Low Weight in Wood-framed Bus Bodies
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TWO interesting Dennis Lance double-deck buses with bodies by the Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Co., Ltd., Gloucester, have recently been delivered to Walsall Corporation. The vehicles 4re 52-seaters of normal height, and the main framing is constructed of pitch pine, the onepiece pillars extending for the full height of the bodies in order to meet the special requirement of Walsall Corporation.
The bulkhead incorporates a type of bracing evolved by Mr. M. J. Somerfield, M.Inst.T., general manager and engineer of the transport undertaking. The up-swept main bottom bearer is heavily reinforced with steel and is coupled by means of a steel edge plate
to the pillars at cacti end, the edge plate being shaped to formdiagonal bracings, which transmit the weight of the body direct to the chassis outriggers.
Despite the fact that wood is used extensively in the construction of the bodies, the Gloucester concern has been able to keep the weight down to 2 tons 9 cwt., the complete vehicles turning the scale at 6 tons 3 cwt. 3 qrs. and 6 tons 3 cwt. 2 qrs. respectively.
Aluminium is used for the exterior panelling, the roof being of the singleskin type. French-polished mahogany is employed for the interior woodwork. The driver's cab is of the completely floating pattern and is equipped with an emergency window on the near side. Special attention has been paid to ventilation, which is effected by means of Widney-Stuart hall-drop windows, in conjunction with Walsall-type ventilators at cant-rail level and Ashanco devices in the upper-deck roof. Permanent air ducts, with interior baffle boards, are also built into the bulkheads of both the lower and upper saloons. The stainless-steel tube seats have top grab rails and are upholstered in leather, with rubber fillings.
In connection with the use of pitchpine framing, it is interesting to note that the Gloucester concern has recently stripped down a body which has been in service for nearly seven years and, upon examination, the framing was found to be sound throughout.