NEW TRAMCARS FOR ABERDEEN

Evening Star, Issue 23717, 26 October 1940, Page 12

NEW TRAMCARS FOR ABERDEEN

LUXURIOUSLY EQUIPPED Aberdeen Corporation Transport recently took delivery from the English Electric Company Ltd. of the first of four new streamlined tramcars which were ordered as a result of a special report dealing with the improvement of the tramcar fleet drawn up by the general manager. To test the relative merits of two types of tramcars it was decided to order four units, two of which were to be of the equal-wheel bogie type with central and dual staircases, capable of seating 72-76 passengers, and two of the single truck type with front and rear entrance, and

designed to seat 62-64 passengers. In evolving this new type of vehicle, the designer endeavoured to give the public the maximum amenities usually associated with luxury travel. The central entrance type of vehicle, with its lowloading platform and two staircases, allows of increasing speed of loading and off-loading and simplifies the task of the conductor. Special care has been taken to obtain a pleasing scheme of interior decoration with seating comfort of such a quality that increased travelling may be expected from a city whore the public is already very travel conscious.

A heating system of electric tubular heaters covered by perforated guards and extending the full length of each side is fitted in both saloons, while an additional refinement is the provision of loud-speaker equipment to enable passengers to be given information regarding stopping places.

All scats in both the upper and lower saloons are of the double transverse type. In the lower saloons these scats have backs of moquette with leather facings, while in the upper saloon they ■are leather fluted.

The saloon lights arc of the continuous concealed cornice type in chro-mium-plated frames with opal glass bends. They extend the full length of each side of both saloons. The entrance platforms are well illuminated by “ futuristic ” roof lamps. At each oiul of the car two headlamps, direction indicators, and an electric stopping sign are fitted. Excellent ventilation is provided in the lower and upper saloons. Tn the lower saloon the side facia panels are louvred over the main side windows and work in conjunction with chromium-plated grids mounted in the ceiling. Roth saloons are fitted with sliding windows of toughened glass on either side.