(b) Manchester Part 2 Scheme. - Two vans authorised for inclusion in 1959 building programme. Will be powered by two 230 h.p. B.U.T. engines and capable of conveying tail load of 32 tons. End couplings will be similar to Derby built cars and Swindon cross country cars which can be coupled together.
(c) St.Pancras Scheme. - Two parcels vans to be included in scheme when submitted. As the passenger stock is to be powered with 238 h.p. Rolls Royce engines, the vans will require to be powered by two similar engines and be capable of hauling 32 tons.
(d) Birmingham Part 2. - No parcels vans required.
6. Design of Standard Units of 57' Stock
(a) Coupling together of units - Noted that the question of a common control of each type of transmission is still under consideration by B.T.C. with Messrs.Rolls Royce and B.U.T.
Regarding units already in service, an estimate has been prepared of the cost of modifying B.U.T. units to enable them to inter-couple (73 power cars and 62 trailers), which shows that an expenditure of £235,000 would be involved, and it has been decided that whilst it is essential all future units should be designed to enable them to couple to the latest types of vehicles, it is not possible to justify the heavy expenditure involved in modifying the existing vehicles, but these will be transferred to self-contained schemes as and when possible.
7. Consultation with Commission-owned Bus
Undertakings
The Chairman referred to Minute 571.9 of the previous meeting an reiterated that the B.T.C. require the views of Commission-owned bus undertakings to be included in all future submissions.
8. Units out of service for Works attention
The Chairman referred to the information which had been supplied of the number of units out of service for Works attention, in particular for replacement of windows, and tyre turning due to flats, necessitating the provision of an uneconomical proportion of spare units.
