• Home
• Used vehicles
• Product news
• Dealer news
• Compliance
• Buying advice
• Archive

WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

"The wheels of wealth, will be slowed 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. •

British Tar for British Roads.

The two industries which are the ,chief producers of coal tar, • viz., the coke oven industry and the gas industry, have formed an association known as the British Ttoad Tar Association, the principal objects being to encourage and develop the use of refined tar for road purposes. This association, last week, celebrated, after one year'seoperations,-the -ratification of its constitution, Sir David Milne-Watson, the governor of the Gas Light and Coke Co., presiding.

Approximately half-a-million ions of tar are employed annually for road making and road 'surfacing, and it is contended that it is at least as good as— in fact, it might be better than—other • materials for securing a waterproof, economical, durable and satisfactory road surface when combined, of course, with a suitable aggregate. Efforts have been made, in the past, to disparage tar becanse of its alleged injury to fishily,. waters, and, unfortunately, Lord Bal7• four, speaking in the House of Lords a little while ago, referred to this objection in such a way as to suggest that he attached importance to it. Be has now written to Sir David Milne-Watson saying that the fuller Meaning must not be read into his remarks, for he realizes that only 5 per cent, of the roads in this country drain, directly into fishing waters. For the other 95 per cent, of the roads it is contended that tar is the material seriously to be considered because of its virtues and because it is essentially a British product.

Coach Tours from Derby.

The Trent Motor Traction Co., Ltd., the head offices of which are at 10, Albert Street, Derby, has just issued an interesting handbook dealing with its long-distance motor-coach tours. The title of the book suggests that the company looks upon Derby as being the centre of England, and the coach tours

which it runs start from this town. Last season the company inaugurated a series of five-day tours to North Wales, and these are being continued this year, -niailst an innovation is the running of 10-day tenrs at intervals of a fortnight to Scotland and to Devon and Corm! wall.

The itineraries and routes are clearly shown in the maps published in the handbook.. The hotels which are used have been prev.iously visited by the company's staff, and the mutes have been carefully chosen. It is noteworthy that an expernced guide accompanies each coach to attend to the requirements and comfort of passengers. The prices of the tours range from f5 17s. 6d. for that to North Wales, to 15,1 guineas for the Scottish and the Devon and Cornwall tours, A Midland Bus Absorption.

We understand that the Midland Red Omnibus Co. has just acquired the business of the Central Bus Co., of Swadlincote, the services of which it commenced to operate as from 'Wednesday last, The, Central Bus Co. started operation a few years ago and at the time of its absorption had 12 vehicles in service.

In the advertisement of Garner Motors, Ltd., Tyseley, Birmingham, appearing in our issue dated July 19th, an error occurred in reference to the capacity of the company's over-type model. This vehicle, as most of our readers will be aware, is designed to carry 50-cwt. loads.

Commercial Vehicle Makers and the Paris Salon.

In view of the fact that the usual Paris heavy-vehicle show at the Grand PaIais will not be held this year, most of the important French motorcar concerns with heavy-vehicle departments are making special arrangements for the period of the Salon de l'Automobile in October. Special commercial-vehicle bureaux will he attached to the stands of the makerg in question at the Salon, and at the same time individual exhibitions of industrial models will be. held in the various factories. Fleets of service cars will maintain a constant liaison between the Grand Palais and the various works during the show.

Great dissatisfaction is still felt in the trade at the replacement of the annual show by an automobile section in the Foire de Paris, particularly as public-service vehicles are excluded from the Fair.

Fodens' Profits. - The report of Fodens, Ltd:, for the year ended June 30th last shows a profit of £27,725, after providing 17,041 for depreciation of plant, machinery and buildings. With the amount brought forward the available balance is £38,153. The directors propose to pay a dividend at the rate of 73. per cent. (less tax) on tim ordinary shares, and to carry forward the sum of £19.709.

Penarth Considering Buses.

At a meeting of the public works committee of the Penarth Urban District Council, a member remarked that a source of "tremendous revenue" had been overlooked by the council in its failure i:o acquire omnibuses and operate municipal passenger services in the. Penarth area.

