THE RAILLESS CAR.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4715, 23 June 1924, Page 4

THE RAILLESS CAR.

INNOVATION IN NEW ZEALAND. TRIAL NEXT MONTH. To Messrs Inglis Bros, and Co., Ltd., of Wellington, belongs the bottom- of introducing the first railless tramcar into New Zealand, and this car will inaugurate the opening of the extended tramway service from Thornton to Kaiwarra —'that is, when it has passed its trials and the Wellington City Council is satisfied that it will meet the requirements and do what is claimed of it. This aspect of the matter the firm regards with equanimity, having every confidence that it will answer the required tests. The chassis arrived in Wellington some time ago, and was sent to Auckland, where the body is being built by a firm expert in such matters. The work is now almost complete, and the car will be despatched by boat and is expected to arrive in Wellington about July 22. The trials will be conducted at the earliest possible moment. LARGE SEATING CAPACITY. There are two trolley poles, as the ’bn;,, being rubbei>tyred, the current cannot return to earth; so is returned to the wire’ through the secend trolley pole. The seating accommodation is for 30 passengers, and provision is made for an overload of from 10 to 15 mere. It has a 35-h.p. motor, and the power is drawn from the overhead nire exactly as in the case of a rail tram, bu*. the car has the advantage that it can be steered in and out of tuffic. Ti-e ,’i.ti eduction of the railless car between Thornton and Kaiwarra will -ave the City Council many thousands of pounds in tramway track construction, and the chief, and practically only important renewal item is the tyres, '.lie life of which i-, on the ;n erage, about 10,000 miles. The cost >f these is approximately £BO a ,sc K . Compared with a rail car of similar accomm’dation the trackless car is only about half the weight, and it is hoped that some saving will be effected in p>wer on this account. This will be shown in the demonstrations. REPLACING RAIL CARS. Mr H. L. Rogers, managing director, said they had recognised that there were many advantages to be derived from this form of transport, for it completely eliminates the cost of rails, which is the heaviest capital cost in the laying of tramways. Trackless cars have been instituted on many of the largest tramway systems in Ei. gland in preference to relaying rails or to laying new tracks for extended services. The wear and tear on the reads is more than compensated for, its local authorities are faced with the formation of roads suitable and able to take modern traffic irrespective of whether they run trams or not Onh one man is required to run the car, the driver being able to act as conductor, passengers paying their fares as they enter. The car is made by the Associated Equipment Company, London, which firm builds all the motor-buses for the London General Omnibus Company, which are such a familar sight on Loudon streets. The first of this type of ’bus to reach New Zealand was also brought by Inglis Bros., being one of ten ordered by the Auckland City Council for us<= as feeders for the tramway service. These are petrol motors, not electk Only one of the ten has been deliveied, and the remainder will arrive about October or November next.