Dave the Renegade:
Unable to drive for a few weeks,but have arranged for the owner of the pics to leave them with my brother in law,who will bring them here when he has them.My PC is playing up,so you may have to be patient a little longer.
Cheers Dave.
Hiya Dave,if anything will get you back to the "rudest of health"it will be achieving the Holy Graille and being the first to put up a shot of a Big J 8LXB on the thread!!! But hang on a moment!!! Just think of all the ego’s of the SOM ex drivers you are going to puncture!!! don’t worry about the grief you’ll cause me! (I know you won’t).SOM (allegedly) had more 8LXB Big Js than you could shake a stick at----and no photo! Renegades man had ONE and he’s going to “plaster” the thread with shots!!!Anyway,feet back on the grounds lads,believe it when you see it! It may be the tablets The Renegade is on and he is “haluzinating” with this obsession of 8LXB Big J’s!! Nurse! nurse! can you switch the channel over to Jackonory please,Iv’e had enough of Fantasy Island!!! Cheers,get well soon Dave,or even quicker if poss.Dennis.
Dennis,my old mate,small hauliers take more pictures of their lorries than the big boys,and this bloke says he has one,thats good enough for me,as for tablets,I have had most of my medication intravenously over the last fortnight,only been on tablets the last few days.
Cheers Dave.
Seeing as I must have circa 1500 photos Dave that must put me very firmly in the first catogory then!!!That accounts for it then Dave,the medical staff have been able to subdue you on a drip in the last 2 weeks,but now your back on the horse tranqelizer’s your back to normal!!! I’ll have to have a word with “carryfast” about the effects of different medication!!! Have a heart Dave—don’t spoil my Christmas----will you? Cheers Dennis.
hiya,
Was talking to a well retired BRS fitter ( even older than me ) who was conservant with big “Js” having visited the production line on about three occasions and working on them throughout their lifespan with the old red and rust he says the 8LXB was never fitted to that motor “in-house” and if any were fitted with that engine it was after it had left the factory, adding it would have taken a “bit of doing” and he would’nt have wanted the job of doing the “conversion” which he hastened to add is what it would have been.
thanks harry long retired.
harry_gill:
hiya,
Was talking to a well retired BRS fitter ( even older than me ) who was conservant with big “Js” having visited the production line on about three occasions and working on them throughout their lifespan with the old red and rust he says the 8LXB was never fitted to that motor “in-house” and if any were fitted with that engine it was after it had left the factory, adding it would have taken a “bit of doing” and he would’nt have wanted the job of doing the “conversion” which he hastened to add is what it would have been.
thanks harry long retired.
Harry…Smith of Maddison definitely had some, Alex Saville drove one out of Glasgow, so he’d know, and if said he did, he did. There would have been no way that Smith’s workshops did any “conversions”, they were able lads and serviced the motors well, but they weren’t into doing any conversions as big as that.
So, the Saga goes on, just a photo is all that Den requires, so he can go to bed and sleep at night !!
And if you read this Den. I’ve sent you a couple of P.M’s…Got the Xmas Brie yet !!!
harry_gill:
hiya,
Was talking to a well retired BRS fitter ( even older than me ) who was conservant with big “Js” having visited the production line on about three occasions and working on them throughout their lifespan with the old red and rust he says the 8LXB was never fitted to that motor “in-house” and if any were fitted with that engine it was after it had left the factory, adding it would have taken a “bit of doing” and he would’nt have wanted the job of doing the “conversion” which he hastened to add is what it would have been.
thanks harry long retired.
Harry…Smith of Maddison definitely had some, Alex Saville drove one out of Glasgow, so he’d know, and if said he did, he did. There would have been no way that Smith’s workshops did any “conversions”, they were able lads and serviced the motors well, but they weren’t into doing any conversions as big as that.
So, the Saga goes on, just a photo is all that Den requires, so he go to bed and sleep at night !!
And if you read this Den. I’ve sent you a couple of P.M’s…Got the Xmas Brie yet !!!
hiya,
Have met Alex, really nice fellow it was at the last BRS show at the Lincoln Farm Cafe in July of this year ( the 240 thingy was’nt raging then) i’m just surprised a man with his interest in lorries never took a pic of what is now a Dinosaur, i drove Big Js for a while for the BRS and came across many drivers of the beasts " i quite liked them" and never once heard mention of a production model with the 8LXB installed and i did get around quite a bit. PS never had a breakdown with the Big Js but if this goes on much longer might be joining Dennis in a mental breakdown.
thanks harry long retired.
harry_gill:
hiya,
Was talking to a well retired BRS fitter ( even older than me ) who was conservant with big “Js” having visited the production line on about three occasions and working on them throughout their lifespan with the old red and rust he says the 8LXB was never fitted to that motor “in-house” and if any were fitted with that engine it was after it had left the factory, adding it would have taken a “bit of doing” and he would’nt have wanted the job of doing the “conversion” which he hastened to add is what it would have been.
thanks harry long retired.
