THE RAIL-BUS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 252, 5 August 1933, Page 5

THE RAIL-BUS.

TRAVEL AT HIGH SPEED. STREAM-LINED TRAINS. (United Press Association—Copyright). LONDON, August 3. A new stream-lined Diesel-electric rail-bus, built by Armstrong, Whitworth to make possible rail travel at high, speed and low cost over short distances, was on show in London to-day. Carrying its own power it has the advantage of quick starting and stopping without requiring the line to be electrified. The bus is 52£ feet long, has 60 seats and weighs 17-A tons. It can travel at 70 miles an hour. On a recent test it covered 267 miles at a cost of 4.lid a mile.—British Official Wireless. The completion of Britain's first stream-lino Diesel train —which is designed to run at speeds up to 70 miles an hour and is comparable in initial working costs with a saloon road coach—was announced by Sir W. G. Armstrong and Co. at New-castle-upon-Tyne, last May. This revolutionary rail unit, which is operated on the Diesel-electric system, has, it is stated, been privately tested on lines within the works for some time. During the next week it was to be given a trial and inspection by officials of the London and North Eastern Railway Company, at Newcastle.

The now rail-bus, which is its official designation, has been designed to provide cheap, rapid and frequent services on local and branch lines to compete with road transport. It seats 60 passengers, contains a spacious luggage van, and can be driven at both ends. Its 100-h.p. engine is suspended beneath the coach by rubber and springs on the new floating power system recently introduced into motor-car design. Rapid acceleration to the maximum speed is an important feature. Length of the rail-bus is 52ft. 6in., and it weighs 17$ tons. Fuel consumption is low, the rail-bus being capable of running for two days without the need of refuelling. The sleek streamline of its body, by reducing head resistance, saves, it is stated, no less than 30 per cent, in engine power, and has enabled the makers thereby to produce a light unit, low in cost, and comparing favourably with a road saloon coach with regard to accommodation and speed of working.