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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

6th November 1928
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P_eports of the Forthcoming Shows.

In our next issue, to he published on Tuesday, November 13th, we shall include full and amply illustrated reports of the commercial motor section of the Scottish Show which opens in Glasgow on Friday next,* and of the commercial vehicles at the 'Berlin Show which opens on the previous day. Each report will be prepared by experts after a careful examination of the exhibits at the Shows. The Paris Commercial Vehicle Show, which opens on November 15th, will be similarly reviewed in our issue for November 20th..

Electric Vans for Postal Work.

We understand that the Post Office authorities are about to conduct an interesting experiment with a number of electrically driven delivery vans. It is stated that these will be tried out in London • and Leeds with the object of comparing the results of their working with . the service obtained from petrol vehicles.

Nottingham's New Tramways Manager.

At a meeting held one day last week the Nottingham Corporation confirmed the appointment by the tramways committee of Mr. Walter G. Marks, at present general manager of the Chesterfield Passenger Transport Department, as manager of the Nottingham municipal tramways and bus undertakings, in suceession to Mrs J. Aldworth, who is /Tatting at the end of the present year. It will be remembered that in our special issue for last week Mr. Marks contributed an interesting article on the working of Chesterfield's buses and trolley-buses.

Mr. Aldworth came to Nottingham from Douglas about 28 years ago, having occupied a similar official position in connection with the Isle of Man tramways, and during the Period of his long service great developments have been effected in the city's transport services.

Matt/stain-climbing by Motor Lorry.

With the object of proving the capacity of the fourth gear on the new and improved Chevrelet •chassis, demonStrations of an exacting nature • have recently been carried out in different Parts of the Country, and undoubtedly the most strenuous of these was the recent climbing of the Garth Mountain in . the • neighbourhood of Cardiff. Messrs. N. W. Nash and Co., of Cardiff, made arrangements for the run, which was witnessed by a number of prominent business men.

The mileage of the climb was 2, and at the steepest part of the run a gradient of 1 in 2.18 was encountered. The first serious obstacle encountered was a hairpin bend with a tradient of 1 in 2.28, but after passing this point the road, such as it had been, became merely a grass track with an extremely rough surface. The lorry NVI1S never once on an even keel, and the difficulties were accentuated by the need for traversing a baggy section which frequently caused wheel-spin.

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The Chevrolet forged steadily ahead,' however, and After overcoming other awkward situations in good style finally reached the summit of the mountain, the altitude of which is 775 ft.

The gear which enabled the Chevrolet successfully to make the climb is twice the ratio of the previous lowest, and although its use may not frequently be necessary, when it is required its ad vantage is undoubted. Apart from the remarkable climbing qualities which it gives to the chassis, it also has definite use in those circumstances where racing the engine, with consequent -wear on clutch and transmission, is the only means of making a start.

Irish Bus-owners' Protection Association.

An association to protect the interests of Irish bus owners has recently been formed in Dublin with Mr. F. T. Wood, managing director of the Irish Omnibus Co., as president. At the inaugural meeting Mr. Wood said it was vital in the interests of the Irish bus industry that an association such as that should be formed. The title of the association will be the Irish Bus Owners' Protection Association. Major J. a de W. Waller,' aS.O., of the Irish Express Co., is chairman, and Mr. F. W, Berkerry is general secretary.

Major Waller explained that a special conference has been convened to consider the position arising out of the action which is being taken by the Galway County Council against the Connemara Omnibus Co. The county council alleges that damage has been done to the roads as a result of the operatioas•of the buses -of the company. II was also decided to found a defence fund to which all bus operators would be Invited to contribute.

In a Line or Two.

Guildford Corporation has fixed weighbridge charges at 4d. per vehicle.

Manchester Watch Committee has decided to summon 21 bus promietors and 29 drivers far plying for hire with unlicensed buses.

Chatham's tramway system, comprising 16 miles of track, is to be abandoned and the authorities -are to seek powers from Parliament to replace it by motorbuses.

Salford Tramways Committee is being asked to consider the establishment of a service of motorbuses between Weaste and Liam. Railways' Bid for Cotton Transport.

