CHAR-A-BANCS NEWS AND COMMENTS.
Page 15
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Matters of Topical Interest to Proprietors of Motor Coaches.
The Last Word in Coaches.
COME WEEKS AGO, to be pre thee, in our issue for April 6th, in describing the itinerary of tours arranged by Pickfords, Ltd., for the present char-a-banes season, we made reference to an entirely new 'type of motor coach body which the company were about te employ an a new model 55 h.p. Tilling-Stevens petrol-electric chassis.
We recently had an opportunity of inspecting one of these newly-completed vehicles, after it had just completed an extended tour in the West of England, and it certainly represents the last word in char-albancs construction. The chassis, although a new model, specially designed for long-distance passenger carrying, is of the standard TillingStevens pattern, which is so popular amongst public service companies themaghent the country, hut, in this case, a more powerful engine is incorporated, so that the machine, will be able to tackle the steepest of gradients, It is the body, however, which cells for special mention. It is roomy, and of fairly large proportions, but, in ,order to Afford each individual passenger the maximum of comfort the seating capacity is restricted to 23. The seats themselves are made of well-seasoned ash, and are constructed in pairs, the inside seat in each case being staggered to the extent of 8 ins., so as to give each passenger an, arm Test. They are built on the armchair principle, and are particularly well sprung. A serviceable shade of antique leather is used for -upholstery. Mter personal Axial we can certainly say that the seats are most comfortable in every respect. A strip of floor matting runs the whole length of the body beneath the seats. A feature to be commended is the central gangway, which allows of easy access to the seats.
A luggage conipartment for small persepal belongings is provided at the rear of the vehicle on a level with the backs of the mats, and access is gained to it
from the interior of the body. This compartment is so built that the hood, when not in use, is accommodated around it. By housing the hood in this manner the graceful lines of the body. are preserved; and further, the maxiMum width allowed by law,. viz., 7 ft. 6 ins., is able to be utilized in the build of the body itself. A further compartmerit, of capacious proportions, is also provided in the rear of the body, and this is intended to be used for heavier luggage. Electric light is fitted in this compartment.
• The floorboards ef the 'body are raised. from the front to the rear by 3 ins., Chiefly to decrease the usual wheel paddle protrusion into the interior. Although the -slope is very little, it is just sufficient for the passenger to know that he is slightly higher than those passengers immediately in front.
The method of operating the head is extremely simple, and overcomes the usual Laborious method Of raising the sonailed one-man hood. In point of fact this hood only requires the efforts of one man to raise the hoop stinks to the upright position.
OUT illustration will give a good idea of the general build of the body, which, from every point of view, IS mostluxuriously appointed. Even match strikers are included op the backs of every searta small point, agreed—but sufficient to give an indication of the cure ianal theaght bestowed amen the
designBearing in mind that -.these vehicles-15 of this type will eventually be put into service—are solely intended for eatended long-distance tours, it is, of course, essential that particular attention be given to comfort, and in this respect it is obvious that no pains have 'beep spared. The body which we inspected was built at the Peckham meal/works of Messrs. Tillings, and reflects considerable credit on designer and builder alike,
A Record Picnic by Coach. .
IUST NOW, when the question at
increased railway fares is causing some perturbation, it is not surprising to find that, the alternative mode of travel offered by the motor char-kbanes is being specially favoured. • Great strides have been made recently in this method of transport, and as an instance of what can be accomplished a picnicparty consisting of nearly 1,450 people was taken by motor cliarse5,:banes from Bolton to Blackpool and back on Saturday,July 24th. The party consisted of the employees of •William n Walker and Sons, and Dri-per], Ltd., and much their journey in 56 coaches, which were supplied by the Lancashire United Tramways, Ltd., Atherton.
It is queetionable whether, in the present congested state of the railways, it would have been possible to haveobtained a special train for this party, but had this been possible it would have necessitated the whole of the large party leaving at one time. In making the journey ,by motor coach a -start was made from some dozen different points in -Bolton at various times from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., to suit the individual require. rtients of members of the party. By this means it was possible for many of them to start from quite close to their own homes, and as a -schedule of all the starting times and places had been carefully organized, and each individual had been advised of his coach number and starting place and time, the whole of the loading arrangements were accomplished smoothly, and with a maximum of convenience.
In order to avoid congestion on the road the outward journey was made by four different routes, and though not so rapid as by . -express train, it was accomplished with much greater convenience, and the travellers had the advantage of viewing the country from the open road in a rammer not possible by any other conveyance. The outward journey, .of some 40 miles, occupied two to three hours, according to the type of coach employed.
The couches were all parked at the Trotting Ground at White Gate Drive, Blackpool, and the first coach left on the return journey about 7.15, the laet coach at 8.15 p.m.
This is probably the largest single party that has ever been taken by motor chars4ibancs, and that the whole of the travelling arrangements worked without a hitch reflects every credit upon the Lancashire United Tramways, Ltd. who organized the party, and provided all the coaches.
This moving of large parties is only one side of this vast business, and the company who carried out these arrangements are also running regular services of coaches front Bolton,' Atherton,. Liverpool, and other Lancashire towns to the various popular resorte, and with these regular services it is possible to book single seats in the same manner as seats have at present to be booked for these resorts by rail. The company have Also organized several extended tours for periods of a week and upwards, for parties of 14 to 28 in one coach, to -centres such as North Wales, Scotland, Devon, Cornwall, etc,