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American Trailer ConA N interesting new product structed in Aluminium A-A of the Trailmobile Co. of
and Steel America is the "Trailblazer."
It is said to embody some 35 new and exclusive features, and to combine the strength advantage of steel with the light weight of aluminium. Despite the use of more steel to strengthen this machine structurally, it is 700 lb. lighter than the steel-panelled model it replaces. In types with two axles the difference is even greater. Aluminium side panels are treated internally to resist moisture condensation, while every exposed part in ferrous metal is factory i ustproofed with a zinc-base liquid, which coats the metal with a film of zinc. Even the wheels are moulded from high-tensile aluminium alloy, each weighing 55 lb. less than the conventional steel type.
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Buses Before and TWO minutes may make a After Particular StartA great deal of difference in ing Times the loading of a bus. A
vehicle which reaches important business premises at one minute to a particular time for starting work in the morning may be full: • the next, reaching it a minute after the hour or halfhour, almost empty, except possibly for a few latecomers. This is especially noticeable where a service starts at some important central point, such as a main railway station. The conductors have a special name for the second bus, indicating that it is a " dud " so far as passengers are concerned. This is just one of the many difficulties encountered in providing transport for the public, and shows how sharply loads.may be graded even in ordinary circumstances without special public attractions.
CHATTING the other day with Mr. E. Tvvemlow, the chief engineer of Fodens, Ltd., he told us .something of the results which are being obtained from the new Foden two-stroke-cycle engine operating on the Kadenacy principle Curiously enough, this engine, although bench-tests results show a slight increase in consumption as compared with a corresponding oil engine of the more orthodox type, when tested on the road actually shows marked economy. This is probably due to its unusual characteristics and the excellent balance of firing. We understand also that the " Itnock " familiar with many oil engines is almost, if not quite, obviated, whilst acceleration is notably rapid.. This latter quality is one not achieved by many units of the four-stroke type. Tests show that the exhaust-suction effect claimed for this special design is clearly apparent.
More About the Foden Two-stroke-cycle Oil Engine . . . .
News from Chairman WRITING to us front of A.R.T.CO.. Now in Umtali, Mr. M. W. Harris, South Africa . • . managing director of Lawson Pigott Motors (Rhodesia), Ltd., makes a number of interesting comments. On his way around the Union he has met several members of the Institute of Road Transport Engineers, who were most helpful to him. He says there is a real fraternal spirit amongst them, reminiscent of Freemasonry at its best, and, therefore, front this angle alone there is no doubt that the Institute is doing an immense amount of good. The " tie " with Swedish friends, and now the contacts being made in other parts of the world, are making it assume international importance. At Umtali, wherever one goes, one hits strip or gravel roads, which play havoc with tyres and the undercarriages of many vehicles, particularly those with a low clearance. This, however, mainly concerns cars, not commercial types