Special Safety Features in New Zealand Trolleybuses
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S1NGLE-DECK trolleybuses, the first batch of an order for 33, are now on the way to New Zealand, where they will be operated by Wellington City Transport Department. Ordered from British
United Traction, Ltd., they will augment the Transport Department's fleet of 38 B.U.T. trolleybuses which have been in operation for 10 years.
The two-axled chassis of 17-ft. 6-in. wheelbase has English Electric traction equipment and rear-mounted contactors. As Wellington is hilly, an additional reservoir for the air braking equipment is fitted, doubling the normal capacity.
An automatically operated braking device is also fitted to prevent the vehicle running on in the event of a trolley dewirement. This is operated by a relay, triggered by a failure of the low-tension pick-up, incorporating a delay circuit to avoid tripping while passing cross-avers and junctions in the overhead wire. To prevent injury to passengers through violent braking, a limiting valve controls air flow to the brake cylinder.
In the event of the power supply failing, a lock requiring a special key is provided to release this air brake in order . to move the bus. For stops on hills, when the driver may need to leave his seat to assist passengers with luggage, provision is made for the air brakes to be applied in addition to the normal parking hand brake.
The M.C.W. body is 33 ft. 5 in. long and 8 ft. wide. It accommodates 64 passengers----43 seated and 21 standing. The front entrance and centre exit doors, operated electro-pneumatically, are controlled by the driver.