Page:The Reshaping of British Railways (Beeching Report).pdf/93

 A distance analysis of the coal conveyed by road, showing the proportion regarded as favourable to rail, is shown in the following table. It will be seen that by far the greater volume on road, some 20 m. tons, or 64 per cent, of the total, passes over distances less than 25 miles.

Table No. 24

10-25 | 26-50 (A) Total traffic 19.6 6.3 (B) Favourable to rail traffic 4-7 50-100 | 101-150 151-200 | Total (million tons) 3.7 3.4 0.7 0-3 30.6 0.7 0.3 17.1 8.1

The volume of coal on road and suitable for rail conveyance is such that a high proportion, 69 per cent. would comprise through train-loads, or part loads, for one destination if assembled at the marshalling yards immediately serving the originating collieries. The balance, 31 per cent., would require to pass through more than one yard. Table No. 25 shows the division of the 17 m. tons. The setting up of coal concentration points, and any reduction in the number of collieries serving both them and larger individual receivers, could lead to a substantial increase in direct working from colliery to destination.

Table No. 25

Terminal conditions Through train-loads Block Wagon-loads Wagon-loads Total (million tons) Siding/Siding 3.9 4-7 1.7 10.2 14 Siding at forwarding end 3.2 3.7 7-0 Other 14 TOTAL 3.9 7-9 5.4 17.1

To determine the volume, distribution and composition of sundries traffic throughout the country, a test was made of all traffic passing on one day.

For the purpose of costing traffic, terminal and other operations were studied, recorded, and costed over one week.

Arising out of this investigation the annual volume and certain characteristics of sundries traffic were assessed under:—

millions Tons Consignments Packages Loaded wagons forwarded. 44

3.4 43. 177 3.7 3.