The railway companies have recently made substantial reductions in the charges for cotton transport from Liverpool to Lancashire cotton centres, and in some instances the charges are now 70 per cent, lower than

those recently prevailing. Liverpool motor haulage contractors do not undertake much cotton transport and, therefore, are not much troubled by tha cuts which have been made. A large number of the cotton-milling concerns run their own motor vehicles. The rail-. way rates for transporting cotton from Liverpool to Blackburn have been reduced from 17s. 2d. per ton to 7s. 3d. per ton: to Oldham from 15s. 8d. per ton to 7s. 6d. per ton ; and to Wigan from 10s. 6d. per ton to 4s. 6d. per ton. A Pigeon Transport Van.

As in this country, the pastime of pigeon flying is extremely popular in France. .Hitherto, it has been the practice to convey . the pigeons in baskets to the starting point of races by rail, the birds being released at specified times at the various destinations. One of the difficulties of this Practice is that owing to the presence of numerous telegraph and telephone wires in the vicinity of the railway stations many pigeons have been injured.

To obviate this trouble an association of pigeon-flyers in the Paris district has recently acquired a Lancia 35 ,h.p. coach chassis on which a body specially designed for the transport of pigeons has been mounted. It is stated that as many as 5,000 birds,can be carried and that not only can pigeons be released at any desired spot, but the cost of transport shows an economy over the railway charges.

Albion Bus Chassis for 1929.

We understand that in the early part of next year the Albion Motor Car .Co., Ltd., Scotstoun, Glasgow, will be manufacturing a range of six-cylinder bus chassis in which the company's new 36-90 h.p. six-cylindered engine, which is a feature of the Albion Viking Six coaches, will be embodied. Both bonneted and forward-control types will he available.

Important Bus Company's Increased Capital.

An extraordinary general meeting cf Maidstone and District Motor Services, Ltd., was held yesterday (Monday) at the company's registered office in Maidstone, to pass a resolution increasing the capital of the company to £500,000 by the creation of 200,000 61per cent. cumulative preference shares of £1 each. It should be mentioned that • the company's present capital is composed en tirely of ordinary shares of each.

Combined Motor Coach and Rail Travel.,

We recently had occasion to refer to the fact that the Great Western Railway Co. have ordered n large fleet of goods motor vehicles with the object of linking up outlying districts with the railway. As a further indication of the company's intention materially to extend its road-motor services it is now stated that the purchase of 122 new motorbuses has been authorized. As mentioned in our issue for last week, the company has recently inaugurated combined train and motor. coach services between London and Cheltenham, passengers making the journey from Paddington to Oxford by rail and then being met by Thornyeroft coaches; which complete the journey to Cheltenham. This provides an attractive 40-mile trip over the Cotswold Hills.

At the moment four journeys are being made each way per week-day and two journeys each way on Sundays ; the road journey is scheduled to be cc::.1Pleted in two hours. The Thornycroft coaches in use are 15-seaters in which the company's type A6 chassis with a 40-70 h.p. six-cylindered engine is used.

Official Orders for September.

Only a relatively small number of orders for motor vehicles was given out by Government Departments during September last. The G.P.O. authorities ordered a number of chassis from the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., whilst the War Office placed one for petrol lorries with Shelvoke and Drewry, Ltd., and another for bodies for six-wheeled vehicles with Chas. Roberts and Co., Ltd., of Wakefield. The Crown Agents for the Colonies ordered a motor dustcart from Shelvoke and Drewry, Ltd., and a number of motor lorries from Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd.

. Two-seater Cabs for London.

In our issue for last week we briefly referred to the fact that a new company. was being formed with the object of placing two-seater taxicabs on the streets of London early next year. The title of the company is Two-seater Taxicabs, Ltd., and it was registered as a public concern on October 24th with a nominal capital of £500,000 (800,000 participating preferred ordinary shares of 10s. each and 2,000,000 deferred shares of is. each) to adopt an agreement with Mr. A. B. E. Cheeseraan and to carry on the business of manufacturers of and dealers in taxicabs, etc.

