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WHEELS of INDUSTRY

"'The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the

The New Crossley Oil Engine for Passenger Chassis.

For a considerable time Crossley Motors, Ltd., Gorton, Manchester, has been developing an oil engine for passenger-carrying work. This power unit is of the six-cylindered type and is mounted vertically in the chassis frame. The bore and stroke are 41 ins. and 6 ins, respectively, giving a piston-swept volume of 510.7 cubic ins., or 8,354 c.c. It attains a higher speed than most, as its output is stated to be 86.8 b.h.p. at 2,000 r.p.m.; at 1,000 r.p.in. it is 57.7 b.h.p. The crankshaft runs in seven bearings and has a vibration damper at the forward end. The H-section connecting rods employ whitemetal-lined bronze shells for the big-end bearings.

The cylinders are cast monobloc and have renewable liners; the detachable cylinder head is in two parts, each covering three barrels. Totally enclosed overhead valves are employed.

A. dry-sump lubrication system is adopted. One pomp delivers oil to the bearings and the other serves to drain the engine sump ; both pumps are driven from the camshaft. On the crankcase is the oil filter, whilst level cocks are provided in addition to a dip-stick. A triple-roller chain is used for the distributiou drive,.;,and there is an automatic tensioner: Cooling is by pump-circulated water and there is a governor to limit the maximum and minimum sneeds. The inlet valves can be raised off their seatings to decompress the engine for starting. A vacuum pump provides the power for the brake servo.

To make the engine suitable for forward-control chassis all auxiliaries have been concentrated on the near side, and the manifolds are the only projections on the of side. On a straight run the fuel-consumption return is said to be 14 m.p.g., and the engine will speed up to 2,000 r.p.m. while maintaining a clear exhaust.

A Singer Price Reduction.

A reduction is announced in the price of the 10-cwt. van marketed by Singer and Co., Ltd., of Coventry, the new price being £170, as against £190. The chassis of this model now sells for £143 instead of £155. The equipment of the standard van, which has a capacity of 80 cubic ft., is most complete.

The Mechanization of the Territorial Army.

The officia mechanization of the field artillery of the Territorial Army commenced on March 20th, when the first War Department issue of six-wheeled gun tractors was made to the two London Divisions at the Duke of York's Headquarters, Chelsea, S.W. By 1933 the whole of the Territorial Army artillery will be mechanized, according to present War Department arrangements in this connection.

This official issue is the result of many endeavours by the Territorial Army artillery to receive recognition as mechanized units. Hitherto the War Department has made grants to the Territorial Army associations only for the hire of horses, but the associations, instead of employing the money for this purpose, utilized the major portion to purchase or hire their own sivwheelers. This practice has been encouraged by the War Department, but not officially recognized, In all, 43 of these tractors are owned by the various Territorial Army Associations and, during 1931, 38 of them will be valued and bought by the War Department and re-issued to the Territorials as War Department property.

The Bedford Available for the Home Market.

As foretold in our issue dated January 27th, the Bedford 2-ton shortwheelbase and long-wheelbase models, made by Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., at Luton, are shortly to become available for distribution in Great Britain, as well as in the export markets. The British-built Chevrolet 12-cwt. and 30-cwt. chassis will, of course, continue to be made at the Luton works. A full announcement will be made in this journal in the near future.

March 31, 1931. Personal Pars.

It is announced that Mr. J. Allen

Parkinson, C.B.E., Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, has appointed Mr. S. S. Wilson to be his private secretary.

in connection with the arrangement entered into between C. A. Vandervell and Co., Ltd., and Robert Bosch, A.G., which we reported in our issue dated March 17th, we are very pleased to note that Mr. E. L. Cadwallader. who has been associated with the C.A.V. concern for many years and is extremely well known and popular in the commercial-vehicle world, will be general sales manager.

We learn with interest that Mr. Robert F. Fryers, secretary and treasurer of the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., was recently appointed president of the Hanwell Chamber of Trade, at the recent jubilee meeting of that body.

