AMBULANCE TRAILERS FOR THE M.A.B.
Page 21
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
THE Hospitals. Csamnittee of the Metropolitan Asylums.Board reports that for some time it has had under consideration a proposal to provide a petrel-driven motor to draw the trams in which patients are conveyed between Long Reach Pier and the wards of the River Hospitals. The engineer-superintendent of the Mead Works has, however, been consulted in the matter, and he is definitely of opinion that the employment of any form of tractor to run on the existing tram rails and tow the tramcars will prove unsatisfactory, The short -wheelbase of the tramcar and the long overhang at either end would render it impossible to devise any means of coupling the tractor and the car so that they would be able to negotiate the short radius curves without risk of derailment. He further points out that two tractors would be required at an approximate cost of 2800 each.
As an alternative, the engineer-superintendent suggests that the tramcars should be kept in reserve for serious epidemics, and that, in ordinary circumstances, the passenger motor vehicles attached to the. institution should, after being 'adapted for the purpose, be used to tow sperially constructed trailers. Three of these trailers would be required for ordinary service—two for infectious cases and one for non-infectious cases. A design of the trailer proposed shows accommodation for eight stretcher cases, and it would be built throughout to secure the comfort of the patients, special attention being paid to the springing and pneumatic tyres. The trailer axles are so arranged and steered that the trailer would run, exactly in the track of the tractor, and the brake of the trailer could be operated either by the driver of the tractor vehicle or by the attendant on the trailer. The cost of the trailers fully equipped would he about 2300 each.
It is proposed to purchase one trailer chaesia of the special design suggested and to fit it up to a modified extent' to enable some opinion, to be formed as to the results likely to be achieved. 11 is
estimated that the experiment would cost 'about 2220.
The medical superintendent has pointed out that with the horse-drawn trains the risk of accident is negligible, as even if a car left the rails the horse would not have the power necessary to bring about an accident likely to cause injury to the patients, but that with a free running vehicle and trailer the possibility of accident is undoubtedly greater. It should be borne in mind, on the other hand, that these trailers will not be ordinary road vehicles.
The medical superintendent is, however, quite willing that the experiment should be made. 11 this method of traction were adopted it would be possible to dispense with the hire of the horses used for drawing the trams. These horses cost about 275 per annum each. In addition, it would probably be possible to reduce the male staff by two. It will be seen, therefore, that the economy to be effected if the experiment proves successful is considerable.