PASSENGER TRAVEL NEWS.
Page 28
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The Latest Doings and Developments in the Bus and Coach World,
THE VOGUE OF THE SMALL BUS.
Details of the New Forward-dash Type One-man-controlled Bristo1,Bus.
WE HAVE, on many occasions, drawn attention to the increasing popularity of the small one-man-controlled bus of the pay-as-you-enter type. The latest vehicle of this type is that
The driver's compartment seen from the entrance. Note grille to retain luggage.
built by the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., on their new forwarddash type 2-ton chassis, which we were the first to describe at the beginning of last April. In order to refresh the mernoties of our readers, we will give a brief resume of the main details of the
chassis. • The power-unit is a four-cylinder monobloc of 22.5 h.p RAG. Thermosiphonic circulation is employed for the cooling water. The :upper part of the
engine projects into the front of the body, and is surrounded by the cab. It is . also covered by a round bonnet which merges into the dash. The, driver's seat is at the off side of the engine, and :I.eference to our illustrations will Show that considerable space is left at the near side, and, being protected i.)y a wire grille, this can be used for small luggage; parcels, etc.
The power from the engine is conveyed by a single-plate clutch to-a separate three-point-suspended gearbox giving four speeds and reverse. The final drive is through an open eardan shaft to overhead worm gearing contained in a pot type axle casing. There is a. foot brake on the tran.smissioa, whilst the hand brake operates on internal-expanding shoes in the rear whevl. drums.
The new bus is a handsome vehicle with a wide, permanently open entrance at the near side, leading to a space behind the driver's seat. Entry to the passengers' compartment, is obtained through a single hinged door, which is provided with a pay-hole in the glass arid a small shelf on which the money is deposited— The door lock is connected to a handle situated at the hinged side of the door and so positioned that the driver can lean back in'his seat to open or close the door, as is required.With the door wide open, it comes between the entering passengers and the driver, and is conveniently situated for the passenger to tender his fare through the pay-hole.
Several of these vehicles have already been supplied to the Doncaster Corporation Tramways and a vehicle scmewhat resembling Tramways, was exhibited at
Olympia.