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WHEELS of INDUSTRY " Tits wheels of wealth will be

19th August 1930, Page 42
19th August 1930
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

allowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.

Exhibitors of Commercial Vehicles at the Scottish Show.

At the 29th annual Scottish Motor Show, organized under the auspices of the Scottish Motor Trade Association, which will be held in the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, from November 7th to 15th, commercial vehicles will occupy a prominent position. This year there will be sections for commercial vehicles, private cars, accessories and components and garage equipment, the last-named being an innovation so far as this Show is concerned, although a familiar feature in connection with the Olympia Shows.

As there will be no commercialvehicle exhibition at Olympia, the Scottish Show will certainly attract considerable attention from those interested in business motors. There will be over 200 stands and the exhibitors of commercial vehicles will be as follow, certain manufacturers being directly represented and others showing their products through the medium Of established agents •

Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., Alexander Motors, Armour and Melvin, 'Ltd., Wm. 'Arnold, Annelated Equipment Co., Ltd., Bass Reek Motor Co., Ltd., Bean Cars, Ltd., Beardmore (Paisley), Ltd., Bryson Brothers (Motors), Ltd., David Carlow and Sons, Ltd., Commer Cars, Ltd., F. D. Cowieson and Co.; Peter Crerar, Crossky Motors, Ltd., Daimler Co., Ltd., Dodge Brothers (Britain), Ltd., A. and D. Fraser, Robert Gibson and Sons (Moto), Ltd., W. Gillespie and Sons,

Ltd., M.-Gladstone (Motors), Ltd., Glasgow and Paris Motor Garage Repairing Co,. Ltd., Guy Motors, Ltd., Halley Motors, Ltd.; Hyndland Garage, Ltd., Jack and . Renwick, Leyland Motors, Ltd., :Mach*. Rennie and Lindsay, Ltd., Mackay and Jardine, Ltd., MLoy s Garage, A. Mather and Son, Maudslay Motor Co., Ltd., Peebles Motor Co. Lid,, -'Ritchies, Ltd., Chas. Roberts and Co., Ltd., Alec Robertson Motors,Ltd., Rossleigh, Ltd., Stoboross Motor Co., Ltd., Scottish Motor Traction Co., Ltd., John I. Thornycrolt and Co., Ltd., TillingStevens Rioters, Ltd., John C. Todd, Town and County Mlotor Garage, Ltd., Vulcan Motor and Engineering Co. (1906). Ltd., Western Motor Co., Lid.; and Westfield Ali-Wear Co., Ltd. Argentine Exhibition Entries Closing.

British manufacturers who are still undecided as to whether to exhibit chassis or vehicles at the British Empire Trade Exhibition, to be held at 13ueno.s Air m es from March 14th to April 271S, 1931, are reminded that there is very little space still available in the motorvehicle section.

Application 0 should he sent to Mr. W. S. Barclay, F.R.G.S„ secretary of the London committee of the exhibition, at 5, Parliament Mansions, Orchard Street, Victoria Street, London, SAVA, and it may be said that applications received after August 31st will stand but little chalice of allotment. A New Pierce-Arrow Model for Great Britain.

We are advised by Henlys (1928), Ltd., Hawley Crescent, High Street, Camden Town, London, N.W.I, that it is about to introduce a new Pierce-. Arrow 30-cwt, chassis into this country. This American-built make of Wilkie obtained a fine reputation in the war.

It will be sold with a wheelbase of 10 ft. 10 ins. or 13 ft. 4 ins., the chassis price being £235 or £250 respectively.. • The "engine is -a Pierce-Arrow having six cylinders with a bore. and stroke of ins._ and 4 ins. respectively; developing 70 b.h.p. at 3,200 r.p.m. Unit construction of the engine and gearbox is adopted and it has silent-chain drive for the distriblitiOn gear ; other engine itenis include a water pump, a 17-in. fan and ft 6-8-volt dynamo and starter. Three final-drive ratios are available to suit various classes of work.

