PASSENGER TRAVEL NEWS.
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The Latest Doings and Developments in the Bus and Coach World.
ALTHOUGH the majority of bus and .coach bodies is still made of wood, co far as their framework is concerned, the all-metal body has undoubtedly attracted increasing attention during recent years. Those who favour the latter form of construction make the claim that the all-metal body possesses several advantages over the wood body, one being that it provides increased strength on a lower total weight, and another that it is not susceptible to
distortion by warping, as well as to other disabilities to which wood, particularly that which is ill-seasoned, is liable.
Mr. 1-0. T. Bennett, Park Street, Guernsey, is a staunch advocate of the ell-metal body for passenger vehicles, and the patented method of construction he has adopted certainly has a number of interesting features. We reproduce on this page two illustrations which show that in a coach body built on Mr. Bennett's principle the framework, to which the panels are attached, consists of a. series of light channel sections. These are of light mild steel, and at the point where the various members meet or intersect they are oxy-acetylene welded. This makes for a very strong and rigid superstructure without undue weight.
It will be noticed from the pictures that the curved side members and the longitudinal and transverse top members which tie them together have their channels facing outwards. It is iu
these channels that wood battens are held by screws passing through the flanges, and to them the exterior panels are fixed. At the point where the metal sheets meet aluminium beading or other moulding is used.
The framework, which serves as the foundation of the body, is well braced, particularly at that part which overhangs the rear axle, and bolted to the chassis. It will, of course, be understood that the side and end ribs can be
bent to any desired curvature and the method of construction is applicable to a wide variety of shapes and sizes of bus and coach bodies, including totally enclosed and open types. Furthermore, the method can be adopted for detachable heads, for converting open vehicles' to saloons. The framework can, of course, be so arranged that an emergency exit is incorporated in those types of passenger vehicle where its provision is considered essential.
The seats are formed of light angle iron, but are built quite apart from the main body shell. In the case of a gangway-type coach each seat has a leg supporting it on the inside and an angleiron rail bolted 0 the side of the framework forms the other point of fixing. Special precautions are taken to avoid frame flexion affecting the' body.
The method of fixing the dashboard and windscreen can be seen from one of the pictures of the framework, whilst the treatment of the wheel arches can be seen in both of them. It will be observed that a double pillar is used at the front, and this affords added strength to withstand constant slamming of the door. The appearance of the 22-seater body on a Graham-Dodge Brothers' chassis, of which we reproduce an illustration, is certainly moat workmanlike. . This is one of the latest productions of Mr. Bennett and is constructed throughout on modern lines.
The body is well appointed and the arrangement of the seats is such that considerable leg-room is available, whilst the seats themselves, which are wide and deep, are built to give ample riding comfort. The upholstering is carried out in red cowhide with an antique finish. The price of a body built on the principle devised by Mr. Bennett is about the same as for a comparable body constructed in wood and, in considering this fact, the questions of durability and serviceability under different conditions of use must be appreciated in their true perspective.
One of the outstanding merits of the Bennett form of construction is that it enables a saving of weight to be effected, this amounting to about 5 cwt. in an ordinary type Of body. In the Case Of the • Graham-Dodge Brothers' coach which we illustrate the weight of the body is 14 ewt. and the total weight of the vehicle 2 tons 5 cwt. AN illustration which appears on this page depicts 'a strikingly handsom3 saloon bus which has recently been delivered to Messrs. Lewis and James, of Newbridge, MOD., by the Saurer Commercial Vehicle Co., Ltd., 21, Augustus Street, Albany Street, London, N.W.1.
The vehicle, which is a 30-seater, has , been acquired for use on a hilly route from Bargoed Station to Markham Village. The road between these two points is a difficult one and calls for the negotiation of a steep and tricky gradient known as Duffrey Hill, a particular .section of which has a gradient of 1 in 4.7.
Some months ago the Saurer Commercial Vehicle Co., Ltd., carried ont a demonstration oh this hill for the benefit of Messrs. Lewis and James and the local authority, in which two tests were made, one in which the vehicle carried 21 passengers and two tons of ballast, and the other with a 100 per cent. overload. In both instances this climb was made throughout on first gear, whilst on the .downward journey the well-known Saurer engine brake alone was employed.
The chassis which is used for the vehicle we illustrate is the company's special 3AD low load-line model, mounted on large-also pneumatic tyres. It incorporates four-wheel braking in its design,and a ratchet-sPrag is fitted, so that the vehicle is well equipped to meet any unforeseen contingency that might arise.
THAT the coal strike has adversely affected the motor coach business carried on from Keswick, in the Lake District, is the experience of Lake Hotel Coaches and Motors, Ltd., of Keswick, who operate a mixed fleet comprising a 24-seater Daimler, a 14-seater Karrier, an 11-seater Hudson and certain ttiur ing cars. Therates worked to this season have been 'the same as those which obtained last year, but early in September a 10 per cent. reduction was announced with the object of offering an inducement to the visiting population to book for tours.
