Railways Rebut Allegations that They Damaged Imported Cars
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STRONG opposition by British Railways, in an attempt to rebut allegations that they damaged between 50-60 per cent, of imported Heinkel bubble cars during transit, was heard by Mr. A. H. Jolliffe, North Western Deputy Licensing Authority, at Lytham St. Annes, last week. They were objecting to a continued application by Lathom's Transporters, Ltd., Preston, who wanted two tractor units of 6 tons and two semi-trailers of 91 tons on B licence, to be used as transporters. (The Commercial Motor, May 27.)
They also sought additional conditions of: •"Simea cars to Yorkshire, Renault and Fiat cars to Lancashire." They offered to surrender a contract-A licence for a vehicle working for William Arnold, Ltd., Manchester, in the event of a grant.
93 Cars Damaged Mr. B. Brown, a commercial representative of the railways, said that recent figures showed that of 899 Heinkel cars imported, 763 had been • sent to the Wandsworth depot of International Sales, Ltd., London, S.W.8. Damage had been noted only in about 93 cases.
He produced a schedule giving details of a survey, into damage incurred in transit. Often vehicles were damaged when they arrived at the British port arid were loaded into the railway wagon, he said. It was difficult to estimate the full extent of damage and to say at exactly which stage of the journey it occurred.
Another railway representative, Mr. G. Rigby, said that during a period last year, 61 Nobel cars had been transported from Belfast via Heysham, to London. Only two had been reported damaged. Mr. L. Jolly, a representative of the Chester division of British Railways, described the method of handling the car traffic from Ireland via Holyhead, which he said, had the full approval of the manufacturers-.
Segregation Impossible During last year 1,098 cars had been sent to International Sales after travelling by this route and at Wandsworth 10.3 per cent, had been reported damaged. It was impossible to segregate the stage of the journey on which the damage occurred.
For Lathoms, Mr. J. Backho use pointed out that when goods were sent by rail they travelled at the customers' own risk. He suggested that the railways' figures did not give the full extent of the damage, and some of it had not been observed.
Early this year a letter of complaint had been sent to the railways by International Sales. Referring to the amount of damage to Heinkel cars during transit a figure of 90 per eent, was mentioned. The railways had apologized and said that investigations would be made, but they had not disputed the figure of c2 90 per cent. This suggested that most of the damage occurred in their hands, claimed Mr. Backhouse.
Mr. Jolly did not accept this and said that the cars were often damaged while travelling across Ireland or on the boat. The overall damage from Holyhead noted by them was 10.3 -per cent.
In submission, Mr. G. P. Crowe, for British Railways, said that complete evidence had been given regarding all damage. Some of that alleged did not occur on the railway but during .other stages of the journey. If the application were granted it would double Lathan's' facilities and would result in serious traffic abstraction.
On Tuesday Mr. Jolliffe granted the two units with conditions as follows: "Completely assembled uncrated threewheeled and Volkswagen motor vehicles as required, and completely assembled uncrated motor vehicles -for S. Hobsons and Sons (Morecambe), Ltd.; BradshaWs Motor House, Ltd., Barton ,Motots (Preston), Ltd.; and Loxhards Grand Garage, Ltd. Simea cars from Kew to Lancashire. Uncrated Renault "cars for Gradwells (Preston), Ltd., from Southampton and Acton, to Preston. Uncrated Fiat cars for Messrs. Hamby Park Motors, Blackpool, from the Fiat works, Western Avenue, London, to Hamby Park Garage, Blackpool.":
Integral Semi-t railer by Mann Egerton
THERE will now be at least four makes of integrally constructed semi-trailer van at the Commercial Motor Show. Mann Egerton and Co., Ltd., Norwich, have entered this field with a body mounted on Cranes -running gear.
The riveted-construction bddy has a light-alloy underframe with 14-gauge side panels stiffened by external posts. Roofbracing members are also fitted on the outside of the 16-gauge panels to provide a completely flush interior. The singleaxle bogie. landing gear and fifth-wheel are carried on separate steel sub-frames.
Insulated and, refrigerated versions of the semi-trailer will be offered. The mode! to appear at Earls Court will be partinsulated to demonstrate the method used. Hardwood frames hold 6 in. of polystyrene, which is clad internally by light-alloy sheeting.
Double rear doors are fitted and the floor is wood covered by chequer plate. An insulated floor can be supplied.
NEW B.M.C. GEARBOX
AST week a new five-speed constant-mesh gearbox became available as optional equipment on Austin and Morris 7-ton goods chassis. The additional cost is £60. The gearbox can be used with singleor two-speed axles. Forward ratios are 7.58, 4.38, 2.39, 1.47 and I to 1 with a reverse ratio of 7.51 to 1.