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Birmingham Steam Buses 1824-1910.
motorman-mike
Brum visitor who stayed.
What a whimsical fellow you are Moleworth, almost as whimsical as this solution to London (and possibly Birmingham's) traffic problems. Possibly the tug cable system was powered by steam?
Dennis Williams
Gone but not forgotten
Please Grabber, apropos of blowing tschüßes at Mikey, whatever these may be, I rather think that the boot is on the other leg, and I think I've just been ever so gently, and quite deservedly I admit, had a vuvuzela inserted secundum mihi (as one might a fleixible Sigmoidoscope) by that nice Motorman for straying off the jolly old beaten thingy. I know I'm a bit like a water buffalo lumbering around without a clue , tromping all over your carefully arranged, exquisitely tended garden of Steam Buzzes and that, but I'm from Yardley for heaven's sake. Give a girl a break boys...
I know. Must try harder. On with the Motley. I promise not to harass you again. Well not today...
Aidan
master brummie
You'll get tested to the very limits of sanity (usually beyond) on this thread Dennis but out of which will be distilled the white hot Muntz-metal of learning on this sorely under-researched topic.
For you Dazed And Confused Yard(ley)birds the new NA photo site https://forum.birminghamhistory.co.uk/showthread.php?t=32875&p=340323#post340323 has a lovely pic of an old school in Yardley (so I know there was at least one...)
For you Dazed And Confused Yard(ley)birds the new NA photo site https://forum.birminghamhistory.co.uk/showthread.php?t=32875&p=340323#post340323 has a lovely pic of an old school in Yardley (so I know there was at least one...)
Thylacine
master brummie
What is This Thing Called Offtopicity?
I've been thinking about creating a working definition of "offtopicity" suitable for the BSB classroom. It's not easy. Yet I'm reminded of US Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart (1915-1985), who, when the Court was wrestling with the definition of "pornography" in the 1960s, uttered the immortal and penetrating words: "But I know it when I see it".
You see, we don't want to be too strict, as in: "Ziss iss ze Birmingham Dampfbusen 1824-1910 tread, zo ve don't allow anysink zat iss nicht Birmingham, Dampfbusen oder 1824-1910". That's just "too silly".
On the other hand, long diatribes about the Egyptian pyramids being homing beacons for UFOs are well over the top. And so (probably) are five megabyte pictures of Jar Jar Binks canoodling with Posh Totty. (Guilty!)
It's a matter of framing a balanced (and dare I add kind-hearted) definition that we can all live with.
Then we need to develop and publish a corresponding scale of punishments to deter and rehabilitate the persistent offender.
It's not going to be easy. But we're used to tackling difficult problems here, so I don't think it will prove impossible. So suggestions please, towards a working definition of "BSB Offtopicity".
I've been thinking about creating a working definition of "offtopicity" suitable for the BSB classroom. It's not easy. Yet I'm reminded of US Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart (1915-1985), who, when the Court was wrestling with the definition of "pornography" in the 1960s, uttered the immortal and penetrating words: "But I know it when I see it".
You see, we don't want to be too strict, as in: "Ziss iss ze Birmingham Dampfbusen 1824-1910 tread, zo ve don't allow anysink zat iss nicht Birmingham, Dampfbusen oder 1824-1910". That's just "too silly".
On the other hand, long diatribes about the Egyptian pyramids being homing beacons for UFOs are well over the top. And so (probably) are five megabyte pictures of Jar Jar Binks canoodling with Posh Totty. (Guilty!)
It's a matter of framing a balanced (and dare I add kind-hearted) definition that we can all live with.
Then we need to develop and publish a corresponding scale of punishments to deter and rehabilitate the persistent offender.
It's not going to be easy. But we're used to tackling difficult problems here, so I don't think it will prove impossible. So suggestions please, towards a working definition of "BSB Offtopicity".
Aidan
master brummie
For me the Thread title must be the root arbiter in that the post should bear some (explainable if questioned) relation to it.
I agree with the comments that sometimes a post will spark a thought that may not be directly related but useful none-the-less - perhaps as in genealogy and numerology a sort of 3 spark-posts/generations and back to topic rule (either by the poster or poster+other contributors?)
