The Tramway and Light Railway Show.
Page 14
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The third international electric tramway and railway exhibition at the Agricultural Hall closes to-morrow (Friday) night. A full account of the opening proceedings appeared in our pages last week, but further reference to some of the exhibits is desirable.
Thomas Noakes and Sons, Ltd., of 4-5, Osborn Place, Brick Lane, E., has a representative assortment of boiler fittings. This company makes a special feature of lubricators, and we noted one called the Positive sight-feed, which is made for steam-engine cylinders, where greater certainty of action is requiredthan is obtained with the displacement or gravity feed type. This is obtained by the employment of two pistons of unequal diameters on one piston rod, the whole having a vertical movement in a chamber made with two diameters suitable for the pistons. The action is as follows :—After filling the top receptacle (holding the smaller piston) with oil, and the sight glass with water, steam is admitted to the under side of the lower piston, which forces it up and discharges the oil at a constant feed determined by a regulator handle. One advantage of this oiler is that it can be used in any position, and will communicate the supply of oil to any reasonable distance. Charles Winn and Co., Ltd., St. Thomas Works, Granville Street, Birmingham, shows an interesting gauge glass protector, suitable for steam tractors, wagons, and locomotives. The protector consists of a rectangular frame, carrying four pieces of plate glass fin. thick, and of such a size that it will protect the.full length of the gauge glass. The whole appliance can be detached in .a moment by undoing two catches.
The New South Wales Government has an interesting display of various Australian hard woods suitable for building bus and wagon wheels, van bodies, and for general framing. A serviceable spoke cut from "spotted gum " will be noticed on the stand : this wood is much used in Australia for =king the wheels for wool wagons, which have to carry up to six tons over very indifferent roads. Any particulars as to price or other matters can be obtained from McEuen and Co., Ltd., 97, Cannon Street, E.C., which company is handling these woods in Great Britain. Manufacturers of motor omnibuses and body builders who are turning their attention to large developments of the passenger-carrying business should not fail to address W. S. I.aycock, Ltd., of Victoria Works, Millhouses, Sheffield. This company has brought the production of omnibus fittings almost to the point of perfection : their blinds, of which they show a variety, scats, window lifts, destination indicators, millboard panelling, and Lincrusta decorations are well worthy of immediate examination. An item which will interest chassis manufacturers more particularly is their patent elastic journal packing for axle boxes of all kinds of rolling stock. At a time when many new builders are entering this industry, the importance of getting into touch with experienced manufacturers of fittings cannot be too much enlarged upon, because bad finish in an omnibus body spoils the appearance of the whole vehicle, and often at no saving of cost. Users of all kinds of motor vehicles and machinery will be interested by a visit to the stand of Fastnut, Ltd., of bo, Aldermanbury, E.C., where a large assortment of their patent Fastnut washers can be seen and examined. The washers will hold nuts tightly on their respective bolts when subjected to abnormal vibration : they are made in one piece from mild steel, and are brought into action by simply placing the washer over the bolt and screwing down the nut. The Motor Car Emporium, Ltd., la, Addison Road North, Holland Park Avenue, W., whose exhibits occupy two stands, shows a double-deck bus, a lorry, a char-h-bane, and a convertible lorry, delivery van, and wagonette. The last-named should prove useful for many purposes, especially to the jobmaster or to the private owner living in the country who requires a machine capable of coping with the numerous classes of work generally to be found on a country estate.
Durham, Churchill, and Co., Ltd., Hallamshire Motor and Engineering Works, Sheffield, exhibits a char-h-bane to carry 19 passengers. The engine is 2011.1>., the power being transmitted through a metal-to-metal friction clutch to the gear box. Final transmission to the road wheels is by a universally-jointed shaft and live back axle. A vehicle fitted with a 24-28h.p. engine is also made for hilly country. The Wolseley Tool and Motor Car Co., Ltd., Adderley Park, Birmingham, and 79-80, York Street, Westminster, S.W., shows a motor bus having a 2oh.p. engine with two cylinders 6in. in diameter by yin. in stroke. The wheel base is loft. 6in., and width of tread 6ft. 2in., whilst the overall width comes well inside the 7ft. 2in. limit. A bus which has run to,000 miles may be seen on the stand of Messrs. Straker and Squire, of 9, Bush Lane, London, E.C., and will be attractive as proving what a public service vehicle will stand without showing any outward signs of wear. A point to be noted is the spring release fitted to the radius rods, which effectually eliminates any shock which might otherwise be transmitted to the machinery through the driving chains ; the appliance was fully described and illustrated in our issue of May 25th. The stand of the Vacuum Oil Company, Ltd., as always, was most attractive. This company has been most assiduous in its close attention to the requirements of motor vehicle users, and its efforts appear to have been rewarded by a large and growing connection.
The attendance was very small on most days, and we doubt if there were 1,000 visitors on any occasion except the opening day, though all present seemed intent on business.