PROGRESS IN PASSENGER TRAVEL,
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The Latest Doings and Developments in the Bus and Coach World.
A 1,200-mile Demonstration Tour.
Dealing with the Run of the Laffly Schneider Saloon Bus as far as Edinburgh.
N our last issue we dealt with the first stage of the 1,200-mile demonstration tour, which is being conducted by the Laflly Co. (England) on a LaffiySchneider 20-seater saloon bus, when we described the luxurious body design, and related the first day's run of the vehicle from London to Northampton. One of our local correspondents parti-' cipated in another stage of the journey as far as Edinburgh, and his impressions are recorded herewith.
Leaving Northampton for the second day's run, the route lay through Market-. flarborough to Leicester, where a halt. was made to enable several local motor traders, who had been previously notified, to -inspect the vehicle. Several prominent business men availed themselves of the opportunity, and expressed extreme satisfaction at the luxurious accommodation, as well as the excellence
of the chassis. Before lunch Nottingham was reached, and by this stage of the journey the travellers began to feel that they were a travelling attraction, to judge by the number of people who gazed at the bus, which was a novel departure from any vehicle they had beep accustomed to see pass through their neighbourhoods: The remainder of the day was spent in making Sheffield, by way of Mansfield and Chesterfield. On the following morning, on leaving for Leeds, unfortunately the direct road was missed, but in the end this proved useful, for the passengers found themselves in hilly country, and an opportunity was afforded to teat the hill-climbing capabilities of the bus in a manner they had not anticipated in' that. neighbourhood. Occasionally gradients which were in the vicinity of 1 in 5 to 1 in 6, were encoun
tered, and these they successfully negotiated without having to resort to anything below second speed. Even Jri one occasion where they were almost brought to a dead stop, owing to traffic obstruction on a, very steep gradient, it was found possible to continue on the second, accelerating as they reached the top of the hill.
In the square at Leeds the vehicle
caused a tremendous sensation. Mr. Rowland Winn, one of the most prominent motor dealers in Yorkshire, and a member of the Leeds Corporation, was one of the interested visitors, and ex. pressed himself as very much surprised at the luxurious furnishings, and gave his opinion that there should be no difficulty whatever in finding a market for such a vehicle as the Lay. Later the same day a detour was made via Harrogate, where abundant confirmation was forthcoming of Mr. Vv-inn's expression of opinion regarding the vehicle. Owing to the Doncaster races, it was impossible to obtain accommodation at York, and itwas decided that the rendezvous should be Harrogate instead. This turned out to be a wise re-arrangement of the programme' and a good deal of useful propaganda work was accomplished during that evening.
Tursday's journey was delayed at the outset owing to the fact that the starting point was Harrogate instead of York, and further by the fact that numerous wealthy visitors at the famous spa had heard of the bus overnight, and were anxious to examine it before its departure. As the journey proceeded the interest exhibited en route seemed to inceease' and during the day several lengthy stops were necessary, for further inspection. The route selected was by Stockton and Sunderland, and it was not until it p.m. that Newcastle was
reached. Taking the lower level of crossing the River Tyne, namely, the Swing Bridge, the descent to the bridge
is a very steep one, and in addition the winding and narrow streets, which form the .approach, rendered the task a very difficult one for the driver, who was unused to the district, especially when one takes into consideration the size of the bus. • On the following day (Friday) some of the beauties of North Northumberland were seen. The route lay via Morpeth, Ainwick, Berwick and Dunbar, and a few miles south of Berwick, justoutside of Belford, a well-known hill was reached.. Here for the first time since leaving Sheffield, it was stated, the driver resorted to top gear, and the Laffiy purred gently and with• slight effort to the top.
Within a very few minutes the opportunity of testing the Michelin tyres came. With a loud report one of the detonators sounded, and the bus was brought to a standstill in a remarkably short space. The tyres had, throughout the trip, accounted in no small degree for the extremely smooth running of the vehicle, and it. is worthy of mention that it is the first time pneumatics have been fitted to such a heavy vehicle, which, in the case of the Lathy, is a .54tonner. All through, the tyres stood up wonderfully well. The detonator explodes when the pressure of the tyre falls below, say, 50 lb. to the sq. in., and whereas the driver of a car fitted with ordinary pneumatic tyres would receive no previous notification of a puncture eXcept in the shape of a soft tyre, with the Michelin device he is able to remedy any defect before serious damage is done.
