AEC Bridgemaster
AEC Bridgemaster | |
---|---|
![]() Park Royal bodied AEC Bridgemaster (forward-entrance) | |
Overview | |
Manufacturer | AEC |
Production | 1956-1963 |
Powertrain | |
Engine | AEC AV470 (first two prototypes) AEC AV590 |
Transmission | AEC synchromesh |
Chronology | |
Successor | AEC Renown |
The AEC Bridgemaster was a front-engined low-height double-decker bus chassis manufactured by AEC.
History
The AEC Bridgemaster was introduced by AEC in 1956 to meet the demand of low-height double-deckers from municipal and independent bus operators across the United Kingdom, which were barred from purchasing the Bristol Lodekka. It was designed as a fully-integral vehicle, utilising two sub frames like the contemporary Routemaster. Four pre-production examples were bodied by Crossley with an aluminium body; production examples bodied by Park Royal were introduced from 1958 with steel body frames at the request of British Electric Traction.[1]
In 1960 a forward-entrance version with slightly different driveline layout was introduced.[2] A total of 180 were produced before it was superseded by the AEC Renown in 1963.[3] East Yorkshire Motor Services were the largest customer, purchasing 50.[1][4][5]
- AEC Bridgemaster initial styling concept.[6]
- Rear-entrance AEC Bridgemaster chassis layout.[7]
- AEC Bridgemaster body frame.[6]
- First pre-serial AEC Bridgemaster, registration YDH225, chassis number MB3RA001, bodywork by Crossley with H41/31R layout, entered into service with Walsall in Nov. 1956.[6][5]
- Second pre-serial AEC Bridgemaster, registration 9JML, chassis number MB3RA002, bodywork by Crossley with H41/31R layout,[5] in the service of the Birmingham Corporation.[6]
In popular culture
Bulgy the Double-Decker bus, as well as several other related characters from The Railway Series children’s books, and its television adaptation Thomas & Friends, are based on the AEC Bridgemaster.
References
- ^ a b Companion to Road Passenger Transport History. Walsall: Roads & Road Transport History Association. 2013. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-9552876-3-3.
- ^ Bridgemaster With Front Entrance Commercial Motor 6 May 1960
- ^ Era ends Commercial Motor 19 November 1976
- ^ "Showstopper Bar None" Bus & Coach Preservation January 2018 page 12
- ^ a b c AEC Bridgemaster Bus Lists on the Web
- ^ a b c d A.E.C. Limited / Park Royal Vehicles Limited AEC Bridgemaster brochure No. 584.8.58
- ^ A.E.C. Limited / Park Royal Vehicles Limited AEC Bridgemaster brochure No. 676.8.60
- Brown, Stuart J (2013). The Lodekka Alternatives. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing.
External links
Media related to AEC Bridgemaster at Wikimedia Commons
- v
- t
- e
- 400-series
- 500-series
- B-type
- Bridgemaster
- K-type
- LS-type
- LT-type
- Merlin/Swift
- Monocoach
- NS-type
- Q-type
- Ranger (between wars)
- Ranger (post war)
- Regal
- Regal I
- Regal II
- Regal III
- Regal IV
- Regal V
- Regal VI
- Regent
- Regent II
- Regent III
- Regent III RT-type
- Regent IV
- Regent V
- Reliance (660)
- Reliance
- Reliant
- Renown (1920s two-axle)
- Renown (3-axle)
- Renown (1960s)
- Routemaster/Routemaster FRM
- S-type
- ST-type
- Sabre
- Swift
- T-type
- X-type
- AEC 9.6L
- AEC 11.3L
- ACLO
- Associated Daimler Company
- Barreiros AEC
- British Leyland
- British United Traction
- Charles H Roe
- Crossley Motors
- Hardy Rail Motors
- Maudslay Motor Company
- Park Royal Vehicles
- Thornycroft
- UTIC-AEC
![]() | This bus-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
- v
- t
- e