Ste46:
Saw something very strange today! Travelling between Dolores and Elche, Alicante, it was an new shape Scania three axle tractor unit, high top cab, but somewhat higher than normal, two flashing amber beacons on the roof. Coupled to a max length three axle curtain sider which was in turn coupled to a twin axle dolly on which was mounted another max length three axle curtain sider. Almost like Outback Truckers!
Must have been running under some sort of special permit, and it wasn’t a showman’s outfit, but surely cannot be legal anywhere in Europe?
Unfortunately, I was in a bit of a hurry, otherwise I would have turned round and followed him to see if he stopped anywhere so I could get a photograph.
Any of the learned gentlemen on here have any thoughts?
Ste46:
Saw something very strange today! Travelling between Dolores and Elche, Alicante, it was an new shape Scania three axle tractor unit, high top cab, but somewhat higher than normal, two flashing amber beacons on the roof. Coupled to a max length three axle curtain sider which was in turn coupled to a twin axle dolly on which was mounted another max length three axle curtain sider. Almost like Outback Truckers!
Must have been running under some sort of special permit, and it wasn’t a showman’s outfit, but surely cannot be legal anywhere in Europe?
Unfortunately, I was in a bit of a hurry, otherwise I would have turned round and followed him to see if he stopped anywhere so I could get a photograph.
Any of the learned gentlemen on here have any thoughts?
Common in Scandinavia, but probably not allowed in Spain and certainly not in France, country it would have to go through to get to Spain! In France, only fun fair operators can use such outfits, provided they don’t exceed the tractable weight of the tractor.
Ste46:
Saw something very strange today! Travelling between Dolores and Elche, Alicante, it was an new shape Scania three axle tractor unit, high top cab, but somewhat higher than normal, two flashing amber beacons on the roof. Coupled to a max length three axle curtain sider which was in turn coupled to a twin axle dolly on which was mounted another max length three axle curtain sider. Almost like Outback Truckers!
Must have been running under some sort of special permit, and it wasn’t a showman’s outfit, but surely cannot be legal anywhere in Europe?
Unfortunately, I was in a bit of a hurry, otherwise I would have turned round and followed him to see if he stopped anywhere so I could get a photograph.
Any of the learned gentlemen on here have any thoughts?
Steve
Yes I’ve seen them in Spain, as you say, B-double max length. I think it was a Gefco outfit and obviously special due to the orange whirlygigs.
I have got a pic somewhere, snapshot taken from a dashcam video when I was overtaking, so not all that good.
If I find it I’ll post it, but don’t hold your breath, I store photos and videos by the journeys I was doing and, as I have done many trips down that way would not really know where to start looking.
B and A doubles are allowed in France but not that length, mainly 20 foot containers though I have seen van bodies with the 2nd trailer about 30 foot I think. Again, perhaps specials.
Buzzer:
Can you remember bin men like these back in the day ? plus going back a bit further with the second shot 555company 69th division army service core 14/18 war, Buzzer
never done the bins but have done a fair bit of this in the past !!! Tyneside
I was about to volunteer my services at this Museum as its not far from where I live but the Covid outbreak put the mockers on it. They have some interesting military, civilian and fire service vehicles but many need work doing to them. I’ll see how next year pans out. Franky.
oiltreader:
The slop collectors from way back, pig rearer with ordinary dropside lorry no covers, early mornings going round town swopping empty dustbins for full ones from hotels and restuarants. No H&S then and generally the population was a lot healthier than it is today.
Oily
That brings back memories of the slop wagon coming to my school every afternoon to collect all the left over food from the school dinners. As you say we seemed to be a lot healthier then in spite of the lack of health and safety (and the pigs were probably better fed as well). We got a new dog a few months ago (first one in a long time due to the wife’s aversion) and I asked at the local butcher for a bone - was told that they were no longer allowed to sell them due to government regulations. What have we come to when we can’t even let a dog have a bone!!
Hi tyneside cheers for the pics the Safari was the estate version of the DS, every time I see a DS photo shock horror awe comes to mind and the scariest ride I ever had. I collected a load of Citroens for Manchester from Slough which at that time was the main muster point for Citroen imports before going to UK dealers, the load included two DS which with their suspension control a real novelty at the time had to be raised to get them on the wagon, an up/down handle right of the driver’s seat, that was fine until I got to the traffic lights in the middle of Henley on Thames with my trusty (NOT) BMC FJ lights green for go and she sat there half shaft gone, well a traffic jam very quickly built up and a PC arrived to try and sort things out and tell me “it has never been this bad on Regatta Day” a local towed me to the outskirts and after a very long wait the wrecker arrived from Coventry, duly hitched to a rigid bar with the instruction " engine running and keep an eye on my brake lights" can’t remember what the wrecker was and doubt if it was that fast but it was a 75 mile roller coaster trip from where I was sat colouring the underwear, it was dark by the time we got to Coventry. I never saw the FJ again which I had from new, it went well in between breakdowns which were often.
Oily
I would sell Mrs GOM to the white slave trade in exchange for that little Austin 7 (I did have one in 1958 but it needed new tyres that I couldn’t afford so it had to go).
And yes we had a fruit and veg man (horse and cart), I remember it well, the horse used to defecate outside our house, and guess who got the job of shovelling it up.
BMC FJ lights green for go and she sat there half shaft gone, well a traffic jam very quickly built up and a PC arrived to try and sort things out and tell me “it has never been this bad on Regatta Day” a local towed me to the outskirts and after a very long wait the wrecker arrived from Coventry, duly hitched to a rigid bar with the instruction " engine running and keep an eye on my brake lights" can’t remember what the wrecker was and doubt if it was that fast but it was a 75 mile roller coaster trip from where I was sat colouring the underwear, it was dark by the time we got to Coventry. I never saw the FJ again which I had from new, it went well in between breakdowns which were often.