It was deciff2d that the clerk should report on the probable capital expenditure that would be involved in establishing a council-owned bus service and on the probable reveaue likely to accrue therefrom. • .

Vehicles Wanted for Military Training.

Tenders are required for the .hire of motor lorries; heavy vans and motorcars for tise during military training in the vicinity of Oxford, Didcot, •Nettlebed, Thame, Headington, Whitchurch (Oxon) and Howlierry Park during the month of September.

Forms of tender and further details may be obtained from the Assistant Director of Supplies and Transport, Headquarters Office, Aldershot Command, Aldershot. ' New Preston 'Bus Enterprise,

The Majestic Bus Co., Preston, a rc,,w enterprise, has obtained permission from the Longridge Urban District Council to institute a motorbus service front Preston to Longridge as from September next. Although several councillors were of the opinion that the village was already adequately provided for by the Ribble, Empress, Claremont and other services, the application was granted.

British Chances in Roumania.

ILL spite of temporary economic difficulties caused by the stabilization of Roumanian lei at a rather high level, there is still a brisk demand for industrial vehicles throughout the country. American, Italian and French -makes dominate the market at present, but there is no reason why this state of affairs should continue. British goods have long been popular in Roumania and it may be mentioned that British motorcycles, in . spite of their high price, find a ready sale. British commercial vehicles would undoubtedly sell if greater enterprise was displayed by makers.

A recent alteration in the Customs laws has made the clearing of imported motor vehicles a more rapid process then formerly. B.crumanian duties aro charged by weight, an. allowance of 25 per cent. being made in the weight of vehicles arriving packed in cases. The new rule applies to standard vehicles made in series. In this ease the importer need only present one sample car for weighing. The allowance will then be made on all vehicles of the same type which are imported.

Bus Standardization Wanted.

North Staffs Joint Omnibus Committee has considered the question of the standardization of omnibuses, and has expressed the opinion that it is desirable that othnibuses running in North Staffordshire should be standardized at the earliest possible date. In the meantime, copies of the regulations ill force in Stoke-on-Trent are to be sent to each of the constituent authorities with a view to their application in the areas which these authorities govern.

A Useful Combination Garagecreeper.

The Rugged Three, a combined garage. creeper, truck and oil-tray, is marketed by S. Guiterinanand Co., Ltd. 35 and 36, Aldermanbury, London, E.6.2. The creeper is built of solid oak, is shaped to the body and fitted with a padded leatherette head-rest. It is supplied with a large folding handle, 32 ins. long, and runs on four .ball-bearing cantors, which enable it to be moved easily in any direction. Two grooved rails are provided on either side to hold tools and small parts. The maker claims that it will support 10 cwt. with ease, so it can be employed as a useful garage truck. An oil-tray of heavy gauge galvanized steel forms the third part of the outfit. It measures 30 ins. by 191 ins. by 3 ins.and can he placed on

the creeper, so that it can be easily wheeled under a vehicle. It is held in position by four riveted feet.

This is an appliance which should prove very useful to all owners of garages and service stations, and is marketed at the reasonable price of 45s.

The Public's Preference for Buses.

An interesting return has lately been issued by the Municipal Tramways Department of Vienna which shows that, even in Austria motorbuses are now being preferred to electric tramways. It is recorded that whereas the tramways only carried an average of 6.4 passengers per vehiclemile, the figure for the motorbuses was 19.5. A fleet of 32 buses is being employed in the capital, three day and five night services being in operation.

A number of new routes is to be

started before the end of the year and the fleet of vehicles corre spondingly increased.

An Alternative Fuel to Petrol.

Speaking at the recent annual meeting of the Distillers Co., Ltd., in Edinburgh, the chairman remarked that a few years ago he made mention of the experiments which the company was conducting in order to provide an alternative motor fuel to petrol. Whilst it had demonstrated beyond doubt the possibility .of providing such a fuel, two difficulties had been met, these being (1) the improved position of petrol supply, which had enabled that commodity to be sold in this country at a figure below the present cost of the production of an alcohol fuel as made here ; and (2) the uncertainty of finding a raw material for producing such a fuel in this country at a sufficiently low price.

