The Dennis Loline was a low-height double-decker bus manufactured by Dennis between 1958 and 1966.

Dennis Loline
Preserved Aldershot & District Traction East Lancashire Coachbuilders bodied Dennis Loline I in Alton in July 2024
Overview
ManufacturerDennis
Production1958–66
AssemblyGuildford, England
Body and chassis
Doors1
Floor typeStep entrance
Powertrain
EngineAEC AV470
Leyland O.600
Gardner 6LW
Gardner 6LX
Dimensions
Length8.5 m (27 ft 11 in) to 9.4 m (30 ft 10 in)
Width2.4 m (7 ft 10 in)
Height4.12 m (13 ft 6 in)

History

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Preserved City of Oxford Motor Services Loline II

The Dennis Loline was basically a license-built Bristol Lodekka, being primarily supplied to municipal, private sector British Electric Traction fleets and independent bus companies in the United Kingdom, during a period when Bristol's sales were restricted to state-owned bus companies.[1][2]

Production was to cease in 1962, however this was quickly reversed and it continued to be made until 1966.[3][4][5]

Three versions of the Dennis Loline were built: the Loline with rear entrance, Loline II with front entrance and the later Loline III with a revised front grille in front of the radiator and a different clutch and constant mesh gearbox.[6][7][8][9]

 
Barton's unique Dennis Loline II, 1984

In 1961, Barton Transport commissioned No. 861, which had lowbridge bodywork on a Loline chassis, and was the lowest ever roofed British double-decker. It was specially designed to pass under an ultra low railway bridge at Sawley Junction, now Long Eaton, station.[10]

Aldershot & District Traction operated the largest number of Dennis Loline buses.[citation needed]

China Motor Bus in Hong Kong put one Dennis Loline into service in 1963. It was the first double-decker bus on Hong Kong Island.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ Four New Dennis Three Lorries and a Bus Commercial Motor 24 August 1956
  2. ^ A Lower Loline Commercial Motor 29 August 1958
  3. ^ Loline output to end Commercial Motor 8 December 1961
  4. ^ Loline Back on the Market Commercial Motor 7 December 1962
  5. ^ A double-decker comeback by Dennis Commercial Motor 19 March 1976
  6. ^ Townsin, AA (1965). British Double Deckers Since 1942. Ian Allan Publishing.[page needed]
  7. ^ Dennis Loline Bus Lists on the Web
  8. ^ Dennis Loline II Bus Lists on the Web
  9. ^ Dennis Loline III Bus Lists on the Web
  10. ^ "Barton Transport – Dennis Loline – 861 HAL – 861". Old Bus Photos. Retrieved 20 June 2024.

Further reading

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