PASSENGER TRAVEL NEWS.
Page 24
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
The Latest Doings and Developments in the Bus and Coach World.
A YNESIDE OMNIBUS COMPANY PURCHASED.
The Absorption of a Fleet of Buses by a Progressive Passenger-vehicle Company who Operate a Network of Services in the County of Durham.
THE Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., who operate close upon 120 miles of motor omnibus routes, linking up even the most remote and isolated villages in North Durham with the more important Tyneside and Wearside centres of population, have just made important development. This is the purchase of the omnibus business carried on by I. B. Walton and Co., Ltd., of the Crescent Garages, Gateshead, who, just about two years ago. branched out on an extensive scale on 'the bus and motor coach side of the industry.
Previous to that time they had been engaged for many years as automobile engineers and bodybuilders, in which fields of activity they enjoyed; a wide and well-earned reputation. Their decision to enter the passenger-carrying business, coincided with the strike of the Newcastle tramwaymen, when, in conjunction with other bus owners, they put on the road the nucleus of the fleet of buses which they operated until recently, and, in addition to providing much needed transport facilities at that particular time, the company were complimented on all sides for the comfortable travel Which their vehicles provided, as well as for the undeniably smart appearance of the buses.
The fleet at that time was a mixed one, comprising Dennis, Ga.rford and buses of other makes, and the bodywork was all carried out in the company's own workshops, and, therefore, benefiting by their lengthy connection with that side of the business, and appreciating to a nicety the requirements of the travelling public, they were able to turn out really
excellently appointed buses. Built on strong, but at the same time attractive lines, the bodies were both roomy and conveniently planned. The seating arrangements were more or less conventional, transverSe seats being disposed on each side of a wide central gangway, and whilst many of the vehicles were constructed with front and rear entrances, others vi,ere built with a door in the centre, which, it might be mentioned, is a form of construction the company
favour, in view of the ease with which weight can be spread over the chassis without tending to impose undue stress upon any part of it.
Since that time Messrs. Walton have gradually dispensed with their original vehicles and standardized on Daimlers, and the fleet taken over by the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., consists of 12 32-seater Daimler buses, four 20-seater Daimler buses, two 14-seater Crossley buses, and three 28-.seater Daimler motor coaches. It might be mentioned that the Northern Company operate a standardized fleet of Daimler buses, numbering about 120 in all.
Whilst the transaction will materially strengthen the fleet of the purchasers, it will not result in new ground being opened up, for the Crescent fleet was engaged over one route only, that being from Chester-le-Street to Gateshead, which is already well provided for by the Northern Co.'s buses, and was, indeed, the original service inaugurated by that company over 10 years ago, when their business was in its infancy.
In . addition the Northern 'General Transport Co., Ltd., will take over the stand, bus station and waiting rooms, which were onlycompleted by Messrs. Walton a few months ago, and which have been found to be highly appreciated by the travelling public. This station occupies a fine central position in Gateshead, and will be used as the starting-point for services operated from that town by the Northern Co. In addition to providing adequate seating accommodation, it comprises an inquiry bureau, and all the necessary conveniences for waiting passengers. Having now dispensed with their fleet of passenger motor vehicles, Messrs. Walton are to devote their energies to selling, repairing and eoachbuilding in connection With commercial Vehicles and private cars. They possess a really excellent garage, replete with modern appliances and tool equipment for repair and maintenance work, and can give rapid and efficient attention to all classes of jobs, whether they be of a large or small nature.
Elaborate arrangements, too, are being made for extending the company's coachbuilding business: They have already built up a reputation for the smartness and reliability of their work in this direction, and for the reasonable charges which they make. The company have on hand at the moment several important orders, and hope to participate largely in new business for the coming motor coach season.
A glance at the illustrations reproduced on this page of some of the company's recent accomplishment in the way of smart bodywork will serve to indicate the quality of their passenger vehicle bodies. I. E. Walton and Co., Ltd., it should be mentioned, are the distributors for the Reo chassis for the counties of Northumberland and Durham.