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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 the Toughness of the roads over which it runs,"—John Beattie Crosier.

Naphthalene as a Cheap Fuel Constituent.

Special attention has been given tie the possible utilization of naphthalene, a goal-tar by-product available in large quantities in Germany, but. of little commercial value, although it is a rich hydrocarbon in solid form. As the result of researches by Prof. Schroetter, of Berlin, it has been found that solid naphthalene when vaporized by heal can be converted to an entirely new fuel product by a somewhat complex chemical process in which a ' catalysing agent," namely, nickel, and hydrogen gas play an .important part.

The crude naphthalene has, firstly, to be purified and every trace of sulphur removed from it. It is then vaporized in a closed heating vessel, and brought inte contact with the hydrogen gas under high pressure, viz., 210 lb. to 280 lb. per sq. in.,. the nickel catalyser being, of course, also present.

The resulting product is named tetraline, and is now being made on a large scale in Germany, several hundred tons a day being manufactured. Tetra line, which may he regarded as hydrogenated-naphthalene, has, it is stated, valuable fuel properties, and now forms one of the components of the German national fuel, this consisting of onethird each of thtraline, benzole, and alcohol. The Germans claim that this mixture is superior to the best grade of petrol, having 800 more heat units per lb. than light American petrol.

The New Subsidy Scheme.

Trte, Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., have just received a communication from the War Office, the following being an extract therefrom

"I am commanded by the Army Council to inform you that they have selected your 30-cwt pneumatic-tyred lorry, as recently supplied to them under contract, as being of a type eligible for enrolment during: the _period 1923-24 under the subsidy scheme which .is about to be brought ,into operation. Within the limits of the numbers required, owners will be invited to enrol such vehicles for an initial period of one year from date of enrolment. . • ."— (Signedl H. J. Caeene.

This acceptance of the 30-cwt. Albion vehicle for subsidy purposes by the military authorities is the result of -most careful and minute tests that the War Department have carried out during the past eight months on two 50-cwt. Albion vehicles specially purchased for that purpose.

The requirements of the military are much more severe than those of the ordinary civilian user, in that the vehicles are required to ,traverse the roughest of roads, seine of which are little more than rugged tracks..

The Royal Lancashire Show.

Preparing forthe Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society's Show is a twelvemonth's job, and so soon as one Show is over, work for the next is immediately put in hand. The Show opened at Liverpool on Thursday (August 2nd), and concluded yesterday, August 6th.

For the past six months work has been proceeding on the show-ground, and whereas, up to the beginning of last week, the employment of commercial motors had been in connection with the transport of timber for the hutments, tents, etc., from Monday of last week the major portion of the transport work consisted in the bringing of exhibits, of

which there were about 2,700, including some of the leading makes of petrol and steam wagons and, of course, farm tractors in profusion. Live stock began to arrive on Tuesday last, and much of it was brought on motor lorries.

A more extended reference to the exhibits of appropriate interest to our readers will appear in our next issue.

Trolley-buses to Replace Tramcars.

In the course of time, instead of the existing tramway facilities which now cope with the passenger transport requirements of the borough, the West Hartlepool Corporation hopes to transfer compldtely to trackless trolley-buses, and further to open out additional routes at present unprovided for by this system of transport.

These facts were presented when the Billy promoted by the authority to secure powers to operate trackless vehicles, passed its third reading last week before the Unopposed Bills Committee of the House of Commons. The tramway tracks, it was stated, had got into such a had state of repair that their reconstruction would cost £13,000' per mile. As against this a. tremendous saving could be effected by employing railless buses, for, it was said, the cost of eabstitution would only amount to £3,000 per mile.

The corporation -has as its eventual object the scrapping of the tramcars and the operation of a complete trolley-bus system.

Success of the 3-ton Mann.

Mann's Patent Steam Cart and Wagon Co., Ltd., Hunslet, Leeds, inform us that they have received a cable from their Australian agents reporting that an order has been secured from the South Australian Government for three 3-ton Mann steam tipping wagons, and that this order was secured in keen competition with the agents for ether British steam wagon makers.

The Recent Japanese Army Tests.

