Consideration was given to the proposal of the Chief Mechanical
Engineer, British Transport Commission that the bogies of vehicles having the
"Derby" type of bogie should be modified having regard to public complaints
arising in various parts of the country of bad riding, the preliminary
estimated cost of modification being £250 per vehicle.
The Director of Traffic Service had confirmed that public
complaints were being received and had recommended that the following be
modified:-.
St.Pancras Suburban
-
30 4-car sets =
120
vehicles
Marylebone
-
35 4-car sets =
140
"
Liverpool (C.) -
Manchester (C.)
Express Services
-
6 4-car sets =
24
"
Crewe - Stoke -
Derby
-
10 3-car sets =
30
"
Total
314
vehicles
On these services there was more continuous running at higher
speeds.
The total estimated cost of the modifications to the 314 vehicles
would be £78,500.
It was stated that the number of complaints was diminishing and
after full discussion it was agreed that, in view of the extent of the complaints,
an expenditure of £78,500 would be difficult to justify. Mention was
made, however, of specific complaints of bad riding on the Liverpool (C.) -
Manchester (C.) Express Services and it was considered that the bogies of the
24 vehicles operating these services should be modified at a cost of £6,000
and the Chief Mechanical Engineer advised accordingly.
3. Allocation of units being built at Derby
and by Contractors
Revised schedule of allocation attached as Appendix 'B'.
792. RAIL BUSES FOR RURAL AREAS
1. Buckingham - Banbury Service
Noted that the question of a subsidy for bus services was being dealt
with by the General Manager.
2. Bedford - Hitchin - Northampton Services
Noted that the proposal for the withdrawal of the passenger service
on the Bedford - Northampton line was expected to be re-submitted to the General
Manager during the next fortnight.
The proposal for the withdrawal of the Bedford - Hitchin service is
still proceeding, the question of parcels traffic remaining to be solved.
