ABNORM, LOADS
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are a regular ansport task
ITmust be nearly a ce founders of Currie an commenced operations transport contractors. ".
the business of Carver an
covered a wide area in tl.. extended to London. century the company wa Currie, who had previous
To-day the fleet range capable of carrying as n there are over 300 vehicte mell, Morris-Commercial manufacture. Fords° mechanical horses are als for work around the c engines are available . Experiments are being . nd:a half ago that the (Newcastle). Ltd., first ally enough as horsed
nterprise developed into the operations of which Is of England, and even latter part of the 19th over by Mr. Archibald north-eastern manager. light vans up to vehicles
s 100 tons. -Altogether, iding machines of Scam ord, A.E.C. and Fcklen ctors and Scammell )yed, being used largely whilst Fowler traction rtain exceptional jobs. ted with producer gas and models of the Government-sponsored trailer type are in use.
• Apart from its employment on long-distance services to all the big cities, this fleet is engaged on radial distribution work from the Currie .depots at Newcastle, Stockton, Doncaster, Leeds, Birmingham, Sheffield and London. Horsed transport has, of course, considerably diminished since the early days and is now employed only within city limits.
What are exceptional loads to other operators are largely the general rule for Currie and Co. (Newcastle), Ltd.,. which specializes in the carriage of heavy units and in such work as setting large boilers and placing transformers and similar structures on to prepared foundations.
So far back as the past century,
abnormal and indivisible loads were a speciality of the company, and old pictures may be seen which show " low-loaders " being pulled by feams of about 60 horses, and followed by crowds of men who helped to hold back the vehicle if it became unduly frolicsome on a steep descent.
Very large loads, often of dimensions unsuitable for rail transit, are moved all over the country. Excessive width is the greatest
trouble with these abnormal loads and, in order to minimize this difficulty, large castings have frequently to be placed in a• canted position on the
vehicle. Each heavy job can be considered only on its own merits with regard to weight and dimensions. but suitable vehicles are always available for any loads between six and 60 tons; those exceeding this weight are tackled with the aid of traction engines.
Actual transport is only one aspect of handling.huge single consignments. Equally important is that of offloading. Specially trained experts, with considerable experience in handling the necessary equipment—such as roller gear, winches, jacks and similar tackle—are required if this service is to be carried out satisfactorily.
In addition to heavy transport, a substantial and important branch is the furniture-removals section, which several times has carried out work for the Royal Family. This department is operated by a special staff, quite distinct from the goodstransport side, and extensive furniture warehousing accommodation is available in Newcastle-on-Tyne and other centres.
The bonded stores (40, 50 and (30 Bonds, Hanover Street, Newcastle), and duty-paid stores in close vicinity to the docks, are available for the storage of all classes of goods.
The Main garage has all the facilities to be expected in an up-to-date eaablishment. Monthly inspection reports are made regarding the state of power units, transmission, gears, clutches; springs, and bodywork,
every relevant detail being placed on permanent record_ Overhauls are rarely undertaken until a machine has topped 30,000 miles, but after that length of service they are undertaken as conditions demand, spare assemblies being .brought into use whenever necessary.