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Passing Comments

28th May 1954, Page 34
28th May 1954
Page 34
Page 35
Page 34, 28th May 1954 — Passing Comments
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Bus Drivers Sent by Air

THE transport department of Edinburgh Corporation is sending a driver each morning from Turnhouse aerodrome on the B.E.A. service to Birmingham to take over a new 45-seat bus for the city. Lunching in Birmingham, the driver then sets out on his 296-mile return trip, spending the night at a point en route. . Over the next thr-ee months or so, 100 men will make this trip. The call for volunteers resulted in almost every eligible driver applying. This is not surprising, as the journey in both directions is of exceptional interest.

The reason for this policy, as outlined by the transport manager, is that air travel is cheaper, because the driver is away for only one night instead of two.

The 100 buses will go into service on the West End routes and will eventually replace the trams operating there.

Neoprene Bumper for Docks

I OADING AND unloading platforms and docks J-4 are frequently damaged by lorries reversing into them. To -avoid this a Californian concern, working in conjunction with E. I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company, have produced a special bumper made of neoprene synthetic rubber. The 14-ft. sections of this form half-round mouldings on a wide flat 'base. They are hollow and have longitudinal inner webs which give rigidity but permit

A32 a certain amount of bounce. The diameter of the curved portion is „1.75 in. and the width of the base 2.75 in., providing in. mounting flanges at the sides. Each length is secured by ordinary roofing nails, and they can, when necessary, be mounted as a double row.

Neoprene is highly resistant to abrasion and tearing and is practically unaffected by weather, oil, acids and other chemicals

Original Bores After 100,000 Miles

THE petrol engine of a Bedford 29-seater coach,

in use on private-hire and school services, has completed over 100,000 miles without having been rebored. Wellworthy Duaflex rings are responsible for this high mileage, and even now, only one p:nt of oil is used every 400 miles, whilst the petrol consumption is slightly-better than normal.

The coach, which is seven years old, is operated by Mr. A. Elsey, of Burton Cottage, Gosberton, Lines, who bought it when it had run 8,000 mites. The special rings were fitted at 14,000 miles. prior to which the oil consumption had risen to three pints per 200 miles. A second set was fitted 40,000 „miles later, these being still in use. The school serv!ce involves 14 stops in 13 miles—a searching test for engine wear—but, because of these rings, bore-wear has been cut to a minimum. Considerable expense has been avoided by cutting overhaul costs and the performance of the coach is said to be highly satisfactory.

Aluminium and Steel in Competition

COMPET1T1ON between aluminium and steel has been studied by the Economic Commission for Europe; they have reached the conclusion, however, that as regards total consumption, this will remain only on a small scale. The most important field is with thin, flat products, in which aluminium competes with steel to the extent of 3 per cent. of world production.

In tubes, light structures, castings and forgings competition is about half this, and it is believed that both industries may well expand without one seriously inconveniencing the other.

The development of the aluminium industry compares with that which was seen in the steel industry between 1880 and 1910, when steel production doubled every seven years. This is now approximately the case with aluminium, whereas with steel, since 1910 the output has taken more than 20 years to double. This indicates that aluminium is steadily growing in importance A hopeful sign for aluminium is that during the past 30 years the price has dropped considerably, whilst that of steel has had a tendency to rise. The main cause of the fall was technological improvements, but these cannot be expected to increase at the same rate. On the other hand, the price of steel is based essentially on coal and wages, both of which are becoming more expensive factors.

Makers Break Own Biscuits

A READER tells us that he complained to his

grocer recently because his favourite biscuits were always broken. The grocer disclaimed responsibility, saying that they were delivered in that condition. The complainant, a road transport enthusiast, assumed that they came by rail, but was surprised to hear that they travelled, not even by B.R.S., but in vehicles belonging to the biscuit manufacturers—a well-known and old-established firm. We agree with him that their carelessness in carrying the biscuits takes the cake.

Tags

People: A. Elsey
Locations: Birmingham

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