I agree with the comments that sometimes a post will spark a thought that may not be directly related but useful none-the-less - perhaps as in genealogy and numerology a sort of 3 spark-posts/generations and back to topic rule (either by the poster or poster+other contributors?)
motorman-mike
Brum visitor who stayed.
I had no wish to upset the proverbial steam hauled apple cart but would hate to see all the efforts and good results achieved on this elite thread go blasting up the funnel if the mods decided throw cold water in the firebox to stop our wanderings. Perhaps I am being over cautious and should break out the Scottish Steam Spirit, slice a knockwurst and spread some Saarbrucken Steam Mustard on it. Ah, the evening is picking up already....
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M
mike-g
Guest
Your getting quite close to the limit. Bring it back on thread.
motorman-mike
Brum visitor who stayed.
Oh dear, well here goes - as we haven't had an actual steam bus on for a while, this picture of one was for sale on ebay recently. Makes a change to see one in colour and gives a good impression of how a Midland Red version might have looked. (Cue Lloyd to make livery changes to suit.)
Thylacine
master brummie
Steam Inventor's Lament 1841.
[Thanks, Motorman!
]
[We have met the colourful steam carriage inventor Colonel Francis Maceroni (aka Macerone or Macaroni) several times previously (posts #400, 423, 426, 430, 468). Here is an interesting article published when the Colonel had fallen upon hard times, in which he lists a "tithe" of his wide-ranging inventions. I haven't attached the page image as it is over 400 kb and typographically unremarkable.]
Court Magazine and Monthly Critic (1 June 1841; somewhat edited).
Subscription for Colonel Macaroni, late Aid-de-camp to Murat King of Naples, &c.
Nearly three years ago we gave our meed of approbation to the "Memoirs of Colonel Macaroni", as a book highly interesting in matter, and singularly original and felicitous in manner. With feelings of pain we now call our readers' attention to the same individual, in the shape of an appeal, not to their literary taste, but to their sentiments of compassion. Not only as an author, but also as an ingenious mechanist, the public have been familiarised with the name of Macaroni as the successful contriver of a steam carriage for common roads. Yet, strange to say, or rather, strange would it seem were not his case too often paralleled, this man of uncommon and versatile talent, is at the present moment in a state of pitiable destitution, wanting bread for himself and family while others are reaping golden harvests from seed of his sowing. The causes and particulars of his unhappy condition are detailed by himself in the pamphlet we now notice with a sincere wish of furthering its object, namely that of obtaining means to complete the publication of his unfinished memoirs, and for the prosecution of various other useful objects, scientific and literary.
It is (says the Colonel) very remarkable how I have been on so many occasions deprived of the fruits of my numerous successful labours, in arts of peace, literature, and war. Without alluding to the fall of Murat, and of Napoleon, from no fault of mine, I will state a few little things from which others derived advantages and incomes.
I will endeavour to remember a tithe of them.
1st. — My safety gunpowder magazine, mentioned in the Review of the Court Magazine.
2nd. — My being the inventor, in 1808, of the artificial ears of pasteboard to assist persons of feeble hearing, recently patented, and so much used in England, of various shapes and materials, since the publication of my Memoirs.
3rd. — In 1816, the application of coal tar to paths of fine dry gravel, which makes them as hard and durable as marble — which has become the prototype of the Bituminous and Ashphalte Paving companies.
4th. — The best steam generator ever produced in the world; spoken of in this sheet.
5th. — The best paddle-wheel ever invented, which works even when entirely under water — 1827.
6th. — A copper-cap percussion lock for cannon, entirely water proof, so as never to miss fire when even under water — 1828. Approved of by the Lords of the Admiralty, but pirated.
7th. — Wooden pavements, for which suggestion and description, printed and published in 1825 and 1832, I was mocked by the periodical press, as Mr Windsor was for gas lights, contemptuously called by the critics in the European Magazine, and others, "Smoke lights".
8th. — The screw propeller for steam ships, now called "The Archimædian"; offered by me to the Lord High Admiral, in March 1828, but rejected, as I can show in writing.
9th. — Waterproof cloth, impervious to the rain, but allowing the free escape of perspiration, 1836. Hawked about, and lost to me. Three companies now established, making hundreds of pounds per week.