The short-wheelbase model has a one-piece propeller shaft, whilst the longer, machine has a divided shaft. Fourwheel brakes are used, also Ross camand-lever steering and a 13i-gallon fuel tank ; -the frame height (laden) is -2 ft. 21 ins. Examples of this new model are expected to be available in it few days' time.

A Street-traffic Control System.

The A.T.M. system for the control of street traffic by colour-light signals has been developed by the Automatic Telephone Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Strowger Works, Liverpool, in compliance with the' recommendations of the Ministry of Transport, as laid down in Memorandum 297 (Roads).

The signal lanterns, which are of simple and robust construction, are arranged in groups of three, comprising red, amber and green lights, and they are aSsenibled in boxes of various typeS to suit • local conditions and Methods of mounting. The. actual signal lamps,are of 60-watt _rating," and they are 'placed at the focus of efficient spun-copper reflectors, a highly pOlished surfacebeing obtained by the use of chromium plating. In front of the lamps and supported by the housing are suitably coloured diffusing lenses. .The lanterns are cowled to increase their visibility and to counteract the effect-of bright sunshine. They are of welded steel, equipped with castiron lens frames and visors.

Belfast Bus-fares Decision.

The Northern Ireland Road Transport Tribunal has announced its decision in respect of Belfast Corporation's application for permission to abolish return tickets, and to increase by 1d. the single fares oh the Cavehill Road, Cherryvalley, Gilnahirk, Dundonald and Glengorniley bus routes, the decision being to the effect that the corporatMn has made out a ease for the abolition of return tickets on all the bus routes referred to, but has not established a case for increasing the ordinary single fares on any of the routes. •

A Summary ot the New Motor Laws.

A bandy booklet summarizing and explaining the new motor laws has been issued by the Automobile Association and is now available by writing to the secretary at Fannin House, New Coventry Street, London, W.1, or to any A.A. branch office. All the provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1030, have been summarized by the A.A. legal department, but as certain important matters have yet to be the subject of regulations by the Minister of Transport, this booklet will be followed at a later date by the issue of an A.A. legal handbook, in which will be given a comprehensive survey of the whole of the law and regulations affecting the road user.

Restricting the Use of Solids.

According to a recent Italian Royal Decree, licences and certificates of approval are not now allowed to be issued, for solid-tyred motor vehicles or trailers if when empty they are capable of speeds greater than 18t m.p.h., nor may existing vehicles equipped with such tyres be used after the end of 1031.

A £427,000 Ring Road to be Built at Chester, The Ministry of Transport has intimated that the work on the Ring Road, Chester, should be proceeded with at an early date and that the Ministry is prepared to make a grant of 75 per cent, towards the cost. The county surveyor reported that the approximate estimated cost of the scheme (from the Cheshire lines railway bridge, Hoola, to the ccunty boundary, Marlston-eurn1.aehe, and its continuation in the county of Flint to the Mold Road) was £427,000. Cheshire County Council has decided to carry out the proposed scheme insofar as it is within the administrative county.

Housing Newcastle's Municipal Buses.

Members of the transport and electricity committee of Newcastle Corporation recently examined the site in the Ouseburn area, on which it is proposed to construct a garage for the municipal fleet of buses, which now exceeds the century mark. Provisional plans pro vide for a structure capable of accommodatittg more vehicles than are at present being run, and although the original estimated cost was about £30,000, it is expected that repair shops and extensions will increase the capital cost to approximately £50,000.

An Interesting Amalgamation.

We learn that practically the whole of the issued shares of Alloy Welding Processes, Ltd., Ferry Lane, London, E.17, have been purchased by Murex, Ltd., which has works at Rainham, Essex, and is concerned in the treatment of complex ores and the manufacture of various alloys and of carbon-free metals.

Murex, Ltd., owns all the share capital of the Premier Electric Welding Co., Ltd., as well as of Thermit, Ltd.

