Drive and energy are displayed in Brussels
Page 21
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By Noel Millier
PARTICIPANTS from nearly 50 countries including Rwanda, the Soviet Union and Ireland took part in the 45th International .Public Transport Union (UITP) Congress in Brussels, which included a comprehensive exhibition of public transport vehicles and technology.
Many agreed that the most impressive stand was that of Leyland -Bus. It included a varied area of vehicles covering most aspects of road passenger transport and included the Leyland/British Rail Engineering Class 142 rail vehicle which uses Leyland National body shells.
Also on show for the first time was a Leyland Lynx single-deck bus with a complete superstructure.
Other Leyland exhibits included the first Danish-built DAB articulated bus from a current order for 13 from South Yorkshire PTE.
The Leyland effort also included the publication of a multi-lingual exhibits catalogue which included details of 20 different models now available, and a full range of support services.
-Among the models listed were articulated and rear-engined Tigers.
The, only other British bus exhibit was an Alexanderbodied Volvo Citybus in the colours of London Buses, and powered by the Cumulo hydraulic accumulator system by Volvo.
This system uses braking energy to power the vehicle from time to time to improve fuel economy.
When the bus's brakes are applied a pump receives fluid from an oil reservoir.
The pump charges the pressure accumulator with brake energy and the fluid can then be used to drive the pump and power the bus.
When the accumulator is empty the bus reverts to its normal diesel engine power. It can also be run conventionally and is an otherwise standard Citybus.
Cumulo buses are already in service in Stockholm and Copenhagen, where five Volvo vehicles are running alongside five Leyland DAB vehicles fitted with a Danishdeveloped Peters system working on similar principles.
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