NOTES OF MEETING HELD AT THE
GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL, KING'S CROSS
ON THURSDAY, 18th OCTOBER, 1956
Present:-
| Mr. A. E. ROBSON | B.T.C. | (Chairman) | Mr. W. R. GOMERSALL | E. Region | |
| " R. F. HARVEY | " | " H. C. BOWLES | ". " | ||
| " T. V. NICHOLSON | " | " G. NICHOLSON | Sc. " | ||
| " R. VARLEY | L.M. " | " H.C. FOSTER | " | (Secretary) | " E. W. F. ANDREWS | B.T.C. |
ECONOMIC OPERATION OF RAIL PASSENGER
SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS - RAIL BUSES
Mr. Robson circulated a statement giving details of five tenders received in respect of the supply of 20 rail buses authorised by B.T.C. Minute 9/474, 27th September 1956, at an estimated cost of £240,000 and invited discussion with a view to recommending how orders should be placed. After discussion it was generally agreed that the order be split, with the regional allocation shown as under:-
| E. | Sc. | L.M. | W. | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waggon und Maschinenbau Donauworth |
2 | 3 | - | - | 5 | |||||
| Wickhams Ltd. | 3 | - | 3 | - | 6 | |||||
| A.C. Cars Ltd. | - | 4 | - | 3 | 7 | |||||
| British United Traction | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Bristol Commercial Vehicles | - | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||
| 5 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 20 | ||||||
It was appreciated that the recommendation to purchase five vehicles of the Uerdingen type from Waggon und Maschinenbau, Donauworth, involved a much higher cost than the Uerdingen type of construction offered by British United Traction Ltd., but it was considered advisable that vehicles designed and constructed in Germany, which have been operating with success over the German Federal Railways, should be obtained as a comparative "yardstick" to check performance of the yet untried designs of the British firms. It was also stressed that the German promise of delivery was in advance of the other firms quoting, and that their design was the only one capable of hauling trailers, which the Eastern Region particularly considered an essential for dealing with peak load traffic on certain branches.
The recommendation for only two vehicles from Bristol Commercial Vehicles Ltd. was because of the lengthy period - over twelve months - required to develop a prototype vehicle.
It was agreed that the A.C. Cars interior layout was acceptable to all Regions, with fixed seats facing outwards, and it was further agreed to adopt the suggestion of the Eastern Region to offset the centre doors so as to give a larger free area at the side of the doorways for luggage, etc.
Agreement was reached that lavatories were not necessary, and that all vehicles should be fitted with a conventional design of stepboard.
Mr Robson undertook to prepare the necessary submission to the Works and Equipment Committee in time for their meeting on the 7th November 1956, and to circulate a draft of this for the approval of the General Managers concerned.