WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
Six-wheeler Operating Costs.
We are sorry that, even now, we are not able to publish the tables of operating costs for six-wheeled vehicles, the amount of investigation work involved in their preparation having far exceeded our expectations, whilst the holiday period has introduced further delays, in the receipt of essential facts. We hope, however, that nothing will prevent the inclusion of the tables and an explanatory article in our next issue.
A Plebiscite on Motor Improvements.
Considerable interest has been aroused -by the discussion in The Motor on Improved Car Features, some of which are quite applicable to commercial vehicles. In to-day's issue appears a voting form .in connection with a plebiscite to decide the order of import-. trace of 20 most desirable 'motorcar improvements. Prizes totalling f100 are offered.
Big Guy Contracts.
Guy Motors, Ltd., Fallings Park, Wolverhampton, informs us that during last week contracts were placed with it for 155 goods and passenger vehicles to the valise of over £130,000. The Great Western Railway Co. has placed an order with the company for 40 passenger vehicles, these being of the latest low load-line type. Amongst other buyers are the War Office and a number of important overseas municipalities.
A Chaseside-Fordson Crane.
One of the most enterprising of those concerns dealing with Fordson tractors and their equipment is the Chaseside Motor Co., Ltd., of Enfield, some of the products of which, such as its tractortrailer, mobile crane, etc., we have already described.
We illustrate another type of crane which has been designed for yard work, such as the moving of heavy pipes, castings, etc.. into and out of railway wagons or road vehicles. Here, again, the Fordson is made the basis of the construction. The winch transmission is also built of standard Ford parts, and the control of the winch is, therefore, through an epicyclic transmission, which does away with sliding gears and dog clutches, giving a graduated movement up or down, with an entire absence of snatch, and there is no possibility of the load coming down with a run due to gears jumping out of mesh.
A safe working load is 15 cwt. and a balance box to serve as a counter-weight is fitted at the rear of the tractor.
The overall height of the jib is 13 ft. 9 ins. ; the height under the hook, 12 ft. 9 ins. ; the overall length, .15 ft.
Popular Long-distance Buses.
As a result of the growing popularity of the daily service of buses between Bristol and London, Greyhound Motors, Ltd., found it necessary to run a third vehicle, both ways, on the Thursday preceding Christmas and on Christmas eve. The usual double service was much appreciated daring the festival itself, led provided some dozens of family circles with the cheerful visits of Country cousins, as in the good old days, but without the discomfort of the bad old ways.
We are given to understand that Mr. 3". .W. Mills has resigned his position as joint managing director of Halley's Industrial Motors, Ltd.
The 1927 Scottish Show.
There is new every probability that this year's Scottish Show will be held in Glasgow, for the Kelvin Hall, in which it is sure to be housed, is rapidly nearing completion. By all accounts, the next Show will be by far the most important of its kind ever held north of the Border, for it is proposed to include commercial vehicles in the exhibition, and efforts are also being put forward to make it representative of the motorcycle industry. Three years ago the Kelvin Hall was burnt to the ground, and the Show, which had been held therein for several years, had to be transferred temporarily to Edinburgh. It has now been held in that city in two successive seasons, and although the accommodation was not by any means so satisfactory as that so long provided in Glasgow, the Shows, on the whole, were quite successful.
New Republic Models.
The Republic Motor Truck Co., of Alma, Michigan, has just introduced two new chassis, known as models 50 and 00, which incorporate six-cylinder engines in their design. The former has a rated capacity of :11-2 tons and the -latter a capacity of 2-2f tons. Each model is made in three lengths of wheelbase and incorporates certain features in its design which are a departure from usual practice. A Lycoming engine is used in each chassis, that in the smaller model having a 31-in. bore and 4i-in. stroke, and in the heavy model 31-in. bore and 5-in. stroke. Ineach case the clutch is of the multiple dry-disc type, and a three-speed-and-reverse gearbox is provided, unit construction being adopted. In each model a bevel-driven rear axle is used. Each chassis has a lovi loading line.
Death of Mr. James F. Moseley.
It is with deep regret that we learn of the death, on December 22nd, of Mr. James F. Moseley, senior director of David Moseley and Sons, Ltd., Man
chester. Mr. Moseley underwent an operation a few years ago from which he never fully recovered, and his condition had given grave cause for anxiety for some time. Born in 1863, Mr. Moseley was educated at Harrow and Pembroke, Oxford, of. which University he was a M.A. He entered the company of David Moseley and Sons, Ltd., in 1886, and was a well-known figure in the india-robber trade, having served on several special committees of the
During the war he took an active part in connection with the transport section of the Red Cross Society.. Mr. Moseley was a J.P. for the county of Chester..