10th. — The best steam generator ever made, for all purposes of land, or water locomotion, combining all the best qualities of my others — 1837. Spoken of in this sheet.
My space will not allow me to mention my prehensile naval rockets for igniting the sails, rigging, &c, of an enemy's ship. And sixteen other naval and military inventions, which, although disregarded by the powers in office, will, in case of a war, cause an entire revolution in warlike affairs.
But here I am, Promœtheous-like, bound to the rock of agonizing poverty — sans patrons — sans home — sans food — sans clothes — sans every thing — except the desire to labour (without the means), and to maintain my family, at least, with the simplest necessaries of life, and under shelter. "To be, or not to be — that is the question". A little touch to the pendulum of my intellect would surely save us and make the fortunes of a dozen men.
MACERONI.
[Subscriptions to be sent to Mr Cunningham, 1, St Martin's-place, Trafalgar-square.]
[Thanks, Motorman!
][We have met the colourful steam carriage inventor Colonel Francis Maceroni (aka Macerone or Macaroni) several times previously (posts #400, 423, 426, 430, 468). Here is an interesting article published when the Colonel had fallen upon hard times, in which he lists a "tithe" of his wide-ranging inventions. I haven't attached the page image as it is over 400 kb and typographically unremarkable.]
Court Magazine and Monthly Critic (1 June 1841; somewhat edited).
Subscription for Colonel Macaroni, late Aid-de-camp to Murat King of Naples, &c.
Nearly three years ago we gave our meed of approbation to the "Memoirs of Colonel Macaroni", as a book highly interesting in matter, and singularly original and felicitous in manner. With feelings of pain we now call our readers' attention to the same individual, in the shape of an appeal, not to their literary taste, but to their sentiments of compassion. Not only as an author, but also as an ingenious mechanist, the public have been familiarised with the name of Macaroni as the successful contriver of a steam carriage for common roads. Yet, strange to say, or rather, strange would it seem were not his case too often paralleled, this man of uncommon and versatile talent, is at the present moment in a state of pitiable destitution, wanting bread for himself and family while others are reaping golden harvests from seed of his sowing. The causes and particulars of his unhappy condition are detailed by himself in the pamphlet we now notice with a sincere wish of furthering its object, namely that of obtaining means to complete the publication of his unfinished memoirs, and for the prosecution of various other useful objects, scientific and literary.
It is (says the Colonel) very remarkable how I have been on so many occasions deprived of the fruits of my numerous successful labours, in arts of peace, literature, and war. Without alluding to the fall of Murat, and of Napoleon, from no fault of mine, I will state a few little things from which others derived advantages and incomes.
I will endeavour to remember a tithe of them.
1st. — My safety gunpowder magazine, mentioned in the Review of the Court Magazine.
2nd. — My being the inventor, in 1808, of the artificial ears of pasteboard to assist persons of feeble hearing, recently patented, and so much used in England, of various shapes and materials, since the publication of my Memoirs.
3rd. — In 1816, the application of coal tar to paths of fine dry gravel, which makes them as hard and durable as marble — which has become the prototype of the Bituminous and Ashphalte Paving companies.
4th. — The best steam generator ever produced in the world; spoken of in this sheet.
5th. — The best paddle-wheel ever invented, which works even when entirely under water — 1827.
6th. — A copper-cap percussion lock for cannon, entirely water proof, so as never to miss fire when even under water — 1828. Approved of by the Lords of the Admiralty, but pirated.
7th. — Wooden pavements, for which suggestion and description, printed and published in 1825 and 1832, I was mocked by the periodical press, as Mr Windsor was for gas lights, contemptuously called by the critics in the European Magazine, and others, "Smoke lights".
8th. — The screw propeller for steam ships, now called "The Archimædian"; offered by me to the Lord High Admiral, in March 1828, but rejected, as I can show in writing.
9th. — Waterproof cloth, impervious to the rain, but allowing the free escape of perspiration, 1836. Hawked about, and lost to me. Three companies now established, making hundreds of pounds per week.
10th. — The best steam generator ever made, for all purposes of land, or water locomotion, combining all the best qualities of my others — 1837. Spoken of in this sheet.
