PAUL GEE's PHOTO COLLECTION (Part 1)

[oiltreader]

bubbleman:

Piston broke:

oiltreader:
Three of Whitwills with thanks to Paul Townsend for sharing.
Oily

Great pics Oily, thanks

Second pic looks like Dando’s yard…

Hiya,I don’t know who Paul Townsend is but he didn’t take the first two shots of Whitwills KWs…I did!! ,heres a couple more of LOU 555Y and yes Piston Broke the shot of DHW 665W was parked in Dandos at Sodbury…again another shot of it from the same day.Bubbs.

Hello bubbleman, Paul Townsend is a historian of all things Bristolian and does not claim ownership of the photos but does share them within the Creative Commons Licence terms and I marked them accordingly, as you will see from this link they are free of any copyright mark. flickr.com/photos/brizzlebo … whitwills/
You may want to make contact with him here flickr.com/people/brizzlebornandbred/
I will remove the two photos in question.
Oily

[ramone]

gingerfold:
I recommend anyone with an hour to spare to look at the post on “Professional Drivers” forum with the link to the 1979 Winter M62 GMP video. It’s a perfect comparison to these photos and has plenty for us more mature posters to discuss.

Someone posted this a few months back and i watched it on my laptop ,having plenty of time on my hands being out of work ive just watched it again this time on tv and the difference in policing is unbelievable. They were very hands on and used common sense rather than todays modern policing of close the motorway at every opportunity. The police man who said i dont think we need the maitrix signs on when its snowing drivers should know what speeds to travel at should have been promoted to head of police . Theres some great footage of the old motors that were so popular at the time , my dad got stuck in the mayhem on windy hill that night and was almost at the top when they turned him around , he wanted to come off at Ripponden but they wouldnt allow it so he didnt get home until midnight . Great memories

[mark_r]

Another great selection of photos today, particularly the Ferrymasters Volvo F7. I wonder who ‘Jimmy’ is (or was) and where he might have been going that day. Every photo tells a story so they say.
The Fibreglass Seddon Atkinson is one of the nicest examples I’ve seen!.. Many thanks for sharing these wonderful photos.

[chris_webb]

ramone:

gingerfold:
I recommend anyone with an hour to spare to look at the post on “Professional Drivers” forum with the link to the 1979 Winter M62 GMP video. It’s a perfect comparison to these photos and has plenty for us more mature posters to discuss.

Someone posted this a few months back and i watched it on my laptop ,having plenty of time on my hands being out of work ive just watched it again this time on tv and the difference in policing is unbelievable. They were very hands on and used common sense rather than todays modern policing of close the motorway at every opportunity. The police man who said i dont think we need the maitrix signs on when its snowing drivers should know what speeds to travel at should have been promoted to head of police . Theres some great footage of the old motors that were so popular at the time , my dad got stuck in the mayhem on windy hill that night and was almost at the top when they turned him around , he wanted to come off at Ripponden but they wouldnt allow it so he didnt get home until midnight . Great memories

I was forced to park up just above Birch Services on that Friday night along with two more of our drivers and were eventually allowed to cross to the southbound next day and got back to Sheffield around 1500 on the Saturday afternoon,via M6/A50/A38 Derby and up M1.

[jakey]

Thank you DEANB , Yes also vehicle makes could of been chosen because of what contracts they were on ? We had lots of Leylands at Oxford depot as most of the main work was in and out of the local Bl factory at Cowley but on general we had a few Scania’s which did not go in to the factory in the early days .

[retired_old_fart]

logger:

Piston broke:

Retired Old ■■■■:
pistonbroke and Dean,
Maybe the firm I’m thinking about wasn’t Dando’s. I seem to recall that they were out in the sticks somewhere between Oldbury and Berkeley if that rings a bell with anyone?

