1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156 
On the road with Alexanders' auto midi
Page 47
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by Martin Hayes WHEN Alexanders introduced its S-Type integral tnidibus at the Earls Court Show last year, many operators hailed it as the first purpose-built vehicle in this category. Although standard Ford A-Series running units were fitted, the vehicle's construction was designed from scratch for bus use and not converted from a goods carrying rote, as many midibus designs tend to be.
When the snub-nosed midi appeared at the Show, it had literally rolled, out of the production shop only a few days previously. Since then considerable detail design changes have been made and the Ogle company has been involved in improving its overall appearance. Most significant feature of Ogles work is a more smooth frontal appearance with a stylish-looking grille incorporating rectangular headlights.
Most operators, however, are likely to be more interested in the addition of automatic transmission to the list of options. As Ford has not previously mated an automatic transmission to its 3.6-litre sixcylinder diesel engine, the coachbuilding company had to undertake its own development programme. Eventually the General Motors subsidiary Allison offered its AT540 unit. This is not new to UK psv operation, being fitted to a substantial number of Seddon midis in service with Greater Manchester Transport.
By using a version of the transmission developed for use in motor caravans in the United States, together with a special modulated control unit, Alexanders has arrived at a transmission set up which should be suitable for most bus applications.
At present there is still only one Alexander midi on the road. This is the original de monstrator shown at Earls Court. Fitted with the automatic transmission and improved sound-deadening, this is in service in Aberdeen where it has completed several thousand miles.
Last week I had an opportunity to ride in and drive the midi at Eastbourne where it was being demonstrated to delegates at the Confederation of British Road Passenger Transport's annual conference (see page 86). On the move the vehicle is surprisingly quiet and, even on the steep hill leading to Beachy Head, engine noise was quite acceptable. The engine cover has been padded inside and outside with insulation material.
Both as passenger and driver I found the transmission parti cularly impressive. With th works driver at the wheel an about half of the 27 seat occupied, changes were alway very smooth. Only a sudde down-change to first on a tie uphill bend occasioned an thing like a jerk. Durir deceleration the transmissic changed down at well-space intervals so allowing a measw of engine braking withal using the over-ride positions Alexanders have modified tl standard A-Series driving pos tion by re-raking the steerin column, and thereby movir the driver nearer the screei Combined with a higher sea ing position this combines give an excellent field of vies The control for the transmi sion is handily placed on left of the wheel and each t the four speeds can be held On the move the steering commendably light (thoug the vehicle was admitted only part laden) and direc Even harsh acceleration dol not provoke rough changes the transmission though judged acceleration to be som what reduced by the pow, absorbed. Perhaps the mo surprising feature of the bi was its excellent ride. Ofte with vehicles of short whec base, there tends to be ma than a hint of choppiness. C the vehicle I tried there was sign of this, even over son quite rough surfaces.
The first production bat( of 25 vehicles is soon to sta construction. Of these, eig: have been ordered by the We Midland PTE (same may I used on a service to the tie National Exhibition Centre Elmdon) and a further fly with coach seats, are to I sold from stock by Don Eve all. An exact price for the mi is not being quoted, but it likely to be about £9,000. TI addition of automatic tran mission adds about £600.