My space will not allow me to mention my prehensile naval rockets for igniting the sails, rigging, &c, of an enemy's ship. And sixteen other naval and military inventions, which, although disregarded by the powers in office, will, in case of a war, cause an entire revolution in warlike affairs.
But here I am, Promœtheous-like, bound to the rock of agonizing poverty — sans patrons — sans home — sans food — sans clothes — sans every thing — except the desire to labour (without the means), and to maintain my family, at least, with the simplest necessaries of life, and under shelter. "To be, or not to be — that is the question". A little touch to the pendulum of my intellect would surely save us and make the fortunes of a dozen men.
MACERONI.
[Subscriptions to be sent to Mr Cunningham, 1, St Martin's-place, Trafalgar-square.]
Thylacine
master brummie
If you are interested in Francis Maceroni, Andrew Malleson's "The Disappearing Colonel" is highly recommended. Below is a rather stylish picture of the "Maceroni", taken from that article.
DavidGrain
master brummie
Yankee Doodle went to town, Riding on a pony; He stuck a feather in his hat, And called it macaroni.
Macaroni was contemporary slang for extreme foppishness named after a style of wig.
Macaroni was contemporary slang for extreme foppishness named after a style of wig.
Aidan
master brummie
Another couple of wonderful finds. The fate of Maceroni (or spaghetti to his friends) is a sad one but all too prevalent in the world of engineering.
Love the chalk? sketch - you can see the mechanical drives etc underneath in clear detail (or as my old nan used to say "showing off next weeks washing")
Love the chalk? sketch - you can see the mechanical drives etc underneath in clear detail (or as my old nan used to say "showing off next weeks washing")
Thylacine
master brummie
Nice one, David! And quite apt for our Francis Maceroni (though he appears to have been an adventurer as much as a fop). His family name was actually "Macirone", and in adulthood he used both "Macerone" and "Maceroni". The foppish form "Macaroni" turns up appropriately in the Court Magazine and Monthly Critic.
Here's the announcement (London Gazette 14 October 1834) of the end of his partnership with John Squire:
Here's the announcement (London Gazette 14 October 1834) of the end of his partnership with John Squire:
Notice is hereby given, that the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned, John Squire and Francis Maceroni, as Steam Coach-Proprietors, Machinists, and Engineers, carrying on business at No 19 Wharf, Paddington Green, in the County of Middlesex, was dissolved by mutual consent as from the 25th day of December 1833. — Dated the 22d day of September 1834. John Squire. Francis Maceroni.
Thylacine
master brummie
The "Maceroni" Nearly Comes to Birmingham 1834.
In Maceroni's Memoirs [Volume 2, 1838, pages 497 et seq], he states: "Towards the end of July 1834, I was determined to run the carriage to Birmingham ...". He did travel to Birmingham without his steam carriage (presumably travelling by stage coach: the London and Birmingham Railway would not open until 1838), and consulted with the directors of the Heaton and Church companies, whose enthusiasm convinced him that he could do "very good business" there. But by the time he got back to London, his serious lack of liquidity was catching up with him. His former partner John Squire was pursuing him for a £900 debt and threatening to seize his assets. And the Birmingham financiers (once bitten twice shy) would not advance him the funds he needed. So the "Maceroni" steam carriage never made it to Brum, and the Colonel's situation continued to deteriorate.
In Maceroni's Memoirs [Volume 2, 1838, pages 497 et seq], he states: "Towards the end of July 1834, I was determined to run the carriage to Birmingham ...". He did travel to Birmingham without his steam carriage (presumably travelling by stage coach: the London and Birmingham Railway would not open until 1838), and consulted with the directors of the Heaton and Church companies, whose enthusiasm convinced him that he could do "very good business" there. But by the time he got back to London, his serious lack of liquidity was catching up with him. His former partner John Squire was pursuing him for a £900 debt and threatening to seize his assets. And the Birmingham financiers (once bitten twice shy) would not advance him the funds he needed. So the "Maceroni" steam carriage never made it to Brum, and the Colonel's situation continued to deteriorate.
Dennis Williams
Gone but not forgotten
That is SO today Thylie! Was it this lot or HSBC do you think?