Mr. Edwin F. Stiles, whose portrait appears on this page, has been appointed regional manager for the north of England and Ireland for the Firestone Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd. Until three years ago Mr. Stiles was managing director of the Fisk Tyre Co. in England, and controlled the Fisk interests throughout Europe. Latterly he has held various appointments on the export side of the business of the Dunlop concern.

Mr. Walter W. Burch, who recently joined G. Scammell and Nephew, Ltd., to take charge of the company's new coach works at North Finchley, London, N.12, and whose portrait is reproduced on this page, has had over 20 years' experience in the coachbuilding industry, and calculates that about 800 motorbus and motor-coach bodies have been constructed under his supervision.

He served his' apprenticeship with F. Gough and Co., at the Royal Carriage Works, Bracknell, "Jerks, afterwards spending some time with such concerns as Hooper and Co., Ltd., Barker and Co., Ltd., of London, and Maythorn and Son, Ltd., of Biggleswade. During the war he was engaged on work in the Aircraft Inspection Department, afterwards joining John Marston's Carriage Works, Ltd., Birmingham, where he was engaged until 1925. He then joined Vickers (Crayford), Ltd., and after three years with that company went to the Weybridge Engineering Co., Ltd.

Mr. Burch became a member of the Institution of British Carriage and Automobile Manufacturers in 1920. '

Trade Depression Affects German Exports.

Last year the overseas demand for German commercial vehicles was seriously affected by the world trade depression. Thus, during 1930 1,927 goods motors, valued at £783,700, were shipped from Germany, as compared with 2,975 and £1,115,650 respectively in the preceding 12 months. Ah analysis of the returns shows that 990 vehicles weighed under 2 tons, 879 were between 2 tons and 5 tons, and 58 over 5 tons.

Limiting London's Buses.

The Minister of Transport has given notice that he proposes to make an Order under section 7 of the London Traffic Act, 1924, declaring certain streets, specified in an extensive schedule, to be restricted streets, that is to say, those in which the plying for hire by buses ought to be prohibited or restricted either generally or during particular hours.

The Minister also proposes to make regulations tinder the same section restricting the plying for hire by buses in such streets, so that it shall not be lawful for any person to use or allow to be used at any time upon any day (other than Good Friday and the following day, Bank Holidays and days appointed by proclamation to be Bank Holidays), in any restricted street or part thereof for the purpose of plying for hire, any greater number of buses than might, under and in accordance with section 6 of the above Act and a schedule or schedules deposited by him under that section with the licensing authority and in force on March 19th, 1931, have been so used by him at that time, for the purpose of maintaining along that street or part thereof the regular service or services which were shown in the schedule or schedules.

Most of the streets affected are in the suburbs and in what may be known as the outer area, with the exception of a few, such as Baker Street, Park Lane and Wandsworth Bridge Road.

Any person affected who desires to make representations in connection with the proposed Order or Regulations should forward them in writing to the Secretary, Ministry of Transport, 7, Whitehall Gardens, London, S.W.1, not later than April 2nd.

Abandoning Tramways in Yorkshire. The Yorkshire (Woollen District) Transport Bill has been promoted by the Yorkshire (Woollen District) Electric Tramways, Ltd., for the purpose of obtaining sanction to the abandonment of tramways owned or worked by the company in the boroughs of Dewsbury and Batley, and the urban districts of Spenborongh, Birstall, Birkenshaw and tfecknaondwike.

In connection with the Bill, the matters calling for the attention of West Riding County Council have relation to the time and method of taking up the tramlines after abandonment and the reinstating of the roadways. The circumstances of present-day traffic and road construction demand that the work of reconstruction should be undertaken by the road authority, and the Parliamentary committee has agreed with the promoting organization for the insertion of clauses to give effect to this arrangement.

Building Mercedes-Benz Oil Engines in France.

