Approved Depots.--Article XII.
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An Important Garage in Birmingham. All Types of Vehicles Accommodated. Special Provision for Steamers.
After a brief lapse of time we again take up our tale of "Approved Depots." A better selection of the looality of the depot with which to restart could not be made than Birmingham. Birmingham is to the Midlands what London is to the south and Manchester and Liverpool to the north. It is, furthermore, an important centre in connection with the motor-manufacturing industry, and although this last-named fact would not appear to affect to any considerable extent the standing of an agency for commercial vehicles, or the conditions which govern the choice or production of a depot, it affects, as will be shown hereafter, in one or two minor • particulars the internal arrangements which are essential for the proper conduct and equipment of • such a depot. It should be noted, however, that, curiously enough, although manufacturers of petrol vehicles abound in• and about the Birmingham district, the makers of steam wagons are notably absent. Birmingham is, moreover, a centre of unusual importance in connection with the transport al goods of all cIasse.9 A manufacturing centre, it depends upon transport for its supplies of raw material, as well as for the disposal of its wares. It has, of late years, grown to be more and more dependent upon road vehicles for that tranSport.
A Case Where Mechanical Haulage Saved the Day.
An interesting. incident which occurred in the early part of this year may be mentioned at this point, as showing how essential are facilities for the conveyance of raw materials
to this city. .uuring inc t....tremely severe weather in February, when the canals were frozen, an important consignment of no less than 150 tons of copper,. the value of which would be roughly £10,000, was held. up at Preston Brook, pear Warrington, by reason of this frost, the normal procedure in the case of such a. consignment being to
convey by canal to Birmingham. Essential production of munitions was in danger of being stopped. Owing to the difficulty of transference from the barges, considerable delay would have ensued if an attempt to convey the copper by rail had been made. The concern whose depot we are about to describe, and which carries on a very extensive motor haulage contractor's business, was appealed to. With the aid of 24 vehicles, run in three convoys, the whole of this material was brought to Birmingham inside three days. It is true that, to a certain extent, the special circumstances of this incident were due to war conditions, the superiority of road transport is, however, made manifest by the promptitude with which the• difficulty was overcome and the problem of the removal of this large, consignment of raw material solved. Needless to say, at the .present time the whole ofthe company's largo fleet of vehicles is engaged exclusively in the transport of• munitions and materials needed in connectionwith the business of making war. The staff and lorries
are all attached to the Warwick
shire .Volunteer Regiment.' • The Birmingham and Midland Counties Transport Co., Ltd., of Bradford Street, Birmingham, the
concern in question, is to be complimented on this performance. The company was established under its present title some 31 years ago, occupying premises previously owned by W. and T.Avery, Ltd., the well-known weighing-machine manufacturers. It has all the conveniences necessary for an " Approved Depot," and in size—the area occupied is almost one acre— surpasses in this respect any other. The main building is admirably adapted for garage and repair work. It possesses a floor area of 50 ft. wide and 150 ft. long, ' unencumbered by any pillars or other prdjections. A straight run through is available from Mill Street, through the yard, into this building through high double doors at the back, to similar doors opening directly on to Bradford Street.
The open yard behind this main building is worthy of special menlion. Its Its size, 4300 sq. yards, would entitle it to that ; it is illuminated at night by two 1000 c.p. electric lights, which greatly facilitate night operations, the special permit required for the use of these lights having been granted by the chief of police.
Bowser Equipment.
Just inside the building, and close to the exit is positioned a 1000-gallon Bowser tank and equipment. On the other side of the door, conveniently situated, is the oil stores. Arrangements are not yet complete as regards the equipment of this depot, as the spare-part stores, which,is at present at that end of the building furthest from Bradford Street, is about to remove to. the Bradford Street end, thus making it readily available for callers without the necessity for their having to proceed to the far end of the building if only small accessories and renewals are demanded. Along the near side, as one enters from Bradford Street; a water pipe is carried with suitable-disposed taps, which allow of any of the vehicles being conveniently washed. A long hose pipe is kept attached at one end to one of these taps, and convenient for filling the water tanks of wagons which may stop at the Bradford Street entrance. Just outside the building at the other end a large iron tank fitted with a float and constant-level valve, is always full of water, so that steamers can have replenishment at this end also, if required.
Machine Shop.
By the side of the main building is the machine shop, a compact, nicely-heated and well-lighted department, and replete with all the necessary machinery fOr the carrying out of repairs. The machines include a large engine lathe capable of turning up, if such an item were required, a new back axle for a
steamer ; two smaller lathes, a grindstone, two drills, a powerdriven hack saw, smith's hearth, fitters' benches, welding plant, and other accessories. This shop, is• long and narrow, and the foreman can from his office at one end exercise with ease all the necessary supervision. All the machinery is driven by one motor conveniently Placed in a corner of the department, and driving by belts two lines of phafting, one down each side. As showing the various classes of work dealt with by the repair department, we may mention that we saw a new side member being fitted to the frame of a Garrett steamer, the engine of a Berna chassis down for overhaul, and a Ford dismantled for the same purpose. A staff of highly trained and experienced fitters and mechanics is invariably on hand,
ready to tackle just such work as this, and some capable boiler workers are of the number.
Travelling Crane.
IL will be noticed, by reference to one of the illustrations, that an overhead travelling crane is available in the main department ; this has a capacity for lifting a load of five tons.
At present most of the steamwagon accommodation is uncovered, the very extensive yard being utilized for this purpose. It is proposed, however, as soon as facilities for proceeding with the work can be gained, to erect suitable sheds both for the purpose of covering steamers tempera ily
garaged, as also for storage of loads which it may be found from time to time necessary to remove from the chassis and to a temporary resting: place _either while repairs are being carried out or while the wagon'proceeds upon some other and, for the time being, more urgent business. In the corner of this yard will also be noticed, on reference to our plan, the very large provision for storage of fuel for steamers. A stock of from 80 to 100 tons of Welsh smokeless steam-coal and coke is always available.
For the time being, this company does not possess an agency, but we understand that negotiations are in hand for one or two vehicles, both steamers and petrol vehicles. Spares Carried in Ample
• Quantities. • 7 It is not generally known that this concern, besides. providing 'accommodation for vehicles in transit through Birmingham, has also invariably a large stock of spares, and also of materials for renewals. The managing director, Mr. G. E. D. Rails, M.I.Mech.-E., is anengineer of wide ex r erienee: The secretary, Mr. G. Walker, who is particularly enthusiastic about this commercialvehicleagency scheme, has had a similar experience . on the commer cial side of the industry. Mr. Ralls's brother, Mr. 0. Rails, Jun., also an-engineer, is in charge. Ibe result of this combination of qualities is first-class attention.