AEC Bridgemaster

The AEC Bridgemaster was a front-engined low-height double-decker bus chassis manufactured by AEC.

AEC Bridgemaster
Park Royal bodied AEC Bridgemaster (forward-entrance)
Overview
ManufacturerAEC
Production1956-1963
Powertrain
EngineAEC AV470 (first two prototypes)
AEC AV590
TransmissionAEC synchromesh
Chronology
SuccessorAEC Renown

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version with slightly different driveline layout was introduced.[2] A total of 180 were produced before it was superseded by the AEC Renown in 1963.[3] East Yorkshire Motor Services were the largest customer, purchasing 50.[1][4][5]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.
    AEC Bridgemaster initial styling concept.[6]
  • Rear-entrance AEC Bridgemaster chassis layout.
    Rear-entrance AEC Bridgemaster chassis layout.[7]
  • AEC Bridgemaster body frame.
    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.
    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, in the service of the Birmingham Corporation.
    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]

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
  1. Companion to Road Passenger Transport History. Walsall: Roads & Road Transport History Association. 2013. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-9552876-3-3.
  2. Bridgemaster With Front Entrance Commercial Motor 6 May 1960
  3. Era ends Commercial Motor 19 November 1976
  4. "Showstopper Bar None" Bus & Coach Preservation January 2018 page 12
  5. AEC Bridgemaster Bus Lists on the Web
  6. A.E.C. Limited / Park Royal Vehicles Limited AEC Bridgemaster brochure No. 584.8.58
  7. 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.

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