. The annual motor trials conducted by the Japanese 1.,Var Office were recently held with a view to ascertaining the suitability of the various makes of lorries sold in Japan for military purposes. Entries were_ restricted this year to new models or to makes which had not been entered in previous years. As a result, only eight lorries underwent trials this year, as against 17 in 1922, America being represented by four vehicles, and Great Britain, Italy, Spain, and Japan by one vehicle each.

A run of 63 miles was made at a moderate speed, none of the vehicles, except the Japanese D.A.T., meeting with difficulty of any kind. The Fiat and the Hispano-Suiza vehicles did best from a fuel consumption standpoint, but the British representative, a Thornycroft, the largest lorry in the tests, made a very successful showing.

The course was not in the least severe, alla it is doubtful if tests of this Character have any special value to the authorities beyond keeping the officers detailed to this duty con-Versant with modern motor vehicle design. The main points sought by the Army buyers -are not so much low fuel consumption as power, accessibility, easy handling, and sound construction.

Buses Contribute to Success of Agricultural Show.

Motor omnibuses and coaches played a very great part in conveying visitors to and from the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, which was concluded at Welshpool on Friday last. Indeed, this Show has further emphasized the increasing importance of passenger motor vehicles in connection with such events.

As illustrating the extent of the wide area covered, it may he mentioned that the Birmingham and Midland Omnibus Co. rar, special saloon buses direct to the showground at Welshpool from places as fax distant as Biemingharre West Bromwich, Wednesbury, Bilston, Wolverhampton, Shifnal, Bakengates, Kidderminster, Bridgnorth," and Shrewsbury. The /ruses also ran at frequent intervals during the three days of the Show from. Shrewsbury, and there was a. good service between the showground, pool town and railway station.

Ministry of Transport and New Road Schemes,

Sir Lancelot Rolleston, chairman of the highways committee of the Nottinghamshire County Council, in directing attention at a meeting of that body, one day last week, to the feet that the Ministry of Transport had decided to devote £1,250,000 from the Road Fund during the year 1923-24, to assiet in carrying out road improvement works in rural' areas, accentuated the importance of the intimation which had been received from the Ministry that this grant is not intended to increase the operations in a district, but to relieve the rates. Districts putting up schemes would, he suggested, do well to bear that in mind.

New Kentish Roads.

• At. the request of the Kent County Council, Mrs. Wilfrid Ashley, wife of Col. Ashley, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, formally opened the new lengths of the London-Maidstone and Gravesepd-' Stroud roads last week.

These roads have been constructed as part of the Ministry's arterial road

schemes for the employment of London ex-Service men. On one length—along Farning,ham-Wrotham--1-the number of men engaged has on occasions reached 1,000.

Apart from the wholesale widening, realignment and regrading of the exist in.highways, the principal features of

these works in Kent are the by-passes at Farningham and Wrotliam, enabling

wayfarers to avoid the steep, narrow streets of these ancient, villages, which will henceforth be spared the turmoil and bustle of through traffic. Similar by-pass roads have, been formed at Chalk and near Ruxley Corner, Sidcup.

Latest-type Buses for the South Coast.

At a meeting of the Brighton Watch Committee a letter was read from the secretary of Southdown Motor Services, Ltd., stating that the fixed services on many, of the routes into Brighton are being increased, a.nd applying for licences for ten additional double-decked omnibuses of the latest type. The committee granted the licences applied for, subject to the conditions applicable to such licences, to the omnibuses being passed by the chief constable, and to the time-tables, of the services hemp approved by the committed.

American Tractor Exports.

During the first three months of this year American tractor manufacturers exported 195 garden tractors, value 57,374 dollars; 3,919 wheel tractors, value 2,185,859 dollars; 243 track-laying tractors, value 326,585 dollars; • and parts to the value of 430,849 dollars. Latvia, with 50 machines, was the leading buyer of garden tractors, followed by Argentina. 37; Great Britain, 21; Spain, 20; and Japan, 17. Cahada, taking .962 machines, was the leading , abEorber of wheel tractors. Then came Australia, 511; Belgium, 375; Russia; 339; Argentine, 314; Great Britain 285 • France, 161; Ukraine, 141 ; Brasil, 111; Latvia, 93; Spain, 88; Finland, 83; Cuba, 74; Italy, 65; Esthonia, 46; Uruguay, 38; Moroeco, 32; Mexico, 31; and Turkey, 30. The leading importer of track-laying machines was Australia with 86, the next 'most. important being British East Africa, 29; Holland, 22; Canada, 18; Belgium, 12; and France, 10. Thirteen -countries absorbed American tractor, parts above 10,003 dollars in value during the period under review, Canada being a long way in front with parts to the value of 79,814 dollars.