Doesn’t ring any bells with me I’m afraid RoF… I’ve been quite a long time thunking and clunking but haven’t any answers really… The only place I can think of was a yard at Gaunts Earthcott that did an engine rebuild on a Rolls powered ERF in the early eighties, for the firm I worked for at the time… A bloody good job they made of it too - she was better than new when she came back. Always started first piston up and pulled like a train…
There was a firm that used to run some tidy lorries from the same yard but I’m buggered if I can remember the name now!! Merc’s I think…

Bloody useless, me

There were only a couple of yards at Gaunts Earthcott in the early 80’s Powell’s transport operated from there and also remember Bob Downton can’t remember what he traded as .
The only person I know of rebuilding Volvos in that area was Percy Snow at Easter Compton which wasn’t far from there , still trading as Snows Commercials

Good man, Logger!!! The top of my head’s been bleeding from all the scratching I’ve been doing!
Yes, indeed, now I remember Snow’s. I called there one day for a part for my 88- can’t think what it was- and I was taken with a newish F10 that had been written off in an accident. I was struck by the attention to detail and the brilliant finish of the paint. They had even found ally wheels and a nice shiny exhaust stack for it. On enquiring who they were doing it for, I was told that they had bought it from the insurers and it would shortly be for sale. It must be about 40 years ago but, apart from forgetting the firm’s name and where they were located it feels like yesterday. Thanks for jogging my old brain cell (just the one left, now!).

[tastrucker]

DEANB:
Anyone recognise the F88 ■■

9

Ferrymasters F7 Volvo

8

Anyone recognise the Transcon,which looks like hes not hanging around ! The emblem on the
trailer looks familiar ,possibly a middle east haulier ■■

7

We have had these Fodens on before but i cant remember the company. Cant see anything
securing the load ?

6

R.E.Shorrock Seddon Atkinson bulker.

5

M & S Motors DAF parked in Poole.

4

John Jones & Son Bedford TM

3

Fibreglass Insulations smart Seddon Atkinson. Nice wheel trims.

2

Memory Lane Cakes new Marathon.

1

Initials T.F. on door so i assume Tank Freight ■■

0

Hello DEAN ,some lovely stuff ,that blue Foden with S40 cab is Coalmoor refractories from Dawley Telford , they would be hauling firebricks to S Wales ,Port Talbot no doubt , that ERF 8 wheeler with Stephens Tredegar is ex Dennis Charles Direct transport Gobowen ,they were a familiar sight up in Shotton and a very tidy kept fleet ,thank you Trevor .

[gingerfold]

Chris Webb:

ramone:

gingerfold:
I recommend anyone with an hour to spare to look at the post on “Professional Drivers” forum with the link to the 1979 Winter M62 GMP video. It’s a perfect comparison to these photos and has plenty for us more mature posters to discuss.

Someone posted this a few months back and i watched it on my laptop ,having plenty of time on my hands being out of work ive just watched it again this time on tv and the difference in policing is unbelievable. They were very hands on and used common sense rather than todays modern policing of close the motorway at every opportunity. The police man who said i dont think we need the maitrix signs on when its snowing drivers should know what speeds to travel at should have been promoted to head of police . Theres some great footage of the old motors that were so popular at the time , my dad got stuck in the mayhem on windy hill that night and was almost at the top when they turned him around , he wanted to come off at Ripponden but they wouldnt allow it so he didnt get home until midnight . Great memories

I was forced to park up just above Birch Services on that Friday night along with two more of our drivers and were eventually allowed to cross to the southbound next day and got back to Sheffield around 1500 on the Saturday afternoon,via M6/A50/A38 Derby and up M1.

I was coming at it from the Yorkshire side but in a car, a Ford ■■■■■■ 1600 sport. I’d left Chesterfield mid-afternoon and decided not to go my usual route over the Peak District to Stockport, so came M1 and M62. Chesterfield was in chaos but I made it to the M1 and had an easy run up to the M62 when I found out the climb up to Ainley Top was at a standstill. I dived off the motorway and got through Huddersfield then it was decision time as to which road to take across the moors. I chose the A640 for some reason and because no one else was daft enough to attempt it I actually got across with only one stoppage when I had to do a bit of digging. Eventually I got home about 9.00 pm feeling very pleased with myself. That ■■■■■■ was a cracking car and even when the gritters went on strike during that bad winter weather of 1979 I always managed to get through to Chesterfield across the A623. One car I wish I still had.

