LONG JOURNEYS BY RESTAURANT COACH.
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Some Details of a Vehicle Being Used on the Latest Service Between Newcastle and London.
T"
HE recent inauguration of tla-G
north country's first restaurantcoach service, with a luxuriously appointed Associated Daimler saloon vehicle, marks yet another im
portant stage. the development of long-distance passenger transport by road. There is general agreement that the machine is one of the finest at present running from the 'Newcastle area. It is employed by Mr. J. Glenton Friars, of Blaydon, near Newcastle, upon .the Newcastle-to-London route, which, as is well known, is already served by two other limited-stop services. It is interesting tO note that Mr. Glenton Friars was one of the pioneers of 'pleasure touring in the Tyneside district -and he is now once more displaying his enterprise, by giving a valuable lead in the operation of exceptionally luxurious vehicles on longdistance work. The vehicle in question is the machine which, when exhibited at Olympia last .year, created widespread attention because of its original design and lavish appointment At the moment it is the only machine employed by this owner on a thrice-a-week service of this particular nature and at present the coach is covering a total mileage of between 1,600 and 1,700 per week. In the near future, however, further machines of the same make are to be purchased, and, so soon as these are delivered, the service will be increased in frequency to a daily one, thus making the third service of this class to be started between Newcastle and London within the past eight or nine months. The new service, which is run under the title of the North Road Coach Service, is rapidly gaining in popularity. Passengers who have travelled on the vehicle are warm in their praise of its riding comfort, and it unquestionably gives all the luxury and ease of travel which are associated with first-class railway transit by Pullman coach. As the fares charged compare very favourably with third-class rail rates it is reasonable to assume that as the service becomes more widely known it will attract a very ;extensive patronage.
The 20-seater Short
Bros. body is so adequately equipped that passengers need not leave the coach, even for the purpose of securing a meal or a wash-andbrush-up, on the longest of journeys. If necessary, not only afternoon tea, but a full luncheon can be served en route. At pre'sent, however, the coach makes an hour's call at Doncaster, where passengers can alight and partake of their mid-day meal.
In the forward and larger compartment of the coach accommodation is ,provided for 14 passengers. Eachhas a' deep and comfortable Seat. These' seats
are arranged in the conventional_ manner in pairs at each side of a wide central gangway and ample leg-room is provided. In front of each passenger is a tip-up table, fitted to the back of the seat In front and this can be easily raised or lowered at will. Immediately behind this compartment is a passageway giving access to the rear observation section. Flanking the passage are the kitchen and lavatory sections. The kitchen is a remarkably compact and complete little compost
ment. It not only contains locker accommodation, with a full range of crockery and cutlery for a: complement of passengers, but also has a water tank and pump, gas-store and other culinary requisites. If it be desired, at any time, that lunch should be* provided during the journey, the cooked food can be taken up by arrangement with an hotel on the line of route and kept at the correct temperature on the stove. The lavatory section is also very compact and gives evidence of the masterly use by the bodybuilder of every inch of space.
The arrangement of the rear observation saloon is equally interesting.The balanced windows, which can be manipulated to meet the requirements of the passengers, ensure an uninterrupted view of the countryside. Here, again, roomy and comfortable seats are fitted, and there is. a tip-up table in the centre of the compartment.
Adequate lighting is provided, in addition to 20 table lamps, and electric radiators and fans are included for use in 'cold and warm weather respectively.
It is claimed that the vehicles used on the North Road Coach Service run over the longest non-stop road section now operated in the country. This is from Darlington to Doncaster, a distance of nearly 80 miles. From that point onwards stops are made as required by the passengers..
Two drivers are carried, and this policy will also be adopted When the additional vehicles are put into commission. These. men 'aro selected with due regard to the somewhat unusual citifies expected of them. Drivers work in turn, and the off-duty man acts as an attendant and looks after the supply of teas and other light refreshments on the trip.
The route followed on the new service is through Chester-le-Street, Dar
lington, Boroughbridge, Doncaster, Grantham, Newark, Stamford and Hatfield to London. The single-jour ney fare kir the through run is and the return fare 15s. The rail rates for the same journey --are stated to be nearly double the amount charged for the road journey.
At present the Associated Daimler coach leaves Newcastle, from the Marlborough Crescent bus stand, each Sunday, Tuesday and Friday, and sets out on the return trip from York Road, London, on each Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Booking agencies have been arranged both in Newcastle and London and at certain intermediate points along the route.
It may be stated that a company will probably be formed, under the auspices of Travers, Ltd., of Newcastle, to operate a fleet of these, luxurious machines from the Tyneside district to the Metropolis.