WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport of whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
The L.G.O.C. Dinner.
The annual dinner (the 12th. of the series) of the administrative and supervisory staff of the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., was held in London on the last day of November, with Lord Ashfield of Southwell, P.C., in the chair. He was supported by Sir William Joynson-Hicks, Bart., Sir Henry Maybury, G.B.E., Mr. Richard Tilling, .T.P., Lieut.-Col. H. S. Turnbull, Sir Walter Lawrence, Mr. Frank Pick. Mr. H. A. Vernet, Sir Herbert E. Blain, Mr. G. I. Shave, Mr. A. L. Barber, and many officials of the coMpany, their relatives and friends,. whilst among the guests were Mr. John G. McCarthy and Mr. J. J. Hanley, of the Fifth Avenue Coach Co., of New York. The speeches were excellent and breathed enterprise and vitality, and the dancing and the cabaret in. the ballroom 'which followed gave considerable enjoyment to a very large company.
London to Newcastle Sleepers—A New • Scheme.
A further project for the establishment of a sleeper coach service between Newcastle and London is being considered. So far, none of the schemes put forward has fructified, for reasons which are not yet available for disclosure. A service between the two cities offers certain attractions to the enterprising coach owner, for the distance is just right, a remunerative fare is obtainable, and a demand for sleeper road services has been built up by the day coaches. For the new project a company has been formed having on its board of directors Mr. G. E. Chirgwin and Mr. J. R. S. Whiting, two of the men chiefly responsible for the establishment and success of the London-toLiverpool sleeper coach service. Special bodywork is being devised ; having in view the long distance, more freedom of movement and change of position, will be possible for passengers.
Lancaster Considering a Ribble Offer.
Lancaster Tramways Committee recently held a special meeting in connection with the offer of the Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., to take over the whole of the corporation's transport undertaking. The chairman (Alderman Curwen) informed the company's representative that the matter would be further eonsidered, and the committee decided to accept the offer of the Municipal 'Tramways Aesociation to advise (free of cost) on both the offer and a report of the tramways engineer. The observations of the Association -will be submitted to another special Meeting.
Manchester's New Tramways Manager.
After seteral sittings in connection with the appointment of a tramways manager, the tramways committee of the Manchester Corporation decided to recommend to the city council the appointment of Mr. R.. S. Filcher, manager of the Edinburgh Tramways Department and formerly of the Aberdeen Corporation Tramways Depart ment. Before interviewing the three 1320 selected candidates a deputation from Manchester visited the various towns at which they held positions, and spent three days in Plymouth—Mr. H. P. Stokes, the manager of the corporation's transport department, was one of the applicants for the Manchester post— inspecting the city's system, rolling stock and methods of management. The Manchester appointment, which carries a salary of £2,000 a year, is regarded as the third best in the country.
Bus Mergers in South Wales?
A few days ago it was announced that tentative negotiations had been taking place between a number of bus companies in South Wales and Monmouthshire with the abject of merging their interests and that the Great Western Railway was to acquire an interest in certain bus undertakings in this . area.
The preliminary details which we received show that the proposed scheme was of an extensive character,' but, subsequently, we learnt that reports which have gained circulation -are. said to be
without foundation. ' • The New A.E.C. Prices. • We intimated in our issue for last week that the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd... had effected substantial reductions in the prices of its range of goods-carrying vehicles. We are now able to give below the new prices of the different models, the old figures being given in parentheses :— Model 204, 2-21-tonner, £495 (£545)'. Model 204, 2-2-listonner, £545 (£595). Model 418, 3i-tonner, £675 (£.710). Model 428, 4-ton, short. £710 (£730). Model 506, 5-tonner, £800 (£840). Model 506-1, 6-tonner, £850 (1890).
With the exception of the Model 204 24stonner now selling at £545, and which has pneumatics of 36 ins. by 6 ins. dimensions, all the chassis are
fitted with solid tyres. .
Railway Buyers of Thornycrofts.
