THE INAUGURATION OF THE SLEEPER COACH.
Page 57
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Details of Some of the Fittings and Equipment of the First Sleeper Coach to Cater for Road Traffic.
TUE Albatross sleeper coach leaves 1 London (the Royal Hotel, Southampton Row) at 11.5 p.m. this (Tuesday) evening for its inaugural journey to Liverpool, and it goes with all our good wishes for the success of the venture. On its first return journey tomorrow (Wednesday) night our Liverpool correspondent will occupy one of the sleeper berths, and he will either sleep so peacefully and soundly that in the morning he will have no hennasions to record, or,1 in a burst of enthusiasm, will lie awake all night in order to be able to say how his fellowpassengers fared and to tell how things are managed in this new service for the traveller.
At the moment of going to press the vehicle is still in the hands of the coaOlibuilder, and therefore is not avail-able -lor photographing, but we have
• been able to prepare some sketches from the actual vehicle which show interior arrangements and equipment.
The bunks appear to us to be quite roomy and to afford all the comfort and convenience that could be expected. The central aisle is amply wide, and with the doors separating the body into three four-bunk cabins and the double curtains to each buuk all the privacy necessary is afforded to passengers. The interior woodwork is left in its natural light colour, being polished, whilst the skirting at the back of each bunk is covered in a dark blue moquette. Above the moquette the woodwork is covered with white linerusta. The blinds over the windows and the curtains are of dark blue silk, and the floor. being carpeted there is an air of rest about the cabins. Each bunk is numbered and is provided with two racks for clothing and personal effects, space below the bottom bunk affording accommodation for two sttiteases. A lamp is fitted over the head of each bunk, and on the wall is the switch, an -ashtray and a press-button for communication with the steward. To each compartment is allotted a light ladder, which the steward will place in position whenever required.
An interesting point came to light in the course of our examination of the interior. It was pointed out that the partition between the lavatory and the vestibule unavoidably came in the way of the floorboard which, when lifted, gave access to the clutch mechanism. This partition is therefore made detachable. Four fastenings being loosened, it can be removed in a few moments.
We have left out of our illustrations the two doors separating the three cabins and E10111C of the curtains in order that we may show more of the details of the internal arrangements.