Speeding Train " Turn-round "
Page 6
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TO speed up the replenishment of water tanks on trains, British Railways (Southern Region) has recently put into service, at Victoria Station, a mobile battery-powered pumping unit.
The unit, which is based on an Electricar battery-electric truck, has a tank of 275-gallon capacity, and a pump capable of discharging at the rate of 40 g.p.m. A 1 h.p. motor is used. to drive the pump, which obtains its current supply from the truck battery.
The 1 i-in.-diameter discharge hose terminates in a trigger-control nozzle so that the flow of water can he carefully regulated without having continually to stop and start the pump motor.
A battery-electric vehicle is partico 'arty suited to these duties on account of ease of handling and general simplicity of control. The brake, for instance, is spring loaded to be on when the driver's pedal is not being depressed.
Power for the truck and pump motors is provided by a Young 320 amp.-hr. traction battery, a feature of which is the armoured positive-plan assembly,. This is shock-proof and is capable of dealing with high rates of discharge.
The Wayne Tank and Pump Co., Ltd., 42, Newlands Park, London, S.E:26, was responsible for the equipment, and Crompton Parkinson, Ltd., Crompton Ifouse, Aldwych, London, W.C.2, supplied the truck.