THE REAR
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of the
DOUBLE-DECK BUS BODY
How It Has Been Developed
After Dealing, In Our Issue for Last Week, with the Frontal Appearance of the Passenger Vehicle, Our Bodybuilding Expert Has Chosen to Discuss the Progress Made in the Design of the Rear of the Double Saloon Bus.
THE conversion of the open-top double-decker into a double-saloon luta has provided scope for introducing a certain amount of variation into the design of the back of the vehicle. This opportunity is afforded chiefly by the fact that the staircase may be similar to that of the open-type double-decker, or, on the other hand, it may be enclosed.
In other instances, the desire to decrease the overall height and improve the upper-deck seating plan has resulted in modifications of the layout of the staircase and the arrangement of the upper landing and entrance.
Apart from constructional requirements, the staircase must be rendered safe by fastening the treads and risers together, on each side, with a close stringer, which is usually made of 20-gauge sheet steel.
recently these stanchions had been reinforced by means of an additional centrally disposed stringer, in the form of a single band of sheet steel 5 ins. or 6 ins, wide, or by a pair of parallel rails made of fiat or angle steel.
This reinforcement has been used to form the foundation for affixing advertisement tablets. This somewhat patchwork embellishment of the back 042 of the double-decker has now given place to one large staircase panel which tills the space between the stringer and the handrail.
The method of covering in the space below the staircase has been undergoing a similar process of simplification. For many years the off side of the hind platform was enclosed by means of a diamond or rectangular-shaped advertising board. In addition to this panel there was a small board, -which was erected on the back edge of the platform, and at this point the police plate was fastened.
Nowadays, the rear aspect of the bus has been much improved by the use of a continuous panel, about waist high, which runs from the off-side pillar Of the rear bulkhead, follows the line of the edge of the platform and, when it reaches the bottom line of the staircase stringer, encloses the space between it and the platform.
This fender-panel has a rounded corner corresponding with the plan shape of the staircase and may be continued in one piece to complete the enclosure below the staircase. On the other hand, the stringer may be enlarged so that it also forms part of the rear fender panel.
The next stage in the evolution of the staircase and fender-panel is regarding the whole of the space between the handrail and the platform as one surface to be covered with a continuous panel. It may be divided or decorated according to choice, such a design being independent of the position of the treads and risers.
The back of the bus may then be designed with a belt rail, or may be finished with the same arrangement of panel division and colouring as is used for the side of the vehicle, because the rear portion may run continuously from the off side. In another case the opportunity may be taken for introducing novel, yet simple, arrangements of moulding for the purpose of decoration, or for providing suitable spaces which will appeal to the adVertiser.
In this connection" it is interesting to note that, for many years past, advertisements have been specially designed for display on buses. The staircase. tablets previously Mentioned are familiar instances, and since
the continuous staircase panel has been introduced advertisements adapted to its sloping base line may be seen.
When the staircase i.S fully enclosed there is ample opportunity for designing the back as a continuation of the side panelling, which will then include that of the upper saloon. If variation be desired, then it may be achieved by the number, outline and arrangement of the windows.
Considering first that part of the back of the bus below the upper-floor line, this may have one or a pair of windows above the waist level. If there be only one window, this will be set out so that its centre line coincides with that of the back elevation.
This window will seldom be in danger of being Wicked by the passengers on the staircase, as most of it will be above the tread level, but, as a precaution, the light may be protected by two or three neat guard rails. With ,one rear lower window there will then be an expanse of plain panelling between it and the last off-side
window, 'read this corner may, if dea'red, 1:,e rounded.
If, however, the length of the staircase be increased in order to provide the greatest possible width of tread the stairway will have a comparatively sharp off-side hind corner, with a corresponding larger area of flat panelling suitable for the insertion of windows. A pair of lights below the upper-floor line helps to decrease the general bulky appearance of this part of the vehicle and has the additional advantage that the hind platform and rear end of the lower saloon receive the maximum amount of natural lighting.
With the enclosure of the staircase, the upper saloon is extended to meet it. In this case, the stairway has now little or no influence on the exterior design of the body, and there is a continuous surface of panelling and glazing from the roof to the bottom of the body.
The back of the top saloon may be glazed all around so that it has an appearance similar to that of the front and plenty of light is admitted to the top landing. Corner panels, however, are often inserted. If corner windows be used, they will riot be curved, buamade comparatively narrow and flat, so that they may be inserted at an angle without forming too large a recess with the surrounding curved framework. Curved glasses are not suitable for public-service vehicles, because they cannot be quickly replaced unless a stock of spares be kept.
Considering the question as a whole, it may be taken that the full enclosure of the staircase is not only the natural outcome of covering the upper-deck seats, but that it is a means whereby the general design of the back of the bus can be improved and designed to harmonize with the other exterior parts and give the service bus an imposing appearance.