John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., continues to receive a number of orders from railway companies, and one of the latest, in the nature of a repeat, is from he Great Western Railway, which is buying 52 of the company's 30-cwt. chassis. The company has also obtained an order from the London and North-Eastern Railway for six-cylinder bus chassis.
Warrington Corporation reports that during the past six months it has received £2,202 from various private motorbus concerns for the privilege of running buses within the town.
Ford Plans for 1929.
It has recently been announced that 40,000 of the new Model A cars, lorries and vans will be produced at the Manchester works of the Ford company in 1929, whilst in the near future the huge plant projected at Dagenham will supply all Europe with these vehicles, the annual output of the factory being estimated at 200,000 units. It is interesting to learn that the Ford output from Trafford Park has never fallen below 20,000 units a year, from the end of the war until production of the Model T chassis definitely ceased in 1927.
Wolverhampton Discards More Tram Routes.
On December 1st the transport department of the Wolverhampton. Corporation discontinued the running Of tramcars between" Bilston and Willetthall, and Bilston. and Bradley, and brought motorbuses into use on these . routes. On the same day the tramcars were discontinued on the Bilston-Datlaston route, and a motorbus service has been temporarily provided, pending the completion of the Conversion of this route for the running of trolley-buses. On November '26th the tramcars were discontinued on the Dilston-Fi,eliting Cocks route, and a motorbus service established on it.
Warrington Bus Profits.
Warrington Corporation reports a net .profit of £2,304 on the .municipal motorbus services,. during the half-year ended September 30th. It is mentioned that the ,cost of petrol has increased by £792, equal to 1.525d. per bus mile, of which figure £493 is due to the additional price of petrol consequent upon the imposition of the new tax; this is equivalent to .949d. per bus mile.
Bus Licences Issued in London.
The Minister of Transport has announced that on November 30th last the number of bps licences held in the Metropolitan .Police area was as follows —London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., 3,996; companies in which the L.G.O.C. holds it financial interest, 800; other proprietors, 640.
East Rent Road Car Profits.
For the year ended September 80th last the East Kent Road Car Co., 'Ltd., made a net profit of £44,019; a sum of £8,081 was brought in to the accounts from the previous year. A dividend absorbs £30,000, and general reserve benefits to the extent of £1,000, so that the amount to be carried forward is £21,100. The grossrevenue of the company for the year was £363,198.
No Tunnel Under the Solent.
The 'Ministry of Transport has refused to entertain the suggestion for the construction of a tunnel under the Solent, being of opinion that the existing facilities for vehicular traffic between the Isle of Wight and the mainland are adequate for present needs. Moreover, it says there is no reason to anticipate such a large traffic increase as would justify the expense entailed.
Realistic Show Exhibits.
An interesting feature of the recent French Commercial Motor Show held in Paris was the method adopted by exhibitors to demonstrate the actual purpose for which their goods-carrying vehicles were actually intended. For example, the Tierliet company displayed a big brewer's dray with a full load of beer barrels; a trailer firm showed a timber trailer with its load of tree trunks ; another low-loading trailer carried a 7-ton steel safe ; whilst still another trailer concern economized space by exhibiting three trailers of 10 tons, 5 tons and 3 tons capacity, respectively, one on top of the ether.
The idea strikes us as one which might well be followed by some exhibitors at the next commercial-vehicle
exhibition to be held in London. It doubtless means a little extra trouble and expense, but it gives an actuality to the display that is otherwise lacking.
Toll Payments by Bus Concerns.
Having considered a comparative statement of tolls paid by the Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., and County Motors (Lancaster), Ltd., the Morecambe Watch Committee has asked the town clerk to negotiate with the two companies with a view to obtaining a fixed annual sum from the latter in lieu of tolls, so that the procedure adopted is the same for both companies.
Barton Transport Report.
