I wonder if any of your readers have any knowledge of how the Bristol Lodekka and Dennis Loline compared when running alongside each other. Was there any difference in fuel consumption or maintenance costs? What were they like to drive? Three fleets operated both types: Alder Valley, United Counties and West Riding.
The story of the Loline is an interesting one. From copying Bristol’s LDL6G, Dennis introduced improved Lodekkas. The Loline I differed from the LDL6G in several ways. It had a more powerful braking system using full air pressure, Dennis four- or five-speed gearboxes, 24v electrical system and a larger fuel tank plus a different front panel.
The first Loline II was instigated by R Edgley Cox, the enterprising general manager and engineer of Walsall Corporation. He wanted a double-decker where the driver could control the passenger flow, leaving the conductor to concentrate on collecting fares on busy urban routes. The single-step entry of the Loline would speed loading and unloading.
