Leyland Titan
Encyclopedia
The Leyland Titan was a chassis
with a front-mounted engine designed to carry double-decker bus
bodywork. It was built mainly for the UK
market between 1927 and 1942, and then between 1945 and 1970 after World War II
.
The type was widely used in the United Kingdom and it was also successful in export market, with numerous examples shipped to countries such as India
and South Africa
.
After Leyland ended the production of the Leyland Titan in UK, Ashok Leyland
of India took up production and marketed the bus in South Asia
as the Ashok Leyland Titan, which is still in production.
was established in 1933 it inherited a few hundred Leyland Titans from independent bus operators in London
.
After World War II, London Transport bought more than 2,000 Leyland Titans specifically designed for use in London. They were designated as the RTL (1,631 built) and the wider variant RTW (500 built). In appearance they were very similar to the AEC-built RT
s (4,825 built), the radiator shell being the most obvious difference (aside from the greater width of the RTWs).
Post war
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
with a front-mounted engine designed to carry double-decker bus
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...
bodywork. It was built mainly for the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
market between 1927 and 1942, and then between 1945 and 1970 after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The type was widely used in the United Kingdom and it was also successful in export market, with numerous examples shipped to countries such as India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
After Leyland ended the production of the Leyland Titan in UK, Ashok Leyland
Ashok Leyland
Ashok Leyland is a commercial vehicle manufacturing company based in Chennai, India. Founded in 1948, the company is one of India's leading manufacturers of commercial vehicles, such as trucks and buses, as well as emergency and military vehicles. Operating six plants, Ashok Leyland also makes...
of India took up production and marketed the bus in South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
as the Ashok Leyland Titan, which is still in production.
Titans in London
When London TransportLondon Passenger Transport Board
The London Passenger Transport Board was the organisation responsible for public transport in London, UK, and its environs from 1933 to 1948...
was established in 1933 it inherited a few hundred Leyland Titans from independent bus operators 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...
.
After World War II, London Transport bought more than 2,000 Leyland Titans specifically designed for use in London. They were designated as the RTL (1,631 built) and the wider variant RTW (500 built). In appearance they were very similar to the AEC-built RT
AEC Regent III RT
The AEC Regent III RT was a variant of the AEC Regent III. It was a double-decker bus produced jointly between AEC and London Transport. It was the standard red London bus during the 1950s.-Prototype:...
s (4,825 built), the radiator shell being the most obvious difference (aside from the greater width of the RTWs).
Variants
Between wars- TD1
- TD2
- TD3
- TD4
- TD5
- TD6
- TD7
Post war
- PD1 – 26 feet (7.9 m) long
- OPD1 - export version
- PD2 – 27 ft (8.2 m) long
- OPD2 - export version
- PD3 – 30 ft (9.1 m) long