The first report of Messrs. Barton Transport for the period ended September nOth last, shows a net profit of 111,847, of which sum 12,171 represents profit made from October 1st to December 2nd, the latter date being that on which the company commenced business after acquiring, as a going concern, the motorbus business of Messrs4 Barton Bros. on the former date.
The gross revenue for the year amounted to 1118,447, this figure comparing with 187,673 for the previous year. The profit made from October 1st to December 2nd, 1927, is being written oif the preliminary expenses account, whilst the payment of a dividend on the cumulative participating preference shares at the rate of 8 per cent, per annum, subject to tax, will account for 14,666 and a dividend on the deferred shares at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum, subject to tax, will
account for a further 12,083. The carry-forward is 12,272.
The New Fordsons.
We have already indicated in our news columns that the plans of the Ford Company are well advanced for the productions of Fordson tractors at the company's factory at Cork, and it is now announced that a special industrial model will be built. This tractor will be specially adapted for use on the road and will incorporate various improve meats suggested by previous experience of such machines in industrial service. Magneto ignition and water-pump circulation are two important features, and we are told that the tractor will develop greater power without adding to its cost of running.
Pneumatics Preferred for Trolley At Darlington, where experiments have been carried out for the past three months with pneumatic-tyied trolley-buses, the corporation has now decided to purchesse four new machines with this class of tyre equipment and to convert all vehicles at present running on solid tyres. There are about 20 such machines in use.
A London-to•Lincoin Service.
The Express Safety Coach Co., Ltd., which is running a daily coach service between London and Dover and has recently added to its fleet on this route the Gilford 24-seater coach, with wellappointed Metcalfe body, illustrated elsewhere in this issue, has recently applied for the necessary licences to enable it to institute a regular service between Lincoln and London, via Sleaford, Bourne, Market Deeping, Peterborough and Huntingdon.
Official Orders for October.
Amongst the contracts for motor vehicles given out by Government Departments during October last the following are of interest. The Crown Agents for the Colonies placed one for lorries with Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., another for motor road rollers with Barford and Perkins, Ltd., and a third for chassis with the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd. The War Office ordered a number of ambulance bodies from Vickers, Ltd.; several medium-capacity six-wheeled chassis from John I. Thornyeroft and Co., Ltd.; Karrier Motors, Ltd., and Guy Motors, Ltd.; motor fire-engines from Merryweather and Sons, Ltd.; trailer chassis from Tuke and Bell ; tractors from H. G. Burford and Co. (1926), Ltd., and six wheel drive tractors from the Four-Wheel Drive Lorry Co., Ltd.
The Air Ministry placed an order for motor road rollers with Barford and Perkins, Ltd., whilst the G.P.O. authorities divided an order for vans between Morris. Commercial Cars, Ltd., and Morris
Ltd.. and placed one for bodies with W. Harold Perry, Ltd.
Another Smithfield Exhibitor.
In addition to the list of exhibitors at the annual Smithfield Show, which opened at the Agricultural Hall, London, N., yesterday, published in our issue for last week, we learn that the International Harvester Co., of Great Britain, Ltd., is exhibiting a 10-20 h.p. International Junior farm tractor, as well as a sectional model of the tractor which permits full inspection of the various working parts. Mr. A. J. Purves, the company's sales manager for trucks and industrial tractors, will be in attendance during the period of the show. The company's exhibits are on view in the gallery on Stand 260, whilst all models of its lorries and tractors are being displayed during the show at 259, City Road, N.
Opposition to Ruses Withdrawn.
It is stated that the West Riding County Council has withdrawn its opposition to the proposal of the Huddersfield Corporation to run a service through the Colne Valley to Marsden. This service has already received the approval of the Marsden, Slaithwaite and Linthwaite Urban District Councils.
A Municipal Appointment.
