ROF down South:
Many thanks for stirring the memory banks again, chaps. I was a devoted fan of the BMC- mine had 5-speed 'box & 2-speed Eaton axle- but it was the oddball in the fleet and had to go. It’s replacement, a Bedford S-type, was a decent lorry but I personally preferred the FFK.
The only trouble with the cab, in my opinion, was the low roof. I’m only 5’10", but I always seemed to be ducking under the header. Not sure how it would have been for a 6 footer?
John
robinswh:
another operator that used BMC motors0[attachment=0]6r6p3q.jpg[/attachment]
Nostalgic shot , they ran a number of BMCs on coal haulage out of the Leics coalfield , regards Keith .
Took these pics in Disneyworld Florida 2004. This beast was parked within the complex which was a tad confusing at the time but good looking outfit all the same.
robinswh:
another operator that used BMC motors0[attachment=0]6r6p3q.jpg[/attachment]
that photo takes me back 55 years to when I had my first lorry, a TS3 Commer for Fred Chappell. 6 loads a day, Roundwood pit Ossett to Tingley gas works.
Thanks to robert1952, robinswh and ISHIFT5 for the pics 
Austin FFK140 8 wheeler with Leyland 680 transplant from OZ.
Oily
STGOs.
Oily
Stanfield:
Taken today on at the Motormans on Standedge.The past into the present.
543210
Good pics John, is that Rally an all day job or just A.M.? Looking at the Albion mixer, I don’t think many(mixers) make it into preservation.
I had a mixer years ago on contract to Tarmac, after 5yrs it only had 50,000miles on it but it was very tired.
The main problem, (apart from the fact that it was an Iveco) was the build quality on the Telford manufactured mixing equipment,
on one occasion the brackets holding the water tank cracked. 
I had to strap the tank on with spansets to take it for repair.
Regards Kev.
Hi Kev.This is the 3rd one its been held on the 1st sunday of the new year.Starts about 9am with the lads meeting up at the motormans cafe on standedge for a breakfast or just a cuppa and a chat,then they have a short run and return to the cafe,breaks up I would imagine around 1pm,been to all 3 now but always left at 12ish after taking photos and having a chat.The turnout seems to get better each year.
Stanfield:
Hi Kev.This is the 3rd one its been held on the 1st sunday of the new year.Starts about 9am with the lads meeting up at the motormans cafe on standedge for a breakfast or just a cuppa and a chat,then they have a short run and return to the cafe,breaks up I would imagine around 1pm,been to all 3 now but always left at 12ish after taking photos and having a chat.The turnout seems to get better each year.0
Thanks John, I think I would like to attend in the future. Regards Kev. Ps I’ve got out of the habit of early rising since I retired
but I might try it.
The Power Plus Octopus was restored by Johnnie Murphy one of the rally organisers, an ex Bristol Omnibus Company fuel tanker in National Bus Co days.
Cheers Leyland 600
Hi, John, After a hard Christmas & new year manfully fighting my way through the sprog’s fridge & freezer- not to mention the drinks cupboard- I have been busy with housework since I returned. A man’s work is never done!
Not to pour cold water on your most evocative b&w shots (fantastic, as usual) I was wondering what colour the Octopus tanker is these days?
i see you managed to dodge border control again , did you creep through in the dark? . keep your elbows in , i’m coming to macs on wednesday , got to take the car into aml motors at lyme green . bloody thing’s smoking like a gardner , something bolloxed in he electronic wizardry . you might see me with a dog on a piece of string and a begging bowl when i get the bill on friday .cheers , dave
good photos john, long time since i’ve been over the old 62 is the floating light pub still going, bumper
rigsby:
i see you managed to dodge border control again , did you creep through in the dark? . keep your elbows in , i’m coming to macs on wednesday , got to take the car into aml motors at lyme green . bloody thing’s smoking like a gardner , something bolloxed in he electronic wizardry . you might see me with a dog on a piece of string and a begging bowl when i get the bill on friday .cheers , dave
I managed to disguise myself as a Maxonian by wearing a dirty old gabardine mac with a ferret poking out of a pocket, leading a whippet on a piece of string.
Thanks to Stanfield for the cracking pics
A couple from south of the border on the A9 at North Kessock.
Oily
Retired Old ■■■■:
Hi, John, After a hard Christmas & new year manfully fighting my way through the sprog’s fridge & freezer- not to mention the drinks cupboard- I have been busy with housework since I returned. A man’s work is never done!
Not to pour cold water on your most evocative b&w shots (fantastic, as usual) I was wondering what colour the Octopus tanker is these days?
Here in all its glory ROF. flickr.com/photos/stanny47/15575371293/
Oily
oiltreader:
Retired Old ■■■■:
Hi, John, After a hard Christmas & new year manfully fighting my way through the sprog’s fridge & freezer- not to mention the drinks cupboard- I have been busy with housework since I returned. A man’s work is never done!
Not to pour cold water on your most evocative b&w shots (fantastic, as usual) I was wondering what colour the Octopus tanker is these days?Here in all its glory ROF. flickr.com/photos/stanny47/15575371293/
Oily
Many thanks, Oily, I’ve got a photo of the beast in the Bristol livery. I was concerned that it was now in grey primer! However, closer inspection of Stanfield’s pic reveals that it still carries the old decals. My interest stems from my first job on leaving school with the Bristol Omnibus and Carriage Company- bit of a mouthful- learning to juggle spanners at their Gloucester depot.
