7. Design of standard units of 57' stock. (Contd.)
(c) Stepboards. Noted that a light alloy car has been fitted with stepboards to give increased toe room at the guard's door and that this will be limited to guard's doors which open inwards.
8. Construction of prototype unit by D.Wickham & Co.
Noted - authority has been given by the B.T.C. for this prototype at an estimated cost of £25,000. Details of unit attached as appendix "B".
440. INTER-CITY TRAINS
1. Design of units. Mr.Stanley reported that the engine for this unit has now been received. Electrical equipment not yet received from B.T.H., who are being strongly pressed. Mr.Langridge said the question of sighting distances for speeds of 85 m.p.h. and over would need to be borne in mind and Messrs.Gould and Butland said this matter was already under consideration.
2. Design of buffet car. Noted that Mr.Robson has agreed with Mr.Portman-Dixon that there is need for the two types of service indicated on W.R.Drawings 140543 and L.M.Drawing D.E.56480, and also agrees to the latter design being adopted for the Liverpool - Leeds - Bradford scheme.
3. Liverpool - Leeds - Bradford scheme. Report almost ready for submission and will be sent to the General Managers without waiting for results of trials with Davey Paxman engines.
4. Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester scheme. Not yet ready for submission, but is is hoped to complete before the engine trials are finished.
441. MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING ARRANGEMENTS
Noted - Minutes of meeting of sub-committee held on the 6th April.
Stockport
The Chairman said that it was satisfactory to note that consequent on the decision not to dieselise the services on the Styal Line and the Manchester-Crewe via Stockport line, it has been found possible to service the units originally scheduled for Stockport carriage shed at Longsight. Therefore there is no need to make modifications at the former shed to accommodate the diesel units.
