WEYMANN CONSTRUCTION for Long-distance Coaches
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THAT those concerned with passenger transport by road are taking a considerable interest in the Weymann form of construction for commercial passenger-carrying bodies was indicated to us during a recent visit to the works of Weymann's Motor Bodies (1925), Ltd., of Addlestone, Surrey. Amongst a number of interesting orders recently received by this company was one given by Motorways, Ltd., 54, _Haymarket, London, S.W.1, for five 18-Seater fabric bodies to be mounted upon A.E.C. Reliance chassis.
The bodies will be of the coup&-de-ville design, and a clerestory nead will be employed. Weather protection for the driver will take the form of a concealed hood, which will be carried on a spring roller attached to the canopy rail; this covering will be secured to the windscreen when in use. The cab is to be of full width, with accommodation for a courier and a driver. An unusual feature is that of staggering that portion of the forward bulkhead above the waist by sloping it backward towards the head.
In the main saloon there are to be 18 separate divan-type chairs standing on ball feet ; two rows of seats will be situated on the off side, whilst there will be single seats on the near side. Flush-fitting tables having maps covered by plate-glass sheets will be built into the backs of the seats, and all the chairs are to be equipped with roll cushions and handrests.
The passengers will enter and alight from the forward end of the near side, whilst an emergency door situated in the rear panel is to lead into the kitchen. The step of the emergency exit, when not in use, will conceal the spare wheel. Ample luggage accommodation is to be provided in the skirts of the body, for at these points lockers will be situated which are intended to hold 18 special suit cases, which are supplied by Motorways, Ltd. The lavatory is to be built behind the wheel-arch and will form a separate compartment at the off side. The combined kitchen and buffet will be situated at the near side. It will have
gas-heating appliances, store. cupboards, • a wash basin and draining board. The entrance leading from the main saloon to the buffet and lavatory is to be concealed by a heavy curtain.
An example, of t h e forethought exercised by Motorways, Ltd., is shown in the accommodation of the crockery. This will be of a square section and the handles of the cups, etc., will be recessed so that the crockery may be packed into the smallest possible space. In order that the minimum of rattle may occur the container will be felt-lined, whilst it will be constructed in such a manner as to make it easily detachable for convenience when picnicking by the wayside.
Q.T. drop windows are to be incorporated in the body design, whilst a spring blind is to be provided for each light. An interesting point in connection with these blinds is that they are to be of perforated material so that' they may aid ventilation when the windows are open and the blinds are in use. Airvac ventilators are to be situated in the roof, whilst above the kitchen and lavatory there will be cowl ventilators. The usual fittings which are employed upon long-distance coaches will be utilized in the Motor ways, Ltd., vehicles, namely, parcel racks, etc. • The near-side front locker has a flush step, so that when pressure is exerted upon a ball catch the step drops, enabling the passengers to alight ; it may then be returned to the closed position by hand. • The overall length is to be 26 ft., whilst the overall width will be 7 ft. 5i ins., and the headroom provided is to be 5 ft. 9 ins.
Another .particularly interesting body was in course of construction when we visited the Weymanu works. This is a special lightweight body, which is being mounted upon a forward-control chassis for the Daimler Co., Ltd. The
body is to weigh only 23 cwt. when it is completed and,
consequently, the timber members are being lightened by scooping and drilling, and duralumin is being employed for the plates and Hitches. Aluminium wings are to be used, and the double semi-bucket seats, when cemplete, will weigh only 30 lb. each; even the floor is being lightened by scooping on the under side. The overall • length will be 26 ft., the overall width 7 ft. 5i ins., whilst the headroom provided will be 5 ft. 10 ins.
As many of our readers may remember, the centre pages of our issue dated May 7th were devoted to a descrip tion of the principle
of Weymann construction. In this article a skeleton of the body of a forward-control Daimler chassis was illustrated. When wd visited the Weymann works this body had been completed, and we had an opportunity for inspecting it It is a 28-seater coach, having five rows of double seats forward of the wheel-arches and two single seats over the wheel-arches, and large rug lockers are situated beside these chairs. Behind these, and on the near side, is another double seat, and that which is at the rear accommodates four passengers, whilst an umbrella stand is placed beside it on the near side.
Armchair seats, which are upholstered in moquette of a pleasing design, are employed, and each double seat has two folding tables built into the back of it. Au interesting feature with regard to these seats is that they have flexible arms, dins enabling the maximum of comfort to be obtained even by two passengers of considerable size.
The passengers' entrance is situated behind the wheelarch and a recessed step-well with one Step is employed.
The overall length is similar to that of the two vehicles previously described, namely, 20 ft., and the width is 7 ft. 5-1 kis., whilst the headroom provided is no less than 5 ft. 10 ins.