LT plans decker
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DEVELOPMENT engineers at London Transport are reexamining the concept of an under the staircase engined double-deck bus design along the lines of the unique pre-war Q-type. Confirming this to CM last week, an LT spokesman said that this was one of a number of "paper " designs which are continuously under assessment.
LT engineers regard the possibility of mounting the engine within the wheelbase as being particularly important following problems with load distribution on rear-engined vehicles. At the same time they are anxious to see a considerable reduction in an unladen weight and believe that something under 8 tons is much more suitable than the 91 tons common with many of today's rearengined buses. An integral structure, possibly assembled at LT's Aldenham works, is on the cards.
A Q-type configuration would also allow an open rear platform if this was required, and passengers research indicates that the ability to "hop on a bus" is considered desirable.
Engines which could be used in such a design, is the RollsRoyce Eagle, an example of which LT has had under evaluation for some months.