Restriction of Drivers' Hours Enforced.

In spite of the protests of certain of the operators in the area, Rlyth's licensing committee has decided to adhere to its previous decision to attach a condition to all licences restricting the hours of employment of bus drivers. Two months ago the town council adopted a form of contract, which licensed operators were required to enter into, but, pending a conference between a sub-committee and the objecting operators, it withheld the condition relating to drivers' hours.

The licensing committee now recommends the renewal of 143 bus licences and the granting of 23 additional licences, subject to the conditions contained in the undertaking approved by the council, including the clause relating to the working hours of drivers of motorbuses.

Branch Railway Closing Down Through Bus Competition.

As from September 22nd, the service of passenger trains maintained by the London Midland and Scottish Railway Co., between Skipton and Grassington, will cease to operate. The competition of bus services which link the two places at regular and frequent intervals has had much to do with the decision to close the line to passenger traffic. The present line was opened in July, 1902, and it will still be used in connection with the. conveyance of limestone from quarries in the Grassington area.

A Diesel Engine on Passenger Service.

It will interest our readers to know that the 65 b.h.p. Diesel-type engine embodied in the vehicle operated by the Barton Transport, Ltd., of Beeston, Notts, to which some interesting references were made on pages 930 and 931 of our issue for last week, was of Gardner make. The manufacturer of this engine is Norris, llenty and Gardners, Ltd., Patricroft, Manchester.

A New Resilient Road Wheel.

Mr. V. H. Casey, of Melbourne, Australia, has lately invented what is termed an Automatic Universal Suspension Wheel. It is intended that this device should relieve the transmission of strains when starting and braking, isolate the vehicle from road shocks and reduce tyre and general-maintenance costs: In each wheel are three cylinders placed in triangular formation, .• the cylinders containiug compound helical springs, which are held in position by phosphor-bronze sleeves. The lastnamed are blanked off at the inner ends. In each tube two sets of springs and two steel plungers, with hemispherical ends, are maintained in contact with phosphor-bronze track segments. As the wheel rotates the helical springs are alternately in compression. Lubrication is effected by means of a grease gun. A hover plate fits over the mechanism and makes a watertight joint.

A £016,000 Bridge.

The .Tees (Newport) Bridge Bill has received the Royal Assent and Middlesbrough Corporation and the county council of Durham are now authorized to construct a bridge at an estimated cost of 1616,000, of which sum the Ministry of Transport has agreed to contribute 75 per cent., the two authorities providing, in equal shares, the remaining 25 per cent, of the cost.

Coach-station Charges At Eastbourne.

The watch committee of Eastbourne Corporation recommends that for the use of the central motor-coach station 6d. should be charged in respect of each vehicle setting down and taking up passengers, 1s. for each parked coach and 1s. 6d. in respect of each vehicle taking up or setting down passengers, as well as parking. • A Booklet for Transport Operators.

The booklet "How to Get Home," which was published a few years ago by Sternol, Ltd., the famous oil-refinery' concern of Royal London House, Finsbury 'Square, London, E.C.2, met with such a hearty reception that the company recently "decided to reprint the book with various additions. It has just come to our hands in its latest form and certainly it is a publication which affords valuable assistance to drivers who may be in serious trouble due to breakdowns and accidents on the road.

Methods of righting vehicles that are overturned and means for • extracting vehicles from soft and difficult ground are explained, • clear drawings .being included to eliminate all chance of mis understanding. I n addition, ways of dealing with leaking radiators, stripped axle nuts, broken axles, broken fan blades and bent steering arms, as well as problems of towing, are dealt with, the publication concluding with a list of recommended grades of Sternol Loroline lubricants for all makes of commercial-motor vehicle. • Readers of The Commercial Motor may obtain copies of this useful booklet by applying to the company at the address given above.

Latest M. of T. Traffic Regula tions.

