nickelplated piano hinges which run throughout its full length, these being used in place of the ordinary butts, so that pas
sengers do not run the risk of ,damaging their fingers in the division of the door. .
An emergency door is incorporated in the rear panel, and its design is a departure from standard practice in so far as the door is hinged from the rear off side pillar and opens from the centre. This construction permits two large lights to be fitted at the rear instead of three small windows, and not only improves the general appearance of the body, but provides passengers with a better view to the rear. It also results in the saving of a certain amount of weight in the body by dispensing with the special pillar on which the emergency door is usually hung. Two windows on each side of the body are arranged to be lowered, and special balancing devices are fitted. The windscreen is V-shaped, and both upper portions, which are fitted with . envelopeshaped glass, ,deflect outwards.
The interior finish of the body is somewhat unusual, the underside of the roof being fitted with a large oval panel in walnut., which is surrounded by light material, grained veneer, which extends ' to the cant rails. These rails carry walnut mouldings, which link up with the centre panel. A large sunken light is fitted in the centre panel, and two ornamental lights are embodied in thequarter panels, the whole giving a very handsome effect.
Due attention has been given to the auestion of seating comfort, and the seats .
are fully 'upholstered in antique leather, the back-rests being of spring steel. The cushions are deep -and well sprung, A large locker is provided on the under'carriage, and this accommodates a spare wheel and tyre. • The running board extends from wing to wing, and leather valances are fitted the lull length of the body.
The particular body which we -have described is fitted on a 30-cwt. Fiat chassis, althoegli obviously a body of this design can be adapted to suit any type of chassis: The seating capacity of the body, which is illustrated, is for 18 persons.
Another type of saloon upon which the company are specializing is also illustrated herewith, this particular body being mounted on a Guy chassis. This machine was exhibited on the stand of the chassis builders on the occasion of the recent Scottish Show at Glasgow, and is similar, to that supplied to W. A. Nightingale and Son, of Northampton. This bociv provides seatime,, accomritociation for 18 passengers, who are accommodated in armchair seats, these being covered front and back with antique leather and provided with pneumatic cushions.
The inside lining boards of the body are covered with antique leather so far as the 'waist rail, and the pillars and roof with Bedford cord. The iestrument board, garnish rails and legs of the seats are of polished walnut.
The body is panelled throughout in aluminium, which has enabled the total weight to be kept down to 1 ton 19 cwt. 3 qrs., thus permitting the vehicle to travel at a speed of 20 m.p.h., as its total weight falls below the two-ton limit allowed by law.
Special attention has been given to the ventilation of the interior, eight drop windows being included in the design of the body, as well as two large roof ventilators.
Saloon vehicles oft-he types designed and. manufactured by the Northern Counties Motor and Engineering Co., Ltd., make a select appeal to the travelling public and give status to the passenger-vehicle industry.
A Large-capacity Saloon Bus.
WE REPRODUCE on this page two illustrations of an A.E.C. single• deck bus which is of somewhat unusual. .design in so far as its -external appearance and interior equipment are concerned.
It will be seen from the picture of the complete vehicle that the body has been brought forward to the foremost part of the engine, which is, nevertheless, easy of access from the interior of the bus. By constructing the vehicle on these lines it is possible to secure the maximum seating capacity
It should be noted that the driver's seat is alongside-the engine, and that it is screened from the passengers. This, as we have pointed out on many occasions, is very desirable on vehicles used for passenger carrying, and particularly those engaged on regular service work. The interior of the bus provides seating for 34 passengers, the seats, which are of the bucket type, being arranged in pairs on each side of a central gangway. This forth of seating is. sennewhat unusual for regular service machines, but it certainly provides .the passengerswith the maximum of comfort and creates an
atmosphere of select travel. Stanchions are placed at suitable intervals in the interior of the body. Entrances are provided at the frOnt and rear, that in the former position being so disposed that it is easily operated by the driver.
The bus-possesses a most striking appearance, which is due in a measure to the attractive mauve Colour in which it is ffpished. It should he stated that the body is mounted On an A.E.C. model 503 45 h.p. chassis {Provincial S-type).
An Improved Bus Seat.
IN ITS latest form the Laniplugh Aat, designed by R. A. Lamplugh, of St. Bernard's Road, Olton, Warwick, embodying bowed laths. or strips, provides simple means of adjuStment for the tension of those strips. They are mounted with their ends in a rectangular frame, the sides of which are divided and overlap, being ,secured by clamping bolts fitted in slots to allow of adjustment of the length of tile frame, and therefore of the tension of the chits. The ends of the frame are also coupled by a turnbuckle arranganerit, by which the adjustment is effected.
Motor Coach Fares in SouthWest Lancs.
COACH OWNERS are now paying attention to their early-season fares, and although there is marked hesitation on the part of some of them in,coming to a decision, the view is generally expressed in the Lancashire district that there is no chance for a general reduction in rates. It is suspected that coach operators are delaying the issue of their price lists owing to the fact that they do not want to provoke their rivals to competition so early in the year. Meanwhile, some owners are going out for business, drawing up a programme of single-booking tours, which, during the next three 'or four weeks, will be advertised to the public, but c-ertaiely not piemat'erely.