Bird's Eve View
Page 49
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Transit test
Our report on the 31/2 to 4 days average transit time achieved by National Carriers (CM, February 4) has inspired a reader to send me some details of rail transit times in 1889! Express road hauliers today must look to their
laurels.
Examples: Grey shirtings for the China market collected in Manchester at 6pm, unloaded at tlie London docks before 7 am the next day.
Wool bales collected at London wool market one day delivered Bradford 7.15am the next day.
The "Scotch Fish and Meat'', ex-Carlisle, (8.51 pm) delivered to Smithfield and Billingsgate markets early next day.
Danish butter dispatched Newcastle 4pm unloaded at Broad Street, London, 2.15am the next day.
All this in the hey-day of the North Western Railway Company. It makes you think. . . . have a go on one of their latest units.
Do you harbour a desire when in a forward gear to go into reverse without stopping or spreading gears all over the road? I do. JD did until last week and he achieved his schoolboy ambition. The vehicle he drove was fitted with Smiths new differential slip unit; this makes the trick possible and should prove a boon to the men who are out and about in unsocial hours delivering the daily pinta.