We publish a portrait on this page of Mr. Richard Hoggard, A,M.Inst.T., who has recently been appointed transport manager to the Chesterfield Corporation. Mr. Hoggard has had many years' municipal transport experience end, before joining the Wigan Corporation Tramways Department in 1920, had been associated with the tramways department of the Sheffield Corporation for 20 years. He was appointed general manager of the transport department to the Lincoln Corporation in 1921. It may be remembered 'that, a few weeks ago, Mr. Hoggard was the runner-up for the appointment of general manager of the Nottingham Corporation Transport Department, . where Mr. Marks, wile was until recently at Chesterfield, was successful.
Gifford Distributors in the Midlands. Mr. W. S. Yeates, who has been gales manager to the Gilford Motor Co., Ltd., and its prelecessor for fif years, has now 'aliened out on his own account and has secured premises under the title of W. S. Yeates and Co., at Hollowstone Garage, Nottingham, where he is acting as distributor for Gifford Products throughout the counties of Leicester, Derby, and Nottingham. Mr. R. Turner is joining Mr. Yeates, and will take charge of the service side of the bushings_ He has had several years' experience with the Chord company.
Mr. Yeates is fully aware of the importance of after-sales service and 1322 for . this reason a full stock of spare parts will be carried. Mr. Yeates intends to co-operate so far as possible with the traders in the territory with which he is concerned and intends to appoint subagents in suitable areas.
Silentbloc Progress.
A noticeable feature of French and Belgian motorbuses end lorries is the steady progress which is being made with the adoption of Slientbloc oilless bushes. These are now being used not only in connection with spring-shackle bolts, but also as engine bearers and for the spindles of brake-levers, the pins of brake connections, etc.
A Coach Owners' Association.
it has recently been announced that an association of long-distance motorcoach companies has recently been formed under the title of the British Motor. Coach Services ASsociatien. Its objects 'are to achieve closer-co-operation In the organisation of road services.
Trailer Orders from Overseas.
What perhaps is the largest single order for trailers ever received by a British manufacturer has just been placed with the Eagle Engineering Co., Ltd., Warwick. This has been received from the India Store Department, which is buying 80 piteumatic-tyred, four-wheeled trailers. The company is paying considerable attention to overseas markets, and, in addition, has recently received orders for 26 5-ton solidtyred two-wheeled trailers for a Toadmaking contractor in Portugal, and another for 17 trailers which will be shipped to South Africa.
Another Six-wheeler Conversion Unit.
Another bogie unit by which Ford and Chevrolet chassis can. he converted Into rigid-frame aix-wheelers is being built by the Dual Duty Co., Alum, Michigan. It consists of an additional ant of rear wheels, a dead rear axle, and an extension unit for the frame. The ordinary springs are replaced by single inverted semi-elliptics fulcra/riming, on the extension frame. It is claimed that the fitting of this unit is extremely simple. So far, we have not heard of any agents in England.
Extraordinary Traffic at Eastbourne. The town clerk of Eastbourne has reported that, MI the hearing of the action brought by the corporation against Messrs. Fuller and Son for damage resulting from extraordinary traffic on East Dean Road, the judge found a verdict for the defendants, with costs against the corporation.
A Useful Air-cleaner.
Emphasis is often laid upon, the necessity of cleansing the air before it passes into the carburetter. There are many types of air cleaners in existence, and yet another, which possesses several points of interest, has been placed upon the market. We refer to the Lelia:dim air-cleaner, the London Motor Accessories Co., of Shakespeare house, 40, Leicester Saunre, London, being the concessionnairea.
In the Lemoirie device the air passes through two openings in the outer casing and _strikes an oil-impregnated wick which is situated inside the casing, as is shown in the accompanying illustration. The force of the impact rids the air of its heavier particles, The current then rebounds into the passage situated between the outer easing and the hollow, cylindrical wick, and rushes' upwards, depositing on the wick the lighter of its impurities. On arriving at the top of the passage it is deflected
from the top of the casing, passing down a spiral fin placed in the area encompassed by the cylindrical wick. The air, in a state of turbulence, eon
tinues its course down the spiral structure, depositing by centrifugal force the remainder of the dust, and finally passes through to the carburetter.