Towards the end of September the patronage extended to coaches begins to show a pronounced falling off. In sonic resorts at this time of the year coach owners take the opportunity of endeavouring to secure the interest of hotel and boarding-house keepers and local tradesmen in motor-coaching -holidays. For some inexplicable reason, however, all efforts to promote extended tours for local people from Keswick have failed.
The strange thing about coaching in the Lake District is that the majority of passengers has no wish to travel beyond the confines of what is known as the Lake Country. There is so ranch to be seen within a week or a fortnight's stay that holiday-makers prefer C40 The body, which is a typical modern product, was built by Christopher , Dodson, Ltd., of Cobbold Road. London, N.W. It is of roomy proportions, and access to the interior is by way of a wide two-piece door at the rear.
The bus was put through its paces a few days ago, when it was called upon to climb a number of steep gradients in the neighbourhood of Christchurch, whilst in a Inter test it negotiated Hill: Street, Newport (which in a length of just under 400 ft. has a gradient of 1 in 6), in fine style. The. vehicle was stopped in the course of its climb, held the road without any difficulty, and restarted quite readily. In descending the hill the braking powers of the vehicle were again tested and proved most efficient, for the Saurer engine brake is certainly an excellent type.
diligently to explore the scenic possibilities of the district rather than to hustle from place to place.
In an interview with 'a member of the
staff of the. Lake Hotel Coaches and Motors, Ltd. ,a representative of Phr. Commercial isfotor was informed that, although the Blackpool run had been regularly advertised during the season, this trip had not been made more than eight times during this period. People could not be persuaded to go to Blackpool. The fare for this tour is 13s. 64., and whenever it had been advertised it was always with the proviso that there must be at least 14 passengers before the journey could be made. Last year evening tours were quite popular; but this season there has been no deman1 for them. Why, can only be a matter for speculation. One theory is that the evenings have been very cool, and another that, owing to the hour at which dinner was served at the local hotels and boarding houses, there was not much time left for evening Tuns.
All the coaches operated by this company are of the open type, and a big proportion of the bookings come through the hotel to which the company is attached. The smaller coaches fulfil a very useful role, especially as on many of the routes vehicles with a seating capacity for over 14 passengers are. forbidden, Another feature of the enterprise of Lake Hotel Coaches and Motors, Ltd.
is tours by horse-drawn coaches, which start off at 10 o'clock in the morning and travel via Derwentwater, Rosthwaite, Seatoller and Honister Pass for Buttermere. About 24 miles are covered, and the tour which occupies a full day, is priced at 8s. Owing to the nature of the road,-passengers have to dismount from the vehicle during part of this journey and proceed on foot. -As an inducement to passengers to book for more than one tour, comprehensive tickets are issued 'which enable passengers to book for a series of three tours at a 10 per cent. reduction. These take in the ere* of the Lake District scenery, and thetickets, which are transferable, are available on any day. Money is refunded on unused tickets. For visitors staying at Borrowdale, special facilities are provided, and to those who book for any of the company's tours free transit is provided to
the starting-off place. These arrangements also apply to visitors in residence within a three-mile area of Keswick.
Apart from this aspect of their activities the company run a daily motor service to Borrowdale, four journeys per day being made ; the fare is Qs. 6d. The special morning and evening tours are timed to commence at 10.30 a.m., 6 p.m., 6.20 p.m. and 7.45 p.m. The minimum number of passengers who must book to ensure the coach being run is six. '
The tours list of Lake Hotel Coaches and Motors, Ltd., comprises the following: Afternoon tours.-Bowness and Windermere, 7s. 6d.; Coniston sixlakes tour, 8s. 6d.: Haweswater and ll11swater, 10s. 6d. :, Buttermere and Crummock, 7s.; lillswater, via Matterdale, Aim a Force and Pooley Bridge, 7s.; Scale Hill, Os. 611.; around Skiddaw, 6s. 6d.; Derwentwater circular tour, 3s.; around Thirlmere Lake, 4s.;
around Bassenthwaite Lake, 35. 6d. Day tours.-Buttermere, 8s. ; circular tour viewing 11 lakes, 12s. 6d.; Westwater five-lakes tour, 12s. 6d.; Bowness, 8s. 6d.; TIllswater, 8s. 6d.; circular sixlakes tour, 10s.; Coniston six-lakes tour, 10s. 6d.; Grange-over-Sands, 10s. ; Furness Abbey, lie. 6d.; Blackpool, lag. lid.; Morecambe 10s. 6d.
The most popular totir is that which enables passengers to obtain a view of 11 lakes. The mileage is 73, and the fare thus works out at about 2d. per passenger per mile.
In our issue of last week we dealt with certain phases of motor-coach and motorbus traffic in the Lake District, and pointed to the fact that many of the owners of passenger vehicles in this district set themselves out to cultivate good-class trade. The public has shown that it is willing to pay rates which are higher than those generally prevailing.