According to the German motor journal " A.A.Z.," the Daimler-Benz Co., of Gaggenau, has granted a licence to a new concern, which, with a capital of 140,000, has recently been organized in Paris under the title of La Societe des Diesel Rapides, to manufacture the Daimler-Benz oil engine for use in France and the French Colonies.

It is stated that arrangements have also been completed under which the Societe des Automobiles Unic, of Paris, will build 5-ton oil-englned lorries in accordance with the Daimler-Benz design.

Progress of the British Motor

Industry.

At a recent luncheon given by the American Chamber of Commerce, Sir Herbert Austin reviewed the progress made by the 13ritish motor industry. He said that progress since 1921 had been consistent, if at times a bit patchy, and during the past nine years the total manufacture of passenger cars and commercial vehicles had increased from 73,000 in 1922 to 238,805 in 1929, the total for 1930 being lower than the latter figure by 2,300; commercial vehicles were represented by approximately 25 per cent, of the total. Export figures„ he said, showed an increase ..eof from 3,041 in 1922 to 48,821 in 1929, the figure for 1930 being 29,753.

Birmingham Requires Trolley-buses.

The tramway and omnibus committee of Birmingham Corporation is prepared to receive tenders for the supply of 11 four-wheeled trolley-bus chassis suitable for carrying 50-52-seater double-deck bodies, or, alternatively, for 11 six

wheeled trolley-bus chassis on which 5860-seater double-deck bodies can be mounted. Further particulars can be obtained from the general manager of the undertaking at the Council House, Congreve Street, Birmingham, and tenders have to be delivered by not later than noon on April 9th.

Oxford Motor Services Results.

During the year ended December 31st last the City of Oxford Motor Services, Ltd., made a profit, after writing off depreciation, of £31,937. After deducting debenture interest, an allowance for income tax and certain other items, there remains a balance of £19,182, this being increased to £20,719 by the carry forward from 1929.

The general reserve receives an allotment of 13,000, whilst £1,181 is written off the purchase price of the Oxford and District Tramways undertaking, etc., so that the balance is £16,538. An interim dividend of 4 per cent. has been paid and a final dividend of 6 per cent. is now to be paid, these distributions accounting for £14,175, and leaving £2.363 to be carried forward.

During the year the company expended £26,000 on new rolling stock and further vehicles to the value of approximately £50,000 have been ordered for delivery during the current year.

A new bus station has been erected in Castle Street, in connection with the country services operated by the company, at a cost of about £10,000.

The Great Western Railway Co. has acquired half the ordinary share capital of City of Oxford Motor Services, Ltd.

AtNew Pressure Cleansing Tank.

Messrs. R. Cadiseh and Sous, 5 and 6, Red Lion Square, London, W.C.1, have sent us particulars of a new pressure cleansing tank, which they are marketing. A feature of the appliance is that it has a welded steel body, supported on a steel angle frame, reinforced both inside and outside. The paraffin is contained in the bottom of the tank and is forced by a powerful semi-rotary pump through a spray nozzle, giving a high-pressure output which effectively removes foreign matter from the articles being dealt with, these being supported on a steel platform which is inclined towards a filter of large dimensions.

The intake of the pump is fitted with a floating diaphragm, thereby ensuring that only liquid is passed through the pump. The lid of the tank can be adjusted during cleansing operations. The tank is 3 ft. long, 2 ft. wide and 2 ft. deep, its overall height being 3 ft. It is mounted on castors. The trade price of the apparatus is £13.

The Trojan Victory Van.

In our issue dated March 24th, on page 193, we gave brief preliminary particulars of the new Trojan van,which, its maker claims, has the largest loading capacity in the £15 tax class ; that is, the category for machines weighing under 1 ton unladen. The actual weight of the van is 171 cwt. In the paragraph referred to the impression was given that the vehicle weighed 15 cwt. Municipal Purchases and Proposals.

Acrox Town Council is to buy a new Dennis fire-engine.

WOODFORD Urban District Council is to buy a new 30-cwt. lorry at £230.

