ROADSIDE WATER SUPPLY FOR STEAMERS.
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Two Methods Recommended for Final Approval. The System of Payment Through the Commercial Motor Users Association.
THE NEED for public roadside supplies of water for steam road vehicles and locomotives has long been felt and, from time to time, many suggestions have been put forward, whilst in several towns various schemes have been put into operation.
The earliest method was to supply a stand pipe and turnkey under licence, by which water could be drawn from any water-cock in the particular town. This was improved upon by installing either a stand pipe with special connections, or an underground tank from which water
could be drawn, by using the water lifter, which is fitted on all steam vehicles, means being provided for regulatin* the use of these, by the issue under licence of special keys and tokens.
After an interview in June, 1921, between Sir Henry Maybury, DirectorGeneral of Roads of the Ministry of Transport, and representatives of the British Waterworks Association, a conference was arranged in October, 1921, when representatives of the Ministry of Transport, the British Waterworks Association, the Commercial Motor Users Association, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Ltd., and the Agricultural Engineers' Association, considered the question. The matter was referred to a small representative conjoint committee of the associations present, to bring up a general plan and scheme.
The report of that committee has now been published, recommending the 'adoption of the principle that "Access should be obtained to an automatic roadside water supply apparatus by means of a standard form of key and token." Whilst the adoption of a. universal key and universal token was decided upon for the whole country, it was left to the option of the local authorities whether it be used in conjunction with either an underground tank for use with water lifters, or a stand pipe and flexible hose.
The Use of an Underground Tank.
An underground tank into which the suction hose could be dropped requires the provision of no additional pipe or fittings, and normally would be placed under the footwalk and kept full by a ballcock of suitable design. Any form of door or manhole, flush with the pave. B38
ment, which 4s to be operated by others than the officials of the water authority, would be dangerous, and not easy to find ; consequently, it is necessary to provide a suitable service box and signpost. The hosepipe is dropped through the circular hole in front of the service box, which is about 2i-in. diameter, and is covered by a pivoted shutter-latch inside the box. This is opened by means of a special key and token.
' These tanks are somewhat costly to install, and might interfere with pipes and cables already laid. On the other
hand, they possess the advantage of providing an absolute physical break between the main and the tank of the wagon, and every steam wagon now on the road could dee them without any alteration and without carrying any additional fitting. They would be cheap to maintain, reliable, and would only be affected by very severe frost. This arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 2.
Employing a Stand Pipe.
The second suitable service appliance recommended by the committee is to provide a service box containing a stand pipe with a flexible hose permanently attached to it. When not in use the flexible pipe would be coiled up inside the service box, access to which would be obtained by opening a door by means of a special key and token. The stand pipe, in addition to being fitted with a controlling cock operated by hand, would have a self-closing cock connected to the door by links, which turns off the supply in the event of the wagon driver not taking care to shut the controlling cock. When he has obtained his supply of water, he hangs the hose up inside the box, closes the door, thus automatically shutting off the supply. This is illustrated in Fig. 1.
As previously stated, it was decided that, whichever type of service fitting was used, a standard key and token should be provided to gain access. Consequently, the committee offered a premium of 25 guineas for a suitable design of lock mechanism to be operated by a key in combination with a token, which could be applied to either type of service box fitting. This was awarded to Mr. A. R. U. Heath, M.I.A.E., whose design was selected out of 13 designs and models submitted.
Without giving a detailed description of this mechanism, it is sufficient to say that the door or shutter-latch can only be opened with the standard key and token, and the key cannot be removed until the door or shutter-latch is closed and locked. To open, the operations are as fellow :—
1. Insert key and turn clockwise until slot for inserting token is uncovered. 2. Insert token, when the key can be further rotated until the door can be opened, or the shutter-latch uncovers the orifice through which the hose is dropped.
After obtaining water (and the door in the case of the underground tank is closed), the key is turned back to its starting position, thus locking the door or shutter-latch, and the key is removed. It should be understood that when the key is being turned to open, the token automatically drops into a receptacle inside the lock mechanism.
Keys and Tokens.
With regard to the key, every steam wagon or locomotive using these services will be required to carry a standard key of approved design, issued by the water authorities at a uniform price not exceeding 2s. fid. This key, which is illustrated trated n Fig. 3, is provided with a lead disc, which is to receive the distinguishing mark of the water authority issuing it, and the registration number of the wagon to which it is issued.
With regard to the tokens, which are in the form of circular corrugated discs of hard metal (see Fig. 3), the Commercial Motor Users Association has under.: taken to purchase these as may be required from the licensed manufacturer, and distribute them to all motor owners and users, also to water authorities or other approved parties who may wish to
have a stock for sale to drivers of casual wagons who may run out of a supply. The price of these tokens will be 9d. each to users, and when presented by the water authority for redemption will he paid for at the rate of 80. each, the difference of id. being retained by the Commercial Motor Users Association towards the cost of providing the token and management charges in connection with its distribution and redemption. The Commercial Motor Users Association will be prepared to deal with the tokens at 17 centres.
It was agreed that the price for the issue and redemption of the token should be open to revision every year after the third year. .
While dealing with this question of water supply, there is another feature which could be advantageously dealt with; in fact, it is really very closely connected. As is well known, the fires, especially when burning coke, require cleaning, and this is usually done when filling up with water.
It would be a great boon if, conveniently near the service box a metal recs.pta,cle were provided for depositing clinker and ash, which would periodically be cleaned out by the local sanitary authorities when collecting house refuse.