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APPENDIX "A"

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PROPOSED TYPES
          OF 4-WHEEL DIESEL RAILBUS         

Waggon und Maschinenbau, Donauworth - Uerdingen type

A German design, embodying the main characteristics of the Uerdingen railbus, which is operating successfully on the German Federal Railways, but modified to conform to the British Railways' load gauge. This divergence results in the following:-

Reduction in width over body by approximately 1' 4" with consequent loss of seating capacity;

Provision of supporting underframe instead of the self-supporting body construction of the Uerdingen;

Relocation of some equipment from body to underframe;

Increased diameter of wheels.

Other modifications include the provision of two brake discs per axle instead of one and the substitution of light self-contained buffers in place of spring bumpers, but the body suspension, which is the main feature of the Uerdingen design, is retained. This consists of a fixed wheelbase chassis, mounted in underslung laminated springs, and fitted at each end on the corners of the frame with an obliquely suspended coil spring, providing a four-point suspension for the body independent of the frame. Shock absorbers are also fitted to control the relative free movement between body and frame.

The body layout follows the Uerdingen design of reversible seats and end folding doors but this will be modified to incorporate our requirements of outward facing fixed seats and centre sliding doors with luggage lobby which is assumed will be provided for the same cost.

Provided with a central driving position at each end, the body will accommodate 46 seated passengers and 40 standing. Heating is also provided.

The vehicle is fitted with a 150/130 h.p. underfloor engine of German manufacture giving a maximum speed of 56 m.p.h.  Disc wheels and air operated disc brakes are incorporated in the design. Each end of the car is equipped with a light draw hook.

Wickhams Ltd.

A British design incorporating the firm's system of integral body and underframe construction mainly from square steel tubes. Railcars of this form of construction are giving satisfactory service on several foreign railways and the same construction is embodies in the 2-car bogie design units being built by the firm for the B.T.C.

The body is provided with central driving position at each end, central sliding doors and luggage area and outward facing seats with capacity for 46 passengers and about 12 standing. An oil combustion type of heater is also fitted.

The underframe suspension comprises underslung laminated bearing springs controlled by hydraulic shock absorbers with the axleboxes located by rubber bushed radius arms. Body suspension consists of large rubber rollers suitably mounted between the body and the frame to take the fore-and-aft and transverse shocks and controlled by rubber bushed radius arms and torsion bars.

The vehicle is fitted with a Meadows 120 h.p. underfloor engine giving a maximum speed of approximately 55 m.p.h.  Discs wheels and air operated normal clasp brake are also fitted. A drawhook, for use in emergency only, and light spring bumpers are fitted at each end of the vehicle.