[lance_biscomb]

R E Shorrock sed atk from Pilling use to run a F89 on bulk tippers

[deanb]

gingerfold:
I recommend anyone with an hour to spare to look at the post on “Professional Drivers” forum with the link to the 1979 Winter M62 GMP video. It’s a perfect comparison to these photos and has plenty for us more mature posters to discuss.

Good stuff “gingerfold” thanks for letting us know about that !

bubbleman:
Hiya,I don’t know who Paul Townsend is but he didn’t take the first two shots of Whitwills KWs…I did!! ,heres a couple more of LOU 555Y and yes Piston Broke the shot of DHW 665W was parked in Dandos at Sodbury…again another shot of it from the same day.Bubbs.

Thanks for the pics Bubbs,nice one !

Chris Webb:
We have had these Fodens on before but i cant remember the company.
Cant see anything securing the load ?
I believe the Foden artic is one of Coalmoor Refractories from Wellington,Salop area. They used to run a Foden “twin - load” outfit as well.No photo unfortunately.

Thanks Chris that’s the company !

abtfinman:
Initials T.F. on door so i assume Tank Freight ■■.

The Buffalo was owned by Midland Oil Refineries. They had a plant in Ebbw Vale. I was transport Co-coordinator there from 1979 to 1982. Think the driver is Alan Prosser. Unfortunately no longer with us.
[/quote]
Thanks for the name chap, thats a posh title “Transport Coordinator”

logger:

Piston broke:

Doesn’t ring any bells with me I’m afraid RoF… I’ve been quite a long time thunking and clunking but haven’t any answers really… The only place I can think of was a yard at Gaunts Earthcott that did an engine rebuild on a Rolls powered ERF in the early eighties, for the firm I worked for at the time.

There were only a couple of yards at Gaunts Earthcott in the early 80’s Powell’s transport operated from there and also remember Bob Downton can’t remember what he traded as .
The only person I know of rebuilding Volvos in that area was Percy Snow at Easter Compton which wasn’t far from there , still trading as Snows Commercials
[/quote]
Thanks for your comments “logger”

ramone:

gingerfold:
I recommend anyone with an hour to spare to look at the post on “Professional Drivers” forum with the link to the 1979 Winter M62 GMP video. It’s a perfect comparison to these photos and has plenty for us more mature posters to discuss.

Someone posted this a few months back and i watched it on my laptop ,having plenty of time on my hands being out of work i`ve just watched it again this time on tv and the difference in policing is unbelievable. Great memories

Thanks for your input “ramone”

Mark R:
Another great selection of photos today, particularly the Ferrymasters Volvo F7. I wonder who ‘Jimmy’ is (or was) and where he might have been going that day. Every photo tells a story so they say. The Fibreglass Seddon Atkinson is one of the nicest examples I’ve seen!.. Many thanks for sharing these wonderful photos.

Cheers “Mark R”. Paul will be pleased you are still enjoying the pics !

Chris Webb:

gingerfold:
I recommend anyone with an hour to spare to look at the post on “Professional Drivers” forum with the link to the 1979 Winter M62 GMP video.

I was forced to park up just above Birch Services on that Friday night along with two more of our drivers and were eventually allowed to cross to the southbound next day and got back to Sheffield around 1500 on the Saturday afternoon,via M6/A50/A38 Derby and up M1.

Thanks for your comments Chris !

JAKEY:
Thank you DEANB , Yes also vehicle makes could of been chosen because of what contracts they were on ? We had lots of Leylands at Oxford depot as most of the main work was in and out of the local Bl factory at Cowley but on general we had a few Scania’s which did not go in to the factory in the early days .

Makes sense “JAKEY”

Retired Old ■■■■:

logger:
The only person I know of rebuilding Volvos in that area was Percy Snow at Easter Compton which wasn’t far from there , still trading as Snows Commercials

Good man, Logger!!! The top of my head’s been bleeding from all the scratching I’ve been doing!
Yes, indeed, now I remember Snow’s. I called there one day for a part for my 88- can’t think what it was- and I was taken with a newish F10 that had been written off in an accident. I was struck by the attention to detail and the brilliant finish of the paint. They had even found ally wheels and a nice shiny exhaust stack for it. On enquiring who they were doing it for, I was told that they had bought it from the insurers and it would shortly be for sale. It must be about 40 years ago but, apart from forgetting the firm’s name and where they were located it feels like yesterday. Thanks for jogging my old brain cell (just the one left, now!).

