BusTalk

[N4 Jamaica]

A double-decker on Bus Eireann Route 220 late at night October 9, 2020, got stuck under a bridge. The driver was supposed to go over the bridge, not under it. Nobody was hurt. The model is called VWD, but I cannot figure out what that means.
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https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-40062593.html

and

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/irishtransport/vwd-off-route-on-the-220-hits-bridge-in-douglas-t16282.html#p113037

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Joe:

This incident made me recall the "Tunnel Buses" that were used in London for many years.

These double-deckers were used specifically for routes that traveled through the tight confines of the Blackwell Tunnel; back in the "GENERAL" era, a number of the buses selected for routes using the Tunnel featured a lower chassis, as well as an unusual domed-shaped upper deck roof.

This was done to allow the double-deckers to have sufficient clearances through "The Pipe" (this was the local moniker for the tunnel; angled bucket seats, running along the center of the upper deck, were used on these customized buses.

From the rear, these buses closely resembled the London trams of that era.........

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Regarding these London "Tunnel Buses", 25 of these "NS" type double-deckers utilized special bodywork.

The top deck was narrower than those used on "standard" London buses, and featured back-to-back bucket-type seating.

The lower decks were furnished with longitudinal seating.

Thee buses had enclosed stairways and seated 46 passengers; leather straps were furnished for standing passengers on the lower deck.

Later, six more "tunnel" buses were built with more normal upper-deck seating, but utilized the older-style open staircases.....

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Closer to home, FACCo. operated a group of "Queen Mary" double-deckers that called for different specifications than the rest of the new fleet; these buses were of a lower height than the others, designed for service to Jackson Heights, where clearances underneath the elevated had to be addressed.

The first of these buses entered service in October, 1936......

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

More on London's "Tunnel Buses"......

The first London buses designed especially for Blackwell Tunnel services were 40 "STL"-class AEC Regents fitted with modified Chiswick bodies.

As mentioned earlier (regarding some older, modified buses) these new double-deckers utilized inward-sloping upper deck pillars, and arched roofs; this was to allow the buses to conform to the tight, tubular contours of the Tunnel.

In 1951, however, the tunnel was rebuilt with a lowered roadway, to allow buses of standard height to run through.

The "Tunnel STL's", however, continued to run through the Tunnel, until they were retired in the 1950's........

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The original post here also reminded me of the many vintage photos I've seen of London Transport's double-deckers barely squeezing underneath the steel trestles that, at the time, carried main line/suburban trains as well as Tube (Underground) trains.

In a number of photos, it appears that the top decks of the buses had, perhaps, only two or three inches to clear the undersides of these rail trestles.......

"NYO"