42 Years' Transport History Behind Blackburn Operator's Activities
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Transport Was the Work of Messrs. J. and A. Duxbury Nearly Half a Century. Ago—But in 1921 the Business was Given a Great Fillip by the Employment of Motor
Vehicles
ARECORD of service dating back 42 years lies behind the story of A. Duxbury and Sons, Ltd., the well-known Blackburn district operator. It was in April, 1897, that the business was. founded by, Messrs. J. and A. DumbUry, who worked horsed vehicles in the locality. Activities developed considerably, but it was not until 1921 that the first motors were acquired, at which time the business was being carried on as Messrs. A. Duxbury and Sons.
At first they took over two ex-War Department machines, and the earliest mechanical units included Associated Daintier, R.A.F. Leylands and a latertype Leyland. As the stables wen situated at Shadsworth, on the hills overlooking Blackburn, it was natural that the first garage should be. erected there in 1922.
Advantages of the wider sphere of delivery offered by the motors Were quickly appreciated by local business men,, so that, in addition to Lancashire deliveries, the firm were soon satisfying a considerable demand for transport to the Midlands. This state of affairs still continues, a daily service being run to the Birmingham district, with occasional journeys to more distant centres, such as London and Glasgow.
General haulage is carried on, but a speciality has been made of the carriage of cotton and artificial silk yarns. Many hauliers were adversely affected by the cotton-industry slump in the early 'twenties, but progressive textile manufacturers managed to hold their A28
ground through the development of art silk, and, viewed as a whole, the effect on the business was merely a change in td_.-; class of some yarn transported.
Actually, from the introduction of the commercial vehicles, operations steadily expanded and by the end of August last the fleet consisted of six 6-7-ton Leylands, two 6-7-ton Albion„s, six 5-6-ton Thornycrofts, and two 2i-ton Albions, all of the platform type, as well as a 1-ton Austin van. At the moment, however, the numbers are rather fewer, as several machines have beca taken over for national-service work. During recent times, the various machines have averaged something like 1,000 miles a week each. Etceptionally good results have been recordcd in c(*Inection with the modern Thorny. crofts, which show a fuel consumption equivalent to 11.5 m.p.g.
Quite recently, an office block with improved garage and loading bays was erected, but, so far, only half the contemplated scheme has been carried through and the replacement of the • re—aining old building must now be postponed until the end of the war. All goods collected for transit between Lancashire and the Midlands are regularly delivered within 24 hours. On completing his journey on any week-day, the driver has merely to bring in his vehicle, complete a report sheet on its condition, and afterwards he goes off duty. Usually, vehicles spend Saturday morning, at headquar ters, and, at this time, drivers and second men carry out their own cleaning work, but, apart from this, the men are confined only to driving and journey duties, Immediately a vehicle comes in it is put ready for the night shift to start work, and the various convoys' loads are trans-shipped during the shift, in readiness for immediate delivery the following morning.
At the same time, the service staff
takes over the maintenance side and all matters mentioned in the .driver's report receive ' prompt and adequate attention.
Mechanical equipment in the workshop includes !machines for valve refacing, 'reboring, re-Sieeving, turning and grinding. There are also in use a pressure-lubrication system and an air line throughout the works.
To facilitate speedy completion of repair work, spare engines are available for both Leyland and Albion vehicles, and the same system is shortly to be put into operation for the Thornycrofts. The oldest of the lastmentioned class dates back to 1927. Originally, this was purchased for the purpose of a breakdown vehicle, but national-service demands have resulted in its being brought in for general work; other than this, the oldest Thonwcroft has been running for only two years. Extensive and well-arranged stores are kept.
Apart from mechanical attention as demanded, each machine receives a thorough overhaul each year in the company's workshop, whilst every eight weeks sumps are drained, bearings examined, sump deposits cleaned out, the old oil thrown away and the engine refilled with new, a process which, it is felt, well repays the small cost. For lubrication purposes, Germ oils have been used exclusively for a number of years.
The business became a limited company in 1936, with the original Mr. A. Duxbury and his sons at the head, and three years later an associated CQ141pan y was formed under the name of Shadsworth Garage (1939), Ltd., for handling the agency for Thornycroft vehicles, thus carrying on a branch of the business that had already been established through the medium of the main company.
Although. national requirements have made various revisions necessary, at the moment the company is continuing to give its usual service
customers.