Modern Trolleybuses for Australia
Page 42
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
r'r HE first A..E.C.-English Electric Q-type trolleybus to be put into service in Australia was recently shipped to the Commonwealth, along with two Q-type trolleybus chassis, which are to be equipped with bodies when they reach Sydney. A few days after these machines left England, three Q-ifype petrol-engined chassis for double-deck bodies were placed on board the s.s. " Barrabool," for delivery to the Commonwealth.
The chassis of the trolleybuses are of the four-wheeled type, with a wheelbase of 15 ft. .10 ins., the turning circles being 53 ft. to the off side and 59 ft. to the near side. The compact frame is of 11-in. by 3-in. pressed-steel 'channel section, the front end of the near-side longitudinal being downswept to provide a low loading level.
The English Electric EE405-type 80-h.p. 500-volt self-ventilated motor is employed, this having been specially designed for mounting in the Q-type chassis. It is carried on the off side of the frame, at the centre. The contactors, which are also fixed to the side of the chassis, are • motinted in weatherproof cases.
B24 The resistances are of the rustless, jointless, unbreakable, grid type, and are of ample capacity to allow for prolonged slow running without overheating. A case carried under the driver's seat houses the master controller (which is operated by an organtype pedal), and the reverser, trolleyskate, change-over switch, „etc. A tubular propeller shaft, equipped with large Hardy-Spicer couplings, carries the drive directly from the motor to the fully floating rear axle. Lockheed pneumatic brakes are employed, compressed air being provided' by means of a h.p. motor. The 63seater body of the complete vehicle was built by Park Royal Coachworks, Ltd.