New CIE Single-deck ers Entering Service
Page 31
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
THE first examples of a new fleet of 260 single-deck long-distance service buses are now entering service with Curtis [(impair Eireann, the Irish. State transport undertaking. Two types of bus are being introduced, one a 30-ft. vehicle seating 45 passengers and the other .a 36-ft, bus with 53 seats. All of the buses :Ire designed for one-man operation.
Bodies designed and manufactured by Metal Sections Ltd., Oldbury, Birmingiam (a TI company), arc being employed 'or the new buses; these are shipped to Ireland c.k.d. and erected on Leyland Lxopard underfloor-engined chassis in :IE's own workshops. The buses are -eplacing a fleet of single-deckers introfueed by CIE shortly after the war.
The vehicles are intended for long ourneys, and the all-metal bodies have i-ft. long fixed windows, individual tdjustable vents above each passenger's eat, and heating from two separate heat ixehangers, which extract engine heat aid feed it in the form of warm air hrough ducts running the length of the 'chicle each side. The heating system as been designed to maintain the inside enmerature at 70"F under external reezing conditions, and is controlled by thermostat. A separate heater and lernister is provided for the driver. • Complete insulation is provided in the bodies, and bonded aluminium ceiling panels backed by glass fibre have been employed for the roof, and glass fibre material has been Used between the external and internal side panels. The flooring is ol plywood, covered with p.v.c. with welded joints, and is completely sealed and waterproofed over the wheel arches. Seats and seat trims are of Trimtex, made and supplied in Ireland. whilst internal panelling is of laminated plastics supplied from England ready cut to size. The external front and rear panels and roof domes are glass fibre reinforced plastics mouldings.