PASSENGER TRAVEL NEWS.
Page 69
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The Latest Doings and Developments in the Bus and Coach World.
MODERNIZING OLD-TYPE BUSES.
How an Enterprising Company is Reconstructing Certain of its Vehicles to Bring Them Into Line with Modern Developments.
THERE must be quite a number of motorbuses in use in this country which, despite the fact that they have seen five, six, or, perhaps, more years' service, are continuing to give satisfac tion to their owners. In most instances these vehicles have bodies which, in the face of modern developments, can properly be oonsidered oldfashioned and out of date. With a high loading line and a constricted seating lay-out, they can hardly be said to compare with the modern vehicle, with its low-loading level and its many refined features making for the comfort and convenience of passengers.
If an old-type chassis can still give mechanical satisfaction, there would appear to be no reason why a bus of which it serves as the basis should not be made more closely to resemble the modern vehicle by displacing the old class of body by an up-to-date pattern. With some types of chassis this is not so difficult as it might at first sight appear, and this is proved by the procedure adopted by the motor-vehicle department of the Provincial Tramways Co., Ltd. (Grimsby), Tramways Offices, Cleethorpes.
This ccmpany rims a number of Palladium vehicles which have been operating under the severest conditions since 1920 and have given very satisfactory service. Mr. H. Orme White, A.M.I.E.E., the manager and engineer of the company, appreciated the fact that, despite the efficient results which the vehieles were giving mechanically, they suffered from the disadvantage of appearing somewhat out of date. It was felt, therefore, that providing the old bodies could be replaced it was worth while reconditioning the vehicles.
It was accordingly decided to effect a number of improvements, and, in the first place, pneumatic tyres of large dimensions were fitted in place of the solid equipment The near-side frame members close to the entrance was shortened by about 3 ft., and a flitchplate drop section was fitted, this serving to give a low platform height. This form of construction was found to be quite sturdy and very light, and it was possible to execute the work in the company's own shops.
The new type of body which has been adopted is a product of the Bracebridge Motor Body Works, of Lincoln, and it was constructed to the design of Mr. White. Most of the passengers are accommodated on transverse seats which face in the forward direction, but
four passengers are accommodated on two seats placed along the side of the body, one..by the driver's compartment, which is enclosed, and the other at the rear. A suitable locker to carry destination boards is placed over the off-side frame-member. This serves a most useful purpose and enables the seating to be formed on standard lines.
As one of the accompanying illustrations clearly shows, the body is con structed on modern lines, and in the picture, which offers a comparison between the old and new types, it will be seen that the latter has every appear' ance of a low-loading vehicle ; this effect is aided by a mushroom-type roof.
The interior of the body is finished in walnut, and a white lincrasta ceiling gives a pleasing finish. The seats are upholstered in moquette, and nickelplated rug rails and handles add a distinctive note. The provision of ample knee-room is a factor which has received special attention in the design. Sliding windows are fitted.
The company is so pleased with the result cf this conversion that it is altering the remaining Palladium units in its fleet. The chassis with the newtype body has been entirely depreciated and would, no doubt, have been removed from regular service but for the fact that it was found possible to modernize it. The vehicle has been favourably commented upon, and is claimed to offer certain advantages over the company's standard low-loading vehicle as the inconvenience of the intrusion of wheelarches is overcome.