BIRD'S EYE
Page 42
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By The Hawk VIEW
I notice that British Railways announced earlier this week that four railway lines in North and mid Wales were blocked due to flooding and no services would be operated on them. The lines concerned were in the area bounded by Aberystwyth, Aberdovey and Llandudno Junction. Emergency bus services were operated.
It is significant that this should occur in an area where the indispensability of railway services has been repeatedly stressed in opposition to proposed branch line closures. Buses Take Over
Height Limits ? Several Continental countries have height limits for commercial vehicles—and this, to me, seems a very rational practice. I was reminded of this recently when reading of an inquest on two men in Lancashire—they had been killed when a mechanical eXcavator being carried on a lorry struck a bridge and toppled on to the car in which they were passengers. The jury, returning a verdict of misadventure, recommended that legislation be introduced to govern the height of vehicles. And the coroner, surprised that there were no regulations governing vehicle height, hoped that early action would be taken to make hauliers legally obliged "to take more stringent precautions ".
The report I saw on this case stated that the height of the bridge was 16 ft. 9 in.—and the height of the lorry 17 ft. I in. An executive of the firm operating the vehicle said that as far as he was concerned it was loaded according to normal practice. But by far the most surprising observation in the case was attributed to the lorry's driver. He, it was said. did not know the height of the load!
I.T.A. Xmas Party My colleague who attended
the I.T.A.'s Christmas Party at " The Londoner ", Welbeck Street, W.1, last Wednesday evening tells me that this was a very lively occasion—typical, he says, of this organization. It was rather more than a social occasion, I understand, for prizes were awarded to newly qualified graduates and associates of the Association. Furthermore, a stimulating after dinner speech was made by Mr. C. H. Watson, head of professional studies at Catford College of Commerce— appropriately enough' on the subject of education and training.
s8 Why They Give Up Mr. Watson expressed con cern at the number of students who discontinued their studies, giving three reasons why he thought this happened. These were: (1) not enough encouragement given by employers—some employers tending to decry theoretical studies; (2) some students did not have a good enough educational background; and (3) students were too tired to attend classes.
To help solve these problems the speaker suggested that efforts should be made to make the more widely known—and that students should be brought into closer contact with existing members. In his view lower level examinations would also be very useful. And students, he emphasized, should have a half-day or a full working day off each week to attend classes.
A warm tribute was paid to the I.T.A.'s education secretary who, it seems, has broken all records this year with the number of students entered for exams.
Cheerful Posters London Transport's posters,
I'm sure you will agree, are of a consistently high standard. The latest one I've seen depicts balloons and early "flying machines" in a positive not of colour. Pm told it was built up from a number of lino-cuts on mainly pastel backgrounds and was designed by Enid Marx, who has other London Transport posters to her credit. This particular poster signifies man's first attempts to conquer the air—and is intended to stimulate interest in the Science Museum's new aeronautical gallery.
Another highly colourful, and seasonal, L.T.B. poster which came into my hands this week is offered as a diversion and a greeting ". It bears three figures designed to be cut out and made up as puppets or hanging decorations. This costs 10s. (postage paid its. 6d.) and is available (with instructions) from the Poster Shop, 280 Marylebone Road, London, N.W.1.
Russian Yorkers: It looks as though export minded companies in the commercial vehicle industry are keen to extend their business activities behind the iron curtain. Recently Leyland buses to Cuba—now, it seems, a
strong possibility of York trailers to Russia. What, I wonder will Barry have to say about this? My friends from York tell me that they recently entertained two Russian experts at Corby—who showed a marked interest in the company's designs and manufacturing methods. Apparently they were particularly keen on York's Trombone trailers. Having " done " Corby the Russians had a good look at the new York factory at Market Harborough. Now they are to report back to Moscow.