| By Gerald
Craig (C3)
During the tail-end of the last century, Call Sign ran a series of
articles on the early days of the cab trade. This provoked interesting
responses from drivers who had driven some of the older cabs. Gerald Craig
(C3) continues the tales of his days behind the wheel of the FX3...
Jack To the Rescue
Another marvellous, easy-to-use feature that the FX3 had was the hydraulic
jack with it's pump unit located in the engine compartment. To get it
working, a large handle attached to an arm on the pump needed just a few
vigorous back and forward movements and the four hydraulic jacks descended
- as if by magic - from behind the taxi's wheels lifting the cab up to
whatever level the driver required. This whole process took just minutes
to complete and was a real Godsend for drivers - and it certainly beats
today's jack!
Earlier FX3's had built-in roof racks. I remember once in my
Butter-Boy enthusiasm to please a customer, I even got a very large Silver
Cross pram into the top of the cab! I somehow heaved the pram up onto the
roof, fixing it securely with the long sturdy leather straps that were
attached to the rack and then, with my |
precariously balanced load on top
of the taxi, I drove my passenger to her destination somewhere in
Hackney - and all for two bob (10p) with six old pennies for the extras!
Today I marvel at the dedication and strength I had back then when I now
lift a suitcase into the taxi and almost do my back in!
Tales of the Leicester Square Shelter
One well-known shelter tale has it that the mischievous lot that
frequented the Leicester Square shelter in those bygone days of the late
1950's decided to have some fun with a recently passed-out Butter-Boy and
his cab's hydraulic jacks. This, while he was enjoying his evening meal in
the pleasant company of his so-called friendly fellow cab drivers!
Unbeknown to him outside the shelter, some of his friends
were lifting up his FX3 on it's jacks to a height of about two inches off
the ground. Some time later, the now contented novice cabby walked out
into the fresh air and prepared to continue his long day's work.
Seated comfortably, the Butter-Boy pulled the large starting lever under
the dashboard, firing his trusty cab into life. He depressed the
accelerator anticipating the roar and drive-off. The roar was there but
nothing else! He pressed again and again - there was a roar but no
movement. He was going |
nowhere fast...
He had visions of a huge loss in earnings, not to mention
repair costs and time off the road. What he wasn't aware of was the
sound of rollicking mirth coming from the nearby shelter. I'm told that he
almost overhauled the cab outside the shelter during the next hour trying
to work out why he wasn't moving before his 'friends' told him...!
Hot Seat and Mickey Mouse Ears...
The cab battery was situated under the driver's seat and I well remember
on several occasions witnessing drivers being driven at haste from their
cab seats as the battery shorted out and burst into flames! Not too often,
I should add, but once was enough!
The cab had solenoid operated flag style indicators that
flipped up noisily from the centre posts of the cab. More often than not,
they would stick and drivers would have to do a reverse contortionist act
while thumping the side of the doorpost to release the indicator.
A better design that stopped all of our contortions came much later. We
called the replacement design Mickey Mouse trafficators, which, because of
their ear-like size and intermittent flashing, proved better and safer to
use than the old flag design.
Continued next month |
