MORE BUSES FOR KEIGHLEY.
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The Latest Purchases of an Enterprising Authority which Fleet of Leyland Vehicles.
MHE Keighley Corporation has for long been aware of the value of passenger-carrying road vehicles, and as long ago as 1908 it obtained powers to operate buses, the first services which were instituted with such vehicles being run to connect various tramways points. The authorities secured further powers in 1912 and 1913 to enable it to operate trolley-buses and to add to its existing bus routes, and, in so far as the corporation was the first authority in the country entirely to substitute trolley-buses for tramcars, it can be said to be in a unique position.
An indication pf the foresight which the Keighley Corporation has displayed in connection with its passenger-transport arrangements is further ,indicated by the fact that it has recently purchased two Leyland Lioness buses. Incidentally, it may be mentioned that the corporation owns 18 vehicles of this make and has placed an order for another Lioness model. The new buses are representative of modern practice and are capable of running at from 4 m.p.h. to 45 m.p.h. in top gear.
The chassis has a four-cylinderd engine, with a bore of 41 ins, and a stroke of 51 ins., giving an R.A.C. rating of 29 h.p. The overhead valves are operated by tubular push rods, and the rocker gear has forced-feed lubrication, which is also employed for lubricating the main bearings and big-ends. Aluminium pistons with split skirts are 'used. The power unit develops 58 b.h.p. at 1,800 r.p.rn.
The power developed by the ,engine is transmitted through a single-plate clutch to a four-speed gearbox and thence to the rear axle, via a tubular propeller shaft. The torque tube embodies the well known Leyland spherical thrust. The rear axle consists of a pair of spiral bevel wheels driving a wide double-helical gear-set, and all gears and shafts are mounted on roller bearings.
The provision of a highly efficient braking system ensures complete safety on the road. The brakes on the front wheels are actuated through a servo device, the Tightest touch on' the brake pedal producing a powerful retarding effect. The hand brake operates brakes in the rear wheels through the medium of high tensile, copper-plated steel rib
bons. In the design of this chassis, special consideration has been given to the question of accessibility-, and all
component parts which need periodical attention are readily get-at-able.
The type of body which is employed on Keighley's latest purchases is a handsome 26-seater finished in red and white and 'picked out in black. Drop windows
are incorporated in the design. Passengers are assured a considerable degree of riding comfort for, apart from well-sprung seats, progressive springs are used for the chassis and pneumatic tyres are fitted. It should be mentioned that a mechanical pump, driven from the gearbox, for inflating the tyres forms part of the equipment. A feature of the Keighley Corporation's buses is the use of buffer bars at the front and rear.