A New Type of Omnibus for London.
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A member of our staff recently had the pleasure of inspecting a chassis built by Messrs. Turgan,. of LevalloisFerret, France, for Messrs. Balls Brothers, of 181, Brixton Hill, S.W. The vehicle, which competed in the last French trials as " No. 12," impresses the observer by its massiveness, and the longitudinal tie-rods, which can be seen in our illustration, give great strength to the main frame. A feature in the design of this omnibus is the cranked back axle, which enables the floor of the bus to be nearer the road surface than would be the case if one of the straight type were used. This, to a large extent, does away with the swaying motion noticeable in some makes of double-deck public service vehicles. Certainly the severe tests imposed upon this chassis during its journeys as a " camion " in the French trials, under a load of three tons, when it maintained an average speed throughout of above 12 miles an hour, are sufficient to show that the structure does not belie its looks. On most of the stages in the competition this Turgan petrol lorry was only a few minutes behind the highly-successful German Daimler No. 26 in the same class, a fact which is sufficient to justify very earnest consideration for its running qualities. The vehicle was recently tested by Messrs. Balls Brothers' representative, on a road trial of about 35 miles, and acquitted itself well on numerous stiff hills, taking all the inclines without any perceptible labour. The trial run was from Westminster to Sutton, and home again
through Croydon to the original starting point. One notice. able feature was the absence of noise, especially when running upon the top gear, and this is attributable to the direct drive as fitted to this chassis. The engine has four cylinders, each tiomm. in diameter by tiornm. stroke, and at 1,000 revolutions per minute gives out 24b.h.p., whilst at I,2oor.p.m. it develops 3ob.h.p. Inlet and exhaust valves are both mechanically operated by two 2 10 I camshafts placed on each side of the crank chamber, which is of cast-steel. Water circulation is effected by means of a pump. A large honeycomb radiator, behind Ivhich is placed a fan driven off the front end of the crankshaft, affords ample cooling surface. Two water tanks, one placed below each end of the driver's seat, are also fitted for the further prevention of overheating when running slowly through congested traffic. Both magneto and batteries and coil systems of ignition are supplied, but the chassis under observation was supplied with the latter only. The engine, in common with the other parts of the chassis, is of excellent proportions, and ample strength is provided in all the working
parts. Four speeds are fitted, and these are of such ratios to the revolutions of the engine that it is seldom necessary to use any but the top one excepting in slow traffic. Power is transmitted by a leather-covered cone clutch to the gear box, and from thence to the road wheels by two sprockets, on the end of the transverse differential shaft, which carry chains running on gear rings bolted to the back wheels. A departure has been made from the usual practice by employing silent driving chains, with side flanges to keep them on the teeth, instead of the usual roller variety. The front and back wheels have cast-steel centres, Peter Union tyres being fitted, and the back wheels are shod with the twin pattern. The body has been built by Mr. C. Dodson, of 45, Horseferry Road, Westminster, SW.; • it was not finished when ph6tographed by us. The bus, which is now completed, has a capacity for 34 passengers; it has a roomy interior and is well ventilated. This is the first omnibus chassis sent over by Messrs. Turgan to this country, and as such its running will be watched with interest by those who are associated with the present activity in self-propelled vehicles. With the prestige that they have already gained, both for petrol and steam vehicles, the makers ought to find it easy to supply a vehicle suitable for the roads and conditions of London traffic.