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A Double Achievement
TWO transport personalities are closely concerned with I the changeover from trolleybuses to motorbuses at Hastings. Mr. S. Pettican, the trolleybus superintendent, joined the London General Omnibus Co. as an apprentice fitter at Crieklewood Garage in 1905. When the L.G.O.C. took over the Great Eastern Omnibus Co., Mr. Pettican although only 21, was appointed foreman at Leyton Garage. After service at other London garages, he became foreman of the engineering side at the Fenton depot of the Potteries Electric Traction Co.
This was mainly concerned with trams, but he was also involved with motorbuses. In 1914 he went to Sheerness and later was appointed engineer-in-charge of the Sheppey Motor Transport Co. On their merger with Maidstone and District in 1930 he became district superintendent at Sheerness. Two years later he was transferred to Gillingham. In 1941 Mr. Pettican become district superintendent at Hastings and. in 1947, took charge of the Hastings Tramway Co. in both traffic and engineering departments.
Mr. T. J. G. Homer. the present Maidstone district superintendent at Hastings, is that rare bird. a bus official with an Oxford M.A. degree. After "coming down" he did a period of training with the Thames Valley Traction Co. before appointment as assistant to the chief engineer. After war service he joined Maidstone and District in 1947 as district superintendent at Gravesend and was soon transferred to Hastings. His present territory embraces the depots at Hastings, Bexhill and Rye and the booking office at Battle.
£2,000 A Year
HOW much ought a transport manager in charge of 200
lorries and 60 cars be paid? Next question: how much would such a man usually be paid? A company advertising for such an executive in a national newspaper last week envisaged a salary of "up to £2.000 per annum." A sum of this magnitude is probably nearer the answer to the first question than the second. Salary levels for transport managers vary among different concerns, but whereas some pay well the average could probably be improved.
New Idea for Magnets and Motors
A RUSSIAN inventor is said to have made a discovery 1-k which may greatly influence the design of electric motors, and possibly dynamos. It is that if the flat surfaces of the poles of an ordinary electro-magnet are replaced by a jagged surface, the power of the magnet is greatly increased.
Making use of this new idea, he has designed a highly efficient and simple motor operating over a wide range of speeds, and built in flat, cylindrical and disc forms.
London's Latest Maintenance Depot
THE directors of Stewart and Ardern, Ltd., the sole London distributors of Morris Commercial vehicles and Morris cars, are to be congratulated on their enterprise in opening a further new depot to add to the nine or so which they already possess. In this case, however, the move is particularly noteworthy because it is devoted exclusively to the sale, servicing and repair of Morris Commercial products, as distinct from others in which cars are also dealt with,
Morris Commercial House, as it is named, occupies a large area in Queensbury Road, Wembley, Middlesex, and has a floor area of nearly 35,000 sq. ft., fully equipped with the latest facilities to maintain both petroland oilengined vehicles. It marks 35 years of work in this field, although the company was actually dealing with Morris cars as far back as 1910.
This addition shows an appreciation of, and trust in. Morris Commercial products, which must be most satisfactory to the makers. It will also be of great assistance to operators in the area covered, although full facilities for maintenance and repair will still be available at Acton. With ample space, virtually free from obstructions, and excellent day and artificial lighting, service at the new station is available day and night for vehicles ranging from 5 cwt. to 10 tons payload.
All Morris Commercial products are on view and there is a complete range of spare parts and replacement units. whilst the company's nearby bodybuilding factory can cope with special work, modifications and finishing.
Born Busman
MR. A. J. WHITE, general manager of Maidstone and District Motor Services, Ltd., who distinguished himself at Folkestone this week, can justly claim to be a born busman. His family owned the bus business of Thomas White and Co. (Cardiff and Bury), Ltd., which he joined in 1929 and took over as manager in 1932. When the company sold out to the Western Welsh Omnibus Co., Ltd., in 1935 he joined the B.E.T. fold.
His colleague on the rostrum at Folkestone, Mr. F. H. Clayton, deputy general manager of Liverpool Passenger Transport Department, is another B.E.T. old boy. After a period with' London Transport he served as chief engineer of East Midland Motor Services, Ltd., and of the North Western Road Car Co., Ltd. Does that explain a striking unanimity of opinion between the two speakers?
A• Fine Record of Safe Driving
MANY companies operating transport are gratified when their drivers gain awards for the way in which they conduct their vehicles. The Express Dairy Co., Ltd., should be particularly proud of the achievements of their men in this connection for they won 2,249 medals and awards for safe driving during 1958. The fleet is comprised of over 2,500 vehicles, and they covered 161 m. miles during the year. Accidents were at the rate of less than one fr)r every 56,000 miles run. The presentations were made to the men in the London area at the annual dinner held last Wednesday of the company's Safe Driving Association. This body will hold similar functions in various parts of the country at which the remainder of the awards will be given
Suspension Problems Solved by Computer
A SERIOUS interest in the problems of motor-vehicle " design is being taken by the electronics laboratory of A. V. Roe and Co., Ltd.—a member of the HawkerSiddeley Group. In the main it was agreed that the best plan was to design and build computing equipment with the object of solving problems associated with suspension systems, covering the design of springs and dampers. Tests to find the right combination of these components can involve many months of work on tracks and roads. Even after this it can seldom be considered, as certain that all
the possibilities have been thoroughly, explored., • Ely using analogue computers, many design possibilities can be explored while a vehicle is still on the drawing board, and with care the prototype will have a suspension system .requiring little or no modification and, moreover, one 'which will prevent travel sickness. It is claimed that in a matter of one or two hours an operator; who need not be highly skilled, can completely explore the design' possibilities of a suspension system, and even investigate the margins of safety more thoroughly, because there is no danger resulting from trying out unusual design features.
Avro have also developed a fatigue meter to use with the computer, the latter being fed with magnetic tape carrying varying signals corresponding to typical roadsurface conditions.
By the use of special plug-board arrangements the new machine can be controlled to perform many other types of investigation. Such an instrument, capable of solving simple problems, will cost from £8,000, whilst for more varied work it may rise to £22,000.