When the incident occurred, so successfully did the device operate that, except for the detonation, the passengers might have been unaware that anything was amiss. A swift application of the brakes and the vehicle caine to a halt in a. yard or so, and a very few minutes later the wheel had been changed, the pressure replenished, and, in, addition, the pressure of the other tyre was equalized by means of the Michelin air cylinders.
It eventually transpired that the cause of the burst was a faulty place in the tube, and this stoppage was the only one for repairs, necessary. during the whole of the outward run. After a halt lasting not more than 15 minutes at the outside, the journey was 'resumed, and Edinburgh was reached about 8 p.m. without further noteworthy incident.
For a portion of the journey Mr. E. Hatton„ manager of the Newcastle Corporation Traniways and Electricity Undertaking, accompanied the vehicle, and was delighted with the general arrangements of the interior, and considered the chassis a really -fine one. He also .duly appreciated the commodious interior which allowed passengers to relax Their limbs during the run.
At the various halts no one was more enthusiastic than Mr. 3. P. Holland in enumerating thefl outstanding features of the bus, and at Edinburgh, Mr. Pilcher, manager of the Edinburgh Corporation Tramways, and the Chief Constable, together with representatives from sundry firms, including the Scottish Motor Traction Co., and the Peric Motor Co., were given an opportunity of testing the capabilities of the vehicle, and in eommen with all others who had seen the bus, were enthusiastic in their praise. Up to reaching Newcastle, which, with detours, entailed a journey of well over 300 Miles, the petrol consumption had worked out at 11 miles to the gallon. Without doubt the vehicle is admirably fitted in all respects for the classes of work for which the Latflye(England) Co. recommend it, and should find ii quick and good market. One of its great features is its adaptability, for it can, with certain modifications, be easily converted into a caravan, providing two sumptuous living and sleeping rooms. Other stages of the tour will be recorded in our next issue.
The Small Enclosed Coach for Winter Use.
As Between-season Touring is Not Yet Established, Proprietors -are Likely to Favour Small Vehicles.
TiTE BREAK in the weather of the last few days has once again directed attention to the winter use of motor coaches. It is questionable, as we have often said, whether winter touring will become as popular as summer pleasure trips, although there is little doubt that if coach proprietors set about it in the proper manner, and educate the travelling public to the pleasures of road travel in winter in roomy, comfortable, and well-protected -vehicles, much of the deep-grained prejudice will be speedily eradicated. Coachbuildero have done much during the past season to provide coach proprietorswith the type of vehicle which is servi,peable for winter use, and it is now up to the owners to create the demand fur between-season tours.
There are bound to be ditterent views as to which type of vehicle is best likely to fulfil the needs of the winter road tourist, but, it should be realized by all that, as the movement to cultivate coach touring between the summer seasons ;s only in its infancy, it is quite reasonable to suppose that the smaller typo of machine is most. likely to offer the best remunerative return to the owner who contemplates embarking on this enterprise.
The coach owner who is going to run winter trips at fairly regular intervals has yet to feel his way, and until he 1.3 convinced of the public appreciation of such tours he has to proceed warily. At the outset he may be faced with certain difficulties, but, he can undoubtedly minimize, possible losses by the employment of a small type vehicle, the runnieg costs of which are lighter than those for .30-seater and larger inaehines.
So soon as he is convinced that the demand has exceeded his most hopeful expectations {we are presuming that winter touring will eventually become popular), he will be in a position to estimate more accurately the provisions he has to make, and in such an event he may find it more economical to run enclosed machines of a larger pattern..
The 20-seater enclosed Janitor coach is a very useful type for employment between seasons, and, from what we hear, it has a very premising future as a winter touring vehicle.
