NEW COACHES FOR LONG-DISTANCE DUTY.
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Details of Two Sumptuously Appointed Strachan Bodies Mounted on Leyland Lion Chassis for Southampton Service.
and Brown London-to TT is not an exaggeration to say that ijourneys in comfort, and even in luxury, in an equal if not a greater degree than those provided by the average railway Pullman coach are now offered to the travelling public by the operators of up-to-date, long-distance
motor services on which saloon coaches are used. Moreover, they can often -be undertaken at fares which are lower than those for comparable third-class railway journeys. The number of vehicles which is used for this class of work is steadily increasing, and it would appear, judging by the equipment and general design of the bodies of two of the most recent vehicles of this type—one of which we lately inspected—that the modern coaclibuilder's art has reached a very high level in this field of construction.
The two bodies to which we refer have recently been built and mounted on Leyland Lion, long-wheelbase chassis, by Messrs. Strachan and Brown, Wales Farm Road, Acton, London, W.3. The vehicles are to be used on services between London sad Smithanopton by Tourist Motor Coaches (Southampton), Ltd., 171, St. Mary's Road, Southampton, Rants.
The body of each vehicle is constructed to carry 32 persons besides the driver, who is accommodated in a roomy cab, his seating comfort being unusually well attended to. The seats in the main portion of the body are arranged transversely in pairs on each side of a central gangway, whilst two are placed lengthways over
the rear-wheel arches. Between the longitudinal seats an inlaid folding table is fixed, and the remainder of the body space is taken up by a row of four seats in front of another of five at the rear of the vehicle. Ample leg-room is allowed for passengers, and the seats are fitted with spring backs and upholstered in high-class brown furnishing hide. A single seat, which can be tipped up and folded, in order to facilitate the entrance and the exit of passengers, is • provided near the forward door, this Completing the seating arrangements.
Both the forward and rear doors for passengers' use are situated on the near side. They are of the plain, swing type and, when shut, each coters two steps leading to the interior . of the body. Ventilation is welt attended to, three glass roof vents and eleven drop windows being provided. Lockers are fitted under the body, whilst a railed-in space, protected by a waterproof cover, is available on the roof for carrying luggage. For Teaching the luggage accommodated on the roof, a ladder is carried, and when not in use it is supported by brackets below the body on the off side. There are also two racks for small parcels in the interior of the body. With regard to the luxury fittings, as they may well be termed, these include ash-trays, flower vases and mirrors and a clock in the forward bulkhead.
The general finish of the two bodies, both inside and outside, is typical of Strachan and Brown workmanship. The interior of each is partly panelled in inlaid mahogany, and the white ceiling is decorated with gold and silver'. coloured Lincrusta, a most pleasing
effect being obtained. Nearly all the metal parts, including those of the roof lamps, of which there are ten in each body, are nickel-plated. The exterior lower part, the wheel discs and the body pillars of the vehicles are painted royal blue, the lettering being in gold and the lining in yellow. A wide band of white lined out in red encircles the vehicle at the waist line, whilst the roof is in black.
As will be seen from the photograph of the complete vehicle which is reproduced on this page, a feature of particular note is the employment of deep side panels, which add to the exterior smartness. In conclusion, it may be stated that, although the bodies are undoubtedly luxurious, their construction gives one an impression of strength.