Selby Toll Bridge,

The highways committee of the East Riding County Council reports that it is unable to accede-to the request of the B. AC. and the Doncaster Automobile Club to abolish the tolls at the bridge' across the River Ouse at Selby.

Repudiating a Road Damage Claim.

Beverley Rural District Council 'has asked the East Riding 'County Council to discuss the claim made by the rural council for damage to roads through the haulage of road material by the comity council. The highways committee of the County council, however, reiterates its repudiation of liability, and does not think any useful purpose would be served by discussing the matter with the rural council. •

: Proposed Joint Bus Service.

A conference of representatives of the focal authorities of Moreeambe, Lan-' Caster, and Heysham, having decided that it is desirable to have a bus service operated by a joint municipal authority to serve the whole district, has resolved to get into touch with the Ministry of Transport with respect to the establishment of such an authority.

Chester Traffic Census.

A traffic census was taken on Saturday, August 4th, at Chester. Cross and other points in the city of Chester, between the hours of 10 ami. and 5 p.m. The arrangements were made jointly. by the chief constable and the city surveyor. The object a the census is to ascertain not only the number of vehicles that pass through the streets in a given time, but also to classify them so as to indicate the weight of the traffic. The returns will supply information of value. both to the police as the authority re-. sponsible for traffic control, and to the department concerned with the maintenance of the reads.

A traffic census was taken in Chester en the corresponding date last year, and between the same hours. It showed that 7,738 vehicles, including tramcars, passed the Cross during the seven hours, or an average of 18 per minute. The motor traffic in Chester to-day is perceptibly greater than it. was a year ago, and the new census will, it is expected, afford evidence of its continued growth.

Petrol Pumps in Durham.

Durham County Council proposes that permission be given to the following applicants to fix petrol pumps in the main road footpaths, subject to their entering into agreements to pay an acknowledgment of £2 per annum:— Messrs. R. Wheatley and Son Mr. Julian Dale, Eaglescliff ; Mr. M. Maughan, Chilton ; and Mr. E. Clasper, Dunston,

Private Cars on Cab Ranks.

At a meeting of this Worthing Town Council the hackney carriage inspector reported that considerable confusion and congestion of traffic was caused in Marine Parade on account of private motorcars using the stands appointed by the council for the use of licensed carriages. • The town clerk was asked to communicate with the police with a view to preventing the practice.

Rutland's Road Burdens.

The peculiar position of Rutland, the smallest connty in England, in having to bear a heavy burden of road expenses quite disproportionate to its comparatively small rateable value is being again brought to the notice of the Ministry of Transport, as also of the County Councils' Association. It was urged at a meeting at which die Earl of

Ancaster -recently PreSided. at Oakham • •

. Charges for Carriers' Carts..

At a. meeting'of the Hull Corporation Markets Committee the chairnean

sepot-t&d that the inquiry (special)committee had been considering the question of Agecharges made in respect of stands for Carriers :e,arts, and had recoinmended that the charges should he doubled.

. The committee also recommended that the following charges per day should be made for stands for motor lorries used as carriers' carts :-1-tonners, 2s. each

that seine special' treatment should he accorded in the matter, seeing that, the nine miles cif the Great North Road running through the county are mainly used for through traffic :of which C stibstantiai proportion is -represented by commercial motor Lvehicles.

The pr'obleiii, it is suggested, is one which warrants it being dealt with apart from the ordinary measure of aid allowable from the Road .Fund, it being asked, in view of the fact that 95 per cent, of the traffic is of a.through character, that 75 Per cent, of the excessive cost ine volved should be, borne out of the ,fined instead of 50 per cent. This apparently equitable demand, however, may give

„

treisres. .

to certain

.edifficulties in official quer. ,

2-tonners, 2s. 6d. each 3-tonners, 3s. 6d. each ; 4-tonners, 4s. 3d. each ; 5-tenners, 5s. each. The new charges have been agreed.

American Exports.