The Minister of Transport, after consulting the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee, has made the London Traffic (Prescribed Routes) Provisional Regulations, 1930, providing for the institution of one-way and roundabout traffic schemes at the fol lowing points :—

One-way Schemes.

(11 In Church Street and part of Green Street,

Sunbury-on-Thames.

(2) In parts of White Start Road and Broom Hill, Orpington. (.31 In part of Sirupsen's Road, Bromley.

(4) Along the duplicate carriageway of

Gunnershury Lane, Chiswick,

Roundabout Schemes.

(I) Arcund the islands at the junction of Watford Way, Lawrence Street, • Goodwyn Avenue, The Broadway, end nagsLane, Mill Hill.

(2) Around the island at the junction of nigh Street, Rectory Road, Beckenham Road and Croydon Road, Beckenham.

The new regulations came into operation on August 11th.

The Bull Eddy-current Brake.

Agricultural and General Engineers, Ltd., AltIwych House, London, W.C.2, has sent us a copy of a booklet recently produced by its associated company, Bull Motors, Ltd., Ipswich, whiclt describes the Bull patent eddy-current brake. The latter company developed and patented this form of brake, for use on trolley-buses and other types of vehicle.

The brake is simple to operate, silent in use, and calls for the minimum effort on the part of the driver. Being progressive in action,, it minimizes the strain on tyres and transmission and thereby assists in reducing upkeep costs.

Briefly stated, a short-circuited steel rotor is Mounted on the motor shaft and rotates within a specially designed field-magnet frame. The braking effort is obtained simply by exciting the field, which thereby induces currents in the rotor itself, these currents reacting upon the field magnetism to bring the motor to rest. The braking power is entirely dissipated as heat within the rotor, cooling air being drawn by a fan past fins .on the rotor in order to keep the motor temperature within safe working

The brake is operated thrbugh a controller actuated by the brake pedal, and is effective down to a speed of 3 m.p.h. ; It further depression of the pedal brings the friction brake into action.

Tests carried out by the Mexborough and Swinton Traction Co. show that, on the running of 27 vehicles equipped with the Bull eddy-current brake, a saving of £500 on tyres and £370 on brake expenses was effected in a year. The facts to which we have referred are amplified in the booklet under review.

Tramways Abandonment Desired.

A further indication that tramways are steadily losing their former popu larity, even in large centres of population, comes from Aitrincham, where the local council, which has recently agreed to Manchester Corporation's tramways. service being continued for a year, and thereafter subject to six months' notice, is now proposing to discuss with the corporation the removal of the trams.

A New Refitting Process.

, We understand that a new refining process has recently been perfected by M. Andre Brume, an eminent French engineer. It is said that the new process materially reduces the cost of refining and that it removes the injurious elements, but leaves behind all the desirable qualities to make an efficient fuel.

American Commercial-vehicle Exports.

The depression in the overseas demand for American commercial vehicles which has prevailed so far this year is becoming even more accentuated, The latest official returns are those far May last, during which month 9,666 vans, lorries, buses and chassis, valued at £895,444, were exported from the United States, as compared with 11,494 .(£1,603,300) in May, 1929.

The returns for the five months ended May last show a total export of only 49714 vehicles (M38,009) as cootrusted with 85,912 and £10,200,953 respectively in the corresponding period

a year ago, a drop of 36,208 (42 per cent.) in number and £3,662,944 (36 per cent.) in value.

An analysis of the returns shows that whereas last year the majority of the exported vehicles had carrying capacities of under a ton, this year vehicles carrying between 1 ton and 2i tons are in the lead with 26,857, as against 20,476 for the lighter class, leaving only 2,381 vehicles with capaCities of over 2i tons.

So far this year the principal American-vehicle, markets; in the order of their importance," are Australia, Belgium, India, Denmark, Canada, Spain, Mexico and Japan. It is interesting to add that• the proportion of exported vehicles to the total American production is 18.1 per cent.

