B.R. Build New Shops in Birmingham

26th September 1958, Page 119

26th September 1958

Page 119

Page 119, 26th September 1958 — B.R. Build New Shops in Birmingham

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A NEW road motor engineers' work

shop is being built at Garrison Street, Birmingham, for the maintenance of 579 prime movers and 1,170 trailers operated in the city by the London Midland Region of British Railways. It is tä occupy land formerly taken up by stables, which are now redundant following mechanization, and will be 200 ft. long with a single-span • roof .giving 100 ft. clear span.

An overhead runway will be built for the trailer and body repair section, and wall cranes will be provided for the chassis maintenance section, where there will also be three pits and an 8-ton hoist.

To achieve cleanliness, there will be separate premises for degreasing cornponents before they are brought into the main workshop for attention. Other facilities will include a high-pressure washing plant, storage for 4,000 gal. of fuel and 300 gal. of lubricating oil, and up-toldate staff amenities.

The railways' Birmingham fleet has grown from a strength in 1946 of 245 prime movers and 400 trailers. The new workshop will relieve the main establishment at Saltiey of some heavy overhauls, and avoid the duplication of facilities for inspection at a number of small depots.

SOFT ICE-CREAM FACTORIES ON WHEELS

THE sale of soft ice-cream, an American delicacy; in Britain is likely to provide opportunities for commercialvehicle manufacturers. The vehicles necessary for this work carry their own powerplant and refrigeration system, and 300 of them are operated in America by Mister •Softee. The icecream is freshly dispensed on the spot.

Suitable vehicles are built by 'Smith's Delivery Vehicles, Ltd., and are equipped with Eskimo continuous freezers, a Smith's Frcezewell conservator to freeze the ice-cream mix, and supplies of water.

A new company, Mister Softee (U.K.), Ltd., is to be set up in Britain, which will be the first concessionnaire for the operation of these specialized vehicles.

It is expected that the development will spread overseas and call for the export of many British vehicles.

" FAREWELL " FROM MR. CURTIS

SINCE Mr. A. G. Curtis became chairman of the East Midland Traffic Commissioners five years ago, not one decision has been upset by appeal. This was mentioned la§t week by a Nottingham solicitor, Mr. A. C. G. Rothera, • when he paid tribute to Mr. Curti, who was leaving to take over the position of Transport Commissioner for Wales and . Monmouthshire.

Mr. Rothera said there had 'been. a happy atmosphere in the court, and the number of cases which did go •to appeal had been infinitesimal. • Replying to this and other tributes, Mr. Curtis said he hoped his successor. Mr. C. R. Hodgson, would receive the same amount of co-operation. '.