Gas Bus Keeps Petrol Schedule on Exacting Route
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To See for Ourselves, We Travel, as Ordinary Passenger, in Leyland 32-seater with H.M.L. Producer-gas Trailer, Operated by Messrs. Hicks Brothers, on Difficult Service
I ONG experi
jence of fisher
men, gardeners a n d drivers of motor vehicles has taught us that statements relating to catches, cabbages and charioteering must not be taken too literally. Accordingly; when we heard somewhat lurid accounts of a certain country bus route, said to be one of considerable difficulty, and on which was being operated a 32-seater that ran, on producer gas, to petrol schedule, we were a little sceptical. We thought the conditions could hardly be so arduous as they were painted.
Perhaps our look conveyed our thoughts, for almost before we realized it we found we had been inveigled into an undertaking to investigate this allegedly exacting service and to travel in the bus ourselves. New we have had the experience and we admit that there has been little exaggeration.
Undoubtedly there are worse routes in many parts of the British Isles, but, taking all things into consideration, this particular service is assuredly taxing to driver and vehicle. The out and return run is about 16 miles, but the road passes through numerous villages, is narrow, extremely tortuous and composed largely of sharp ups and downs. Also, it crosses several awkward bridges. At the home end is a busy country town, whilst the remote terminus is in another of about one-third the population of the former.
The factor most outstanding, however, and that seems to increase what may be classed as the natural difficulties of the route, is the number of steps. On the outward journey we halted to pick up and/or to set down no less than 10 times, whilst on the return run the number of stops was considerably greater. Moreover, as is so often the case, they always seemed to come just on or at the foot of an ascent, so preventing the bus from getting a run at the hill, Country ways— at least in those parts—differ from the practices of the town. Unlike their regulation-respecting brethren of the pavements, the country men or, more especially, women insist upon the bus stopping at their garden gates, and there may easily be several garden gates, as well as a recognized stopping place, within a furlong.
Standing regulations are observed with greater laxity, too, and, during the major part of both the journeys for which we were aboard, the occupants of the saloon, in excess of the seating capacity, were represented by a number having a maximum of 10.
We arrived at the garage of Messrs. 1-licks Bros., the operators, about 10 minutes before the vehicle was due
to depart from the bus-station nearby. There it stood—a Leyland Lion, with H.M.L.an trailer gas plant—ready, but with the producer as yet unlighted. Clearly no anxiety was felt about starting up, for nearly half the time then still available elapsed before activity commenced and the fire was kindled.
Barely two minutes later the engine was running on gas, and the bus was at its station with what we were told is its habitual punctuality. A queue was waiting—so long, indeed, that our small party was only just in time to be able to get aboard.
We inquired of the member of the staff of Messrs, Hicks Bros., who accompanied us: 'Do the people know they are being transported by gas and, if so, how do they react? " •" Yes, they are well aware of it," came the reply. " They detect the lower speed up hill." " 'Lower speed up " we iterated. " Then how do you keep to petrol schedule? " Our gas drivers see to that," was the answer. " They are keen, although they would naturally prefer to be on an easier route, ar,d, frankly, none of them likes gas a lot, but they realize it is part of the war effort and put their backs into it, As a matter of fact," he added, " this is the nearest approach to petrol runnit g I have yet experienced."
The man at the wheel that day certainly showed his mettle and handled the Leyland with such skill and verve that there seemed little inferiority in its . performance as compared with petrol. In point of tact (and by• making this remark we hope to convey a better impression still of what this
route is really like) our sympathies were very largely with the trailer ball joint.
It was actually a few minutes after time when we arrived back at the starting point, but tItis cannot fairly be attributed to the fuel but to the frequency of the stops.
Every day this vehicle does this trip three times and, fairly often, a run carrying school children as well. Its operators are well pleased with its performance and with the Progasite fuel that is being used. Originally gas was supplied by an Enness-Sentinel plant, but for ,this the Fl.M.L., made by Hamilton Motors (London). Ltd., Edgware Road, has recently been substituted.
For a. description of this apparatus we refer readers' to the issue of " The Commercial Motor " dated March 13.