Post by Jonathan Smith on Jan 1, 2005 14:49:51 GMT
The first of the rear engined double decker buses these new style vehicles changed the path of modern buses. Placing the engine at the rear of the bus transversely behind the rear seat they permitted front door entry and One Man Operated buses.
These buses generally have either single or dual doors for entry and exit. leaf suspension and automatic gears although ealier models had manual gears. The earlier vehicles had ratchet hand brakes, later ones having air controlled parking brakes.
Notable body builders for this type of bus were Alexanders and ROE
Power steering is available on later models, an air assist power steering system was used on some of these buses.
I learned to drive in this type of bus and was lucky enough to spend a happy summer driving for Guide Friday in their mismatch fleet of buses in Edinburgh, which featured a variety of Atlantians and Fleetlines.
They are fun to drive but are heavy, slow and can be hard on the steering.