. In conjunction with international interests, the company is at present experimenting with a material which may in time supply the deficiency. It has turned its attention to other parts of the Empire where raw materiel can be obtained in considerable quantities at the miniffium of cost. Such a field had been found in Northern Queensland, where, in eonjunction with the local sugar planters and other Australian interests, and supported by the State Government as well as the Commonwealth Parliament, the company has erected a distillery which will be followed by others so soon as the first one has proved a success.

Result of the Halifax Corporation Bus Appeal.

The 'West Riding County Council recently refused to grant the application of the Halifax Corporation for permission to run motorbuses from Halifax to Rochdale, Oldham, Leeds, Bradford and Keighley, chiefly along main roads. The Minister of Transport, after holding an inquiry, has decided to withhold his consent in respect of each and every route forming the subject of the applications. As regards Route 4 (Halifax Bradford), however, the Minister would be prepared, should the corporation so desire, to give his consent in respect of that portion of the route which lies between the boundary of the Borough of Halifax and the terminus of the Halifax Corporation tramways at Shelf.

Covered-top Double-deck Buses • in Germany.

One of our correspondents who has recently returned from a visit to Germany tells , us that a number of covered-top lilouble-deck motorbuses has lately been put into service in the inland spa of Wiesbaden. The vehicles, which were built by the Daimler-Benz Geselleehaft, of Gaggenau, are fitted with 70 lip. foureylindered engines and have accommodation for about 50 passengers. The bodies are built en the lines of the double-deckers in service in Berlin. The chassis, however, are not. so long, the reason being that the driver's seat is arranged above and at the side of the engine. It is stated that The buses can safely attain a speed of 25 m.p.h..

Inspection of Motors at liVokiiig.

At a meeting of the Woking -Urban District Council. the inspector reported that the annual inspection of all vehicles in respect of which licences were applied for was held at Woking on June 21st and June 28th, and at Brookwood on June 22nd. He reports a marked improvement in the mechanical as well as in the general condition of all motor vehicles, and adds that licences were not applied for in respect of those vehicles which were on the border line last year.

Buses for Trarns at Lincoln.

In view of the chequered financial experience which has hitherto attended the working of the Lincoln Corporation tramways undertaking, no surprise will be felt that the municipal authorities of the city have 'determined not to attempt to persevere with present unremunerative arrangements. It is said that the tramways are to be abandoned so soon as it is found possible to bring a sufficient number of buses into use to meet local transport requirements.

Freeing a Lincolnshire Bridge.

To the great advantage of users of commercial vehicles, arrangements are now being advanced for freeing the Gainsborough Toll Bridge, which, for many miles on either side, of the river, forms the only means of crossing the Trent in that part of Lincolnshire eon

tiguous to the Notts. border. The purchase of the structure, which, since its " creation, has beeu in the possession of a private company, has bnelved an expenditure of 1130,000, of which a moiety is being contributed by the Ministry of Transport. Half of the remaining 165,000 is to be derived from modified tolls daring the next seven years, the balance being found by the county councils of Nottingham and., Lincoln and the Gainsberough anthOrity.

Under the new arrangement. which becomes operative on Novembef 1st, Pedestrians and 'cyclists will obtain free passage of the bridge, the amended scale of' charge& applying to vehicular . .

traffic. It is anticipated that with the money derived from that source the -bridge may be rendered entirely free from tolls in the course of seven years.

A Hungarian Users' Association.

With the title Der Landes yerband der IIng,arischen Auteibus and Brecht. automobil. Iinternehmungen, an association of Hungarian motorbus and Mali' rriercial-vehicle owners has just been formed with headquarters at 4., Feress Paine-utca„ Budapest iv.

Swedish Imports.

There has been a slight falling off in the imports of commercial motor vehicles into Sweden, the returns for the five months ended with May last showing a total of 1,009 vehicles, as compared with 1,140 in the corresponding period of 1926. On the other hand, the value of the imports advanced from 195,810 to 1112,285. An Eight-cylindered Sixwheeled Bus.

