(iii) Height of backs of First and Third Class Seats
Arising from a suggestion from a number of the staff, the question of the heights of the backs of first and third class seats was considered and deferred pending inspection of a mock-up of a seat with the back (including head roll) 3" lower than the present. Mr.Stanley to arrange for mock-up to be prepared for inspection.
(e) Outside colour of Units
The Chairman said that the General Manager, after inspection of a unit for the Birmingham (Part 1) scheme, had suggested that the front panels of the units be painted with cream diagonal lines. The Committee inspected a unit which had been painted with yellow diagonal lines at one end and red and white diagonal lines at the other end, and it was the general opinion that, whilst these colourings, coupled with the red buffer beam, were very distinctive, they detracted from the appearance of the unit. The Chairman requested that colour photographs be taken of the different types of colouring and sent to the General Manager.
(f) Inside Colour of First Class Compartment
The Chairman requested that the first class compartments of the units to be temporarily utilised on the Blackpool-Preston service in February 1956 (see Minute 398) be painted pale blue for inspection by the Committee.
(g) Maximum carrying capacity
Noted - that B.T.C. have matter in hand with Mr.Randle and the following is a copy of a letter Mr.Randle has writted to the B.T.C.-
"A loading test has been carried out on a recently completed motor car, but without seats, and the following loads were placed in the vehicle :-
(1)
Normal passenger load
(2)
50% overload
100% "
150% "
200% "
At 50% overload all the doors operated satisfactorily but on reaching 100% overload two of the doors closed with difficulty, and at 150% none of the passenger doors could be closed.
