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COMBINED RAIL AND ROAD TOURS.

31st August 1926, Page 57
31st August 1926
Page 57
Page 58
Page 57, 31st August 1926 — COMBINED RAIL AND ROAD TOURS.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

How Co-operation Between Road and Rail Transport has Benefited Tourists in the North Country, who are Conveyed Expeditiously to Coach Routes Away From Unattractive Surroundings.

WHILST in general, keen rivalry exists betwen the rail and road passenger-carrying industries, and each regards the other as its most dangerous competitor, there is at the same time a growing recognition that co-operation in many instances can be much more effective and lucrative than competition. There is undouffitedly a wide scope for co-ordinated efforts which have as their aim the provision of convenient facilities for summer pleasure seekers, and in many districts which are none too favourably situated from the geographical standpoint in relation to popular country and seaside resorts the combined rail and road tour meets a need witich neither rail nor road, working alone, could adequately meet.

So far as the north country is concerned, the realisation that good business might accrue from this amalgamstiou of interests was horn a couple of seasons ago and is proving of mutual benefit both to the railroads and to a number of the more enterprising coach owners in Northumberland, Durham and North Yorkshire. The number of combined excursions is on the increase, and, as indicating the progress made along these lines, it is interesting to note that whereas in 1924 the London and North-Eastern Railway, in conjunction with one far-seeing motorcoaching undertaking, operated these combined tours over one route only, this year they are working in harmony with five coaching concerns and covering about 20 popular routes.

The initial step, taken two seaaons ago, was purely of an experimental nature. This took the form of a series of combined rail-road-steamer tours from various north country centres to the ever-popular Lake District at advantageous rates for parties. In this inaugural effort they bad the assistance of the Ullswater Navigation and Transit Co., and so successful was the innovation that in a very abort time new ground was broken.

In 1925 a fairly extensive programme of combined tours was arranged, including in addition to the Lakeland run attractive outings in Northumberland and the Scarborough neighbourhood. The even more elaborate programme of joint tours prepared for 1926 was marred to some extent by the recent general stoppage, but since ,the resumption of full railway services, the complete programme has been vigorously pursued. This embraces still further new services to picturesque and historical place's in both Northumberland and the North Riding of Yorkshire.

The tours to the Scarborough district are extremely attractive and varied. These are operated in conjunction with the well-known coaching undertaking, Messrs. Robinson, whose fleet of white lounge-seated Lancia coaches is One of the finest in the north of England. Tours are arranged from numerous important towns in the north country for parties of twelve or upwards, and passengers are met at the railway station, at 10 a.m., in the case of morning and all-day tours, and at 2.15 p.m. for afternoon excursions. Care is taken on all runs to see that travellers are back at the station in ample time to catch their return train connection.

The following table shows the wide range of tours at extremely moderate charges which have been arranged by the proprietors of the Robinson White Coach fleet :— In the case of all-day tours alfresco lunches are provided if required.

A new excursion, also in North Yorkshire, which is proving extremly popular this year is that to Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey. In this instance, passengers are conveyed by train to Ripon, where they are met by motor coaches and taken for a delightful drive to the entrance of the famous Fountains Abbey, returning from Studley village. This tour is being operated during July, August and September, and like other combined rail-road tours, is run at specially reduced rates.

Farther to the north, the series of exeasions over specially selected romantic and historical Northombrian routes are retaining all their 1925 popularity. Additional tours have been arranged and are proving of great value to residents on the larger Tyneside and VITearside ii3dustrial towns who desire to escape as quickly as possible from their every-day surroundings into the pure air of the open country.

The charming Tynedale township of Hexham, about 20 miles from Newcastle, serves as the starting point for a series of unusually appealing motor tours in the surrounding beautiful and historical West Tyne neighbourhood. It is the speed with whieh such attractive centres can be reached by train, and the fact that ample time is still allowed for seeing the countryside by the more leisurely-paced coach, which proves the most powerful factor in favour of these tours. In the present age of keen discernment on the part of pleasure seekers, any mode of conveyance which can transport them quickly from the drab, uninteresting streets and works of their home town is preferable to spending a valuable hour or two, as is the ease with an all-road outing, in running clear of every-day sights.

In the case of the tours operated from Hexhara, the rail portion of the journey is accomplished in about. 40 mins., and passengers have the choice of the following road tours :— Whole Day.

The above tours are for parties of 12 or mare, and in addition pleasant afternoon excursions, are operated from Hexham each Wednesday and Saturday afternoon up to September 22nd for individual passengers: In the ease of the above 'tours, the Coaching side is undertaken by W: Robb and Sons, Ltd., of Hexham.

By means of a similar working arrangement with Messrs. Gray's Motors, of Aln.wick, equally Pleasing outings are run to various north Northumberland beauty spots, from that picturesque old-world town. The rail journey in this case is one of 40 miles, mostly on the main line between Newcastle and Scotland, which ensures quick transit, and the undermentioned tours are provided for the benefit of holiday makers who desire to ..we renotened Northumbrian scenery in the most convenient and advantageous circumstances :— Day Tow leirculat),

The Lake District excursion is still being operated on an extensive scale. In this case passengers have the added attraction of a steamer trip on Lake Ullswater.

As was the case last year, the tours are available for parties of twelve and upwards, and not for individual bookings, except the Tyndale Wednesday and Saturday outings and those to Scarborough. On this account, the promoters are able to keep the charge for the round trips down to the lowest pos sible figure. Generally speaking, the rates average approximately lid per passenger per mile_ In cases where B40

-Or HCKENHEAD Corporation has _US just put into service an ingenious contrivance by which it is possible to wash a double-deck bus in the space of five minutes. The inventor of the appliance is Mr. W. It. Shaw, rolling stock superintendent of the Tramways Depot, Birkenhead. As will be seen from the accompanying illustration the washing plant is simple in its arrangement and is thoroughly efficient for the purpose for which it has been constructed. The machine is composed of 150 ft. to 170 ft. of brass tubing, jointed by 35 brass castings. There are 470 jets from which the water is sprayed on to the bus, these being controlled by a 4-in. valve.

The method of procedure is to run a bus under the appliance and then to spray it for about,haIf a rninnte. Then two cleaners get to work with special soft brushes, and it takes about four minutes to go over the whole of the In the lists of tours from Hexham and Alnwick which are given herewith, the faro is that charged from Newcastle, bat through tickets can be booked from all the larger towns in Northumberland and Durham, whilst special quotations can be supplied to parties travelling from smaller destinations net included in the schedules, and for details of these application should be made to the railway or coach companies.

A glance at the accompanying route maps is .sufficient to show both the large area covered and also the possibilities of combined tours, particularly in districts, such as Tyneside and other parts of the industrial north, where it is necessary, to travel for alairly long distance before unattractive town and, city sights give place to refreshing rural scenes.

outside of the vehicle. A final spray of half a minute removes every particle of dirt from the outside of the bus, the staircase and. platform, after which the vehicle is run into the garage and is ready for service if required.. Hitherto the buses have been scrubbed down by hand every ten days or so, and the operation occupied two cleaners about two to three hours. By Mr. Shaw's invention it is possible to cleanse eight buses in an hour. Before the appliance was erected a model was made and this worked so satisfactorily that Mr. Cyril Clarke, the tramways manager, decided on the installation of the device in practical form.

Many of. out readers will, of course, be aware that some of the largest bus companies have adopted somewhat similararrangements for enabling the washing of buses to be undertaken with speed and thoroughness and at a great saving in cost.,


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