The Third W.O. Subsidy Trials.
Page 5
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We have pleasure in continuing our brief historical account of the daily performances of those machines
which are at present engaged -in the third W.O. Subsidy Trials. Monday, the 20th inst., opened the third week's running, and that day's work consisted of a 30 miles run round London, starting at 6 a.m. The route was through Greenwich, Deptford, Rotherhithe, over the Tower Bridge, through Stepney, Limehouse, Poplar, West Ham, Stratford, Blackwall Tunnel, and home. The depot was again reached at 1130 a.m. After an hour's break for breakfast, the four cars were lined up for the day's run to Wrotham via Sidcup and back. The day's total mileage was 60, and proved to be without incident of any sort.
On the following day (Tuesday), another entrant lined up ready for the fray, and this proved to be the Pagefield. We reproduce below a special COMMERCIAL MoToa photograph of this machine on its first day's run. The vehicle had arrived on the previous evening, with its observer, by road all the way from Wigan, having left there on Saturday afternoon. At 6.30 the four ears again did the before-breakfast London tour. After that another main-road trial of about 22 miles followed. Sidcup„ St.. Mary Cray, and Orpington were taken on the outward journey, and the return was made by a detour up Star Hill, which was a timed ascent. The Wolseleys were first to arrive, followed by the Karrier and the Pagefield, in the order named. A. stop was made at the Royal Oak Hotel for lunch, and the restart took place at 1.15. On Star Hill the Wolseley three-tonner and the Karrier took the gradient well on the second gear, the Karrier passing the Pagefield and afterwards, near the top, the Wolseley, owing to its greater horsepower and possibly to a slight difference in the secondgear ratio. Home was reached about four o'clock, after an interesting day.
Wednesday, the 22nd, proved to be a hard day's work for the whole fleet. The route was via Eltham, Bromley, Westerham, Crockham, Edenbridge, Hartfield, Crowborough, Nutley, and Newbridge, and then back to Edenbridge, where lunch was taken. Afterwards the journey continued via Crockham, Limpsfield, Titsey Hill, Westerham, and back via Eltham. Heavy rain was experienced at Edenbridge. On this day timed ascents were made on Hartfield, Newbridge, Titsey, and Westerham Hills. The brakes were tried on the way out going down Westerham. The whole run, although one continuous pull of about 100 miles, proved to be absolutely without incident, all the cars putting up a capital performance.
Thursday opened with a surprise. It was found that the participating vehicles were to have, as team
mates, two Thornycroft army-subsidy wagons, which are to finish the run with them. One is a standard subsidy model, and the other is of similar type, except that it is fitted with a worm-driven back axle. These two machines are being run •for comparison's sake. The start on Thursday took place at 7 a.m.
and was made in a heavy fog. The route was via Eglinton Road, and some of the hills proved to be very stiff. The towns and villages passed en route included Eltham, Orpington, Westerham, Crockham, Brasted, Carter's Hill (timed), West Peckham to Wrotham, where lunch was taken. Afterwards the journey was continued via Ightham, Seal, Star Hill (timed), and on to Orpington and back. This was all collar work over some 90 miles, the ears again putting up an excellent day's performance.
Friday started with the usual run round London at 6.30, and at 11 a.m. the day's main run, to Sevenoa,ks and back via Star Hill, was made. During this day's run, the Karrier passed the Thornycroft and the Pagefield on the long pull up towards Sevenoaks.. On arrival back at the barracks, the magnetos were changed the one carried as a spare being put into action. The time taken over this operation was care fully recorded. The two Wolseleys made a lightning change--in two or three minutes, as a matter of fact. The Pagefield, in the meanwhile, had gone over the same route in order to get some of its mileage up.
The ears were then given a run of about three miles to test the magnetos, and finished about 5.30. Neither on Friday nor the following day did the Lacre, with the Dorman engine, put in an appearance, and it is stated that it has returned to the depot for its engine bench test.
Saturday opened with a dense fog ; the drivers were hardly able to see a car's length in front of them.
The fog continued until about half way out, the run being to Wrotham via Sidcup and Farningham, and the return via Gravesend and Dartfoi-d. The mileage was about 50, and the depot was reached again about 12.30 without incident.