Foxton96
Chicago articulated Fageol Twin Coach preserved at Illinois Railway Museum
'Queen Mary' Opens Era of Bus Royalty
Happy days appear to be just around the corner for Chicago's lost legion of transit line straphangers.
Indication of this new era came yesterday when the "Queen Mary," the world s largest trolleybus, was placed in trial service on the northwest side in Diversey Ave. between Western and Harlem Ave's.
For the Chicago Transit authority, this modern trolley, which measures nearly 10 feet longer than the next largest of Its kind, may be the answer to the problem of finding a rubber tired vehicle with the capacity of a street car,
They Stand In Comfort!
For the passenger who gets a seat, the sponge rubber cushions, improved shock absorbers and other developments offer smoother riding.
But it's the straphanger - the rider without a seat - who stands the best chance of gaining the most, a trip on the new bus showed.
Instead of being pushed and shoved, the passenger hanging to the strap - or, rather, the grip rail in the case of a trolley bus - can stand In comfort and read his paper just like the lucky rider with a seat. This is assured by the especially wide aisle. There's plenty of space for two persons to stand with more than sufficient room for a third rider to walk the centre.
The "Queen Mary's" aisle is 31 Inches wide. This is equalled only by the most modern street cars which are operated on only a few lines. Other trolleybuses of Post-war vintage have 28 inch aisles. The old street cars, which the CTA hopes to replace with modern trolleybuses, provide only 23 to 25 inches for the aisle.
Holds As Many As Street Car
Other good news for riders concerns the windows. At eye level of the standing passenger, there s a strip of green glass. It affords a full view of the outside and also eliminates glare.
From the straphanger s stand- point, yesterday s trip had one disturbing feature. There was considerable jerking when the bus stopped and started. However, E. W. Sayre, driving instructor, said this would be overcome as drivers gained more experience.
Built chiefly of aluminium, the new bus Is 47 feet long and seats 58 persons, the same number as. modern street cars. Comfort during winter is provided by an automatic warm air circulatory system. For summer, the bud Is air cooled.
A six wheel vehicle, it Is hinged in the centre so that It can take cross-grade elevations smoothly. It is steered by both front and rear axles.
"It handles like a toy," said the driver, John Batka, of 1721 N. Parkside Ave., as he pulled in from a run on schedule - Chicago Daily Tribune, Saturday, January 15, 1949.
Chicago #999 Fageol Twin Coach 58DWTT 1948 articulated demonstrator, aka "The Queen Mary", was renumbered 9763 in 1952. Now preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum Trolleybus Department.
Chicago articulated Fageol Twin Coach preserved at Illinois Railway Museum
'Queen Mary' Opens Era of Bus Royalty
Happy days appear to be just around the corner for Chicago's lost legion of transit line straphangers.
Indication of this new era came yesterday when the "Queen Mary," the world s largest trolleybus, was placed in trial service on the northwest side in Diversey Ave. between Western and Harlem Ave's.
For the Chicago Transit authority, this modern trolley, which measures nearly 10 feet longer than the next largest of Its kind, may be the answer to the problem of finding a rubber tired vehicle with the capacity of a street car,
They Stand In Comfort!
For the passenger who gets a seat, the sponge rubber cushions, improved shock absorbers and other developments offer smoother riding.
But it's the straphanger - the rider without a seat - who stands the best chance of gaining the most, a trip on the new bus showed.
Instead of being pushed and shoved, the passenger hanging to the strap - or, rather, the grip rail in the case of a trolley bus - can stand In comfort and read his paper just like the lucky rider with a seat. This is assured by the especially wide aisle. There's plenty of space for two persons to stand with more than sufficient room for a third rider to walk the centre.
The "Queen Mary's" aisle is 31 Inches wide. This is equalled only by the most modern street cars which are operated on only a few lines. Other trolleybuses of Post-war vintage have 28 inch aisles. The old street cars, which the CTA hopes to replace with modern trolleybuses, provide only 23 to 25 inches for the aisle.
Holds As Many As Street Car
Other good news for riders concerns the windows. At eye level of the standing passenger, there s a strip of green glass. It affords a full view of the outside and also eliminates glare.
From the straphanger s stand- point, yesterday s trip had one disturbing feature. There was considerable jerking when the bus stopped and started. However, E. W. Sayre, driving instructor, said this would be overcome as drivers gained more experience.
Built chiefly of aluminium, the new bus Is 47 feet long and seats 58 persons, the same number as. modern street cars. Comfort during winter is provided by an automatic warm air circulatory system. For summer, the bud Is air cooled.
A six wheel vehicle, it Is hinged in the centre so that It can take cross-grade elevations smoothly. It is steered by both front and rear axles.
"It handles like a toy," said the driver, John Batka, of 1721 N. Parkside Ave., as he pulled in from a run on schedule - Chicago Daily Tribune, Saturday, January 15, 1949.
Chicago #999 Fageol Twin Coach 58DWTT 1948 articulated demonstrator, aka "The Queen Mary", was renumbered 9763 in 1952. Now preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum Trolleybus Department.