The LGOC X-type is an early model of London
double-decker bus
A double-decker bus is a bus that has two storeys or decks. Double-deckers are used primarily for commuter transport, but open-top models are used as sightseeing buses for tourists, and there are coaches too for long-distance travel. They app ...
.
History
The X-type was the first bus built by
London General Omnibus Co. Ltd (LGOC). The manufacturing part of LGOC became
AEC in June 1912.
In 1908 LGOC merged with its two main rivals, London Motor Omnibus Co Ltd (commonly trading as "Vanguard"), and London Road Car Co. Ltd (using the "Union Jack" fleetname). The combined company, using the "General" fleetname, had a fleet of 885 motor buses, although horse-buses remained common. The Chief Motor Engineer,
Frank Searle, proposed the LGOC build its own vehicles in the former Vanguard premises at Blackhorse Road,
Walthamstow
Walthamstow ( or ) is a town within the London Borough of Waltham Forest in east London. The town borders Chingford to the north, Snaresbrook and South Woodford to the east, Leyton and Leytonstone to the south, and Tottenham to the west. At ...
,
and designs for an initial 20 were put underway.
The prototype vehicle was completed on 12 August 1909 and received its police licence just before Christmas.
[ (subscription required)] Amalgamating the best features of previous designs, it was rudely referred to as the Daimler-Wolseley-Straker.
The bus was of normal control layout, with the driver behind the engine. The bodywork resembled that of the last horse-bus designs, with an open top deck and seats that ran longitudinally along the sides.
A total of 60 X-type buses were built, together with one
lorry
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport freight, carry specialized payloads, or perform other utilitarian work. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, but the vast majority feature body-on-frame constructio ...
.
Production ended in December 1909, and was followed by the
B-type.
References
*Thackray, Brian (2001). ''The AEC Story:Part 1''. Venture Publications Ltd.
*Thackray, Brian (2004). ''AEC Vehicles: Origins to 1929''. Venture Publications Ltd.
*Townsin, A. A. (1980). ''Blue Triangle''. Transport Publishing Company.
{{AEC range
AEC buses
Double-decker buses