Smart British Coaches for Canada
Page 51
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Three New A.E.C. Ranger Vehicles with Duple Bodywork Inspected by the High Commissioner for Canada
MHREE long-distance ,coaches for service in Canada were inspected, last week, at the Southall works of the Associated Eduipment Co., Ltd., by Mr. Howard Ferguson, High Commissioner for Canada. It is stated that these are the first British-built coaches to he shipped to the Dominion since the 15 per cent, duty on imported buses and chassis has been removed by the Federal Government.
One of the vehicles is to be operated by Gray Coach Lines, a subsidiary of the Toronto Transportation Commission, and the other two vehicles are for Canadian American Coaches, Ltd., Windsor, Ontario, the latter machines having already been scheduled for a service from Detroit to Buffalo.
The three vehicles have as their basis the A.E.C. Ranger 120 h.p. six-cylinder chassis, and the coach for Gray Coach Lines is equipped with a fluid clutch and a pre-selective gearbox. Lockheed hydraulic brakes are installed.
All three bodies were built by Duple Bodies and Motors, Ltd., The Hyde, London, N.W.9. The first-named coach has 2P transverse seats and six extra for fitting in the gangway, when required. With the exception of the last bank, all the seats are adjustable as to the angle of inclination. The seats are of luxurious pattern, and to ensure further passenger comfort adequate attention has been given to ventilation and to heating the interior of the body.
A luggage container of good capacity is built into the roof, this being supplemented by golid-panel luggage racks in the interior of the vehicle.
In the ease of the vehicles for Canadian American Coaches, Ltd., these have concave main body panels, whilst the mouldings a r e mounted upon rubber.
Another interesting point is that the timber used in the construction of the light metal-framed bodies has been heavily creosoted, in order to meet the severe conditions under which the vehicles will operate in Canada. The patent Duple sliding head is another refinement worthy of note.
Although the vehicles are 8 ft. wide and 10 ft. high to the top of the luggage compartment on the roof, accommodation is provided for only 26 persons, thus ensuring maximum comfort. A lavatory compartment is situated on the off side, at the rear, in the case of each vehicle for the Canadian American concern. All three machines are notable for their handsome lines,