B/W print; bus chassis assembly line at Chiswick Works, by Wakefields, 1923-1925

The Chiswick Works was opened in 1921 by the London General Omnibus Company to repair and maintain its bus fleet. New bus designs were also constructed there. This became the main site for London Transport bus maintenance when the independent bus companies were merged into the new London Passenger Transport Board. This photo was taken between 1923 and 1925. The chief engineer at the time, George Shave, improved the site function by introducing assembly-line techniques. The picture shows the chassis assembly line. On the right is the chassis of a K-type bus that has just been overhauled. The K-type design positioned the driver beside the engine, which increased the space available on the lower passenger deck. Engineers are reassembling the engine.