PASSENGER TRAVEL NEWS.
Page 64
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The Latest Doings and Developments in the Bus and Coach World.
A SMALL HIGH-GRADE SALOON COACH.
A Rea Pullman Vehicle with Duple Body Incorporating a New Type of Sliding Door in its Design.
ONE of the latest saloon coach'es to* be completed in the works of Duple Bodies and Motors, Ltd., Edgware Road, Hendon, London, N.W.9, is shown in accompanying illustrations. The basis of the vehicle is the Ron Pullman chassis, and the body which is a high-class product has several noteworthy features. Chief amongst these, perhaps, is the special type of sliding door for passengers' use. This is disposed at the front on the near side and it is opened and elosed by means of a lever to the left of the driver. The operation of this lever in one direction causes the door to slide back along a slot in the running board and over the body side, its movement in the opposite direction bringing the door back into the closed position. This arrangement is the patented idea of the bodybuilders and we are told that it has brought 'forth expressions of approval from many sources. It is claimed to be a considerable improvement on the orthodox type of 'folding door and is certainly an advance on the ordinary slam door. Moreover, it has the advantage that the system can be applied to an all-weather coach, enabling it to
be used as a one-man-controlled bus if required without in any way spoiling the general lines of the body.
The framework of the body on the vehicle illustrated is of ash, vulnerable points being reinforced by light steeledged flitch plates. The body is designed to seat 20 people, the seats, which are of the armchair pattern, each being built to take two passengers. The seats are of a comfortable type, with well-upholstered cushions and padded squabs, and the necessity for leaving ample leg room between them has not been overlooked. The back S of them are covered with pile carpet. A central gangway separates the seats and leads to the emergency door in the rear panel.
T h e equipment of the interior is of a high class character, and a note of distinction is given by the use of oxidized fittings, these includ ing ash trays, match strikers, grab handles and rug rails. Footrests are fitted beneath each seat. Bell switches are disposed in line with the seats and these operate in conjunction with a buzzer located near the driver.
The underside of the roof and the sides of the body down to the waist-line are covered with a grey moquette, the roof being specially set out in panel form. Rose-type lamps are fitted in the rear corners above diamend-shaped mirrors. From the waist-line downwards the body is finished in highly polished inlaid-mahogany panels. Kicking plates protect them from damage. The windows on each side can be lowered, as well as that above the emergency door.
The vehicle has been built to the order of Messrs. Meadows and Frost, Kettering, and is equipped with pneumatic tyres. A large portion of the roof is railed in so that luggage can be carried