The AEC Bridgemaster was a front-engined low-height double-decker bus chassis manufactured by AEC.
| AEC Bridgemaster | |
|---|---|
,_M%26D_and_EK_60_rally_(2).jpg) 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 |
History edit
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version with slightly different driveline layout was introduced.[2] A total of 180 were produced before it was superseded by the AEC Renown in 1963.[3] East Yorkshire Motor Services were the largest customer, purchasing 50.[1][4][5]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]](/wiki/File:AEC_Bridgemaster_sketch.jpg)
![Rear-entrance AEC Bridgemaster chassis layout.[7]](/wiki/File:AEC_Bridgemaster_chassis.jpg)
![AEC Bridgemaster body frame.[6]](/wiki/File:AEC_Bridgemaster_body_frame.jpg)
![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]](/wiki/File:AEC_Bridgemaster_YDH225.jpg)
![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]](/wiki/File:AEC_Bridgemaster_9JML.jpg)
In popular culture edit
Bulgy the Double-Decker bus, his friend and 25 Australian buses from the Railway Series and the children's television series Thomas & Friends is based on the AEC Bridgemaster.
References edit
- ^ 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 edit
Media related to AEC Bridgemaster at Wikimedia Commons
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