DavidGrain
master brummie
Dennis Would you post the Lloyds Bank picture on the "broad st pic" thread please as it ilustrates my post 178 on that thread.
I would dispute the caption which says that the branch faced Carrs Lane as it is some distance from there. The street name on the right hand end of the building says High Street but history records the address of the first office of Taylors and Lloyds Bank as Dale End.
Thylacine
master brummie
Lovely bank picture F-T! The Birmingham "steam financiers" of the 1830s fell into two groups. The directors of the Heatons Steam Carriage Co (see post #311 et seq) were mostly "metal magnates" (as were the Heaton Brothers themselves: and another brother was Ralph Heaton II who took over the Birmingham Mint and made lots of small change). These gentlemen probably didn't have much to do with banks: kept their gilt in sacks under the bed. On the other hand, the directors of the London and Birmingham Steam Carriage Co (backers of Dr William Church; see post #330 et seq) were mostly bankers and gunmakers (a natural combination surely!). The official bankers for the London and Birmingham firm were "Rottons and Scholefields", who I think did have a connection with Lloyds at some point.
[I have just spent an hour or so tracking down those "directors lists". This thread is so big that we have often yearned for an index. It would be especially useful for new BSB pupils. I did start one once but I only got to page two. I did one for the Midland Red Early Days thread, but it left me with an L-I-M-P pronounced "limp". What we really need is a couple of young indentured apprentices or research assistants, to whom we could assign all such boring and dirty jobs.]
[I have just spent an hour or so tracking down those "directors lists". This thread is so big that we have often yearned for an index. It would be especially useful for new BSB pupils. I did start one once but I only got to page two. I did one for the Midland Red Early Days thread, but it left me with an L-I-M-P pronounced "limp". What we really need is a couple of young indentured apprentices or research assistants, to whom we could assign all such boring and dirty jobs.
]DavidGrain
master brummie
Rottons & Scholefield, Birmingham, 1806-34
From RBS History
Cheque of Messrs Rottons & Scholefields, 11 July 1834. © RBS 2009.
This page is about a past constituent of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group.
Brief history
This private bank was established in Birmingham in 1806 as Hackett, Freer, Rotton & Co. By 1833 it was known as Rottons & Scholefield. It was acquired by National Provincial Bank of England of London in 1834.
Detailed list of name changes
Hackett, Freer, Rotton & Co from 1806
Freer, Rotton, Lloyds, Onions & Co in 1808
Freer, Rotton, Lloyds & Co 1818-24
Rottons, Smith & Co 1827
Rottons, Scholefield & Smith in 1831
Rottons & Scholefield by 1833
So Lloyds were mentioned in previous name changes but not the Lloyds Bank
From RBS History
Cheque of Messrs Rottons & Scholefields, 11 July 1834. © RBS 2009.
This page is about a past constituent of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group.
Brief history
This private bank was established in Birmingham in 1806 as Hackett, Freer, Rotton & Co. By 1833 it was known as Rottons & Scholefield. It was acquired by National Provincial Bank of England of London in 1834.
Detailed list of name changes
Hackett, Freer, Rotton & Co from 1806
Freer, Rotton, Lloyds, Onions & Co in 1808
Freer, Rotton, Lloyds & Co 1818-24
Rottons, Smith & Co 1827
Rottons, Scholefield & Smith in 1831
Rottons & Scholefield by 1833
So Lloyds were mentioned in previous name changes but not the Lloyds Bank
There are a number of Moles in the 1833 directory:
Mole Mary, vict. 51, Price-st.
Mole Francis, attorney, Carr's-lane
Mole Thomas and William, Pagoda iron foundry, Adderley-st.
Mole William, retail brewer and coal dealer, Hampton-sr.
Mole William, bronze inkstand, lamp and lustre taper stand, incense burner,candlestick, &c. manufr. 14, Easy-row
I can’t really read te christian name , but it could be Francis
The only candidates for the recipient of the cheque that I can see in 1833 are:
Maullin James, tin plate &c. worker, 36,Summer-row
Moilliet James, Smethwick-grove
Moilliet John L. merchant, 70, Newhallst.—Residence, Hampstead-hall
Mike
Mole Mary, vict. 51, Price-st.