_When in Brussels recently one of our correspondents called at the works of the Societe des Automobiles iVliesse and found the company busily engaged on the construction of motorbuses and coaches, the number of which in Belgium and Holland is just now increasing at a rapid rate. So busy has the company been on the production of

types of vehicle in which four and sixcylindered Power units .,are employed that some delay has occurred in completing the eight-cylindered six-wheeledbus, the chassis of which formed one of the outstanding features of the Belgian Motor Show in DeceMber last. The chassis is, however, now in the body'builders' hands and the Vehicle -will be completed at all early date. It is interesting to ifote that the bug; which will. accommodate .48 passengers, is being fitted with 407isi. by

Goodyear pneumatic tyees, the largest siie so far used in Belgium.

Tractors in Ireland.

• According to the official returns just to hand, a 'total of only 30 agricultural and other tractors, valued at 15,777, were imported into the Irish Pros State during the three months ended with March last, as compared With 39 machines (15,853) in the corresponding period of 1926. Although the majority of the machines (twenty) is credited to the United States, their value only amounted to 11,735, or an average of roughly 187 each, whereas that of the ten machines attributed to Great Britain was 14,042, or an average of 1404 each.

,Insisting Upon Insurance.

The North Staffs Joint Omnibus Committee has considered the question of insurance against accidents to omnibuses, passengers and third parties, and the Stoke town clerk reported upon the steps taken to deal with this matter by the watch committee. It was reeommended that all licensees be required to take out policies of insurance with approved companies giving satisfactory cover on these points, such policies to expire concurrently with the licences. Proprietors will have to arrange with the insurance companies that policies in forte are amended so as to commence as from June 30th.

A New Type of Fire Brigade Vehicle.

The Birmingham Fire Brigade has ordered a useful type of auxiliary vehicle which is to be used for making inspections of picture houses and for small private house fires. The chassis is a 14 h.p. Armstrong Siddeley equipped with a special body capable of taking four or five men and a small quantity of hose, chimney sweeps' outfit, fire extinguishers and other fire appliances.

It is thought that a fast and reliable vehicle of this type should be able to deal with small outbreaks very expeditiously. The vehicle in question, which is shown in an accompanying illustration, was supplied by H. C. Berry, Ltd., 58, New Street, Birmingham.

Bus Returns in Holland.

The municipal tramways authorities of Amsterdam are now operating a fleet of 82 motorbuses on nine efferent routes totalling 27 miles. A return just issued shows that during last year the vehicles carried 8,406,211 passengers, or approximately 4.6 per

mile run. In view of the increasing traffic, orders have lately been placed fee ten additional four-wheeled 25seater buses and three Bussing sixwheeled 34-seaters.

In The Hague the tramways company now has 28 motorbuses at work on four routes of a total length of about 13 miles. The number of passengers carried on the buses last year was 1,466,800, or 2.98 per mile run. The majority of the vehicles have accommodation for 32 sitting and two standing passengers.

A Novel Pump for the British Market.

A well-designed petrol pump which is shortly to be placed on the British market by the Wilcot (Parent) Co.' Ltd., Morley House, Regent Street, London, W.1, is known as the Big Bertha and Is manufactured by the Bennett Pumps Corporation, of Muskegon, Michigan, U.S.A.

The pump is of strong construction and is built on neat lines. Its manner of operation is quite simple. A rack and pinion action raises the piston, which pumps up a gallon of spirit at each stroke. Stops are provided so that half

gallons or single quarts can be served. The cylinder and valves are of brass anda "foot-valve is provided for connection to the underground storage tank. The overall height of the pump with pedestal is 64 ins. A length of hose (8 ft.) is fitted and the brass nozzle is equipped with a small lug which holds it in position when placed in the opening of a tank. When not in use the hose is held by a yoke which grips the nozzle at the top of the pump. All the moving parts of the outfit are enclosed, so that they cannot be harmed by dust or water.

