as judged necessary on the basis of mileage run coupled with inspection.

10th November 1967, Page 159

10th November 1967

Page 159

Page 159, 10th November 1967 — as judged necessary on the basis of mileage run coupled with inspection.

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All the transport maintenance, including body overhauls, takes place at Spittalfield but actual bodybuilding goes to A. and C. McLennan (Perth) where there is a special department devoted to such work. The high priority given by the company to tyre maintenance is especially desirable because of the frequency with which Perthshire is hit by snow and ice. Snowfalls are liable to be both swift and heavy, easily defeating local authority efforts to keep the roads open.

It is the pride of the McLennan group that in many respects it is self-sufficient. The buses must meet the public need, so if necessary the organization is ready to provide its own snow-clearing force. Powerful tractors in the form of a war-time Guy, an AEC Matador, and an American Ford, are used in conjunction with a snowblower to clear roads in time for the early morning services. Without this facility buses would be kept off service for weeks.

The problem of headroom on some narrow routes requires constant attention. The situation is aggravated when branches are weighed down by snow or continuous heavy rain. To deal with this one old bus has had a roof panel cut out and the company's own staff can carry out trimming.

With the aid of the blacksmiths and welders, various manufacturing projects are carried on at Spittalfield and there also they perform extensive work in connection with the agricultural en, gineering side of the enterprise. At Spittalfield all used units removed from vehicles are rebuilt in readiness for further employment. Likewise all spare components are re-conditioned and kept in stock against future needs.

As may already have been gathered, involvement with the life of the community is one of the predominant features of the McLennan group. Its repair and overhaul facilities at Spittalfield are extended to bus owner-drivers, arid, when necessary, vehicles are lent so that the services these operators own can continue uninterrupted.

At Blairgowrie A. and C. McLennan (Blairgowrie) has an arrangement to act as operating agents for the Scottish ambulance services. There are three ambulances for the district, with three full-time drivers, and members ofthe company's general staff stand in when necessary.

Some of the McLennan staff, in their individual capacities, act as retained firemen in the local auxiliary brigades. Commercial considerations quite apart, the McLennan influence is strong in Perthshire. It is so much the better for the county.