The Lernoine air-cleaner can be situated at any •convenient position under the bonnet, and is connected to the carburetter air intake by a flexible pipe.
Albion's New Chassis in Demand.
We learn that the 20-AI h.p. Albion 20-cwt. high-speed chassis, which made its public debut at the recent Scottish Show, is already proving popular and the names of many important transport concerns appear on the list of those that have already placed orders for it. They include Cooper and Co.'s Stores, Ltd., Spooners, Ltd., the Redline Motor Spirit Co., Ltd., United Yeast Co., Ltd., United Dairies, Ltd., White Horse Distillers, Ltd., the water department of the Birmingharn Corporation, Smith's Potato Crisps, Ltd., and the London and North Eastern Railway Co.
Revelations of a Dublin Traffic Census.
In October last a census of the traffic in Dublin was taken by members of the Civic Guard. The census was taken from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on the day selected 55,839 vehicles of all descriptions entered the central city area, which covers approximately threequarters of a square mile.
The results of the census have now been published and they show that there has been an amazing increase in the vehicular traffic of Dublin since 1023, when the last census was taken. Of the mechanically propelled vehicles entering the city 3,031 were buses, 1,660 heavy commercial vehicles, and 4.326 light commercial vehicles. There were also 223 steam lorries, 2,740 tramcars, 14,057 private motorcars, and 8,719 horse-drawn vehicles. hi. the published result of the census it is pointed out that in 1923 there were no motorbuses in the city, in 1926 there were only 87 such vehicles, whereas to-day there are 387 plying for hire inside the city boundary.
A separate census was taken of the traffic leaving the docks area, and the figures included 144 buses, 1,140 heavy motor vehicles 923 light commercial vehicles, and 2,155 horse-drawn lorries.
Greyhound Long-distance Bus Develop.
Cheltenham 'Watch Committee has granted Greyhound Motors, Ltd., of Bristol, licences to pick up passengers in connection with services from Coventry to Paignton and from Gloucester to London. The company is making additions to its long-distance bus programme early in the new year.
Loading Chutes Wanted.
To save loading time at the Liverpool Docks, the Liverpool Area Committee of the Commercial Motor 'Users Association has been making representations to the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board to urge the provision of chutes at the dock warehouses. Although a few chutes have been erected at one or two dock sheds, it is not considered that the number is sufficient to meet general convenience.
Owing to the serious delays that
occur in securing the prompt clearance of vehicles from the Liverpool Docks, haulage contractors and others feel that steps should now be taken to arrest transport wastage that arises from the absence of suitable facilities.
Sunderland's Bus Decision,
Sunderland Corporation, which, although, it has powers to run buses, has tried out the traffic potentialities of a number of town routes by means of a working arrangerdent with the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., of Chester-le-Street, has now decided to go ahead with the establishment of municipal services. To this end it has been decided to invite tenders for the supply of 12 machines end, at the same time, work is to be expedited in connection with a large bus and tram depot.
The L.C.C. and Street Accidents.
In connection with the recent report on the increase of street fatalities, questions were asked at a nieeting of the London County Council as to the possibilities of steps being taken to secure a greater measure of safety in the streets. In reply, it was stated that this matter was still under investigation by the London and Home. Traffic Advisory Committee and that the council would consider any practical suggestions that might be made.
Educating Bus Conductors.
The success . of a class in motor engineering for bus conductors who are anxious to become drivers, which is being arranged at the Technical Institute, Bolton Street, Dublin, is already assured. Several big bus undertakings have promised to support the classes and have sent forward estimates of the number of their employees who would take part. Scottish Buyers of Karrier Sweepers.
Three important Scottish municipalities have recently ordered Karrier sweepers—RSC-type machines being favoured by the authorities at Falkirk and Lanark, whilst the city of Dundee has just taken delivery of the RB-type 700-gallon sweeper, sprinkler and washer, which is shown in accompany. ing illustrations.
