LGOC B-type
Encyclopedia
The LGOC B-type is a model of double-decker bus
that was introduced in London
on 1910. It was both built and operated by the London General Omnibus Company
(LGOC).
and replaced the X-type bus
. B-type buses were an improvement on the X-type. The B-type had a 34 seat capacity and is often considered to be the first mass produced bus. The first bus began carrying passengers in 1911. By 1913 around 2500 had entered service.
The B-type was designed by Frank Searle, who was chief engineer of the LGOC. It had a wooden frame, steel wheels, a worm drive and chain gearbox. Its top speed was 16 miles an hour, which was above the legal speed limit at that time of 12 miles an hour however some B-types could reach 30–35 miles an hour under the right conditions.
B-types carried 16 passengers inside and had seats for 18 on the uncovered top deck. These outside seats were fitted with wet-weather canvas covers. Electric lighting was introduced from 1912, and headlights in 1913. Before this, it was thought that interior lighting would render the bus sufficiently visible at night.
, had their windows removed, and were fitted with 2 inch thick planks to provide some limited protection. Some had anti-aircraft guns attached to them, others were made into pigeon lofts to house the pigeons used for communication along the front. They served until the end of the war when they were used to bring troops home. The Imperial War Museum
preserves one of these buses, B43, known as Ole Bill after the contemporary cartoon character
.
Double-decker bus
A double-decker bus is a bus that has two storeys or 'decks'. Global usage of this type of bus is more common in outer touring than in its intra-urban transportion role. Double-decker buses are also commonly found in certain parts of Europe, Asia, and former British colonies and protectorates...
that was introduced in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
on 1910. It was both built and operated by the London General Omnibus Company
London General Omnibus Company
The London General Omnibus Company or LGOC, was the principal bus operator in London between 1855 and 1933. It was also, for a short period between 1909 and 1912, a motor bus manufacturer.- Overview :...
(LGOC).
History
B-type buses were built in WalthamstowWalthamstow
Walthamstow is a district of northeast London, England, located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is situated north-east of Charing Cross...
and replaced the X-type bus
LGOC X-type
-History:The X-type was the first bus built by London General Omnibus Co. Ltd . The manufacturing part of LGOC became AEC in June 1912.In 1908 LGOC merged with its two main rivals, London Motor Omnibus Co Ltd , and London Road Car Co. Ltd...
. B-type buses were an improvement on the X-type. The B-type had a 34 seat capacity and is often considered to be the first mass produced bus. The first bus began carrying passengers in 1911. By 1913 around 2500 had entered service.
The B-type was designed by Frank Searle, who was chief engineer of the LGOC. It had a wooden frame, steel wheels, a worm drive and chain gearbox. Its top speed was 16 miles an hour, which was above the legal speed limit at that time of 12 miles an hour however some B-types could reach 30–35 miles an hour under the right conditions.
B-types carried 16 passengers inside and had seats for 18 on the uncovered top deck. These outside seats were fitted with wet-weather canvas covers. Electric lighting was introduced from 1912, and headlights in 1913. Before this, it was thought that interior lighting would render the bus sufficiently visible at night.
World War I service
A total of 900 of the buses were used to move troops behind the lines during World War I. After initially serving without any modifications they were painted khakiKhaki
This article is about the fabric. For the color, see Khaki . Kaki, another name for the persimmon, is often misspelled "Khaki".Khaki is a type of fabric or the color of such fabric...
, had their windows removed, and were fitted with 2 inch thick planks to provide some limited protection. Some had anti-aircraft guns attached to them, others were made into pigeon lofts to house the pigeons used for communication along the front. They served until the end of the war when they were used to bring troops home. The Imperial War Museum
Imperial War Museum
Imperial War Museum is a British national museum organisation with branches at five locations in England, three of which are in London. The museum was founded during the First World War in 1917 and intended as a record of the war effort and sacrifice of Britain and her Empire...
preserves one of these buses, B43, known as Ole Bill after the contemporary cartoon character
Old Bill (cartoon character)
Old Bill is a fictional character created in 1914-15 by cartoonist Bruce Bairnsfather. Old Bill was depicted as an elderly, pipe-smoking British "tommy" with a walrus moustache. The character achieved a great deal of popularity during World War I where it was considered a major morale booster for...
.