Chorus of Praise from Transport Engineers
Page 24
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AEngineers, to be held on Friday, PPLICATIONS for tickets for 'the
April 28, at the Connalight Rooms, luncheon-conference of the proposed Institute of Road Transport London, W.C.2, have reached the original total, but, as mentioned last week, an appeal to the caterer has per mitted us to accommodate a further 50. Applications are, however, being received daily. Therefore, others who wish to attend should write as soon as possible, enclosing 10s. per ticket, which will be refunded if the' new limit has been reached before receipt. •
Amongst many more comments upon the scheme we extract the following:—
Having read our articles on the proposed -Institute, a reader with a long practical experience wishes his name added to those applying for membership and, at the same time, thanks us for out efforts to form this body . to cover the " heavy " sphere of haulage and transport, which he says is a grand step in the right direction. He wishes the undertaking every success.
The chief. engineer of a well-known bus company, who is already a member of three Institutes, says that it is 14 years since he joined the bus business, and until recent times he thought that enaineers in this sphere had been somewhat backward, each having, more or
less, his own set ideas. Particularly since the war, however, there have been more co-operation and sharing of resources, which is all td the good, not only from the point of view of the individual, but as regards "the, community and the industry as a whole. He feels that the suggestion for the formation of a well-organized Institute of Road Transport Engineers would be very beneficial to all concerned. He takes the opportunity of expressing his appreciation and sending us his best wishes for the efforts and initiative displayed in forming this body.
A joint application has been received from two people engaged, in a managerial capacity, with the maintenance and administration of the Midlands fleet of an organization operating some 3,000 vehicles. They state that they welcome the proposal to form the Institute and will give it any support in their power. It should meet a long'
• felt need and prove helpful to those engaged in a profession which has become increasingly difficult.
One applicant, writing from Liverpool, says he wishes the conference every success, and kindly adds that he would support a hearty vote of thanks to us for our excellent groundwork in. launching the project.
The transport engineer of a co-operative society in Lancashire expresses MI appreciation of the " worthy " effort that is being made towards forming the Institute which, he considers, isan excellent project and well worth striving for. It would bring the best out of the " back room " transport engineers and encourage younger students who are trying hard for recognition.
A regular reader, chief engineer of a bus service in Scotland, who is responsible for a fleet of over 356 vehicles, offers his congratulations on the up-todate matters dealt with in this journal and on the interest and encouragement which it has given _to the proposed body.
The managing director of a company specializing in the sale of commercial vehicles feels that this journal is to be warmly congratulated on its 'efforts to promote technical knowledge and interest in the transport and engineering professions.
A writer who describes himself as a technical and professional man with experience of p.s.v. and heavy goods transport, and who is now in charge of the 'vehicles of an electricity, department, says that 20 years of experience has proved that not only do transport engineers need. the suggested Institute, but they _must have it. He considers that this latest effort is a " masterpiece," which should be supported to the full by every genuine transport engineer ; for 'one thing, it would give true engineers the status they need. Hitherto it has been taken for granted that the maintenance engineer is, of necessity, a man whose sole object in life is to assist everyone but himself. He would, also like to see fitters who have served their apprenticeships and gained their " wings " the hard way, given their due, as the term " mechanic " is often too loosely applied. He suggests that the Institute could well prove to be the " hub " of the transport industry. It would help in gaining recognition of this occupation as a profession and could form a nucleus for the discussion of many matters that at present cannot find an outlet.
An engineer in 'charge of a fairly large fleet, scattered over the country in areas so far apart as Brighton and Aberdeen, would welcome the opportunity of getting into touch• with maintenance men who have difficulties similar to his own.,.
A maintenance manager supervizing the complete overhaul of practically every type of vehicle on the road agrees whole-heartedly with all our views regarding vehicle construction and maintenance, and he hopes, by the formation of the I.R.T.E., to have vehicles in his fleet worthy. of the reputation of having been built with the help of the operators who use them and who know the faults which occur in service.
The, controller of two of the largest fleets in the South-Western area says that he wishes to help this most commendable effort to establish an Institute, which has undoubtedly been required for a considerable number of years. He would be glad to assist in any way to help in its formation.
Congratulations come from the engineer-manager of a haulage concern in Bucks. He is of the opinion that the Institute would be really welcomed throughout the industry, both as' regards transmitting direct to the vehicle manufacturer the views• of the engineer and in assisting the industry to obtain fully trained maintenance men, as distinct from so-called " motor engineers."
One writer suggests that since the outbreak of hostilities it has been the lot of road-transport engineers to assist the national effort in a way unsurpassed by any others_ Despite all difficulaas road transport has always been ready to meet the maximum demands made upon it. The proposed Institute would not only assist in producing better vehicles, but should be able to play a leading part in bringing the industry back to its proper place in the sun. • The advantages that can be gained by forming the Institute, as it concerns vehicle owners, engineers and apprentice engineers, are almost too numerous to mention, comments an engineer who _maintains a fleet of 250 vehicles, plus specialized workshops which are at the disposal of operators in the Birmingham area. He believes that the scheme will turn out to be one of the best of the many successful " ventures " which this journal has engaged in, It is through experience that one realizes one's wants, Too often ideas' and suggestions have been swept aside. Things that would have counted for so much not only to the individual concerned, but to many operators and other persons filling responsible posts in road transport, are lost. Enthusiastic engineers who are engaged in the maintenance of fleets are in a position to give first-hand information to the manufacturers, and all such data should be sent to the proposed Institute. Many maintenance engineers have no doubt found themselves in the same position as Group Captain Whittle, through manufacturers turning down • ideas 'that have since proved so valuable. These are the observations of a transport engineer in Belfast.