New Motorway Fleet for Birch Bros.
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FLEET of six new attractive Park Royalbodied Leyland Leopard hes is currently being placed in cc by Birch Bros. Ltd. on its motorexpress service from London to ord and Rushden.
ie PSU 3/4R chassis are equipped four-speed Pneumo-cyclic gearboxes fluid -flywheels incorporating centriHy operated lock-up clutches, and compressed-air brakes. An interestmodification to the chassis is the g of an A.E.C. drop-frame extension low the fitting of a larger luggage :r at the rear.
le basic body design is that first duced at Earls Court last year to the rements of both Aldershot and id and East Kent, modified in this to meet the requirements of Birch Accommodation is for 49 pas:rs on the latest P.R.V. coach seat, h follows the modern trend of tder-height backrests in place of rolls. These seats arc both comfortand give improved internal visibility: are upholstered with grey Firth's Jette, to match the interior colour ne.
I interior lining is in Finaweave :rite panelling, grey beneath and w above the waist-band, including citing, giving a very pleasant effect. Jorescent lights are fitted to the front ution indicators and rear nameglass, dition to six four-foot fittings inside aloon. A remarkably easy two-step nee is provided, the gangway ramprom the top step to normal gangway The coach-type door is operated Deans electro-hydraulic unit controly the driver, who also controls the step and cash tray lights.
her interesting features of the equipinclude the fitting of twin bulbs in idelights and tail-lights, in case a should fail, a boat-hook in the rear boot to extricate cases from the back of the compartment, and the route boards above the windows on each side. Two Duple type twin roof lights are fitted, with tinted Perspex, and two extractor ventilators are also provided. All opening windows are of the Beclawat Boreas inward-opening type, which it is hoped will eliminate rattles.
As already indicated, the new vehicles arc equipped with "pay-as-you-enter" equipment, pre-booking not being employed for the motorway service. Birch Bros. would rather employ duplicates as necessary than pre-book for this service, which is more frequent than the average long-distance service with a basic frequency of a coach every hour. All electrical fittings are B.M.A.C. type and include a reversing light to comply with regulations for 'One-man" vehicles.
The external livery is cream and red and the styling more successful than on the previous bodies of this design, enhancing the general body lines. A plant-on grille of new shape has been fitted over the normal radiator grille, and further enhances the frontal appearance.
F.K.M.