'Like clockwork'. . .Tartan Arrow liner train service starts
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THE Tartan Arrow liner train service between its new terminals at Kentish Town, London, and Bridgeton, Glasgow, started on Monday. The first trains left Kentish Town at 8.30 p.m. and Bridgeton at 8.50 p.m.
The trains are now running five nights a week in each direction, and the use of rail transport for the 400-mile trunk haul enables Tartan Arrow to provide an overnight service to customers in London and Glasgow.
Parcels and packages weighing up to one ton are being loaded into vans on one section of the trains. The other section are carrying high capacity Freightliner containers packed by consignors. Insulated containers are available for perishable freight.
Both the Kentish Town and Bridgeton terminals have been designed to deal quickly and efficiently with the two categories of traffic. On arrival at the terminals the trains are divided. The portion consisting of individual consignments loaded into vans is placed in a 650 ft. long shed, where the traffic is unloaded and moved by conveyor belts to the appropriate delivery berth for transfer to road vehicles.
The other portion, consisting of containers on flat wagons, is positioned on sidings spanned by a 20-ton gantry crane which transfers them to road vehicles for delivery.
The trains arrive at the Kentish Town and Bridgeton depots at 5.30 am. and the un loading is completed by 8.30 a.m. Reloading of both portions of the train then commences and continues until 8 p.m.
Eventually both depots are expected to handle a total of 1,200 tons of parcels, small consignments and container loads every night five nights a week.
Tartan Arrow built its terminals at a cost of /700,000 on land leased to it by British Railways for 99 years. This is the modern development of private siding agreements which are a long-standing feature of railway commercial policy.
Tartan Arrow managing director Mr. F. G. Mason told COMMERCIAL MOTOR 011 Wednesday: "It's running like clockwork. We've had very few snags and it looks very encouraging. The first night we carried about 350 tons. Last night this rose to about 400 tons."
EEC STANDARDS FOR DRIVERS
THE JOINT consultative committee, including EEC employers' and workers' representatives, decided last week to establish details of proficiency requirements for drivers of goods and passenger road vehicles.
Problems arising from the establishment of Community standards for working conditions and the composition of crews for road transport are to be studied. A study group has been set up to examine working hours.
Mintex Sunderland Move: Mintex Ltd. has moved its Sunderland brake and clutch relining service depot from Norfolk Street to 3,700 sq.ft. premises in Stobart Street. Sheepfolds.