Mr.Dixon stated that so far as the Bury - Bacup scheme is concerned, the display of large posters on public hoardings had had to be deferred for the time being. The Chairman said that, as soon as a firm date of commencing is known, an inaugural trip should be arranged on the Friday before the service commences - which is is expected will be on Monday, November 28th - and invitations issued to civic dignitaries, including possibly the Lord Mayor of Manchester, and the daily press. Mr.Stanley to contact Metro-Cammell to ascertain firm date of delivery and advise all concerned.
On the West Cumberland and Watford - St.Albans schemes, handwritten posters of train services are now being displayed and this will continue as other services are introduced.
Re-signing of stations will be done before each individual service commences.
NOTE. - Subsequently C.M.& E.E. and C.& W.E. have advised the General Manager that Metro-Cammell have intimated that it will not be possible to commence the Bury - Bacup service on November 28th and the indications are that it will be January or February 1956 before the service can commence.
362. FUEL OIL.
The Chairman said it has now been revealed that revenue accrues when diesel oil is conveyed from the Oil Companies' installations by rail and it was therefore desirable that, for all schemes, delivery should be by rail unless there is some physical disability against this.
It was agreed that the whole question of the transportation of diesel oil, and future policy, be considered by the Servicing and Maintenance Sub-Committee, representatives of the C.C.M., Stores Superintendent and Regional Accountant to be co-opted to the committee during discussions on this subject.
363. FUTURE SCHEMES.
(a) Closing of Branch Lines.
Noted - the Chairman of the B.T.C. has requested that, before and length of line is recommended for closing, every alternative method or expedient by which a service might be given economically should be exhaustively examined.