It is stated that the complete outfit will sell at about £15—an exceptionally low price. A compact and neat checking • meter can be supplied at a small extra cost.

The company will also shortly be marketing a heavy-oil outfit, known as the Grease-Pak and Grease-Pak filler, which is also manufactured by the Bennett Pump Corporation.

The filler is a pump which is made to be fitted to a barrel and it draws 2 lb. of oil per stroke. The oil is pumped into the Grease-Pak, which is a special type of closed-topped bucket.

fitted with a pinup drawing lb.

per stroke and 4/ ft. of metal

hose. The Pak can then be 'carried with ease to the vehicle which is being oiled.

Woking Issues -Licences.

The licensing committee of the Woking Urban District Council has just renewed 50 licences for single-deck buses run by the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., and for 43 single-deck buses in the service of the Aldershot and District Traction Co., Ltd.

Coach Parking at Lowestoft.

Lowestoft Watch Committee has recently considered the question of obstruction caused by motor vehicles being parked in the streets, complaints made to the council in this connection relating particularly to motor coaches visiting the town. After a discussion of the matter, the committee has decided that a charge of 6d. per vehicle per day be made for coaches using the car park in Battery Green. The police are to see that motor coaches visiting the town are not parked in the streets.

New Trolley-bus Routes at Darlington.

The Unopposed Bills Committee ni the House of Lords considered a few days ago a Bill to confirm a Provisional Order granted by the Ministry of Transport sanctioning the inauguration of additional trolley-bus routes by the Darlington Corporation. Details of six new routes are contained in the Order, and they comprise extensions of, or junctions with, existing routes authorized by the Corporation Act of 1925. The Bill was passed for third reading.

The estimated cost of the new vehicles is £12,800.

Road Costs in Nottinghamshire.

Sir Lancelot Rolleston, chairman of the highways committee of the Nottinghamshire Council, afforded the information at the last meeting of that body, held under the presidency of Viscount Galway, that whilst roads throughout the county had been maintained in a high state of efficiency, the work, according to statistical tables that had been compiled, had cost 1177 per mile less than in other con-rifles. That meant a saving of f85,000 annually, the total amount saved in that way in Nottinghamshire during the last seven years having been 1594,650.

Bus Licensing at Stoke.

At a meeting of the Stoke-on-Trent Watch Committee, Mr. E. B. Sharpley, the town clerk, reported that the various constituent authorities bad agreed upon June 30th as the date for the termination and issue of omnibus licences. He also reported upon arrangements made in regard to the annual inspection of vehicles and the issue of licences in the city, and it was agreed that the other authorities should take similar steps. The chief conatable of Newcastle reported that his district had already made arrangements similar to those in force within the city.

Death of Commandant Temperley.

We learn with regret the death of Commandant Charles Temperley, 0.B.E., who, as many of our readers will know, was a founder member of the Automobile Association and a member of the executive committee from the inception of the Association in 1905. In 1915 Commandant Temperley founded the A.A. section of the H.Q.C.D. (Special Constabulary), and was appointed Commandant in 1918.

A Bus Traffic Superintendent Available.

We know of a man who has Peen connected with the traffic-operating side of the omnibus industry for nearly 10 years and has held administrative poets with large omnibus undertakings who is desirous of securing a post as assistant or traffic superintendent. Letters marked "D.," care of the Editor, will be forwarded to the proper quarter.

B.P. in South Wales.

The British Petroleum Co., Ltd., has acquired large premises in the Cardiff Docks area in which the company intends to establish its South Wales headquarters. Hitherto the centre of tilt: company's Welsh trade has been at Bristol, but its rapid exteusioti has necessitated a separate branch at Cardiff. The M. of T. and a Bradford Appeal.

The Ministry of Transport has intimated to the licensing committee of the Bradford Corporation that on consideration of the appeal of the Calder Bus Services Co. against the refusal of the committee to grant licences for a through service between Brighouse and Bradford, which was the subject of an inquiry on June 16th last, it cannot make an Order for the issue of the licences. At the inquiry it was stressed on behalf of the appellants that the communications between Bradford and Brighouse were entirely inadequate, whereas the corporation's case was that the route was well served in the .matter of passenger transport.

