Tramway Repair Wagon.
Page 13
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
The illustration depicts a zoh.p. vehicle which Messrs. James and Browne, Ltd., of 342, King Street, Hammersmith, W., recently supplied to the Newport Corporation through Messrs. Blackwell and Co. The engine, of the horizontal type which this firm has specialised, is so arranged as to leave the whole length of the platform free for the telescopic ladders and the heavy repairing tools needed in trolley wire repairs. The driver is placed in a similar position to that upon a horsed vehicle, the radiator (which carries the cooling water for the cylinder jackets) makes an effective dashboard, and room is left at the rear for three or four men. It is important to observe that the whole weight of the telescopic tower ladder is carried inside the wheel base, and we should imagine that an exactly similar type of machine would do admirable service for re-carboning
street arc lamps ; the tower could be kept up, and the wagon moved from post to post without possibility of the vehicle being unstable. Were the tower platform arranged differently, so as to overhang to the rear, the thing would be top heavy. Before being turned over to the present owners a test "breakdown "was made. The old pair-horse vehicle and the newer type had to turn out on receipt of a telephonic message, proceed five miles distant, and have the ladders erected with the workmen actually handling the overhead wires. The petrol wagon finished the test seven minutes before the horsed machine came into sight, a very important saving of time where public service vehicles are concerned, as every minute's cessation of movement means a loss of many pounds, in addition to the public inconvenience. Here is a particular instance where the rivals for public favour can work harmoniously. A valuable use for such a wagon would be as an aid in fire extinction in permttingthe firemen to carry the hose up the telescopic ladders instead of the present laborious system of hauling lengths up the side of a building by muscular force. As the ladders are wound up the hose would he also carried with them by suitable attachments. The ladders could be also carried to a greater height than for train work by staying or guying them with portable props. We can foresee many developments for such a useful type of tower vehicle.