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The Latest B.E.F.
Page 116
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Body Design
co. Thursday of last week the Brush N./Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd., Falcon Works, Loughborough, held a demonstration at which an opportunity was provided for inspecting the outstanding features of the 1932 type of
British Electrical Federation coach body, the specimen shown being built by the company and mounted on a Leyland forward-control chassis; theAvehicle has been constructed for the Thames Valley Traction Co., Ltd. The main objectives kept in mind in the design have been the provision of the maximum riding comfort for passengers and the building of a durable structure that is easy to maintain in the first-class condition necessary for express long-distance service. The design and the materials used are such that, without incurring expenditure appreciably greater than that needed for maintaining the service-type bus, it will be possible to keep the appearance and general condition of the vehicle in tip-top condition for a comparatively long period.
The general build of the hull is identical with the B.E.F. service-bus design, the main framing being of ash and embodying a patented flitch construction that givEs great rigidity at the joints. Plywood is used for the roof panelling E58 and Armourply for the main side panels, the latter having been found not only much lighter than steel, but better able to resist impact.
The principal merit claimed for the new body is that it has been rendered particularly silent, this having been achieved by the general build of the hull and fittings and by the use of a layer of soundproof material between the floor and the floor covering, thus overcoming transmission noises. Resonance has been further damped out by
the use of coconut matting. Soundproofing material is also employed in the front bulkhead.
In order to obtain a pleasing lighting effect, to remove the source of light from the direct line of vision and to secure the maximum illuminating efficiency consistent with these objectives, a new system of semi-direct lighting has been adopted, the fittings being installed in the roof and on the underside of the luggage racks. The level of the illumination is high, thus providing good diffusion.
The capacious luggage racks below the roof have plain surfaces that are easy to clean and the handrails at the ends are of stainless steel.
The coach is built to seat 28 persons. The seat backs are shaped and cut away to give the maximum knee room. The scats are upholstered in moquette and are provided with cast-aluminium pedestal legs incorporating footboards. The thought displayed for passengers' comfort is indicated by the attention given to the relation of the chassis suspension to the seat springing. Then, again, the Clayton Dewandre heating system is installed for use in the winter.
Ventilation is effected by means of a permanent air inlet in the arch panel and by extractor devices in the roof. The normal rate of change is eight to ten times per hour when all the windows are closed.
The drop windows are controlled by • Q.T. gear and are equipped with B.E.F. handles and window channel. The glasses and gearing can be quickly taken out without removing the seats or panels. Provision is made behind the capping for adjustment of the tightness of the runs on the glass.
A standard B.E.F. emergency exit is provided at the rear, and this has a triple-locking arrangement.
In our next issue we will give the impressions of our representative who inspected the vehicle and participated in a demonstration run.