Good stuff “ROF”

tastrucker:

DEANB:
Fibreglass Insulations smart Seddon Atkinson. Nice wheel trims.]

Hello DEAN ,some lovely stuff ,that blue Foden with S40 cab is Coalmoor refractories from Dawley Telford , they would be hauling firebricks to S Wales ,Port Talbot no doubt , that ERF 8 wheeler with Stephens Tredegar is ex Dennis Charles Direct transport Gobowen ,they were a familiar sight up in Shotton and a very tidy kept fleet ,thank you Trevor .

Thanks for the information Trevor !

gingerfold:

Chris Webb:
I recommend anyone with an hour to spare to look at the post on “Professional Drivers” forum with the link to the 1979 Winter M62 GMP video.

I was forced to park up just above Birch Services on that Friday night along with two more of our drivers and were eventually allowed to cross to the southbound next day and got back to Sheffield around 1500 on the Saturday afternoon,via M6/A50/A38 Derby and up M1.

I was coming at it from the Yorkshire side but in a car, a Ford ■■■■■■ 1600 sport. I’d left Chesterfield mid-afternoon and decided not to go my usual route over the Peak District to Stockport, so came M1 and M62. Chesterfield was in chaos but I made it to the M1 and had an easy run up to the M62 when I found out the climb up to Ainley Top was at a standstill. I dived off the motorway and got through Huddersfield then it was decision time as to which road to take across the moors. I chose the A640 for some reason and because no one else was daft enough to attempt it I actually got across with only one stoppage when I had to do a bit of digging. Eventually I got home about 9.00 pm feeling very pleased with myself. That ■■■■■■ was a cracking car and even when the gritters went on strike during that bad winter weather of 1979 I always managed to get through to Chesterfield across the A623. One car I wish I still had.
[/quote]
Good story Graham !

[deanb]

Norway article.

Click on pages twice to read.

[deanb]

Some oldies.

Dodgy ones.

Royal Mail DAF

Virdor Mercedes skip truck.

Glendinning Foden bulker.

Unigate Foden milk tanker. Dont know but would that be a steering rear axle as they have to
get in some tight places.

Anyone recognise the Renault live stock draw-bar ■■?

[deanb]

One for Robert !

Cant knock the mighty Bedford.

Click on page twice.

[deanb]

Should have some yankee stuff in the next couple of weeks ! Mark had a holiday back in the
1970’s in America. I do like the yankee motors from the 1970’s, so should be intresting.

Heres a couple of Mack’s.

[deanb]

E.C.Transport’s Volvo F89 at Poole docks.

EEC Quarries Volvo F10

BFI Fiat bulker.

Tibbett & Britten DAF

Leyland on its way back to base at Poole docks.

John Weaver’s Foden from Poole.

Redline Volvo F12

Spanish Pegaso leaving Poole ferry terminal.

French Renault at Poole docks.

Spanish Pegaso arriving at Poole ferry terminal.

[gazsa401]

BFI Fiat bulker.

8
Bowden Freight International they used do a lot of work out of British Gypsum in East Leake and Gotham
They also did trunking for Boots the Chemist out of their massive Beeston site

[5thwheel]

gazsa401:
BFI Fiat bulker.

8
Bowden Freight International they used do a lot of work out of British Gypsum in East Leake and Gotham
They also did trunking for Boots the Chemist out of their massive Beeston site

By all accounts they also took the banks to the cleaners,went belly up to some tune!!

David

[mark_r]

Although BFI had a large fleet back then, I don’t remember seeing them with tipper trailer before. Nor do I remember them having anything other than Fiats either. Great photo though.

[erf-ngc-european]

Mark R:
Although BFI had a large fleet back then, I don’t remember seeing them with tipper trailer before. Nor do I remember them having anything other than Fiats either. Great photo though.

You’re right, it is a good pic and it reminds me that their wrecker was an ERF NGC ‘European’ (see pic below)! Does anyone know where it originated or whether it started life as a unit or a rigid (drawbar)? Robert

[mark_r]

Ha, that was a coincidence Robert.