For Show with 52,137 miles on the clock
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ANEW bus model is to be featured by Brossel Freres SA, an associate of Leyland Motors Ltd., at the Brussels Show which opens an January 18.
Like other models from the Belgian maker the chassis uses Leyland mechanical units and a prototype is near the end of a 100,000 km. (62,137mile) test run after which it will be Iriven straight to the Brossel stand at the Show.
The test has been going on daily since last Spring and most of the route used has consisted of Belgian pave with the bus running at about 40 m.p.h.
Called the BL 55, the bus incorporates several :eatures which distinguish it from previous Brossel models. The frame is swept down forward )fthe rear axle so that the design is similar to hat of the Leyland Panther, and it also has a beyland 0.600 horizontal diesel engine located at the rear below the frame line.
The major change as far as Brossel is concerned is the use of one-piece pressings for the frame side-members instead of welded-up channel sections to obtain the sweep down. The side-members are fairly shallow and there are cross-members and outriggers, the design calling for semi-integral construction with the body to provide strength.
The drive to the rear axle is through a Leyland Pneumo-Cyclic four-speed semi-automatic gearbox and suspension is a combined steeland airspring system: steel leaf springs take the unladen weight and air suspension the passenger load.
As on other Brossel designs the leaf springs are located in rubber-bonded brackets welded to the frame. The BL 55 has a wheelbase of 5.5 m. (18 ft.) and is equipped with power steering.
It is reported that the severe test has revealed Few faults. One tyre is said to have blown out, an injector pipe has fractured and the air-levelling valves have needed adjustment. But on a recent thorough inspection the suspension of the machine was found to be in perfect order and front and rear dampers "as good as new".
Records taken during the run show a fuel consumption of 11.2 m.p.g. with a two-third load and 8.8 m.p.g. with the bus fully loaded—to 15.5 tons.
fRAINING BOARD PLEA THE Road Transport Industry Training 3oard has sent forms to more than 25,000 3perators but some forms have been wrongly iddressed. In such cases, the Board asks fiat the whole of the contents be returned to its ieadquarters at Capitol House, Empire Way, Wembley. A new and correct batch of documents will then be sent to the operator concerned.