A.Road Experiment in Middlesex.

By arrangement with the Ministry of Transport the Middlesex County Council is constructing an experimental road at FIarmondsworth in which different forms of road surfacing and methods of treatment are being used. To prevent the use of the road at night and when experiments are not in progress gates are to be erected temporarily at the entrances.

Improving 'Woolwich Ferry.

The London County Council is to widen the approaches at Woolwich Ferry in order to improve the traffic facilities. A new ferry boat is also to be provided. The total expenditure in volved is £48,000. .

The Working Hours of Bus Drivers.

For some months representatives of the Labour Party in Northern Ireland have been making a feature in their speeches of the long hours alleged to be worked by bus drivers. The matter was raised recently in the Ulster House e Commons, but the Minister of Home Affairs, in reply to a member's question, said he had no reason to suppose that any appreciable number of accidents was the result of the drivers of Public-service vehicles working unduly long hours.

He pointed out that every fatal accident was investigated by the coroner, as well as by the -Ministry's inspectors when a public-service-vehicle was concerned, but-in only one case had there been-any suggestion that the accident was due to the driver having to work

long hours. In that oath, indeed, the circumstances were peculiar and the conditions under which the driver was working were not in any way typical.

The Minister asked for notice of a question as to whether ha would issue a regulation making the hours of bus end tramway workers the same as those of railway workers.

Taking Toll from those who Refused to Pay.

. The advisability of vehicle drivers observing the rules pertaining to tollgates and bridges, and tendering the toll fees willingly—whatever their private feelings as to tolls on highways may be--was emphasized at Ross-on-Wye Police Court when the driver of a London lorry and his mate were jointly and heavily penalized for failing to pay the toll-fee on the Kerne (Rose) bridge over the Wye.

It was stated against them that they dashed over the bridge at 25 m.p.h., nearly knocked down the toll-keeper and made insulting remarks.

The Federal Concession. .

With reference to our paragraph concerning the concession in this country for the American Federal commercial chassis, which appeared in our issue for lastweek, we have been advised that, by special resolution, the name of the concessionaire has been changed from T:nie Motors, rad., to United Motors. Ltd. The address will remain the same, i.e., 27-34, Walnut Tree Walk, Kennington, London, S.E.11.. Under its new name the company is continuing its business activities in regard to the sole concession for the sale of the Unic taxicab, as well as extending business in other directions.

A Thornyeroft for I1.M. the Ring.

A Thornyeroft Al subsidy-type 30cwt. lorry has recently been purchased for His Majesty the King through the agency of Messrs. Johnson and Sons, of King's Lynn. The agents were responsible for the special type of body which is built to seat 12 gamekeepers—the vehicle, it shouldbe mentioned, being required for service at His Majesty's pheasantries on the Sandringham: estate. This type of Thornyeroft vehicle is eligible for -the War Office subsidy of £120, and it would be interesting to know if His Majesty the King, whose

name appears as the owner of the vehicle, will himself be the recipient of the Government grant.

Scottish Representatives Required.

We 'know of a well-known motor accessory concern in London which requires several representatives for

Scotland. Letters marked " Accessories," care of the Editor, will be forwarded to the proper quarter.

Through Traffic Troubles.

Guildford and Woking licensing committees are to confer with the idea of setting up a joint committee to deal with bus licensing matters. It is hoped in particular to settle difficulties in connection with through traffic.

More Tramways Abandoned.

Come Corporation has decided to abandon the tramways system from Standroyd Street to the Rock Hotel in the Trawden urban district and the mad is to be reconstructed at a cost of

Big Traffic Increases in Lancashire.

A recent census taken in Lancashire reveals an increase in traffic of 42.7 per cent, in three years. Trafford Road, within the urban district of Stretford, still carries the heaviest traffic of any road within the administrativd county, the daily weight having increased from 14,794 -Vine in 1922, dad 18,752 tons in 1925, to 25,552 tons in 1928-.

The next in order of total weight are as folloW:—Prestott and Blackpool Road, 19,979 tons ; Lancaster and Kendal, Skerton Bridge, 18,870 tons; Liverpool and Manchester, Sankey Canal Bridge, 15,929 tons ; and Oldham 'Road, Eailsworth, 14,802 tons.