Free State Imports Higher.

During the five months ended May last 580 machines were imported into the Irish Free State, as compared with 449 in the corresponding period a year ago. In contrast, the value of the imports declined from 184,099 to £82,126.

Adopting the A.A.'s System.

A system of traffic patrols with roadside telephone boxes, modelled on the system controlled by the Automobile Association in this country, is being tried out in the United States by the New Haven County Automobile Club.

Trolley-buses for Walsall, The English Electric Co., Ltd., Preston, has received an order from the County Borough of Walsall for two A.E.C.-English Electric double-deck low-. loading trolley-buses. Each vehicle will have a seating capacity for 60 persons.

The chassis to be used will be the A.E.C. model 6331', which has a wheelbase of 16 ft. 6 ins. and rheostatic air and hand brakes. The body and the electrical equipment will be built by the English Electric Co., Ltd., the equipment consisting of a DI(130 80 h.p. motor mounted in a forward position in the chassis, and the company's standard contactor-type foot-operated controller.

Municipal Passenger-vehicle Results at Ashton.

The report of the general manager of the tramways and motors department of Ashton-under-Lyne Corporation, for the year ended March 31st last, shows that the total revenue from the operation of trolley-buses was £14,705, and from petrol buses £25,429, the total revenue of the department being £92,008, as compared with £90,758 in the previous year.

The actual gross profit on the undertaking was £24,373, but as income tax, interest and sinking-fund charges absorbed £25,288, the actual deficit on the year's working was £915, the tramways deficiency of £4,258 being largely offset by the profits of £2,187 on petrol buses, and £1,156 on trolley-buses.

During the year the corporation purchased two Leyland Lion buses, and at the time of the issue of the report a further six Leyland machines were on order. The corporation had in service on March 31st last 15 motorbuses and eight trolley-busts, and during the year the former ran 428,788 miles (56,425 miles were also run on an express service to Manchester) and the latter 219,763 miles.

Railway Statistics for May.

Many of those associated with the commercial-vehicle industry, particularly on the passenger-transport side, who have interests which are competitive with those of the railway, desire to have some indication of the activities of the railway concerns, and they may find some food for thought in the latest figures to be issued. The statistics for • May, 1930, have now been published by the Minister of Transport, but in considering them it must be borne in mind that the figures are affected by the incidence of Whit Monday, whichfell in May in 1929, and in June of this year.

The total passenger journeys (excluding those made by season-ticket holders) taken in May, 1930, on all standard-gauge railways in Great Britain was 100,723,740, a decrease of 6,56'7,900, or 6.1 per cent., as compared with those of May, 1929.

The receipts from passengers (excluding season-ticket holders) showed a decrease of £793,565.

The total tonnage of freight conveyed (excluding free-hauled traffic) was 26,793,739—a reduction of 884,480 as compared with the figure for May, 1929. The freight-train-miles run were 241,208 more than in the corresponding month of last year, but the average train load decreased from 128i tons to 125 tons. Freight-train receipts totalled £8,648,281.

Awards for London Bus Drivers.

More than 400 bus drivers in the mph:1y of the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., and working from,East London garages, recently received National " SafetY First" awards for freedom from accidents during the past year. Gold medals were presented to 45 men, whilst 92 received silver medals. Passenger Transport in the Isle of Man.

The tramways committee of Douglas (I. of M.) Corporation reports that in the past year the cable-car section has been discarded, and in consequence certain of the assets of that section are now valueless, whilst others are of considerable importance to the motorbus service which has replaced the obsolete system. There was a balance of £2.803 en the year's working, to the credit of the profit-and-loss account. Four buses costing £6,356 have been purchased during the year. There has been no borrowing in respect of any of the corporation's motorbuses, of which there are now 33, but up to March 31st, 1930, the cost of five of the buses, namely, 17,629, has been charged against the depreciation and renewals fund, and no provision for depreciation is made in respect of .these five buses.


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