All about artics

20th September 1968, Page 97

20th September 1968

Page 97

Page 97, 20th September 1968 — All about artics

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• Whether one is a complete newcomer to transport or an "old hand" who has grown up with the artic and witnessed all the agonies of its birth, a new book, Era of Articulation by John M. Dickson-Simpson, is a must for the bookshelf.

The author has spelled it all out and, just as a good cookery book helps those of only moderate skill to produce worthwhile results, so does this work lay down all the "ingredients" and systems which operators and prospective operators need to get the best from an articulated fleet.

There are 20 chapters dealing with whys and wherefores, the means and the ends and the costs and the results—plus a good deal of star-gazing into the future of this type of vehicle. Furthermore, it delves deeply into the choice of matching outfits—two chapters which, judging by some of the equipment one sees on the roads, large sections of the industry should read.

The causes and cures of jack-knifing are set out quite simply and clearly and at one point the author admits that perhaps not everybody will agree with his comments about the cure for this problem.

A section deals with trailer maintenance, another with international operation and another with the special problems faced by the trailer and tractor makers. This particular chapter highlights points which the average operator is liable to forget when he demands something out of the ordinary and it could well, in my opinion, result in far better relations between the two sides of the industry.

Many simple but informative diagrams are included as well as a large number of useful pictures. .

The book is published by Transport Press Services, 146 Fleet St., London, EC4 and costs 22s. It is obtainable from W. H. Smith and Son and other booksellers or by post direct from the publishers.