Mole Francis, attorney, Carr's-lane
Mole Thomas and William, Pagoda iron foundry, Adderley-st.
Mole William, retail brewer and coal dealer, Hampton-sr.
Mole William, bronze inkstand, lamp and lustre taper stand, incense burner,candlestick, &c. manufr. 14, Easy-row
I can’t really read te christian name , but it could be Francis
The only candidates for the recipient of the cheque that I can see in 1833 are:
Maullin James, tin plate &c. worker, 36,Summer-row
Moilliet James, Smethwick-grove
Moilliet John L. merchant, 70, Newhallst.—Residence, Hampstead-hall
Mike
Dennis Williams
Gone but not forgotten
[I have just spent an hour or so tracking down those "directors lists". This thread is so big that we have often yearned for an index. It would be especially useful for new BSB pupils. I did start one once but I only got to page two. I did one for the Midland Red Early Days thread, but it left me with an L-I-M-P pronounced "limp". What we really need is a couple of young indentured apprentices or research assistants, to whom we could assign all such boring and dirty jobs.
You sure you're not a Hospital Manager Thyles? I like your Demingesque management style. I always close my eyes and use a pin...
DavidGrain
master brummie
Thank you mikejee for those notes
Jean Louis Moilliett aka John Lewis Moilliett was also a banker in Birmingham. Moilliett's bank was later taken over by Lloyds Bank. For the story of how Moilliett came to Birmingham from Geneva with a letter of introduction to Matthew Boulton and with a Letter of Credit for £10,000 see https://www.moilliet.ws/history.html
You can still get a drink in the Moilliett Arms in Smethwick
Jean Louis Moilliett aka John Lewis Moilliett was also a banker in Birmingham. Moilliett's bank was later taken over by Lloyds Bank. For the story of how Moilliett came to Birmingham from Geneva with a letter of introduction to Matthew Boulton and with a Letter of Credit for £10,000 see https://www.moilliet.ws/history.html
You can still get a drink in the Moilliett Arms in Smethwick
Thylacine
master brummie
I prefer the democratic style, F-T! But when we were all lined up once and I said "we need an index", everyone took a step backwards and I was well and truly lumbered. I was kind of hoping that our esteemed colleague Obi-Wan Kenobi (aka Peter W) might bless us with a fully annotated, cross-referenced, scholarly index. But he only drops in every fifty or so light years, and his blessings are usually much less pedestrian. So resort to a "sorcerer's apprentice" might be necessary (though your pin might also be helpful!
).
Thylacine
master brummie
Re: Steamer Sinclair.
Perhaps I'm being too pedantic here, but the phrase "with which" (rather than "for which") conjures up an irrepressible image of a legless Earl of Caithness. Either he was run over by the "Rickett" at some point, or it was the supply of Glen Morangie single malt he picked up on "the journey". Hoots, Mon!
Perhaps I'm being too pedantic here, but the phrase "with which" (rather than "for which") conjures up an irrepressible image of a legless Earl of Caithness. Either he was run over by the "Rickett" at some point, or it was the supply of Glen Morangie single malt he picked up on "the journey". Hoots, Mon!
Thylacine
master brummie
[Here are the fourth and fifth Forestier illustrations in the 1906 Illustrated London News series "The Coming of the Motor-'Bus". See post #1019 for the first three. We have seen at least the second one before, but these are of better quality.]
25 August. No IV: Gurney's Successful Experiment, 1833. An interesting pioneer: Mr Goldsworthy Gurney's steam-carriage.
25 August. No IV: Gurney's Successful Experiment, 1833. An interesting pioneer: Mr Goldsworthy Gurney's steam-carriage.
Mr Goldsworthy Gurney is considered the first who made any very extensive trial of steam as an agent for traction on common roads. He made his first considerable run from London to Bath and back. The coach had a water-tube boiler, analogous to the Thornycroft boiler, and with this he obtained a remarkable circulation. The pressure was about 5 lb to the square inch. On the Bath journey, although part of the machinery was broken, the coach did the last 84 miles from Melksham to Cranford Bridge in ten hours, including stoppages. Mr Gurney complained to the Parliamentary Committee in 1831 of the oppressive tolls for steam-carriages. On the Liverpool and Prescott road his motor would be charged £2 8s, while a loaded stage-coach would pay only 4s. On the Bathgate road the same carriage would be charged £1 7s 1d, while a coach drawn by four horses would pay 5s. On the Ashburnham and Totnes road the rates were £2 as against 3s, and on the Teignmouth and Dawlish roads the proportion was 12s to 2s.
