Goat time of Gadget...
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I was interested to read the article by Martin Watkins (CM December 31) when he compared the Bristol VRT, Ailsa and AEC 'RI'.
However, it is significant that the National Bus Company has on order for 1977 many more of the Gardner-engined VRTs (351) than the Leyland equivalent tested (178) and no doubt fuel consumption figures for the more "popular" version would be, appreciably better.
In 1969, CM obtained the following on test with a VRT having a Gardner LXB engine and ECW 75-seater body: Non-stop 30 16.3 mpg Operational trial 6.95 mpg (average speed 19.2 mph) Given the choice I am confident that most operators would opt for Gardner-engined buses and it would be extremely interesting to compare the fuel consumption figures, not only for the current range of double-deckers, but also single-deckers like the Leyland National and Bristol RE.
With the recent reorganisation of British Leyland Truck and Bus. 1 for one look forward to increased production of Bristol passenger vehicles preferably powered by Gardner engines and carrying ECVV bodies. The good name that such vehicles have built up over the years for reliability, economy and long life would not be lightly discarded. No one can fairly claim that the Leyland National had been an unqualified success, despite all the publicity it has had, and one doubts that the B15 could ever live up to the optimistic forecasts that are already preceding its possible production.
Improvements there must be in public transport, but let them be based on well tried foundations We simply cannot afford this hysteria for everything new.
D. J. SMITH Sapcote, Leics.