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Trolleybus Case Badly Presented

2nd September 1955
Page 62
Page 62, 2nd September 1955 — Trolleybus Case Badly Presented
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

FURTHER to the instances quoted by your correspon

dent, L. J. Chapman, in your, issue dated July 22, I believe that single-deck trolleybuses are still operated by the Corporations of Cardiff, Darlington, Glasgow. arid Rotherham, and by the Mexborough and Swinton Traction Company. The Tees-side Railless Traction Board had "a number of such single-deckers until recently, if indeed they are.not still in service.

For reasons not easy to understand, there is a tendency amongst some operators at present to decry the trolleybus, despite its popularity with the travelling public, and strange indeed are some of the reasons advanced to justify its abandonment.

In one case, no better reason for doing away with a seaside route could be put forward than to suggest that the sea' air had a deleterious effect on the trolley wires, apparently ignoring the fact that overhead equipment far both trams and trolleybuses has been in use around our shores for over 50 years?

In another instance, the plea to scrap a trolleybus route was advanced because it was stated that the overhead gear required overhauling and some replacement at a cost of £3,300. Considering this route had been in use for almost 20 years, one may suppose that provision had been made by placing a sum aside regularly to provide for upkeep and general maintenance. As, however, the proposal has unfortunately been accepted, it only goes to show just how much the average town councillor will swallow.

These tactics usually follow a change of management, and trolleybuses which have given excellent and profitable service are suddenly presented in such an adverse light that their abandonment is secured. Fortunately, this is not always the case—as happened at Brighton recently—although it remains to be seen whether further attempts will be made to scrap the system.

Usually some process of "softening up" is needed, and the first sign is a deterioration in the upkeep of the vehicles and particularly the overhead equipment. If the latter is not well maintained, dewirements result and this has a marked effect, naturally, on public opinion.

Possibly this trend (to which there are, fortunately, many and most creditable exceptions, mainly amongst the larger undertakings) is due to the fact that so many transport executives are now steeped in oil and so few are electrical engineers, and, therefore, alive to the present and future potential advantages of electric traction.

Your journal has always given the trolleybus a fair deal, and perhaps if the electrical industry had been as alive as the motor industry, in pressing the claims of the vehicles and equipment it markets, the present position might not have arisen.

Guildford. "TRANSPORT MANAGER."

Will More Lights Confuse or Help ?

IN your issue dated August 5 we have noticed, under A the heading "Opinions and Queries," the letter written by Norman Britain of Southall, Middx, entitled "Invitation to Danger" and referring to our K-L "Traffic Master."

Some of the statements made by Mr. Britain, we would like to contest as follows:—

D22 He refers to our "Traffic Master " as being almost microscopic. Mr. Britain could not have had the opportunity of examining one of these accessories, if he had; he wouldno doubt agree that the diameter of the lenses, which is in., could not be referred to as microscopic.

We are of the opinion that he has condemned our article without asking us to submit a sample for his inspection and thus enable him correctly to judge. the device.

If this gentleman had driven behind a car carrying the Traffic Master, he would have realized exactly how it works and what it indicates. Immediately the foot. touches the accelerator pedal a green light -shows, when the foot is removed from the accelerator an amber light indicates that the car is slowing down. The red light warns that the car is stopping or has stopped.

It is quite possible that Mr. Britain has seen an illustration of our product, and we are certain that this is not sufficient to justify his condemnation of the Traffic Master.

We are convinced that by showing the amber light alone, accidents, particularly rear crashes, are reduced. If, by supplying this new accessory, we are able to save a few human lives you will agree that the Traffic Master will prove its value.

We have decided, for the time being, so as not to contravene Section 2(2) of the Road Transport Lighting Act, 1927, not to use a bulb for the green light. Therefore, for the time being, only red and amber lights will be shown.

Incidentally, should the braking light be faulty the contact in the Traffic Master would be affected and would draw the attention of the driver to this fact.

We may soon submit to the Ministry of Transport, a slightly modified design with the green light controlled by a separate switch; the green light would then appear only when a push button was pressed down, thus constituting an invitation to overtake.

E. D. GUTWEIN,

Director, London, E.9. Key-Leather Co., Ltd.

Australian Satisfaction with British Vehicles

WHEN Mr, H. A. Badenoch of Adelaide, Australia, " spoke at the conference of furniture removers held in Bournemouth in May, he expressed a personal preference for American trucks, but I am sure that he would be most embarrassed to find that you had taken his remarks as indicative of the preference of Australian operators as a whole.

Your journal is read throughout the world, and for the sake of the British motor industry, steps should be taken to present Australian preferences in their proper proportion. Our company own a sizable fleet of goods vehicles, and with a free choice of many makes of truck, have standardized on Austin, 43 of which we operate on city, suburban, country and interstate runs. We have had the greatest possible satisfaction from these British vehicles.

PHILIP S. RUDDER,

Managing Director, Sydney, Australia. Rudder's, Ltd.


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