The Latest in Trolley bus-body Design
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AN order for four 58-seater doubledeck bodies is now being executed for Wolverhampton Corporation by Park Royal Coachworks, Ltd., London. NAVA°. Three of these have already been dispatched from the works and the third is nearing completion. They are mounted on Sunbeam trolleybus six-wheeled chassis and incorporate a number of interesting features.
The framing is of the all-metal type following Park Royal standard design. Notable points include the combined T and channel-section steel pillars, and the concern's well-known front-bulkhead design, whilst the straight staircase, the steps of which are equipped with Heard's Pneustrips, is built into the body framing, being, as it were, a part of the rear-end bulkhead. All outside panelling is of 18-gauge aluminium.
Externally, the vehicles are finished with Manders synthetic paint in light green and primrose, relieved by four narrow black lines, the effect being most pleasing. Maroon is the colour chosen for the inside, the ceilings and walls being white. Tubular seats, with oval-section back-rest supports—products of Accles and Pollock, Ltd.—are employed, the leather upholstery being of the same hue as the inside lower panelling, and embodying Dunlop Latex fillings. All handles, stanchions, etc., are Doverite covered, whilst the interior woodwork is polished walnut.
The lower saloon will accommodate 25 passengers, whilst the seating capacity of the upper compartment is 33. In the former there are three WidneyStuart half-drop windows on each side, with a sliding pane behind the driver, whilst the latter is equipped with four windows, of the same make and type, on each side and two at the front end.
Ventilation is effected by Colt exfractors mounted in the usual manner at the sides, downstairs, and in the roof, above. Lamps, supplied with current at 24 volts, having opal bulbs and white bakelite reflectors, provide interior illumination.
Beside the staircase, instead of a plain panel, a frosted window is em
ployed. All windows are glazed, in steel pans, with Fin. plate glass. Above these there are Quicktho continuous louvres with chromium-plated fittings.
Ecco destination and route indicators are provided at the front and rear and at both sides; these also show the service number. The driver's seat is of the Leveroll adjustable type, whice adds greatly to his comfort.
Considerable interest attaches to the mounting of the trolley gear. This is supported on two truss plates which run the full length of three bays. -Thus the load is shared by four pillars on each side. To remove the gantry as .a unit, all that is necessary is the removal of 16 high-tensile-steel bolts by which it is secured to the truss plates.