Harry…Smith of Maddison definitely had some, Alex Saville drove one out of Glasgow, so he’d know, and if said he did, he did. There would have been no way that Smith’s workshops did any “conversions”, they were able lads and serviced the motors well, but they weren’t into doing any conversions as big as that.
So, the Saga goes on, just a photo is all that Den requires, so he go to bed and sleep at night !!
And if you read this Den. I’ve sent you a couple of P.M’s…Got the Xmas Brie yet !!!
Hiya Dave,Iv’e been experiencing probs with our internet conection,on and off like a yoyo,so if you can bear with me when I get into my messages I will respond,have no fear!!! in the meantime keep warm!! cheers Dennis.
hiya,
Dennis i find a tool i keep in the boot of the car very suitable for sorting connection problems i do use the same thingy for knocking nails into the wall for hanging stuff on just a few taps either ends it or mends it, go on dennis give it a go you know it makes sense.
thanks harry long retired.
harry_gill:
hiya,
Was talking to a well retired BRS fitter ( even older than me ) who was conservant with big “Js” having visited the production line on about three occasions and working on them throughout their lifespan with the old red and rust he says the 8LXB was never fitted to that motor “in-house” and if any were fitted with that engine it was after it had left the factory, adding it would have taken a “bit of doing” and he would’nt have wanted the job of doing the “conversion” which he hastened to add is what it would have been.
thanks harry long retired.
Harry…Smith of Maddison definitely had some, Alex Saville drove one out of Glasgow, so he’d know, and if said he did, he did. There would have been no way that Smith’s workshops did any “conversions”, they were able lads and serviced the motors well, but they weren’t into doing any conversions as big as that.
So, the Saga goes on, just a photo is all that Den requires, so he can go to bed and sleep at night !!
And if you read this Den. I’ve sent you a couple of P.M’s…Got the Xmas Brie yet !!!
As you know Fergie,I drove a new one out of Newton Le Willows Branch back to North St Manchester,I wish I had never mentioned it now,however,its made for an interesting thread,look at the number of pages,all about an engine,for Gods sake!!!
harry_gill: i’m just surprised a man with his interest in lorries never took a pic of what is now a Dinosaur.
The problem was Harry, in the '60’s and '70’s photography wasn’t what it is now with digital camera’s and downloaded on to the computer to share with others. You had to buy a film, get it developed which was relatively expensive, and then the photo’s sat in a drawer forever !! I took a camera with me when I started the Continental work as it was “different”, mostly for taking pic’s of the the cities more than the wagons, Rome, Paris, Vienna was more exciting than a Big J or F88…at the time…
Now someone like Dennis, who owned the company, and had the foresight to take so many photo’s, is to-day, our glimpse at the past, and well done for that.
To-days drivers, I wonder how many take a camera with them? probably don’t have the time to stop to take any !! but I’d encourage them to do so. To-days Scaniavolvomanivecorenault may well be looked at in 40 years time like the EFR’s and Big Js of 40 years ago. I wonder if the drivers in 40 years hence, will look upon to-days wagons and say, " did you really drive old rubbish like that"…!!
5thwheel:
[**As you know Fergie,I drove a new one out of Newton Le Willows Branch back to North St Manchester,**Take it easy,
David
I do remember you saying Dave, I’m afraid it was just the 180 / 205 ■■■■■■■ that I had the "privilege of driving for them.
And Newton-le Willows reminds me, staying at Ivy’s at Newton, ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. pee-pot under the bed, but excellent dinner and breakfast, bloody freezing in winter, even the pee froze up…
Were they good old days ■■? well, that’s how it was, wasn’t it !!!
harry_gill:
hiya,
Was talking to a well retired BRS fitter ( even older than me ) who was conservant with big “Js” having visited the production line on about three occasions and working on them throughout their lifespan with the old red and rust he says the 8LXB was never fitted to that motor “in-house” and if any were fitted with that engine it was after it had left the factory, adding it would have taken a “bit of doing” and he would’nt have wanted the job of doing the “conversion” which he hastened to add is what it would have been.
thanks harry long retired.
I’ve been battling to get this post on the thread more-or-less all afternoon!!nearly resorted to the “H G” attitude adjustment tool!!! 'an 'ammer!!! Anyway I think wer’e back on song now!This Big J 8LXB thread has been running for nearly 12 months without reaching a satisfactory conclusion lads.However it does seem to be polarising into two totally opposing opinions.At one end of the spectrum we have that fine body of former SOM drivers,who maintain that Smiths did,without any doubt,operate a number of the said motors,and as these lads are/were “salt of the earth” like the rest of us their claim must be respected.But then again there are just as many with the equal and opposite conviction that they have never seen of,or heard of,such an animal.Trev H in particular had access to the Guy factory throughout the time these tractors would have been manufactured,and he is certain he never saw one or heard the Guy apprentices speak about one.The “Renegade” has guaranteed that he will post a shot of the “elusive” beast on this thread by Christmas! But after what “H” has thrown into the mix to-day from his old fitter pal from BRS days I think I will look closely at this photo to see if there’s any “shoe horn” marks!!! as it could have had a transplant in a barn in deepest Radnorshire!!!With all due respect to “H”'s mate Seddons fitted a few 32/4 tractors with 8LXB’s so with Guy’s using the same WB and cab it is a safe bet that it could/would have been done at Fallings Park.Anyway “H” thanks for piling in on the “right side” but the only thing I would ask is when the “proverbial” starts flying in our direction you won’t up and out the trench and do a runner!!! 'cause I can’t,well I could take a few big strides then my lights would flicker and go out!!! Keep the pot boiling “H”,Howay the Lads,Dennis.
