COAL-GAS PROGRESS.
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Recent Improvements, Some Hints and Wrinkles.
The Scarcity of petrol and other motor spirit in Norway has turned the thoughts of domestic motorists to what, we have been doing in this country with the popular alternative—coal-gas. Accordingly, the first vehicle driven by this agency has made its appearance. It follows British lines–.-a flexible container carried on the roof. This pioneer conversion was carried out by Messrs. Tooms and Krog, general manager and engineer respectively of the Christiania gas works. It made its debut at a singularly appropriate moment—the annual meeting of the Norwegian Gas-works Association,
and was inspected with, keen interest by the gentlemen who attended the Congress. The possibility of being able to indulge in motoring after 8 p.m. and on Sundays, during which periods motorcabs are unavailable owing to the petrol shortage, has made lively appeal to both private motorists and heavy vehicle users who have suffered from the severe curtailment of their activities.
Contaioer Upkeep Costly.
The Scottish Motor Traction Co., Ltd., which has adopted gas as a motor fuel, in the course of its annual report remarks that it is impossible to 'say what.
economy. will be effected by using gas, because although there is a saving in the cost of motive power, the upkeep of the containers is somewhat heavy.
Laundries and Gas. .
To emphasize the keenness with which laundry firms are turning to coal-gas, the case of the Stepney Laundry in East London may be mentioned. Three Humbers, a Charron and a E.T.A:T., all pleasure cars, ranging.from 12 to 40 b.p., have been converted to commercial purposes; when the petrol difficulty arose the proprietor turned to coal-gas with great satisfaction, until _a driver charged an arch with disastrous results to the gas container. That, however, is but an incident, and, following the pioneer lead of the Thistle Laundry, in London the laundry industry generally is looking to the development of coal-gas facilities as the way out of its transport trouble.
Quality Containers.
A whilom picture palace at Oldham has been easily adapted to the manufacture of gas bags by the Quality Gas Container Co. which is specializing on four shapes— square, semi-circle,' cylinder, and "D." The firm, of which Mr. W. Moorhouse is the manager, is directed by well known men in the textile trade, and makes special claim for the material of which its containers are made, viz., two layers of Sea Island cotton), and two plies of Para rubber, No stitching occurs in the bag, a special process securing the seams.
Johnson Throttle Valve.
The Johnson coal-gas throttle valve is being introduced by Messrs. Eglin and Johnson, of Oldham, to misfire gas and am being given simultaneously in a correct mixture. This can be adapted to any carburetter having a flange fitting, the valve spindle being slotted in line with the flange to indicate the closed position. It can be fitted to work with the present control levers, and the engine ticks over on gas or petrol equally. •
The Wihnslow and Alderley Edge a ELS co. are prepared to charge gas ba,gs.
Newton-in-Makerfield gas manage' has prepared a scheme for supplying gas.
Gas charges may be obtained at the: offices of the Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd Gas Board at the rate of ficl. per 100 cubic ft.
Swansea Gas Light Co. has made special arrangements for supplying gas to the motor vehicles operated by the South Wales Transport Co. .
Lewisham Guardians are to purchase from Ernest Lyon, Ltd., a gas container for theig motor ambulance for £24 8s. 34., a tray at £10 ,10s., and a fitting equipment at R6 3s.1, plus 5 per cent.
Errington, Hawthorn and Co., 35, Corporation Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne, have littod a special wall connection to permit vehicles to have their gas bags charged from the 'roadway and without entering the garage, delay thus being avoided. The gas is passed through a 200 fight meter.
In this column we illustrate a Ford van -engaged in the delivery service of the Spen Valley Hygienic Laundry of Liversedge. The installation follows faaftiliar lines, the container and its tray being carried over the radiator to secure greater cubical capacity of the bag, and consequently, enhanced radius of action per charge. Mr. Robert Milian, the proprietor Of the laundry in question, informs us that this van has been running six months continually on coal-gas, and has given every satisfaction. So much so that two other vehicles have been similarly converted.
Enterprise in Northampton.
The Northampton bus companies have not hesitated to take advantage of the cheap alternative to petrol. One company has installed a hag upon the • roof of its double-deck vehicle, but in ' such a way as to leave sufficient space for the accommodation of a certain num ' her of ()aside passengers. This is aehieved by utilizing a bag of 4430 cubic ft. Capacity, and extending the superstructure forward, although in light materials, to the point level with the front of the radiator. By this arrangement the symmetrical appearance of the yehick is, in a great measure, preserved.