Double-deck Bridges.
The proposed double-deck bridge across the Thames at Charing Cross has at least two forerunners. One is a road and railway bridge, of steel and concrete construction, across the South Saskatche:wan River, near Dunblane, which has just been opened, and the other is at Brooklyn, where electric trains and trams, as well as fast and slow traffic, are accommodated. A Pumping Record.
Blackburn Corporation fire brigade has just set up a pumping record. Nearly 4,000,000 gallons of water were required to be pumped into the new gasometer at Greenbank. The pit into which the gasometer fits is 30 ft. deep and 198 ft. in diameter, and the holder is built to take two million cubic feet of gas. The motor fire-engine selected for the work was fitted with a Hatfield pump and Aster engine and had four delivery jets, all of which were used. Pumping was carried out for 189 hours, and operations were continued without a break. The actual quantity of water pumped was 3,700,000 gallons, the weight being over 17,000 tons. The previous best.known fire-brigade pumping record of a non-stop order was one of less than 100 hours' duration.
Recent Van Deliveries.
Three distinctive vans which have recently been put into service by prominent users in this country are depicted in the group of illustrations reproduced on this page. The first picture shows a 1-ton van which Guy Motors, Ltd., Fallings Park, Wolverhampton, has supplied to Allen and Hanbury, Ltd., which prepares its special foods at
Ware. Hertfordshire. The side panels of the body have been turned to good account for publicity purposes. It is interesting to learn that the users have sent it repeat order to Guy Motors, Ltd., for a 5-ton rigid six-wheeler.
In the second picture a ,Vulcan delivery van, supplied by the Oxford City and County Garages, 90-41, Park End Street, Oxford, to Sydney Acott and Co., Ltd., of that town, is shown. The bodywork of this van was carried out by the Vulcan Co., and it will be seen that it is most attractively finished.
The Car Mart, Ltd, 297-299, Euston Road. London, N.W.1, supplied the 12 h.p. Austin van shown in the third picture to Mappin and Webb, Ltd.
A Driver's Licence Suggestion.
The suggestion that total abstinence from alcoholic drink should be made a condition attaching to the granting of licences to drivers of motor omnibuses was made at.n recent meeting of the Tynemouth Town Council. Sir Henry Gregp.. who made the proposal, admitted that it was a tall order, but said he frequently travelled in buses and he did not want to hava his life jeopardised. He
thought secli a con‘lition would lead to greater safety. The suggestion was not carried into effect, but the chairman of the watch eonunittee, Councillor MunbY, informed the meeting that very careful inquiry was made into the character of every applicant for a licence, and added that licences were granted only to respectable and reliable persons.
Auto-Traction Progress.
In the report .of Minerva Motors, Ltd., of Antwerp, for the year ended August 31st last, it is stated that the old Auto-Traction Company has been wound up, the business now forming the commercial branch of the Minerva Co. The directors report that this department of the business is progressing normally, but would undergo a marked development were it not for the heavy taxation in Pelginm, which is not only disturbing buyers but driving some of them back to horse traction.
Eastbourne's New Bus Depot.
On the invitation of the Mayor and Corporation of Eastbourne, the Lady Mayoress of London will open the new municipal bus depot in that seaside resort on Friday of this week.
Lorries for Miners' Lodges.
The third annual dinner of Frank H. Dutson (Leeds), Ltd., was held at the Griffin Hotel, Leeds, just before the Christmas holiday. Mr. F. IL Dutson presided over a gathering of nearly 200 guests, which included representatives of some of the leading manufacturers as well as employees from their numerous branches and head office. A very enjoyable evening was spent, and many humorous incidents were related by the departmental managers regarding the
helpful and healthy competition which apparently existed betdreen the various departments of the business. Mr. Oliver Straw, who respoittled to the toast of the company, mentioned a very unique sales scheme which it originated. Briefly, this concerns the supplying of commercial lorries to the local miners' lodges, which now run their own fleets of lorries for the transportation of the free weekly allowance of coal to miners. This has resulted in a great saving to the individual miners and, incidentally, considerably increased the sale of those vehicles which are handled by Messrs. Dutson. Approximately 50 representatives of these miners' lodges. together with their wives, were present at the function.
The Saving Effected by Municipal Motors.