A New Tees Crossing?

To cope with the steadily increasing motor traffic of all kinds between North Yorkshire and Durham County, schemes have been under consideration for providing a new crossing of the River Tees

at Middlesbrough. The .project was carried a stage farther at a recent conference of members of the Middlesbrough Corporution, the Durham County Council and the Ministry of Transport, when alternative schemes were considered, one being for a bridge costing £460,000 and the other for a tunnel under the river costing £1,000,000. A further conference is to be called in the near future at which the opinions of the London and NorthEastern Railway Co. and industrial undertakings in the area will be sought.

Another Sleeper Service.

A few days ago another night road service was instituted, this being between London and Newcastle, the. vehicles which are used running to and from the headquarters of the Central London (Road Transport) Station, Ltd., in Marehmont Street, Crescent Place, W.C. The long-period return fare is £1 15s., as compared with a railway third-class return ticket costing £3 8s., which is valid for three months.

Municipal versus Private Enterprise.

The Merthyr Tydfil Council has unenecessfully applied to the Breconshire County Council for permission to run municipal buses in the eounty of Brecknock. When considering the applica

tiou, county council members pointed out that private enterprise had developed Breconshire. routes and had given highly satisfactory and adequate services for which they were entitled to some protection against unnecessary competition. Members also pleaded that municipal authorities plying buses jealously preserved their local government areas and endeavoured to restrict the issue of licences to private enterprices; they ought not, therefore; to expect sanctions to compete with private bes• owners beyond their own boundaries.

The application; as stated, was refused, as was a similar application from the Newport Town Council.

A New Safety Glass.

The National Physical Laboratory has recently carried Out .tests • on Lancegaye safety glass,the invention of Mr. N. B. Makingley, -late chemist, to the Glass Research Association, --ns a result of which it has been established that (1) theedgee Which are onsealed' are' impervious to water and petrol ; (2) theeglass can be cut, • ground, drilled and bevelled after manufacture and worked in the same way as ordinary plate-glees; (3) the glass withstands a severe . impact without breaking.'

Tests for .Motor Drivers?

In connection with its investigation concerning the need for requiring motof drivers holding licences to undergo

periodical examinations regard to fitress, the public control committee of the London County Council has decided to ascertain the practice in other countries as well as to explore the possibility of simple tests being imposed, so as to escertnin the suitability or otherwise of persons to net as drivers.

A .Two-purpose Freighter. .

An illustration appearing on this page depicts an interesting use to which an S.D. Freighter is being put. The vehicle is in the service of the Clucas Laundry, the headquarters of which are at Tromode, Isle of Man, and was supplied through the Athol Motor Garage, Ltd., Bill Street, Douglas. it is being used mainly for the collection and delivery of articles between the customers' homes and the laundry, but, in the mornings and evenings it is also canedinto service for transporting the workers employed at the laundry. It is •largely for the latter reason that a special type of body, simulating in

many respects that of a promenade bus, has been fitted. The body was constructed by Messrs. Corkieh and Kneale, of Drinkwater Street, Douglas.

L.M.S. Bus Plans.

The London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co. have obtained powers from the • Sowerby Bridge "Urban District Council for the operation of motorbuses

in the area which the council governs. So soon as the buses are in service it is understood that the local branch of the L.M.S. will be closed to •passenger trains. .

A Ministry Inquiry at Tynemouth.

The Ministry .01 Transport is to hold an inquiry into the appeal of tfte United Automobile Services, Ltd., against the refusal of the U'ynetnouth Watch Committee to grant licences for buses to ply for hire in the to on the route from Whitley Bay to Newcastle, via Freston Village. . .

Albions in South Africa. .

In our issue dated October 16th a paragraph was published • concerning the various tYpes' of Albion vehicle run by the South African Railways. The' Albion Motor Cat Co., Ltd., now tells us that this user is not running sixwheeled vehicles of its Make.

Unit Chains for Twin-tyred Wheels.