Exports of American trucks and buses (electric vehicles excepted) for May, 1923, totalled, according to figures just to hand, 2,605, valued at 1,236,416 dollars, a which Belgium took 645

vehicles, Sweden 396, Canada 191, NOrWay 160, Japan 155e-Australia 63, and the United Kingdom 60. • — " • Seeking a Road-closing Order..

At the request of -the Bridiington•Rural District Council the Highways Ciimmittee of the East Riding County Council has decided to apply to the Ministry of TrimSport for an Order prohibiting the use of St. Helen's Lane, Reighton, by

heavy motor vehicles_ .

Albion Service in Birmingham. It will interest many Albion users to le:orn tha the. company's sereice depot in Birmingham has now been completed. good stock. of apare parts is being carried at this depot, whilst a qualified stOff is in attendance to execute repairs. The depot is located in•--CoX 'Street, St. Birmingham.

" A Tyre Appointment ' Mr. R. M. Robertslee known in the motor trade from his association with Messrs. Gilmour and Co., of Glasgow, has been appointed I Scottish manager of Wood-Milne Tyres and Manufacturing Co., Ltd., who have opened a new depot at 98, Kieg Street, Tradeston, Glasgow, equipped with solid tyre presses.

Ripon's Protest.

Motor coach owners in Lancashire and Yorkshire appear likely to find themselves restricted in the choice of their routes in the Ripon area that is, if a protest which was placed before the last meeting of the Ripon Rural District Council bears fruit. Whilst the .protest has reference Only to the Markington to Bishop Thornton road, it is, in effect, concerned with all narrow highways. These narrow roads, it is said, are being utilized by coaches coming from Laneashire•and Yorkshire, to the exclusion of residents of the neighbourhood. The meeting passed a resolution pledging support to the county council in any action it might take with a view to securing the closing, where an alternative route was available, of narrow roads.

Auxiliary Gearboxes by Easy Payments.

The Worthmore Motor Co., 34, Victoria Street, Westminster, London, S.Vv''.1, have now made arrangements to supply the Worthmere auxiliary gearbox for Ford one-ton truck chassis for down and the balance of the cost by monthly instalments. The company despatch the gearbox for seven days' trial, and until further notice they are supplying each purchaser of a gearbox with a pair of patent external-contracting brakes for Fords, the value of which is B4 10e.

For Listeners-in, Capt. F. G. Bristow, the secretary of the Commercial Motor Users Association, has been spending a 'short holiday in Switzerland, and we wete delighted to have from him a short note written in his enthusiastic vein. We understand that he will be browdeastieg a short talk on the " Relations of Wireless to the Motor Industry" from the London Broadcasting Station on August 17th.

Commercial Motor Weights.

At a meeting of the South Shields Oarperation the town clerk reported that, as instructed, he had notified the owners of 230 commercial goods vehicles to supply weight certificates for such vehicles. Many adjustments had been found to be necessary, which in the majority of cases did not affect the duty 011 the vehicles. Where the weights are increased beyond the. declared dutiable limits the town clerk is requesting thii payment of arrears. A few cases had been found where the duty paid was in excess of the proper amount and refunds have been made.

Notts. Road Census,

The Ministry of Transport intimated to the Nottinghamshire County Council , at its last meeting that it would require a census to be taken of traffic upon all second-class roads in the count:kr during August. This will necessitate records being taken at 67 different points, and 50 per cent, of the cost involved in the work will be defrayed by the Ministry. The last census token in Nottinghamshire showed an enormous increase of commercial motor traffic, and in that category the 'nett returns are 'likely to disclose further extensive amplifications.

• Ruston and Hornsby Ambulances.

Ruston'and Hornsby, Ltd., of Lincoln, have just issued a new catalogue which deals with . the company's 2025 h.p. special ambulane chassis and the various types of body which are suitable for fitting to it. The chassis conforms with the general standard of the company's productions and is a sound engineering job, whilst the bodies, of which full specifications are given, are constructed to meet, .vaeying requirements of the different authorities. The catalogue is tastefully produced.

Motor Ship Ascendency.

The rapid growth in popularity of the motor-Propelled vessel is one of the most remarkable developments, of internal. combustion-engine power.

