Cranes-Antar Unit for Australia
Page 39
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THE third 120-ton trailer with hydraulic suspension produced by Cranes (Dereham) Ltd., Dereham, Norfolk, has been purchased by the Australian Government for work on the Snowy Mountains hydro-electric project. Last week it was towed by two Thornycroft Mighty Antars carrying a 100-ton stator, built by the General Electric Co. Ltd., on a test run froM the company's works at Witton, Birmingham, to Uskmouth Power Station in Monmouth.
The Antar tractors will form part of the unit to be sent to Australia, Each has a 20-ton winch mounted behind the axle and carries a ballast load of 19 tons. The run to Newport was under the direction of Robert Wynn and Sons, Ltd., who were the first to use a trailer of this type.
The trailer has an adjustable frame suspended by swan necks from two eight-wheeled bogies. The hydraulic suspension gives equal loading on all the tyres and the hydraulic jacking system enables the frame height to be adjusted from ground level to 16 in.
The four axles of each bogie have an angle of turn of 180 degrees and are operated by the drawbar, or by hydraulically operated gear. A steersman is carried at the back of the trailer to control the rear bogie when the unit is negotiating curves.
"FREE" SERVICE MUST STOP
IXEFUS1NG an application by Streamline Coaches (Grantham), Ltd„ for a service from Grantham to Harlow Wood Orthopxdic Hospital, the East Midland Licensing Authority said that the present service, which was alleged to be run without charge, must cease.
Mr. L. W. A. White, for three objectors, said that no fares were charged by Streamline Coaches, but a tip was given to the driver. He alleged that the amount of the gratuity coincided with the fare which was formerly charged
The Licensing Authority said that there was evidence that an improved service was needed and he regretted that the larger operators had not discovered it. To say that they had not received any complaints did not meet the situation.
43 BUSES TO BE DISCARDEDnURING the next three years, 108 of 1.--1 Newport Corporation's buses will
have to be rebuilt or replaced. Mr. R. A. Hawkins, general manager, told the transport committee that 65 of them could be economically reconditioned, but 43 would have to be discarded.
He proposed that the fleet should be reduced from 124 to 115. Twenty-eight new buses, apart from two on order, would be needed in 1954-55 and 1956. The committee has agreed in principle that about 10 per cent. of the fleet should be renewed each year.
LIGHTS CHANGED BY SIREN
ANEW device for changing traffic lights at the approach of a fireengine may be installed in Glasgow. It consists of a weather-proof microphone installed a short distance from traffic lights at road junctions. At the approach of a fire-engine the microphone picks up the sound of the siren and changes all lights at the crossing to the red danger signal.
S.U.T. PURCHASE
THE coach and bus interests of Abbey Lane Motor Services, Ltd., Sheffield, have been acquired by Sheffield United Tours, Ltd., with effe4 from May 20. The daily .servfce between Sheffield and New OlIerton, and the express summer services to Rhyl, Llandudno, Blackpool and Yarmouth will run as usual.
POLICE CONTROL HIRE CARS
GLASGOW hire cars have now been placed under the control of the city magistrates' committee. They are on a level footing with meter taxicabs and have to be certified by the chief constable