SWANSCOMBE Urban District Council has resolved to buy a road roller at about 1600.

The watch committee of STOKE-ONTRIntiT Corporation is to obtain tenders for the supply of a van chassis.

AYLESBURY Town Council is recommended to buy two low-loading, refuse Collectors at a cost of about £1,200.

MionLesex Education Committee has agreed to purchase 16 new motor mowers for use at school playing fields in the county.

The highways committee of CouLsooN Urban District Council is to obtain quotations for the supply of a refusecollection lorry.

The tramway sub-committee of DUNDEE Town Council has recommended the purchase of 12 double-saloon buses for the Broughty Ferry route.

The health committee of STOKE-ONTRENT COEP,OratiOD has instructed the cleansing superintendent to obtain tenders for the supply of a lorry.

GILLINGHAM (Kelt); Corporation has accepted the tender of Messrs. E. McGrath, of Gillingham, for the supply of two Ford 30-cwt. three-way tipping vehicles.

The highways committee of WEST RIDING County-Council is to purchase two 10-12-ton steam rollers, four 6-ton steam or petrol lorries, four 2-3-ton petrol vehicles, four 6-ton rollers, and six footpath rollers.

Ford Progress in European Markets.

At the recent general meeting of the Ford Motor (Jo., Ltd., Sir Percival Perry, K.B.E., chairman of the company, gave some interesting facts with regard to the associated companies of the Ford organization. He mentioned that all the reorganized European Ford concerns are in a much stronger position as a consequence of the past year's trading. Briefly, the results of these different companies are as follow :— Denmark, profit 24.1 per cent, higher than in 1929; Finland, profit 59.2 per cent. higher than in 1929; France, profit 17 per cent, higher than in 1929; Germany, profit 29.17 per cent, higher than in 1929; Holland, profit 15.57 per cent. higher than in 1929; Spain, profit 24.11 per cent, higher than in 3929; Sweden, profit 81.14 per cent, higher than in 1929.

The reorganization of the company in Italy has not yet been completed, but ju Belgium the dividend paid last year was 15 per cent., as compared with 13 per cent, for the previous year.

Really Comprehensive Catalogues.

The 1931 editions of the general catalogue and general clothing list of the East Loudon Rubber Co_, 29-33, Great Eastern Street, London, E.C.2, are now available. Each is -a comprehensive publication, easy-of reference and fully illustrated. Commercial-vehicle users will be interested in the garage-equipment section of the former, whilst the latter contains descriptions of a large range of workshop clothing and drivers' outfits. Transport men should find them of much value.

An Addition to Our Bus Analysis.

Those of our readers who are retaining the analysis of municipal bu§ services which was published in our Special Municipal Number, dated March 17th, should add the 4 name%, of Caerphilly Urban District Council to the list of municipal authorities. This council operates 22 buses, 20 being 32seaters and two 20-seaters. The fleet is composed of nine Pilings-Stevens Express, seven petrol-electrics of the same make, four Guys and two Vulcan& An Unusual Amphibian.

The illustration published on this page depicts an amphibian motorcar which has been built for Capt. Geoffrey. Matins, the motoring explorer, in connection with a 12,000-mile tour abroad which he is shortly undertaking. The trans-continental car, with its amphibbe accoutrements, was recently subjected to an experimental try-out on the River Severn at Pixham Ferry, near Worcester.

The machine consists of a Riley Six Alpine chassis, equipped for the attachment of floats when it is desired to ford a stream. In brief, the amphibious equipment consists of a framework of II-section girders bolted to the front and rear extremi

ties of the chassis. Amidships steadying brackets are arranged and duralumin tubes running longitudinally give strength to the structure.

To this framework rubber floats are attached. The largest bags are 2 ft. 6 ins. in diameter and 4 ft. 6 ins. long, and at each end further floats are installed, these being spherical in shape and, although they add something to the buoyancy of the outfit, they are intended largely to keep the nose and tail of the car out of the water when the vehicle is entering or leaving a river. Under normal conditions of loading the car floats on the surface of the water in line with the underside of the miming boards.