In some instances there is so little clearance between the inner rear tyres and the springs of twin-tyrecl commercial vehicles that it is not found possible to fit the ordinary Parsons chains which, as our readers will know, extend over both tyres and are made with two heavy side-chains which require a considerable amount of clearance. For this reason the Parsons Non-skid Co., Ltd., 35-37, Macaulay Road,. London, S.W,4, has

just introduced what it terms unit chains. These are made from a special steel and. at one end • of the chain is a hinged member with pin for insertion between, the rims of twin wheels and at the other end a flange for attaching to the outside wheel bolt. The aetual portion of the chain which comes into com . tact with the surface of the road ir specially hardened to ensure long life.

The chains have sufficient play when fitted to prevent .them exercising any wear on the tyre. The number of chains required per wheel varies according to the number of wheel bolts, a chain on alternate bolts being deemed sufficient.

Eastbourne Seeking Toll Powers.

In its new Corporation Bill, the Eastbourne Corporation recommends obtaining powers to charge tolls for the use of the road to Birling Gap, via Beachy Bead, when this is made up.

Municipal Purchases and • Proposals.

The parks committee of the Issoio Corporation is considering the provision of a motor mower. .

ettaLTENII Ali Corporation is considering the purchase of a Fordsou tractor and an Eagle trailer.

TY NEMOUTH Corporation is acquiring a site for the erection of a motor garage for the cleansing and transport committee.

The LONDON Countyseouncil has accepted the tender of Dennis Bros., Ltd., at £1,390, for the supply of two motor ambulances.

SHIPLEY Urban District Council has appointed a sub-committeeto purchase a motor wagon for the eleansiag department.

TYNEMOUTH Corporation has empowsred the electrical engineer to obtain quotations for the supply of a Motor van for the electricity department.

The transport department of the EDINBURGH Corporation is inviting tenders for a 30-cwt. motor lorry and these have to be delivered not later than November 17th.

The Musonn Urban District Council has decided to buy a Stanley motor fire-engine and escape at a cost of 1620, and has applied to the Ministry of Health for the necessary loan sanction.

The fire brigade committee of the LONDON County Council reports having accepted quotations for the supply of four motor lorries, for motor escape vans, an instructional tender, an emergency tender and three Armstrong Siddeley motorcars.

Dagenham's Fire-fighting Acquisition.

Considerable housing developments have taken place of late in the Dagenham urban dstrict, with the result that the local council has considered it advantageous to acquire a new motor. fireengine. The machine which has been purchased is shown in an accompanyjag illustration and consists of a six

cylinder Halley chassis carrying Simonis fire-fighting plant, supplied by Simonis, Ltd., Willesden Lane, London, N.W.10. The pump is of 350 gallons capacity and is of the self-priming turbine type.

One of the features of the machine is the new auxiliary cooling device, the radiator water circulating around a bypass from the pump water, thereby.

being cooled, without the pump water (which may be dirty) mixing with the. water in the. radiator, or without overflow which, which, if it occurs, is likely to soak the grouqd on which the machine is standing, thus enabling the wheels to sink in. The machine has .a first-aid tank, an hydraulic hose reel and carries

Simonis Park Royal 35-ft. trussed ladder.

Following the example of victoria, a Commercial Motor Users Association of New South Wales has lately , been formed in Sydney. The associationalready has over 100 membets. A Liverpool Bus Company's Enterprise.

The Imperial Motor Services, of Upper Parliament Street, Liverpool, whose passenger road services were fully referred to in our issue dated October 23rd, have made an interesting extension of their motorbus services from Liverpool. A daily express service

has been commenced to link up with Warrington, Irlam and Manchester, well-appointed vehicles leaving the city at 8.30 a.tn., 1 p.m.; 5. p.m. and 7.30 p.m. The return fares from Liverpool are aS follow :—Warrington 2s. 3d., Mani 3s. 9d. and Manchester 5s. Longdate tickets available for a month are issued.

-Why Not Buses?

The London County. Council proposes to seek 'powers to make it' to ConStrtict g tramway extension from Grove Park to Elthani, via the proposed south circular arterial road, at a cost of £181,000.


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