Independent's air-service Atlanteans
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by Derek Moses • A fleet of new coaches intended mainly for services between London (Heathrow) Airport and the centre of London was handed over to Hall's Coaches Ltd., Hounslow, by the Arlington Motor Co. Ltd., Potters Bar, this week. Most striking of the coaches are three Leyland Atlantean PDR2 /1 68-seat doubledeckers with 33ft body work by Charles H. Roe Ltd., which are to be operated on contract to Trans World Airlines and in whose livery they are finished.
The design of these bodies is based on double-deckers being delivered to Leeds City Transport, incorporating panoramic windows, although the central exit of the latter design is replaced by a full-height luggage compartment at the rear of the lower saloon. A Smith's 1500 heating system is supplemented by a Webasco oil-fired unit. Hot or cold air can be blown into each saloon.
A step-free entrance and lower saloon floor is employed with a slight ramp to the bulkhead of the luggage compartment. Access to the upper saloon is by a Roe /Leeds safety staircase. A light blue interior colour scheme is employed with white plastics ceiling panels and comfortable tubular-framed seats are upholstered in an attractive moquette.
Equipment includes a radio and public address system; a separate two-way radio system with a 25-mile radius from base is fitted behind the driver.