When recently under test the car took the water in good style and appeared to be quite stable, despite a sharp current. The work involved in the change-over is, we are told, not unduly large, and the weight of the extra impedimenta not prohibitive.

A

A New TYpe Portable Transformer.

A new type of all-insulated portable transformer has been designed by the General Electric Co., Ltd, Magnet House, Kingsway, London, It17.C.2, with a view to overcoming the danger of shock experienced when using hand lamps on alternating-current circuits in damp or exposed workshops, etc. The unit consists of a step-down transformer with two hand lamps and the necessary sockets and plugs. The transformer is double wound for a primary pressure of 230 volts, 50 cycles single phase, and may be used on all voltages from 200 to 240. The secondary is wound for 25 volts with an output of ' 100 volt-amps.

Roomy New Paris Taxicabs.

During the past few days Paris streets have seen a new model of taxicab, which is.' more roomy than earlier types and has an interesting system . of coloured light signals to invite the driver to stop, to illuminate the inside of the taxi, or to slide his window to receive a message.

Vacancy for Engineer.

The Editor is advised that there is an opening for an engineer with a good knowledge of transport work. The principal direction in which his activities will be required is in connection with the development and sale of vehicles employing low-grade fuels, home produced, and specially those derived from the low-temperature carbonization of coal. Preference will he given to a former officer of the R.A.S.C. Letters addressed to "Oil Fuel Lorry," care of the Editor, will be forwarded.

Experienced Coach Operator Available.

A south-coast motor-coach operator, whom we have known for some time and who has recently sold out his interest in a well-known concern of which he was managing director, having had 12 years' experience of every phase of the business, including local tours and regular services, informs us that he is seeking a position as traffic manager, station superinteadent, or executive officer for an operating 'concern of standing. Letters Marked " South Coast" will be forwarded. Meat Transport Problems Discussed.

Sonic interesting facts concerning the transport of chilled and frozen meat were quoted by Mr. F. H. Paul,

A.M.I.Mech.E., who is associated with one of the best-known firnas of motor haulage contractors in the North of England, at a meeting of the North-western Branch of the British Association of Refrigeration. A particularly interesting point touched upon by Mr. Paul was the question of rear or side doors for insulated vans. It had been suggested by the trade, he said, that vans fitted with central side doors would be more advantageous for shop deliveries, but that type of vehicle had many disadvantages.

In the first place there would be an apparent weakness in the centre of the van should it be lifted when loaded, with the result that in a short while the doors would become a bad fit, thus destroying the insulating qualities of the whole van. Whilst side doors have several other serious disadvantages, Mr. Paul admitted that they enabled mixed loads to be carried at either . end of the van and a portion of each class of meat could then be delivered at different shops without disturbing the whole load. In this case one would have to carry a larger van body, because the haulier was unable to stow his goods so tightly as with the rear door. Loose loading had, he said, a detrimental effect on temperatures, • Mr:Paul related an experi ment that had been carried

out with a refrigerator-van -body equipped with a freezer

plant. Had this been a suc

cess it was intended to adopt it on a large scale for the

carrying of fish from the principal ports to the large industrial centres of England. The ammonia plant that was used for lowering the temperature was run off the lorry engine and, because its capacity was sniall, it had to be operated for some hours before a reasonable tempera ture could be,obtained. Even before the load was installed the internal temperature rose to normal.

Trouble was also encountered by reason of the pipe joints breaking and leaking. The weight of the refrigeratorvan body with plant was well over three tons and the most one could carry was approximately three tons, so that it resolved itself into a refrigerator plant ..with little capacity for carrying goods, which was its sole purpose.

For a South African University. .

The Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., has recently shipped,, for use in South Africa, a 20-42 hp. 2-ton chassis, which is being presented to the mechanical engineering department of the University of the Wit Waters Rand. The gift will serve to convey to engineering students in South Africa the high standard of design and workmanship of 'British machines.

