Statistics on America's Longdistance Services.
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It is reported that about 700 coach services exceeding 100 miles in length operate in America, their aggregate route-mileage being 100,000, as compared with 260,000 miles cf inter-town services. The foremost state for longdistance coaching is said to be Texas, which has 80 routes operating on 12,000 miles of highway. California, we are told, comes second with 30 routes and 6,000 miles covered. Many of the journeys occupy a whole day and a night and distances of 1,000 miles are covered without over-night halts. North Carolina claims an average speed on its long-distance services of 33 m.p.h., whilst on the New York-New Haven route just over 19 m.p.h. is maintained—that being the lowest speed reported. Fares seem to average about 21 cents per mile.
A Huge Trojan Fleet.
Following an order for 200 Trojan vans placed by Brooke Bond, Ltd., the well-known tea merchant, in July last —which brought the number of such vans owned by the company to over 1,000—it is announced that a furthee order. for 200 vehicles has just been given.
For Handling Split Cotters. When reassembling the parts of an engine, after removing valves, much time is often wasted in repositioning the split cotters locating the valvespring caps. To overcome this, an interesting device is being marketed under the name of Camp's Split-cotter Grips. Its retail price is 4s. 6d. It is suitable for Austin machines and is sold by Mr. A. H. F. Perl, 46, Oxford Road, Aeocks Green, Birmingham.
The jaws of the grips have spring catches so that each jaw holds positively one half-cotter. In practice, the valve spring is raised and one cotter is applied to the stem, being held, of course, in the jaw of the grips ; the handles of the grips are then squeezed together, bringing into place the other cotter, and the spring is then released.
A London Contractor's Trading.
The name of McNamara and Co. (1921), Ltd., is particularly well known in connection with transport contracts and the company does much work in conveying the Royal Mails. The company's accounts for the past year's working to the end of June last reveal a loss of £357, as against a profit of 13,258 in the previous year. As a comment on the loss which has been sustained, it is mentioned that unfavourable factors have been the heavy cost of carrying the Post Office mails at peak periods of the day, greater competition on the roads, higher taxation and the increased cost of fuel.
Institute of Patentees Lectures.
The Institute of Patentees, 39, Victoria Street, Westminster, London, S.W.1, has sent us a copy of a list of lectures organized by the Institute and one of the most important, so far as our readers are concerned, is that entitled "Motorists' Debt to the Inventor," which will be given by the Earl of Cottenham. At this lecture, which will be held on April 10th, 1930, Mr. H. W. Bamber will occupy the chair.
A New Road in Kent.
Rochester City Council is to construct, at a cost of £40,000, a new road, 75 ft. wide, from the junction of Star Hill and New Road to the junction with the Maidstone-Chatham main road in the borough, near Horsted Farm.
Facilities for Reaching the Brussels Show.
The London and North Eastern Railway Co, announces that cheap weekend tickets to Antwerp will be issued on Fridays and Saturdays, December 6th, 7th, 13th and 14th, in connection with the Brussels Motor Show, return tickets, being available in each case for use on the following Monday or 'Tuesday. Passports are not required. A frequent train service will be run between Antwerp and Brussels.
Clayton Wagons Liquidation.
At a meeting of creditors of Clayton Wagons, Ltd., .liabilities of £86,291 against net assets of £61,395 were dis closed. It was mentioned that the assets were estimated to realize £168,831, but were subject to debentures and other ?.harges. The principal asset was said to be the Abbey Works at Lincoln, which appeared in the books at £172,202 and were estimated to realize 165,000. It was mentioned that there was a probable dividend for the unsecured creditors of 14s. 3d. in the £.
The present position of the company was attributed to lack of working capital and it was stated that the company's trading experience in steam wagons had been unfortunate. It appeared that something like £200,000 had been lost in that section of the business.
A Paper on Transport Costs.
"Overheads and Other Factors Influencing Road -transport Costs, from an Engineer's Viewpoint" is the title of a paper which Major Charles Wheeler, 0.B.E., M.I.A.E., formerly chief automobile engineer of thd General Post Office, will read at the Royal Society of Arts, John Street, London, W.C.2, on December 11th. Mr. John Alaughfling, C.A., will preside.
To Take Charge of a Motor Department.
Thomas Tilling, Ltd., informs us that it requires the services of a first-class engineer, with modern operating experience, to take charge of its motor department M. London. The fleet of the company consists of about 680 vehicles, including motorbuses, coaches, vans and private cars. Those of our readers who are interested should write to the secretary of ther company at 20, Victoria Street, London, S.W,1, giving details of qualifications.