According to the August issue of The Motor Ship it. would appear that motor ships ara now almost in as great demand as steamers, for it is shown that during the period from March 31st to Jima 30th the tonnage of new vessels for which orders were placed Was in the proportion of 43 per cent, oil-engined vessels and 57 per cent. steamers.

This issue of The Motor Skip also gives well-illustrated particulars of a new British Diesel engine, whilst other informative articles are " The World's Oil Resources," " Twenty-five Years' Diesel Engine Building," "Future Oil-engine Developments," etc, Threat to Close Cheshire Roads.

The Wirral Rural Council has compiled a list of roads which are deemed unfit for heavy motor traffic, and which was to have been submitted to the Ministry of Transport with a view to obtaining an order against their use by heavy vehicles. The surveyor recommended that the list should be with-. drawn in view of the fact that similar action was taking place all over the country betWeen . the local and county surveyors. At a recent meeting it was said that there were various types of vehicles run by big Liverpool firms which were almost as large as chars-a-basics, and that the diffietilty was to prevent the coaches from using the roads without hampering other vehicles which requited to deliver goods in the 'district.

It was pointed out that the large motorvans went along every road in the area, and so long as the Ministry of Transport was not prepared to list some of the third-class roads as first-class roads the evil, would' continue. The clerk said that the whole point was that the Ministry had laid it, down that the district council could schedule certain roads, with the county council, for the purpose of stopping certain kinds of traffic from using, them. If the traffic. were too heavy, it, ought to be stopped, no matter whether the vehicles were trade vans or other types. On the suggestion of the clerk, the resolution was altered So-as to read :— !"I'hat the council 'does not feel disposed to withdraw the list, but would do so if the council was assured that the Ministry of Transport would make a grant." The resolution was agreed to.

A Talking-point in Favour of Insurance.

While motoring recently in Yorkshire, and travelling between Keighley and Skipton, one of the memhera of our staff came atn.ass the A.E.C. lorry shown in the attached illustrations. Carrying a full loa.d of petrol, the whole suddenly took fire, due to causes not quite clear, but immediately prior, to the blaze a passer-by noticed a. flame just above the silencer, The driver and his assistant only just .managed to pull up and jump ikiwn,' the driver's seat being immediately enveloped in flames.

The heat of the blazing petrol was so great that the chassis was bent in the centre. This resulted in the brakes being pulled hard on, and this little point was overlooked by the breakdoivo gang who arrived soon afteOva,rds; and an eyewitness related the fact that, after towing the vehiclea. feW miles down the road, the brake drums became almost red-hot -before it occurred to those responsible that slacking the brake connections would tend to facilitate towing operations.

Parking at Darlington.

Few towns provide more direct proof of the immense popularity of motor 'vehicles, both for passenger and goods transport, than Darlington. On each market day (;Monday), in particular, when agriculturists from the vast farming neighbourhoed which surrounds the town flock into Darlington, chiefly by road, there is a steady and continuous stream of vehicles leaving and entering the town throughout the whOle day.

For a considerable time one of the. busier thoroughfares, Feethams, has been /utilized for parking purposes, but of late the number of vehicles has increased to such an extent that other aecommodation has had to be found. Apart from

the fact that the vehicles took up a good portion of the roadway, it was thought advisable to make other, and more suitable, plans for coping with this largo influx of motors. As a result a econ-, mod:lone open space adjoining Feetbams has been set apart as a motor park. and it provides ample accommodation for all the needs of the present day., authorities now require all witing vehicles to be parked in this space, and not in the streets as hitherto.

Chars-a-banes for Country Only.

Stoke-on-Trent Watch Committee has decided that chars-a-banes will no longer be licensed to run on town routes, but that their owners must keep them to country routes,

Russian Orders for Buses

The municipal authorities of Moscowhave recently placed a number of orders abroad for equipment which is to be used for improving the transport and the sanitation of the city Amongst the list we notice an order for 25 motorbuses, which are to be used on regular services to be established inthe near future. Several vehicles have been ordered from Germany, and the necessary licence for their ithportation has been granted.

London Busmen's Sports.

The 'London General Omnibus Co.'s Sports Association held its first annual sports meeting on Saturday, July 28th, at the' Stamford Bridge ground. The attendance was somewhat affected by the weather, although those who were there witnessed some very interesting racing.