More A.E.C.s for Birmingham.

In our recent Special Municipal Number we dealt at length with the bus activities of Birmiugham Corporation, which operates the biggest fleet of municipal buses in this country. The corporation has 396 vehicles in service and, of these, no fewer than 342 are of A.E.C. manufacture. We now learn from the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., that it has secured a turther order from this corporation for a fleet of 60 vehicles, these being of the company's successful Regent pattern.

A Useful Brochure on Springs.

Samuel Pox and Co., Ltd., Stocksbridge Works, near Sheffield, one of the concerns associated with the United Steel Companies, Ltd., has published a most interesting brochure entitled " Road Vehicle Springs." The questions of design, materials and manufacture are dealt with in an instructive and lucid manner. The various types of Fox's spring are fully illustrated and described, whilst the respective merits of chrome-vanadium and silica-manganese steel are compared so that buyers may obtain those qualities which-they require. This work is admirably compiled and should he of much help to makers and users of commercial motors.

A Motor-driven Shearing Tool.

In the manufacture and repair of commercial motors there are many tasks requiring the rapid cutting of materials in sheet form, especially metal. To ex pedite the cutting of strips, discs or patterns of any form a neat electrically operated tool has been introduced; it is known as the Mighty Midget Unishear, and it is handled by E. P. Darras, Ltd., 35, 36 and 37, Upper Thames Street, London, E.C.4. Its price is 118, and if a cradle attachment, for converting c24 it into a bench tool, be desired, there is an extra charge of 11 5s. A circlecutting attachment can also be provided.

It cuts sheet materials up to 18 gauge and will follow with accuracy any desired course. It weighs only 61 lb. and can cut up to 15 ft. per minute. The blades are replaceable and are easily ground, whilst the motor will operate on an a.c.. or d.c. circuit ; standard voltages are 110, 150, 220 or 250. Ten feet of rubber-covered cable are supplied with the tool.

New Road Through Durham?

A. proposal is on hand for constructing a new road through the city of Durham, the estimated cost being £148,348., The city council .requests Durham County Council to support-the scheme in putting it before the Ministry of Transport, at the same time making a contribution towards the cost. The object of building the road is to relieve traffic congestion caused by the existing narrow and steep streets.

New Pneumatic Tyre for Low-loaders.

As 'usual the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., is to the fore in producing tyres to meet modern requirements. It has now introduced a special 27-in. by 6-in. pneumatic tyre for low-loading vehicles. It fits the standard rim, which has a nominal section of 6 ins, and a diameter of 15 ins. The rim circumference is 47.12 ins. The tyre is described as 6 ins. by 15 ins., and the maximum diameter is 29.75 ins., whilst the crosssectional width is 6.9 ins., and the load per tyre should not exceed 18 cwt., the inflation pressure being 95 lb. per sq. in. _

Highway Code Amendments,

The Minister of Transport announces that the Highway Code, prepared in accordance with the provisions of Section 45 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, has now been submitted for approval to both Houses of Parliament. In December last a draft of the code was circulated to various organizations representing different classes of road user and, as a result, certain amendments have been made. The code will not be effective until approved by both. Houses of Parliament. In its present form the draft can be obtained from II.M. Stationery Office at the price of 2d.

Sweden's 202,000 Motors.

At the end of 1930 there were 201,936 motor vehicles in use in Sweden, an increase over the previous year's figure of 10.263. According to official statistics, the total includes 103,664 touring ears, 38,071 lorries and 2,837 Vises.

L.N.E.R. Container Traffic.

The London and North Eastern Railway Co. announces that 300 small covered and 250 large open containers are to be built to supplement those already in use in the company's goods services. The present stock consists of 710 containers of four types. Traffic in containers has steadily increased since they were introduced, largely by reason of the fact that their use avoids the necessity of packing and enables door-todoor conveyance to be given.