The If.a.ico all-weather saloon motor coach, as illustrated at the bottom of this page, is a vehicle which falls into this category, for it possesses a seating capacity for 20 passengers. The body of this vehicle is built, up with a frame and bearers of oak, and the steel panels are lined throughout with three-ply wood. The seats, which all face forwards, are arranged in pairs, and a central gangway extends the whole length of tife body.
The driver's compartment is part of the interior, and three passengers are accommodated alongside him. The seats are well sprung and upholstered in goer: quality leather, and deep, padded back rests are provided.
There is a door on each side, of the driver, and each is fitted with a drop whitlow. To the rear of the doors there are four glass -windows on each side, and these can be made detachable if deSired, whilst an oval observation window is fitted in the back panel.
The Baico-Ford chassis is primarily in tended for passenger work, although, by removing the entire back of the body, a lorry body can be substituted, which enables it to be used for goods haulage.
The overall length of the Baico saloon coach body is 17 ft., its overall height being 8 ft. 3 ins., and its overall width 6 ft.. 6 ins. It is unnecessary for us here to enter into a description of the Baico conversion .set for Ford chassis, for this unit nas built up 'a worthy reputation el the service of a large number of commercial-vehicle users, notably !amongst w-hunt are' country carriers. We would mention, hOwever, that It-is the produeAion of Buie° Patents, Ltd., 115, Fulham Road, London, S.W.
is connection with winter touring by road motor, it is worthy of mention that several coach builders are reported to have surpriseo, in the, shape of new designs suitable for winter employment, in store for exhibrtion at Olympia.
We know of one London company at least which contemplates running regular winter tours to some of the popular south and east coast holiday resorts. The frequency of these services will, of course, depend upon the public support which is given to them, and it' is too early yet to say whether winter coach services will prove a commercial preposition. It depends .to a laege extent upon the type of vehiclewhich is employed and upon weather conditions.
A Talk About Tyres.
Birkenhead Owner Says What He Thinks About Pneumatics.
ULTHAT do I think of the pneumatic WY tyres on motor toaches?
" Thirteen thousand miles and still going strong," was tho reply of a Birkenhead coach owner to-cur query.
There is a diversity of Opinion amongst coach owners as to the relative value of pneumatics, and many of them manifest a distinct, disinclination to discuss their worth beside solid and semi-solid tyres.
Efficient power transmission, careful and steady driving and care in the garage are all factors which tell in the life of a tyre, and when we have approached owners for their experiences they have generally dismissed the topic as being one which is still the subject of experiment.
Mr. F. H. Macdonald, of Birkenhead, told a representative of The Conamerei31 Motor that contrary to the advice Of some of his coach owning friends, he had Goodyear pneumatics fitted to an 18-seater Garford coach some two years ago. During that period the tyres had been Punctured only twice.
" Do you charge higher fares for rides in pneumatic-tyred vehicles? "
We generally try to get is. a head more to cover the cost, and passengers think it is worth it. I admit we have had very good service from pneumatics, but in a large measure this has been due to careful driving. When in the hands of efficient and well-tried drivers vehicles fitted with pneumatics give excellent results."
" So you have faith in pneumatics, then? "
" Rather. We have another coach fitted with Hobby cord tyres, which have already done 5,000 miles, and are giving first-class wear."
"Mystery" Tours:
A number of " mystery" motor coach tours have of late been made, and various claims are being made by certain coach proprietors as to their tour being the first of this description to be inaugurated. The Greyhound Motors, Ltd., 96, West Street, Old Market, Bristol, inform us that their first tour " under sealed orders" took place on August 10th, when their coaches carried a total of 224 passengers, whilst the total number of passengers who have participated in trips of this description up-to-date is 862.
We wonder whether this figure constitutes a record, and whether any firm or individual call claim to have inaugurated a mystery tour before-this date.
Rural 'Rides.
The Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co. arrange some splendid rural rides by motor char-à-bancs and omnibus from Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Worcester and Malvern. A very pleasant evening trip for 2s. 6d. is that from Bromsgrove via Green Hill, Linthurst, Alvecharch, Redditch, returning via Feckentiam, Hanbury and Dodderhill Common. Another. very nice trip leaves Bromsglove, calls at Droitwich and Worcester, and then makes a circular tour.