Atlanteans Invade Irish Republic
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NO fewer than 340 Leyland Atlantean double-deckers are to be introduced by Coras Iompair Eireann, the State Transport authority in the Irish Republic. The buses will be fitted with bodies of an entirely new design evolved after tests with Atlanteans loaned to CIE last year by British operators. The trials took place in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick.
Contemporary international practice has provided the source of various important features employed in the design, the evolution of which has occupied Mr. L. Dunne, mechanical engineer (road), and his department for two years.
The framework has been developed in conjunction with Metal Sections Ltd., and production of the bodies will be undertaken at the Spa Road, Dublin, works of CIE, where production processes are now commencing.
Overall length of the buses is 32 ft, and width 8 ft. in., and seating is provided for 45 passengers on the upper and 33 in the lower saloon.
The projecting rear-engine cover normally associated with this chassis has given place to a streamlined design. Wide windows, with curved corner panels, give panoramic views. Behind the driver's compartment is a spiral staircase of glassreinforced plastics.
Automatic control for heating and ventilation relies on electronic and thermostatic control, the whole system being centralized. Among other things the ventilation system is designed to keep the upper saloon free from tobacco smoke. Permanently sealed windows are employed.
Extensive use has been made of Irish materials, especially glass-fibre, and a new production unit has been set up by CIE at Spa Road to produce the glass-fibre components required. They include the spiral staircase already mentioned, rear-engine cover, exterior rear-corner panels, the body front below the screen and below the topdeck front windows, and roof domes, both interior and exterior.
All interior side lining and roof panels are being made from Melamine-faced wallboard. Exterior panelling is half-hard aluminium alloy. Seat frames and upholstery are also of Irish origin.