The deputy borough engineer of Hornsey reports that he has had under consideration the use of motor vehicles for highways work in place of horses, with a view to securing economy and greater efficiency. At present the council employs eight horses and eight carmen on highways work, chiefly scavenging. By the use of motor vehicles it is calculated that this work can be done by four lorries and four drivers, which would effect a considerable saving.
The deputy borough engineer also suggests the purchase of two gritting machines for attachment to the lorries, as in time of frost, snow, etc., the work of gritting the carriageways could be performed in considerably less time than by the present method of scattering by banal from a horse and cart.
The following statement shows the difference in the animal costs of per forming the work by motor and by horse :— Horsed vehicles, including car men's wages, etc. ... ... 12,500 Motor vehicles—The maintenance and depreciation of four lorries and wages of four drivers are estimated to.
amount to ... £1,550.
Total saving per annum ... £1,010 A. consideration of these facts has prompted the highways committee to recommend the purchase of motor vehicles as suggested.
More Halleys for a London User.
Halley's Industrial Motors, Ltd., Yoker, Glasgow, advises us that it has just received a further repeat order from Keith and Boyle (London), Ltd., which is the proprietor of the well-known Orange coaches, for a further ten sixcyliudered 40-55 h.p. PX-type chassis on pneumatic tyres. Some idea of the satisfaction which the company has ob c22
tamed from similar chassis it has in use is contained in a letter to the manufacturers, wherein it is stated that the PX-type Halleys which have been run_ ning on coach work during the past season have behaved most consistently. In the course of three months' work they completed an average of 10,000 miles and have proved most reliable. The users say that the petrol and oil consumptions of these vehicles are quite low.
Keith and Boyle, Ltd., mentions that the P-type Halley which it bought in 1921, after running about 25,000 miles on coach work, was transferred to a good contract two years ago, since when no money has been spent on it for repairs.
A London Bus Owner's Staff Dinner.
The second annual staff dinner of A. T. Bennett and Co., Ltd., the proprietors of the Admiral buses, took place recently, when Mr. A. T. Bennett, the managing director of the company, occupied the chair. Mr. 'Bennett, in a speech, drew attention to the good feeling existing between the company and its employees and made several -references to tram and bus competition. He foreshadowed the ultimate scrapping of the trams, and said that, according to the present returns, at the end of the company's present year the Admiral buses would have carried more than 13,000,000 passengers.
Swiss Postal Motor Services.
It is announced from Berne that the Swiss postal authorities have recently inaugurated a number of additional motor services for the transport not only of the mails but also of passengers.
1927 Fire Brigades' Demonstration.
The annual demonstration of firefighting by the National Association of Fire Brigades will be held at Aberystwyth in 1927.
Commercial Vehicles in the Irish Free State.
From the detailed returns lately issued by the Irish Free State Ministry of Industry and Commerce we have compiled the table set out below, which shows the imports of commercial vehicles into the Free State during the nine months ended September last as compared with the corresponding period of 1925.
It must be pointed out that, although the hulk of the vehicles are credited to this country, it does not follow the vehicles are all of British manufacture, the returns only taking into account the Ports of shipment. It will be noticed that Germany is now competing for the trade in Ireland and that the eight vehicles imported must be of a heavy type, inasmuch as their average value is over £1,000.
Congestion in Dover.
At a meeting of the Dover Watch Committee the chief constable subinitted a report in regard to the congestion of traffic caused -by the large number of motor omnibuses now using the Market
Square. He suggested that all omnibuses arriving at the market should discharge their passengers in front of Messrs. Flashman's premises and then proceed to Cambridge Road, that only one omnibus for each particular route should be allowed to stand in the market at any time, and that an omnibus he not allowed to take up its position in the Market Square until five minutes before the time for departure. A sub-committee was appointed to consider the question of the traffic in the Market Square in consultation with the chief oanstable and to submit a report thereon in time for any alterations which may be decided upon to be imposed when annual licences are next granted (May 31st).
A Merthyr Appeal.
At a meeting of the Merthyr Watch Committee a letter was read from the Ministry of Transport in reference to • the appeal of Western Services, Ltd., against the refusal of the watch committee to grant licences to ply for hire with four omnibuses on a service between • Merthyr and Abergavenny, This communication stated that the Minister has come to the Conclusion that the committee was justified in refusing to authorize the running of omnibuses to and from the centre of -Merthyr Tydfil. He is, however, of the opinion that, subject to the acceptance by the company of the condition that its service will begin at Dowlais (tram terminus), and will not pass west of that point, licences should be granted so as to enable omnibuses to ply for hire from that portion of the route within the borough. A letter was read from the Western Services, Ltd., applying' for four licences for a service from Dowlais to Abergavenny, and also for licences for reserve vehicles. The committee deferred consideration of the matter until the next meeting so as to enable the chief "constable to present a report.
