Depending On The Style Of Driving

Depending On The Style Of Driving

The van, which was still from the Hanomag-Henschel range, could handle a payload of exactly one ton with a maximum GVW of 3.5 to 3.9 tons and a battery weight of 860 kilograms. Depending on the style of driving, one battery charge enabled a radius of operation of about 50 kilometers. The electric motor developed 35 to 56 kilowatts; top speed was 80 km/h, climbing ability was 13 percent. The electronic controls were from Kiepe. All in all, 59 units of the electric van were manufactured. However, it turned out that the complex crosswise replacement system normally was dispensable. In the successor, the 307 E, the manufacturer contented himself with a lifting device incorporated into the battery holder which permitted removing the storage batteries downwards with the aid of conventional hoists. Each of the two battery sets generated 90 volts. With a payload of 1.45 tons the van attained a speed of 70 km/h and a climbing ability of 20 percent. The traction motor managed an output of 30 kilowatts. The braking energy could be fed back into the batteries. The German postal service used 22 vehicles of this type in a practical test in Bonn in 1983. The results, however, were rather sobering: the energy costs were almost twice as high as the cost of comparable diesel vehicles. Another concern of the test, sponsored by the German Federal Ministry for Research, was to try out various methods of drive control and power transmission. A battery switchover device with electronic field control and hydrodynamic torque converter was tested as a more cost-effective variant compared with the usual electronic armature and field control with a fixed gear ratio. The third and fourth variants were a conventional manual transmission and an automatic transmission, respectively.

He also planned to make the entire area of the golf course, the exact same shape as a map of Thailand. However, as his plans got under way, and research into possible features on the course began, Viriyaphant began to appreciate how many of the ancient sites had fallen into decay or been lost altogether. A passionate interest in his country's history and culture soon led to Viriyaphant abandoning his golf course dream to concentrate instead on making the ancient sites the core of his development. He changed the plan for Muang Boran from being purely a sporting and tourist amenity, to become a cultural celebration of all things Thai. He opened Muang Boran in 1972, and since then further developments have occurred and the range of exhibits in the park has expanded both in number and in size. Muang Boran is open from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. One can walk around, but the site covers more than 300 acres, so a vehicle of some sort is far more sensible.

Cars and taxis are allowed into the park, though perhaps are not ideal as such is the concentration of exhibits one has to stop every few minutes to get out of the car. As the park increases in popularity in the future, it may well be that vehicles like these become impractical. Many people hire bicycles - a much better and pleasanter idea, though of course the high temperatures in this part of the world could make cycling a little tiring. Best of all, I would suggest are the golf buggies. These quiet vehicles are for hire at the entrance, and are extremely easy to drive. One can get around in relaxed comfort even on a sweltering hot day, yet can also park up in an instant, and wander off to explore the next 'ruin' or 'Palace' on the list. Muang Boran is a place to spend a full day, so of course facilities have been provided for the visitor. In addition to the obvious (information centre and toilets), there is a street lined with replicas of the buildings of an old Thai market place.

The function of these buildings, however, is rather more modern - to service the needs of the tourist with drinks and refreshments, souvenirs and curios, which include examples of Thai handicraft. As it does take the better part of a day to see the park, you will be wanting lunch. There are snack bars spread throughout the park, but the best place for lunch is the re-creation of a Thai floating village as shown in the next section. If there is a criticism to be made, I would suggest that facilities are not as comprehensive as many western tourists would like, and particularly visitors with young children, but the park is still developing. No doubt the increasing numbers of visitors will lead to increasing development of services. Throughout the entire Ancient City complex, there is a liberal sprinkling of pools and waterways, intended to reflect the integral importance of water to the Thai nation today, and even more so, in the far distant past. Water in the form of rainfall and runoff from the mountains irrigates the land and allows crops including rice to be harvested.