Comfort on the Silver Eagle
Page 53
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Experience of a U.S. Coach Now in Britain
BY A. A. TOWNSIN, A.M.I.Mecit.E ANI opportunity to examine and ride in a long-distance coach of transatlantic design is too good to miss. particularly when it is demonstrated over
British roads. .
The 'Silver Eagle is a Peet emblem of Continental Trailways, whose headquarters are in Dallas, Texas, hut whose 3,000 vehicles operate on routes covering the greater part of the United States. The coach now in Britain was, however, built in Belgium by the Bus and Car Co., a concern in which Continental Trailways have a 50 per cent, interest. The works, near Bruges, are understood to have been in operation about two years and apart from building vehicles for use in America it is understood that they are also to produce passenger vehicles of suitable design for sale in Europe.
The coach, despite its country of origin, has an entirely American character. Of Continental Trailways design, it incorporates mechanical units exported from the United States. Its length, 40 ft., is 4 ft. more than now permitted in this country but its width, at 8 ft., is 2i• in, less than now permissible here. It is, however, appreciably heavier than any British public service vehicle, weighing some 12 tons unladen, whereas even the most luxurious of our 36-ft. coaches weigh about 8 tons 5 cwt.
This is, to a limited extent, no doubt due to the requirement in many States that vehicles over 30 ft. long must have three axles, in much the same way as used to apply to the longest buses in this country. The tyres fitted are Goodrich Silvertown Nylon 11.00-20 (12-ply), twins being fitted to the driven leading bogie axle only.,
The resulting wheel-arch problem may have been one • of the reasons for the high seating level chosen, but this leaves ample room for the rear-mounted engine and side luggage compartments. The engine is a General Motors 8V-71 Vee-8 two-stroke, of 9,3 litres capacity and developing 263 gross b.h.p. at 2,100 r.p.rn. and a maximum gross torque of 760 lb.ft. at 1,200 r.p.m, It is mounted with its crankshaft on the vehicle centre-line behind the rearmost axle, the drive being taken forward through a Spicer fourspeed constant-mesh gearbox.
The standard Silver Eagle coach has 46 seats and a toilet compartment at the rear, although the demonstration coach had one pair of seats removed to accommodate a small servery.
.I sat. towards‘the rear, and certainly did not have to be told that the engine had been started. It had appeared to be rigidly mounted on the underframing when I examined its installation, and this impression was supported by the appreciable noise and vibration evident inside the vehicle.. When it moved off, the engine note took on the " snarling character familiar on British two-stroke diesels.
The vibration died out as the speed rose but the noise level remained high by British coach standards whenever the engine was pulling. Moving forward, I found that this noise level diminished until it became quite innocuous in the front seats. The vehicle has Goodrich Torsilatic suspension and the ride quality, aided by comfortable adjustable seats, was very good.
It was surprising, on a vehicle of American origin, to find, that the driver was having to wrestle with heavy steering. Full lock was required to negotiate some roundabouts and the number of turns from lock to lock was evidently little more than four. -With no power assistance this, nor unnaturally, caused the driver, a Belgian, to mutter under his breath.
En other respects the vehicle did not seem difficult to drive. The engine had a very flexible performance and four speeds proved quite adequate despite the high gearing which gave 73 m.p.h. at 2,100 engine r.p.m. in top gear on MI. The weather did not allow the speed to be taken any higher, but a few more m.p.h. were undoubtedly available. Very comprehensive instrumentation was provided.
Comparative runs on the Midland Red motorway coaches showed that there was little to choose in terms of the standards of travel offered. The American vehicle had slightly more comfortable seats, appropriate to the longer distances to be covered, but the Midland Red coaches are quieter at speed and give, better forward vision to the passenger's.
None the less, the tourist offer of 99 days unlimited travel for $99 sounds a good bargain, but I strongly advise getting a front seat!