Fire at Leyland's Chorley Works.
We are informed that, although the daniage occasioned by the fire at the branch works of Leyland Motors, Ltd., at (Morley, is considerable, there will be to interference with the production of the large number of vehicleswhich the company has on order at the present time, and that deliveries will not
be affected. The company's existing day-and-night service facilities have not been interfered with and will be fully maintained.
War Office Buys Trogon Oils. Frank How and Co., Ltd., Trogon Wharf, 77-83, High Street, ,London, tolls us that it has received one of the largest single orders for motor oil which has been placed by the War Office since the war. This contract is for nearly 100,000 gallons of high-class motor oil, the blending of which is being carried out at the company's works at Stratford.
A Long-distance Bus Service in Scotland.
qreat interest has been evoked throughout ,.Central Scotland by the recent inauguration of a service of motorbuses between Glasgow and Perth. It has been organized by Messrs. Alexander, Falkirk, who intend to run daily nine well-equipped vehicles each way, starting from both ends a little before seven in the morning and continuing until late in the evening. The route followed is via Cumbernauld, Stirling, Duliblane, Blackford and Auchterarder, nnd the distance traversed in each direction is approximately 87 miles.
Newcastle's Bus Bill.
Local motorbus proprietors and the public in general will have an opportunity of expressing their opinions of the ambitious bus proposals embodied in the Newcastle Corporation Bill (referred to in recent issues of The Commercial Motor) on January 11th, on which date ft town's meeting will be held. As has rare:illy been indicated, the proposal of the municipality to secure powers to
operate buses to places so far distant as 21 miles from Newcastle has been received in some quarters with mixed feelhugs. Nlany citizens of the Tyneside metropolis think that the municipal buses should be employed over routes linking U]) places in which ratepayers have a direct interest, such as outlying areas
which net as residential suburbs for People whose work and interests lie in the City.
Private bus 'concerns and individual owners are watching events with keen interest, feeling that any effort on the Part of the municipality to expand along these lines must of • necessity have a detrimental effect upon their operations.
Bus Overcrowding.
At a meeting of the Guildford Watch Committee the town clerk reported that overcrowding in omnibuses could be dealt with under the Railway Passenger Duty Act, 1842. The town clerk' and chief constable were instructed to arrange for a circular to be issued to the proprietors of omnibuses with regard to overcrowding.
The L C.C. and Road Locomotives.
At a meeting of the London Counts Council Mr. S. Mathew asked whether, in connection with the suggested conference to be convened by the Minister of Transport on the question of street acci dents, the committee will get for the council's representatives such information as may be available with regard to the increase in the number of road steam engines, with or without trailers, running on London streets. Furthermore, to instruct the representatives as to the point of view they should take at the conference in regard to danger caused by these vehicles and their annoyance, having regard to (1) their weight, and (2) the smoke, steam, soot and grit • which they emit.
• Sir J. Gilbert promised that the general purposes committee would consider the matter in connection with any evidence it was proposed to lay before the Ministry.
Road Transport Growth in Japan.
According to a report recently issued by the Department of Overseas Trade on the trade conditions in Japan, the increasing use of motor vehicles for the transport of both passengers and goods is seen in all directions. The supply of. taxicabs and cars for hire in the cities has grown rapidly, and in Osaka, particularly, competition has forced fares down to an extremely moderate level. Regular motorbus services exist in many places, rural as well as urban, but with a few exceptions the standard of comfort provided by the vehicles operating in the country districts is far below the minimum which would be required in the United Kingdom.
The use of the heavy classes of goods vehicle is growing, but the Ford 1-ton lorry is still the principal type of vehicle in use.
Against Sunday Services.
The Aberystwyth Town Council has granted licences to the Crosville Motor Co., Ltd., Chester (Welsh services branch) for three further public-service vehicles, on condition that they are not used in the borough on Sundays. The council decided to make this condition general in regard to the future issue of licences.
Covered-top Buses in Favour.
