AN AMERICAN SLEEPER - COACH DESIGN.
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A Type of Vehicle Possessing a Number of Interesting and Unusual Features.
riOINCIDENT with the develop
inent of the sleeper-coach in this country comes news that increasing attention is being paid in America to the possibilities of this type of vehicle. The United States should certainly offer good scope for the employment of the sleeper-coach because of the big mileages which separate the important cities and the fact that high average
speeds are possible on the long, straight stretches of road.
The most recent service to be established by vehicles of this kind was put into operation on April 6th by the Great Lakes Stages Line, between Cleveland and Buffalo, in connection with the through service between Cleveland and New York. The type, of vehicle used on the route pos,sesses
a number of very interesting features, and, in being able to acquaint our readers of some of them, we must express our indebtedness to our informative contemporary Bus Transportation.
Two vehicles of an identical pattern are at present being used on the route, and the basis of them is the Will standard chassis with a wheelbase of 20 ft. 10 ins., the power unit used in this model being the 120 h.p. Waukesha, The type of body favoured is of all-metal construction, the allsteel framework being covered with panels of duralurain, whilst the roof is of Plymell. The only wood in the superstructure is used for the floorboards and for the filler blocks upon which the panels and back frame-members are mounted.
For Day and Night Use.
It would appear that the vehicle can be used both for day and night journeys, because we learn that all the seats are convertible into suitable berths for sleeping purposes. Sleeping accommodation is provided for 18 passengers, and,. in addition, there are seats for four people in a smoking compartment at the rear.
So far as the sleeping quarters are concerned, the body is divided into three distinct compartments, single berths being provided on the right side and double berths on the left side of a gitngway. This arrangement, which places a greater proportion of the load on the left-hand side of the body so that, when travelling under normal conditions, it is over the crown of the road, is said to improve the riding qualities of the vehicle and to secure a better balance of the body. All the berths are 6 ft. 1 in. long, the width of the ,single berths being 2 ft. 3 ins, and of the double berths 3 ft. 4 ins.
There are two rows of berths, one above the other, the upper berths being supported from the roof by strong straps and rods. When the berths are made up, the clearance afforded in the lower one is about 2 ft. 6 ins., whilst those below the roof give a clearance of 1 ft.
11 ins. When the sleeping accomm
i odation s prepared, metal slides between
the various compartments are pulled out 16 ins, and locked in position. The seat cushions and backs are palled out to form supports for mat tresses and blankets. Between the ends of each berth is a net hammock in which passengers' garments and packages can be placed. Two coat hangers are also provided for each berth. , Distinctive Compartments.
Each of the sections of the body has a different class of finish, the colour scheme in one being blue, iu another orange, and in the third green. Tapestry is used throughout for upholstery, except in the case of four seats which are arranged in the smoking compartment, these being trimmed in blue Spanish leather. Axminster carpets are used in the gangway and in each of the berths.
All the berths are screened off by heavy curtains, which are held in place by snap fasteners. Those from the upper berths extend from the roof to the floor, whilst for the lower berths only short curtains are used. Each berth has an individually controlled dome light, ea well as a hell with which to communicate with the steward.
Bus Transportation mentions that
c46 special attention has been given to the subjects of heating and ventilation. So far as the former is concerned a TropicAire unit is employed. The ventilation is particularly efficient; the windows are 2 ft. 8-i ins. wide. Double metalframed lights are installed for winter use, but in summer the outer lights can be replaced by screens. Both the upper and lower exterior sets of 'windows have air ventilators with sliding covers, so that the degree of ventilation afforded can be regulated ; in addition, there are electrically driven exhaust blowers at the rear. A feature worthy of note is that safety glass is used for the windows.
Each of the lavatories—and there are two of them, one for men and the other for women—are provided with separate fans for ventilation, and are heated by carrying the exhaust pipe through the compartments. Hot and cold water are available in each of these sections.
When the sleeping compartments are arranged for day travel the seats face each other, but passengers are not cramped, as there is a space of 1 ft. 7 ins. between the front faces of the seat cushions.
The fares vary according to the position of the berth occupied, and are lower for the upper berths (for one or two passengers) than for those below.
Apart from the outstanding features of the body there are certain other points which are worthy of note. For instance, there are two independent ignition' and fuel-supply systems (the total amount of fuel which can be carried is 180 gallons) and a reserve tank having a capacity for 7 gallons of oil, the former being incorporated to guard against the risk of delay and the latter avoiding the need for purchasing nondescript brands of oil while on the road. Apart from bumpers fore and aft, the coach has heavy pipe bumpers fitted along the skirting of the side panels.
The new sleeper coach weighs about 19,000 lb., the chassis accounting for 11,150 lb. The overall length of the vehicle is 34 ft. and its width 8 ft.