The band of H.M. Coldstream Guards played many fine selections between the different events. There was also a musical display be the 3rd Chelsea troop of " B.P. Scouts uts during the afternoon, and the L.G.O.C. travelling daylight cinema displayed a few films, in which the audience were greatly interested. This vehicle was described in our columns some weeks ago.

An unusual feature was a baby show, which proved very popular, there being 83 entries.

One of the principal items of a long programme was the inter-garage relay race for the challenge cup presented by Lord _Lichfield. Nine teams entered for this event, which the Chiswick Works (engineers' section), which led throughout, won easily, the coach section of the same works being second. The men from Chiswick did well, securing both scratch sprint races.

Plenty of eXcitement was provided by the open" events.

The prizes and troph:es were presented by Lady Ashfield to the winners.

Lord Ashrield and some of the other directors of the company were present. The officials and all others concerned are to be congratulated on the success of the first annual sports meeting of the association. •

A Grease Gun for Workshop Use.

The accompanying drawing Shows the latest type of grease gun to be marketed by Benton and Stone, Ltd., Enots Works, Birmingham, which is primarily designed for use ori workshop machinery.

T.he gun functions on exactly the same lines as their popular models, whereby the lubricant is stored in the main chamber and forced through automatic valves in the nozzle to its work through special dirt-proof nipples with sieph pressure that any obstruction is immediately removed, and makes way for the fresh grease.

The latest innovation added to this type of gun is the provision for a spade grip handle, and, as will be seen from the illustration, this allows the operator to push the gun nozzle over the nipples, and hold it in position with greater ease than otherwise would be the case.

MI-night Buses for Hull.

In order to enable all-night bus services to he established on some of the tramway routes, the Hull Corporation Tramways Committee has authorized the manager to purchase four additional motorbuses.

Local Proceedings.

Hunts. County Council has decided to purchase a motor vehicle for the sanatorium. The Charlton Kings Urban District Council is considering the purchase of motor lorries.

Finsbury Borough Council has purchased a two-ton Burford tipping motor lorry at a cost of £650.

The Wellington (Somerset) Urban District Council is making inquiries concerning a motor fire-engine. Hull Corporation Tramways Committee has authorized the purchase of an additional motor vehicle for transport purposes. Bridlington Corporation Health Committee suggests the purchase of a motor vehisle for the conveyance of infected clothing, etc.

Gloucester Rural District Council is endeavouring to arrange with neighbouring authorities for the joint acquisition of a motor fire-engine.

South Shields Corporation Tramways Committee is considering a proposal for a motorbus service from the tramway service to the sea front.

Ilford 111rban District Council has authorized the tramways manager to get tenders for the supply of a two-ton motor vehicle with a tipping body.

The Fire Brigade Committee of Chichester recommends the corporation to-apply for sanction to a loan of £1,500. for the purchase of a motor fire-engine.

Bridlington Corporation is discussing with the local branch of the St. John Ambulance Association a proposal for the provision of a• fully equipped motor ambulance for the borough.

Manchester Corporation Tramways Committee has promised to consider a request by the Clayton Ratepayers' Associationfor a bus service between Newton Heath and Gorton, via Clayton.

Purchases of motor ambulances have been recommended to the Caerphilly Urban District Council and the Ebbw Vale Urban District Council by their respective medical officers of-health.

Lancaster Watch Committee has given an additional motorbus licence to the County Motors (Lancaster), Ltd., for the purpose of establishing a full-time service between Lancaster and Kirkby Lonsdale.'

Willesden Council's Works Committee is considering the desirability of purchasing a motor vehicle to cart, during the night, heaps of refuse dumped during the day in various parts of the district.

. York Tramways Committee recommends the purchase of a Karrier 20seater one-man-operated motorbus body, mounted on a two-ton chassis, and equipped with Dunlop cord pneumatic tyres, at a cost of £830.

. Johannesburg Muncipal Council has decided to purchase a motorvan at a cost not exceeding £300 for the collection of stray dogs. The work is now done with a mule carts which is considered too slow for the purpose.

Johannesburg Municipal Council has decided to invite tenders for a trailer at a cost not exceeding £350, a committee having reported that the utility and value of the steam wagon used by the tramways department would be considerably improved if a. trailer were available for carting sleepers, stone, cement, etc.