Steamer Merits Demonstrated
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Some 50 Sentinel and Foden Wagons Shown in London A' reported in our issue for last week, the Coal Utilization Council held a demonstration of steam wagons in London, from April 4-6. On the third day of the event, a rally was staged, some 50 pneumatic-tyred wagons being loaned for the occasion by concerns in all parts of the country.
Some important ancillary nsers operating large fleets of vehicles supplied steam wagons, amongst the exhibitors being the Gas Light and Coke Co., the Cement Marketing Co., Ltd., Spillers, Ltd. (the flour concern), and Mann, Crossman and Paulin, Ltd., the big brewery concern. A Scottish concern, Modern Roadways, sent a vehicle from Kirkcaldy, a distance of 456 miles. The popularity of steam wagons amongst millers may be regarded as a tribute to the cleanliness of that type of vehicle. The Sentinel Waggon Works, Ltd., Shrewsbury, displayed two examples of its latest model of wagon, this being a shaft-driven four-wheeler, with automatic stoking arrangements. The vehicle has an unusual design of front panel, and the driver is seated well up to the windscreen.
Fodens, Ltd., Sandbach, Cheshire, showed a smart Speed Six wagon.
As we stated last week, the objects of the demonstration were to call public attention to the merits of the steamer and to bring to the notice of Members of Parliament the fact that the consumption of coal by road steam wagons is about 1,000,000 tons a year. Consequently, increased unemployment amongst miners would result from the imposition of further taxation upon vehicles burning home-produced fuel. On April 6 the steamers were assembled on a site off Gillingham Street, S.W.1, where they were inspected by various Members of Parliament, including Mr. Ernest Brown, Secretary for Mines, Mr. Evan Williams, president of the Mining Association of Great Britain, and Mr. Walter Runciman, M.P., president of the Beard of Trade. Later, the vehicles set out on a demonstration tour of London.
In addition to the two vehicles demonstrated by the maker, 39 Sentinel wagons took part in the rally, whilst the Foclen contingent numbered seven, including the machine exhibited by Yodens, Ltd. The vehieles included four-wheelers and six-wheelers, and were provided by users in all parts of the country.