1 September. No V: Another 1833 Forerunner. On the Harrow Road seventy-three years ago: the Squire and Maceroni steam-coach.The Squire and Maceroni coach ran daily from Paddington to Edgware and Harrow, at an average speed of fourteen miles an hour. On level ground it could attain a speed of twenty miles an hour. The cost of coke was from 3d to 4d per mile. By the time this coach was running it had been decided by the Parliamentary Committee that steam-coaches were perfectly safe for passengers, and that they were not, and need not be, if properly constructed, nuisance to the public. The Committee also gave it as its opinion that steam-carriages would become a speedier and cheaper mode of conveyance than carriages drawn by horses.
Thylacine
master brummie
[The Illustrated London News is proving a fruitful source for the BHB Classroom! ]
In the latter years of World War 2 (1943-1945) Guy Motors Ltd of Wolverhampton published a series of advertisements in the Illustrated London News, entitled "Transport Through The Syzygies". (I'll let the reader look up the word "syzygy" — perhaps the longest word in English without a regular vowel!) Four of these notable advertisements depict old friends of the BSB classroom, and are reproduced below. Others in the series of twelve show forms of transport ranging from the Chinese wind-powered wheelbarrow to a contemporary bus hauled by horses (in war-ravaged Rotterdam, 1940). Since I have room for one additional picture, I will include the unsteamy "knight in armour 1540" / "armoured car 1940" advertisement.
]In the latter years of World War 2 (1943-1945) Guy Motors Ltd of Wolverhampton published a series of advertisements in the Illustrated London News, entitled "Transport Through The Syzygies". (I'll let the reader look up the word "syzygy" — perhaps the longest word in English without a regular vowel!) Four of these notable advertisements depict old friends of the BSB classroom, and are reproduced below. Others in the series of twelve show forms of transport ranging from the Chinese wind-powered wheelbarrow to a contemporary bus hauled by horses (in war-ravaged Rotterdam, 1940). Since I have room for one additional picture, I will include the unsteamy "knight in armour 1540" / "armoured car 1940" advertisement.
Lloyd
master brummie
I'm aware of the Guy adverts, (strange things to have during the war when you couldn't buy the vehicles you wanted, you were allocated them by the Ministry of Transport) but I suppose they were looking towards post-war choices. Certainly the 'forcing' of the Guy 'Arab' mk l & ll did much to enamour them to users - many who wouldn't touch Guy products before the war ran large fleets of them afterwards.
The 'Syzygies' obviously referred to the comparisons of forms of transport over the ages, and the use of the unusual word no doubt owes to the fact of its pronunciation "Sizy Guys"!
The best comparison of course is the identical locations of the GWR Clarkson and Wolverhampton utility 'decker at Bridgnorth Station, now the Northern terminus of the Severn Valley railway, and in the first view, a newly-delivered Birmingham Corporation version of the utility design complete with drab grey livery relieved only by white edges and wooden slatted seats (that could only be relieved by the layer of fat on one's buttocks, doubtless thin after five years of food rationing!) must have been almost as comfortable to ride in as its steam companion.
The 'Syzygies' obviously referred to the comparisons of forms of transport over the ages, and the use of the unusual word no doubt owes to the fact of its pronunciation "Sizy Guys"!
The best comparison of course is the identical locations of the GWR Clarkson and Wolverhampton utility 'decker at Bridgnorth Station, now the Northern terminus of the Severn Valley railway, and in the first view, a newly-delivered Birmingham Corporation version of the utility design complete with drab grey livery relieved only by white edges and wooden slatted seats (that could only be relieved by the layer of fat on one's buttocks, doubtless thin after five years of food rationing!) must have been almost as comfortable to ride in as its steam companion.