I wonder of anybody has any pictures and/or stories about these machines? I may be optimistic with that question given that they appeared in the 1930’s but they existed until the early 60’s.
The Mechanical Horse was created to answer the need for an urban delivery vehicle that was easier and cheaper to run than a horse and cart (and which didn’t leave as much mess on the streets!). Scammell, then an engineering company based in Watford, Herts, produced some prototypes, as did Karrier, who named theirs the Cob (after the horse!).
The Mechanical Horse had a 1.125 litre petrol engine and later a larger 2 litre petrol motor. They were capable of carrying three tons, and the larger model could haul six tons. Apparently, they did have a heater, but it could not be turned off so driving one in the summer must have been unbearable. The radiator was mounted right behind the driver.
The same concept has been carried on into the ‘tugs’ used in large yards and docks.
This is a British Rail example from the 50’s:
I also found a very interesting website about the Mechanical Horse, and another general one about Scammell Motors, which you might like to have a look at:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/malcolm.ruscoe/index.htm
http://www.scammellregister.co.uk/
Some mentions and Pictures on Big Lorry blog
roadtransport.com/cgi-bin/mt … blog_id=22
SCAMMELL SCARAB.
Thanks for that chorcheela, I found that post to be very interesting and I also enjoyed the links. As regards stories.
My first job when I left school at 15 was, working in a warehouse which is now where the Stakehill Industrial Estate is near Middleton. There were only five companies on Bentley Avenue and for miles, all you could see was green fields along the Rochdale Canal, the railway line and no M627.
Twice a week a British Railways maroon and cream Scammell Scarab with I.I.R.C. a 20 foot flat trailer, used to deliver crates and tea chests to the warehouse. I can remember on one occasion, the driver showing us how he could turn a full circle in a space of about 35 feet.
Three times a week, a British Road Services Scarab pulling a green box trailer loaded with parcels, would also make a delivery.
Yes, from what I can remember, the Scammell Scarab was a great little workhorse in the 1960’s, although I never drove one, but how did they change the front wheel ?, was it like a push bike. 
As regards Karrier, I do remember driving a Karrier Bantam drop side rigid, I think the back was about 15 foot long and I think it was a two tonner, and the indicators had a flashing light, not the old arms that stuck out of the door post.
I had just turned 18 years old and had just passed my driving test. As a R.A.F. M.T. driver I had to travel by train from Morton in Marsh to Nottingham, from there I think it was to an army camp that I had to collect a brand spanking new, R.A.F. blue Karrier Bantam.
I do remember a sergeant saying to me “ don’t go over 30 M.P.H. and don’t let the engine PINK , as it had yet to be RUN IN” In fact there was small sticker on the back which said “RUNNING IN PLEASE PASS”
So there I was, 18 years old driving a brand new 2 ton Karrier Bantam down the Fossway. Yes, that’s the day I really did feel like I was The King Of The Road. WOW. 
The program “Salvage Squad” on Channel 4 did a rebuild of one a couple of years ago. I believe they are doing re-runs on Sky at the moment, keep a look out for them. Failing that a Google search might turn something up.
My first driving job was with a Scarab, re-liveried from British rail to National carriers Ltd.
Petrol engined, although Post Office had them with diesels.
The mention of a heater doesn’t ring any bells, in fact it would have been useless with all the opeings in the floor for levers to come through.
No indicators (some later ones did), one single wiper.
Top speed appeared to be about 45mph, but not often speedo worked.
Told at british railways driving school,“if you are not sure when reversing, get out and walk at the side of it”.
Arnold Lavers put a brand new one on the road as late as 1966.
The scarab was replaced by the Townsman untill they were discontinued owing to brake legislation (no brake on front wheel).
NCL also ran Karrier bantams alongside the scamells.
My Memories of the Scarab was British rail had them and worked them around the Terminus Station yard Southampton, I was on BRS with a Mercury around 1970 and turned up with Mortons BRS 40ft single axle trailer , clearly I was`nt going to turn around and back in with a conventional tractor and a Scarab was hooked up , it looked a bit out of place with this long trailer but he turned this thing so he was almost facing down the side of the trailer backed it in loaded it with MT cable drums and brought back out to me ,
Frenchy
did you have a scamell coupling on your unit and trailer, or was the scarab fitted with a 5th wheel?
The British rail Scarabs I saw had Scammell couplings with a fifth wheel converter plate.
My first artic was a Seddon spitscreen in 1967 and we had scammell couplings on them and there was available a fifth wheel for shunting , with vacuum brakes on the tractor , trailer brakes were virtually non existant anyway regardless of what coupling was on them .
frenchy
This was somewhere here on another thread
Regards Pat
Didn’t Wills have a fleet of these running from the Tobacco Bonds into their factories in Bristol?
the original mechanical horse, scarab and its replacement townsman
homepage.ntlworld.com/malcolm.ru … 0horse.htm
Yes Sir Martin, you are quite correct. Wills used these between the tobacco bonds at Ashton and their Bedminster factories. Also, can you remember that St. Annes Board mills had several running from the Chapel St. railway sidings to the Board Mills. Someone else in Bristol had several as well, who it was escapes me for now (it’s my age). In 1956 I drove what was then the largest rigid van in Bristol, I was just 21 then, but I wanted to drive the BMC artic which was also the largest artic in Bristol. The boss said that I could not do that until I had got some practice - he suggested that I practice on the Scammell Scarabs belonging to the railway who used to collect from the factory every day. Initially I frightened myself to death with these, one tiny touch of the wheel and they would turn in their own length but I mastered it. The boss came down and watched me reversing into the loading bay and said that I was OK so I was driving that artic. at 22 years of age - but I still kept the Bedford rigid as my vehicle.
My old fella used to be a painter for the BRS in the 50s and used to hand paint them green.They had 5 coats of paint + one of varnish.Before the varnish was added he used to fix the transfers on the doors,[you older members will remember] the railway wheel with the lion on top.Any old members from the bolton area will know were it was,i used to go down and watch him saturday mornings,it was in mill st off folds rd.
Frenchy, I was trained on a 40’ single axle with the axle right on the back end, and i used to deliver dumpers or tractors on them, great fun in the towns.
Living in Baginton , nr Coventry, I knew most of Mortons drivers, don’t suppose you have any photos.
Dieseldog6
It was a BRS Mortons trailer I used for a few days , and what a pain it was too , I was clearing small empty cable drums from the Terminus Station Southampton to take to Pirrellies Eastliegh and it meant going through town , I couldnt even turn a corner without mounting a curbe and it got me in trouble with the law when I hit one and a couple of drums fell off at the feet of a Copper , cost me £10 fine . No photos sorry.