The covered-top motorbus is achieving considerable popularity in Birmingham, and the extent of this is reflected in the decision of the tramways committee further to reduce the small number of open-top buses which are at present used on various routes. As may be well known, the Birmingham authorities run a large fleet of , buses, these being of A.E.C., Daimler, Leyland and Tilling-Stevens makes.
Checking Excessive Speeds.
Marylebone town clerk recently forwarded to the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis complaints which he had received concerning the excessive speed of motor vehicles traversing Pinchley Road and Wellington Road. The Commissioner now states that special steps have been, and are still being, taken to detect and prevent the excessive speed of vehicles along these roads and that proceedings have already been taken in a large number of cases.
A Private I3us Station for Newcastle. Arrangements have been made by the Northern General Trhnsport Co., Ltd., to secure an admirably situated site in Westgate Road, Newcastle, almost in the middle of the city, for the purpose of building a large motorbus station. At the 'present time standage accommodation is strictly limited in Newcastle, and when the new station is completed it will give the company vastly improved .facilities.
Passenger and Mail Postal Services In Germany.
As in Switzerland, the postal authorities in Germany have in recent years organized a number of motor services on which passengers as well as mails are carried. At the beginning of the present year 1,251 such services were in operation in Germany. Bavaria and Wurtemburg, but since then the number has been further increased, so that there are now 1,373 different routes, covering a total distance of 16,353 miles. Some of the vehicles employed are really fine examples.
Tbt. increase in the number of routes has necessitated an extension of the fleet of vehicles, 2,586 motorbuses and 1,100 trailers now being in use as against 2,159 buses and 936 trailers at the beginning of the year. During the first eight months of 1926, 23,143,067 passengers were carried as compared with 26,102,188 in the whole of 1925.
An Address Required.
We have an inquiry regarding taxation from " A Constant Reader," of Cheadle, who, however, omits to send his full name and address. If the writer will let UR have these particulars we shall be pleased to write him, giving him the information which he requires
A Steam Tractor Wanted.
The western district committee of the East Lothian County Council is inviting tenders for the supply of a compound steam tractor of about 5 n.p.h., mountedon springs both front and rear and shod with rubber tyres. It also requires two 8-9-ton end-tipping wagons on solid tyres. Further particulars can be obtained from the district road surveyor, Bank of Scotland Chambers, noddington, and tenders have to be delivered not later than January 19th.
New and Second-hand Machine Tools.
We have received from John Holroyd and Co., Ltd., Milnrow, the latest quarterly issue of its "Machine Tools to Increase Production," a pnblication which deals with the various classes of machine tool it is in a position to supply. These include lathes, bobbing machines, worm grinders, gear-generators, drilling machines, etc. A list of the tools which the company can deliver from stock is given, as well as certain second-hand machines which it has for disposal.
Inst. of T. in Yorkshire.
A meeting of the Yorkshire Section of the Institute of Transport will be held in the Council Chamber of the Leeds Town Hall on January 7th at 7 p.m., when Sir John Eaglesome, K.C.M.G., will read a paper entitled, "Some Applications of Road Traction." Local Proceedings.
Coulsdon Urban District Council is to fit mileage recorders to its steam tractors.
Glasgow Corporation has authorized the purchase of a new motor ambulance for the Ruchill Hospital.
South Shields Corporation is to consider in March next the question of the purchase of a new motor ambulance.
Dover Corporation is to obtain details and prices for the supply of a' 2i-ton petrol lorry for the cleansing department.
.Nowport (Mon.) Corporation has asked the borough engineer to obtain quotations from local agents for the sup
ply for two motor lorries.
Lowestoft Town Council has received sanction from the Ministry of Health to borrow £1,125 for the purpose of buying a motor 'fire-engine.
Nuneaton Town Council is considering the question of applying for Parlia• mentary powers to run buses within and without the borough boundaries.
Barking Town Urban District Council has appbinted a committee to report concerning the purchase of a combined motor vehicle for ambulance and other purposes.
The Bath City Council proposes to reconstruct its centuries-old bridge of reinforced concrete. In heavy floods the water. flows over the crown of the present bridge.
The fire brigade committee of the Northfleet Urban District Council recommends acceptance of the tender of Merryweather and Sons, Ltd., at £572 for the supply of a Hatfield pump.
Bexhill Watch _Committee proposes asking the Maidstone and District Motor Services, Ltd., to send a representative to discuss with it various matters relating to the bus services, it wise decision, and one that would avoid much misunderstanding between private companies and municipal authorities if generally adopted.
The London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., is to secure a site in the centre of Guildford for the erection of a bus garage.