'WOLVERHAMPTON'S LATEST BUSES.
Page 24
Page 25
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
The Type of Vehicle Favoured for Regular Service Work in a Busy Provincial Centre.
WOLVERHAMPTON has recently added eight new-type single-deck omnibuses to its fleet, the TillingStevens T.S. 6 chassis being used and the bodies being built by Christopher Dodson, Ltd., of Willesden, and by Fleming and Son, of Cleveland Road, Welverhampton. As will be seen from the illustration, the driver's compartment is located alongside the engine and is entirely separate from the main body. A wide door is provided on the off side, and the all-round visibility is enhanced by deep side windows and windscreen, the top of which is adjustable by means of twin brass quadrants. The driver's cushion and backrest are sprung, and the controls are conveniently placed for the hands and feet.
The plan of the main part of the body is arranged to seat 36 passengers, the entrance being from the rear end. After passing through the double folding rear doors, which are 2 ft. 8 ins. wide, one is faced by an open space, on the right and front of which is a continuous seat holding nine people. On the left is another seat, which accommodates three passengers. This arrangement permits of plenty of space for entrance and exit and allows for communication with a central gangway, on each side of which are five rows, which accommodate two persons each. The remaining five passengers sit with their hacks to the driver.
The seats are finished with a special lace web and are covered in canvas and lined with rattan, both squabs and cushions being easily detachable and the backrests incorporating stifing steel strips. The interior is varnished, Whilst the roof is finished in white enamel, which, in conjunction with the excellent all-round lighting, produces a clean and airy appearance.
Two of the windows on each side are operated by Beclawat window raisers,
the panes running in silent channels, a similar type of raiser being employed for the window above the driver's door. Above the principal side lights are the ventilators, which can be opened by means of toggle-joint fasteners, the front transverse ventilator being mounted on a central pivot, so that it can be corapletelY opened.
The roof is supported on four standards, its forward half being equipped with a luggage rail, access to which is obtained by the ladder shown in the illustration opposite thedriving compartment.
The width of the rear door hag already been noted. Spring door bolts are employed to hold the door fixed in the open or closed position, and long metalgrab handles are provided. A double step is another point worthy of mention.
The equipment includes a L5-name destination box, which is electrically lighted at night and controlled by the driver through a special switch. The rear wings are made of ash, whilst the whole body is panelled in 16-gauge aluminium, finished off in the corporation's standard colours of special apple green and primrose, with the transfers and writing in gold-leaf. Lifeguards are fitted between the front and rear wheels, which are equipped with solid tyres, twins being used at the rear.