MODERN SHOWMAN'S RELIANCE ON MOTORS.
Page 19
Page 18
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Types of Vehicles which Find Diversified Employment.
E are so much accustomed nowadays to see the triumphant invasion by mechanical transport of practically every field of usage that one won-, ders if there is any ground not yet covered. We were reminded of this recently when witnessing the arriVal of a large fair at a favourite resort on the South Coast.
This fair, comprising many shows, large, and small, is completely moved from place to place by steam and petrol vehicles. There were numerous powerful and handsome steam tractors included in the showman's diversified equipment as well as petrol • lorries, including F.W.D.s and, of course, the inevitable Ford.
The largest show outfit was moved by steam tractors ma-de by Charles Burrell and Sons, Ltd., of Thetford, several vehicles of this type being employed. The largest tractor develops about 60 b.h.p., and has compound. cylinders. It . is fitted with large road wheels of about 6 ft. 6 ins, diameter, a cable-hauling device, and a jib crane for use in erecting the component parts of the show in position.. In addition it has direct-current and al ternating-current generators for providing power and light for the roundabout. The other tractors are similar. although slightly smaller and are minus the crane. The large road locomotives cost about £3,000 each and those of a smaller pattern, which is favoured . by showmen', from £2,000 to £2,500 ea:ch. They are exceptionally fine vehicles and reflect credit on the makers and on the users.
Each of the large steam tractors pulls three or four loaded wagons, the total weight often being about 30 tons. They negotiate the narrow roads and hills of the west country with ease, and render it possible to cover distances and transport loadswhich would be entirely beyond the capabilities of the hardiest horse.
The modern roundabout comprising a .show suck as this is a very elaborate affair. It. consists of a number of coaches which run on a special track of an undulating nature. Equipped with an electric motor apiece, these cars weigh several tons, and are lifted into position by the crane of the tractora The whole outfit, when erected—the operation taking leas than 10 hours—is supplied with
light and power by the tractor through .cables buried in the ground. Extra long smoke stacks. are fitted to the tractors when engaged on this work..
Even coconut shies of the present day arrive under steam power and, instead, of the -timing naphtha lamps, are lit: by the electric generators perched on the front
Of the traaer. •
The F.W.D. vehicles we saw were carrying heavy load and pulling the living caravans of the owners. Nevertheless their special form of drive made it an easy task for them to manmuvre on the grass and soft surface of the fair ground; and there is no doubt that thee lorrieS have special advantages for this work. The Fords and small petrol:. vehicles are mestly used by vendors of sweets and stallholders of one kind or Other. Their whole impedimenta, including stock, is carried on the van, and these porta,ble shops seemed to,be' highly satisfactory.
In the particular fair we inspected we saw only one horse, and it is 'quite evitient that the modern showman must have something speedier and more powerful than animal transport to enable him to keep abreast of modern conditions. • The Highways Committee of the Willesden Urban District Council reports that its attention has been called to a further accident which has occurred in Chamberlayne Road.
The clerk read a letter from the Middlesex County Council, forwarding a copy of one addressed to Mr. Alec Lee in response to an application for the imposition of a 10-mile speed limit for motor'traffic in this road.
B34
The county council states that the highways committee would not be grepared to take action unless application were-made by. the Willesden Council,
The committee, therefore, recommends :— . (a) .That the Middlesex County Council be requested to apply to the Ministry of Transport for an order, imposing a speed limit for motor traffic of 10 miles per hour between Kensal Rise Station and Buller Road, in the urban district of Willesden.
(h) That the Paddington Borough Council be approached, with a view to its making application to. the Ministry of Transport for the imposition of a like speed limit on the portion of Kilburn 'Lane from Buller Road to Harrow Road. •