An Electricars Appointment.

Mr. H. R. Simpson. A.M.I.Mech.E., has just been appointed .technical sales representative in LondonTand the South of England by Electricars, Ltd. Mr.. Simpson has been closely associated with road transport, and particularly with the electric-vehicle industry, for many years. He was formerly engaged on the works side with Richard Garrett and Sons, Ltd. of Leiston, and, later, as its technical' sales representative in various parts of the Country.

One of his Most interesting tasks was the introduction of the first heavy mechanical transport units into Abyssinia, where be spent some months in the service of the Abyssinian Government.

An Accessories Exhibition.

We have recently received a copy of the list of exhibitors who are taking part in the Convention and Exhibition of the Automotive Equipment Association which is being held in Chicago from November 7th to 12th next. The list is a particularly long one and contains the names of all the prominent American makers of accessories, components and shop equipment.

Bus Prog-ress at Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough Corporation is noW making rapid strides in an effort to meet the transit needs of residents in various parts of the town which, in the past, have been without passenger transport facilities. Recently a circular bus route—the first in the town—was inaugurated to the Linthorpe and Acklam c24 Garden districts, and this has proved so sticcessful that last week a second circular route, to the Grove Hill district, was commenced. The corporation is operating a fleet of Dennis and Guy 26-seater saloon buses, constructed for one-man operation, and other services will be opened up as deliveries come to hand.

What an Inspection of Publicservice Vehicles Revealed.

The inspector of the Stoke Watch Committee reports that the annual inspection of public-service vehicles was carried out a few weeks ago, and 304 motorbuses, 8 chars-h.-banes and 13 taxicabs were inspected. The whole of the machines were found to be in a better condition than last year. Of the Potteries Electric Traction Co.'s fleet of 99 machines, 89 per cent. passed mechanically fit and of the other privately owned vehicles 50 per cent.

On about 125 machines defects were found. Of these, 50 have already been remedied, whilst 20 proprietors have undertaken to replace the machines. in some cases the inspection sheets were marked to the effect that the machines may not pass another inspection, A Motor Traders' Outing.

The members of the South Wales and IVIonmoutlishire division of the Motor Agents and Traders Associations (corn-, blued East and West Wales sections) held their annual outing recently., journeying by chars-ii-bancs to Llandrindod Wells. At Llandrindod they were received by Mr. Tom Norton, J.P., chairman of the Mid-Wales centre of the association.

TheAssociated Daimler Removal.

As from August 8th next, the sales, publicity and commercial departments, other than design and experimental, of the Associated Daimler Co., Ltd., will he removed to the company's new offices at Windmill Lane, Southall, Middlesex. Allocating Buses on a Coastal Road.

With regard to bus services on the new coastroad, Tynemouth Watch Committee expresses the opinion : (a) The number of buses to run on the road should be allocated on the basis of 60 per cent. to the Newcastle City Council (or its nominees), and as to the remaining 40 per cent, to nominees of the Tynemouth Corporation ; and (b) that the proportion allocated to nominees of this committee, one-half of the licences should be granted to the Tynemouth Traction Co. and the other' half to Mr. Thomas Wakefield.

Lubricating the Trojan.

Users of the,Trojan van will be interested in a lubrication chart which the Vacuum Oil Co., Ltd., Caxton House, Westminster, London, S.W.1, has just issued for this particular make of vehicle. The lubrication details on this chart have been carefully worked out and the information given is authentic. A diagram of the layout of the chassis is given and the points which require lubrication at different periods are clearly indicated.

Non-stop Buses at Nottingham.

At a recent meeting of_the Nottingham City Council it was intimated that consideration had been given to the question of putting on through non-stop buses on certain main roads, including the establishment of a service by such vehicles connecting the city with Arnold, a populous suburban centre.

It has been officially announced that to establish the through municipal services suggested another 20 buses will be needed, but it will be impossible to put these on the road until the new depot in course of construction for the housing of the vehicles is ready.