Lightweight Buses for a Big Concern A 'the Loughborough works of
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the Brush Blectrical Engineering Co., Ltd., some interesting 20-seater and 26seater buses are, at the present time, being completed for Crosville Motor Services, Ltd., the important operating concern which has headquarters at Chester. The buses are especially noteworthy by reason of the attention which has been paid to providing lightweight bodies having, at the same time, attractive exterior lines and comfortable interior appointments.
The bases of the new buses are Leyland Cub chassis and, in the case of the 20-seater type, the weight has had to be kept within a limit of 3 tons 15 cwt., whilst for the 20-seater pattern 3 tons 4 cwt. was the weight limit to be reckoned with. In the latter instance, the weight factor is most important, as the buses have to pass over the Menai Bridge, the weight limit for which is 4 tons 5 cwt. Without impairing the strength or durability of the bodywork the Brush concern has been able to construct the 26-seater bodies so that they do not exceed 17i cwt., whilst the weight of the 20-seater type is 15 cwt.
In the case of each class of body the main framework is constructed of naturally seasoned English ash, the bottom framing being of oak ; the whole structure is strengthened where necessary with steel flitches, gusset plates, etc. The roof and the exterior panels are of sheet aluminium. Mahogany is used for the interior finish, and the interior panels are of plywood covered with scralchproof Rexine to tone with the upholstery. The special lightweight seats are particularly comfortable.
Ventilation is provided by two Widney-Stuart half-drop windows on each side, over which is a continuous aluminium louvre. Additionally there are two Ashanco roof ventilators. Both the 20-seater and the 26-seater bodies are of the front-entrance type, designed for one-man control, and are provided with double-folding doors enclosing the steps. These doors are arranged for operation by the driver, and are fitted with spring-loaded rollers so as to prevent rattle in either the open or closed positions,