Designed specifically for road-cleansing purposes, this type of machine embodies features which appeal to those authorities who prefer the method of sweeping street-refuse towards the kerb. The transverse sprinkler pipe is used only when the appliance is sweeping, whilst the two sprinkler heads and the four road-washing nozzles are each independently controlled and supplied with water under pressure from a rotary Pump located below the driver's seat. Pressure can be regulated to suit the requirements of the moment, and each head will give a throw of 35 ft.
• When it is desired to undertake gully flushing, the near-side nozzle of the roadwashing apparatus can be used with the other apertures closed. The wheelbase of the appliance is 9 ft.
Petrol Stations at Road Junctions:\
The improvements committee of the Kensington Borough Council in commenting upon the tendency throughout the metropolitan area to establish petrol-service stations at important road junctions, considers that, from a public safety and traffic point of view, they may be regarded as undesirable. In its opinion the time has arrived when highway authorities should be given powers to control the establishment of such stations and, for this reason, it has asked the London County Council to consider the promotion of legislation.
Fire-fighting Facilities in a Growing Stockton Area.
Since the establishment at Billingham, near Stockton, of huge chemical and other manufacturing works, the district has developed at a rapid rate, and now, in order, to provide efficient fire-fighting facilities, the local urban district council is giving serious consideration to the need for the provision of a fire-brigade equipped with modern mechanically propelled machines and . other up-to-date apparatus. As a prelimivary step, a sub-committee is to visit the fire-stations at Reclear, Seabarn Harbour and Jairew, in which places there are highly efficient brigades.
A Popular Commer Model.
Coromer Cars, Ltd., of LutoP, has just issued a folder descriptive of its 30-cwt. chaesis. The specification details given are quite brief, but the
leading dimensions of the chassis are clearly shown. The price of this 'chassis with full equipment is £365. It is interesting to see from illustrations incorporated in the folder that this model is being used as the basis of vehicles employed in a variety of trades.
Albion Bus Fleets.
0. and C. Holdaworth, ad., the proprietar of the Hebble Motor Services, of Halifax, has been steadily building up a considerable fleet of Albion vehicles and now uses 42 buses of this make. The company's latest order is for two Allaions of the 36-90 h.p. 31-seater forward-control type.
Another big user of Albion buses is the City of Oxford Motor Services, Ltd., which is running a number of 29-seaters, in which the maker's 30-60 h.p. chaesis is used, and it has now ordered six forward-control 22-seaters of this make.
Selecting Cardiff's New Passenger-transport Manager.
A short list of four candidates for the position Of manager of the niunicipal bus and tram services has been selected by the Cardiff Tramways Committee from the 28 applicants for the post. The position is rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr. R. L. Horafield. A sub-committee will inspect the operation of the municipal passenger transport services in the towns at which the four applicants are engaged before the final selection and appointment is made. The four candidates are :—Messrs. W. Forbes, G. jaekson and W. T. Young, general managers of the municipal . tramways services at Aberdeen,. Oldham and Halifax respectively, and Mr. C. J. Jackson, assistant manager of the Liverpool Corporation Tramways.
A Booklet on Batteries, Batteries, Ltd., Hunt End Works, Redditch, has just issued a booklet
describing its accumulators. It contains a semi-technical description of the construction and characteristics cif the latest type of Nife nickel-steel
alkaline accumulator. Particular attention is drawn to the remarkably steady voltage maintained on hischarge, this feature being illustrated by graphs. Another striking feature brought to light in this publication is the numerous and varied applications to which Nile steel-plate batteries are
put. In this connection it is noteworthy that motorbuses and other types of commercial vehicle are illustrated. •
Transport Advertising Specialist Available.
We know of a man specializing in transport advertising who is desirous of securing a position in the road-transport industry. He is a qualified consultant in advertising and has had seven years of transport publicity experience, as well as long association with passenger traffic operation, during which time he has been on the staffs of several important transport concerns. Letters addressed " W," care of The Editor, will be forwarded.