Dennis,
I’d like to be proved wrong and have no problem with admiting it, It just seemed to me that Fallings park never did have any monetry clout and would be hard pushed to get hold of 8 potters with ERF, Foden and Seddon in the scarce market for them.
BRS would never have had any if they could get a Roller or ■■■■■■■ for a couple of grand less and without a long wait.
SOM may well have been different and as a private company have more influence at Guys but we did a changeover with them at Tebay on the Unipart contract and only saw ■■■■■■■ powered J’s.
Hiya Trev,I hope I quoted you correctly in my post and your right we arn’t adament or 100% saying there were no 8LXB Big Js are we! I think Fergie is probably right in saying that in those days drivers didn’t carry a camera around with them.Un-like me,I spent a bloomin’ fortune at the Chemists and probably 50% of what I got back were crap! I only wish I had been able to photograph my time on the Brady Octopus,boy could I have got some class shots!! Its all there in my minds eye but thats no good is it!! I could put shots on that would make those South Wales lads cry,I could!!!Cheers Dennis.
Bewick:
Hiya Trev,I hope I quoted you correctly in my post and your right we arn’t adament or 100% saying there were no 8LXB Big Js are we! I think Fergie is probably right in saying that in those days drivers didn’t carry a camera around with them.Un-like me,I spent a bloomin’ fortune at the Chemists and probably 50% of what I got back were crap! I only wish I had been able to photograph my time on the Brady Octopus,boy could I have got some class shots!! Its all there in my minds eye but thats no good is it!! I could put shots on that would make those South Wales lads cry,I could!!!Cheers Dennis.
hi dennis,
you could,would and have made this welshman cry dennis mate .
regards andrew
harry_gill:
hiya,
Was talking to a well retired BRS fitter ( even older than me ) who was conservant with big “Js” having visited the production line on about three occasions and working on them throughout their lifespan with the old red and rust he says the 8LXB was never fitted to that motor “in-house” and if any were fitted with that engine it was after it had left the factory, adding it would have taken a “bit of doing” and he would’nt have wanted the job of doing the “conversion” which he hastened to add is what it would have been.
thanks harry long retired.
I’ve been battling to get this post on the thread more-or-less all afternoon!!nearly resorted to the “H G” attitude adjustment tool!!! 'an 'ammer!!! Anyway I think wer’e back on song now!This Big J 8LXB thread has been running for nearly 12 months without reaching a satisfactory conclusion lads.However it does seem to be polarising into two totally opposing opinions.At one end of the spectrum we have that fine body of former SOM drivers,who maintain that Smiths did,without any doubt,operate a number of the said motors,and as these lads are/were “salt of the earth” like the rest of us their claim must be respected.But then again there are just as many with the equal and opposite conviction that they have never seen of,or heard of,such an animal.Trev H in particular had access to the Guy factory throughout the time these tractors would have been manufactured,and he is certain he never saw one or heard the Guy apprentices speak about one.The “Renegade” has guaranteed that he will post a shot of the “elusive” beast on this thread by Christmas! But after what “H” has thrown into the mix to-day from his old fitter pal from BRS days I think I will look closely at this photo to see if there’s any “shoe horn” marks!!! as it could have had a transplant in a barn in deepest Radnorshire!!!With all due respect to “H”'s mate Seddons fitted a few 32/4 tractors with 8LXB’s so with Guy’s using the same WB and cab it is a safe bet that it could/would have been done at Fallings Park.Anyway “H” thanks for piling in on the “right side” but the only thing I would ask is when the “proverbial” starts flying in our direction you won’t up and out the trench and do a runner!!! 'cause I can’t,well I could take a few big strides then my lights would flicker and go out!!! Keep the pot boiling “H”,Howay the Lads,Dennis.
hiya,
Dennis me do a runner, never, you are aware i’m an ex lorry driver but more importantly an “old soldier” and used to being "up’t neck in muck and bullets"but i have got the trainers standing by in the front porch just in case i get cold feet and need to do a flyer, this Big J pic we are about to see will be showing hopefully a readable number plate which i understand there are people on here who can get all the particulars of a vehicle which has been registered in the UK, I’m not clever enough to do it but have seen the results of other peoples searches somewhere on here, that should put this to bed once and for all, and thats exactly where i’m going right now.
thanks harry long retired.
ainacs:
Found this pic what is this 240 fitted to? I will leave it to you experts!!!
Hi Fergie
The caption on the pic did say ‘240’ but as I am a Scania man I would not know but it must be hard to tell as the pic of the engine on it’s own shows same manifolds I think!
