Leyland Titan
Photographs are sorted into the following sub-entries:
Malta
Cancu Supreme Travel Titans
(3 pages)
United Arab Emirates
The Big Bus
Company Titans (1 page)
United States
City Sightseeing Titans
(1 page)
Deluxe Titan
(1 page)
Note: You are free to adopt any text or photograph for non-moneymaking activities. You may set the photographs as the wallpaper in your PC. However, you are not allowed to post the text or photographs on the net without Anthony Lui's permission.
In 1975, Leyland launched a new double deck bus project called B15. It was designed to replace all double deck models at that time, like the Fleetline, the VR and the Atlantean. The first prototype was built in late that year. Much effort was put to enhance the riding quality. The noise level of the engine was reduced to 77dB(A). The front axle was fitted with independent air suspensions while the rear axle were fitted with air suspension with four air bellows. It was also designed to comply with the demisting and defrosting requirements from America and Australia.
The fully integral body design was a remarkable feature to the bus. The chassis main frames were eliminated, and the independent air suspensions in the front permitted a lower entrance floor height. Every member of the frame was calculated by computer to minimise the weight yet providing sufficient strength to the bus. The integral design not only maximised the room for passengers of the bus, but also gave more freedom to the accommodation of mechanical parts.
Engine of the B15 was located vertically and tranversely at the rear. It was partially supported on the frame and partially on tie bars suspended from the upper deck floor. The radiator was located in a separate compartment above the engine. Access to the engine could be gained by opening the panels at the rear and two sides, or from the bottom. The engine for the B15 was a derated but lightly turbocharged Leyland 500 engine, producing 125kW at 2200 rpm. The well-known Gardner 6LXB was provided as alternative.
The new hydracyclic gearbox which eliminates shock during gear engagement was introduced to the Titan. It was actuated by oil instead of air in the earlier pneumocyclic gearbox. Automatic transmission was given as standard and semi-automatic transmission. Hydraulic brake from the Routemaster was also introduced to the bus. It reduced space for anciliary equipment. It also shared fluid supply with the radiator and the power steering wheel, as the three components dissipated the greatest heat at different time. In order to protect the driver, the steering wheel and the dash board would collapse progressively upon impact. During a bomb attack around 2001, the driver of a Titan was saved by the rigid metal panel behind his seat which separated him and the bomb behind as the bomb totally wrecked the bus.
In June 1977, Leyland announced the new model and gave its name Titan. The option for Leyland 500 engine was replaced by the newly developed turbocharged engine TL11.
Although the integral designed benefited a lot in terms of design, it was found not to be user friendly. Many operators in Britain and overseas operate buses with bodies built by bodybuilders with good and long lasting connections with them. Fully integral design also hindered the assembly of buses overseas. Completely knock down kit was also more favourable over complete built unit in terms of transportation fee. These factors plus the poor response from the domestic market proved the failure of Titan. When production model was launched in 1977, only a few operators placed orders, with most came from London Transport. Some other orders in numbers were also endorsed by several other operators, but all of them in term acquired buses in small numbers and withdrew them quickly owing to non-conformity with other buses in their fleets. The only overseas order came from the Hong Kong operator China Motor bus. Only one bus fitted with coach type seats was delivered in late 1979.
In May 2002, The Big Bus Company, an open-top sightseeing bus operator based in London started its business in Dubai with eight ex-London Transport Titans. An exit door was fitted behind the staircase at the starboard side as Dubai drives on the right. However, as seen in September 2003, very few passengers took those buses under the burning sun and average daytime temperature of 48oC. Windows for the buses were not changed for such change of climate. It was definitely an inferno for the driver and lower deck passengers, if any. Three air-conditioned open-top Dennis Condors were painted to Big Bus livery and believed to be shipped to this city.
Return to Leyland Motors Limited
Page created: 15 August 2004
Last updated: 26 June 2011