C-licensees Ca Train Depots
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From a Special Correspondent THE second Stage in the working up of British Railways' liner-train services between London and Glasgow was reached last week, when the depots became open to C-licensed and BRS vehicles. Hitherto all collection and delivery had been done by BR cartage.
The first C-licensed vehicle to operate into a liner-train depot belonged to a Scottish manufacturer, and took a load into Gushetfaulds, Glasgow, on December 1. The load was delivered at the London end by a BR artic.
Further claims of the "absolute reliability" of the experimental services between London and Glasgow came from the British Railways Board last week if a progress report on the first fortnight of partly commercial running.
In a statement issued by the Board it was claimed that while the roads over Shan were blocked and road vehicles stranded, one liner train reached Gushetfaulds 51 min. ahead of schedule, having covered the 391 miles from London at an average speed of 51 m.p.h., including three stops. Other liner trains had been between seven and 25 min. ahead of schedule.
The railways' objective of having all containers transported overniaht and ready for the customer at 6 a.m. next morning had been handsomely achieved, it was stated. Deliveries to final destinations had been to the exact times asked by customers and all users of the experimental service had expressed themselves "delighted ".
According to the railways, during the first fortnight commercial loads carried amounted to 30 containers in the first week and 41 in the second. For the third week 49 had been booked up to that time.
Goods carried in the containers have ranged from television receivers, electric cookers and washing machines to chocolate, confectionery, cereals, metals and canned