Lonewolf Yorks:
Seems they’re on every other bridge these days. We had a couple in our yard a few Saturdays ago. What do they do with all the photos??
Hi Lonewolf Yorks, I’m one of those snappers, tho’ not an anorak in the true sense of the word, started driving big wheel stuff 1956, city buses then hgv, cut my driving teeth aged 11 on a Fordson N model tractor, diesel in the veins ever since now aged 81 and still keen(health permitting) tho’ left lorries a long time ago. I prefer to snap working lorries and if they are parked up and a chance to chat to the driver I will, not found one yet that was not interested in what like it was for us compared to what you guys have to put up with today. I’ve only a few photos from my time which I regret. Started snapping when I joined trucknet 2010. My collection is here flickr.com/photos/oiltreader/ and of course on the Old Time Lorries thread.
I would add that some of the drivers I talk to consider it “a job” ie employment where others,the majority are dyed in wool lorry men, well genned up on the tools of the job just as I remember it.
I wish all of you young uns safe driving and in retirement you will find that you might just have wished you had some sort of picture record to look back on and discuss with family and like minded people.
Cheers
Oily
Like Oily I have thousands of images of lorries I have taken over the years, I retired four years ago,after 46 years as a driver and O/D. (although I do occasionally help out an O/D with day work) I post a lot of my shots on Oily’s thread on the “Old Time Lorries” forum. If I can I ask the drivers if they mind my snapping their motors, most are only too pleased to concur. I also spend a lot of time cycling, so I can combine two interests. No time for a full time job, I’m far too busy . Regards Kevmac47.
robroy:
I always give these guys a wave, they’re harmless, and I have found a few pics on the net of different motors I have been on in the past.
As for being careful Chris in case they are coppers, that would make me more likely to give them a one or two finger wave not less, as I do second nature to those [zb] s in their ‘safety’ camera vans.
I do wave at kids when they wave. Remember a mother and child waving before as I got onto the M18. I never want kids of my own but it was sort of cute
Saw a right prick the other day though. “STOBART SPOTTER” in the back window of his teeny W plate car. Obviously the retirement money goes on lenses
Lonewolf Yorks:
Seems they’re on every other bridge these days. We had a couple in our yard a few Saturdays ago. What do they do with all the photos??
Hi Lonewolf Yorks, I’m one of those snappers, tho’ not an anorak in the true sense of the word, started driving big wheel stuff 1956, city buses then hgv, cut my driving teeth aged 11 on a Fordson N model tractor, diesel in the veins ever since now aged 81 and still keen(health permitting) tho’ left lorries a long time ago. I prefer to snap working lorries and if they are parked up and a chance to chat to the driver I will, not found one yet that was not interested in what like it was for us compared to what you guys have to put up with today. I’ve only a few photos from my time which I regret. Started snapping when I joined trucknet 2010. My collection is here flickr.com/photos/oiltreader/ and of course on the Old Time Lorries thread.
I would add that some of the drivers I talk to consider it “a job” ie employment where others,the majority are dyed in wool lorry men, well genned up on the tools of the job just as I remember it.
I wish all of you young uns safe driving and in retirement you will find that you might just have wished you had some sort of picture record to look back on and discuss with family and like minded people.
Cheers
Oily
What a nice post, you can chat to me anytime, where do you operate?
ako444:
There is always a guy on a motobility scooter sat on the overpass @ A1/A46 junction on a Friday afternoon. I always give him a wave if I’m passing. Don’t think he takes photos so much as watches the world pass by.
Yes I’ve seen him, always give him a toot and a wave.
I had three well built men all dressed in black run at full pelt from one side of the motorway bridge to the other a few months back. Thought I was going to get taken out by snipers !
Partial to taking the odd photo myself being a driver and also a truck fan. It’s not spotting!
eagerbeaver:
Some say it’s a bit sad. I hit a golf ball around a course, maybe that’s a bit sad.
Stamp collecting, train spotting, kicking a football through a rectangular frame, drinking alcohol,…
Very few of our pastimes, or hobbies make any logical sense, but if it makes a person happy then crack on.
My thoughts entirely, and at least some history of my truck will remain long after it has been scrapped, I owned so many cars back in the day which would now be considered “classics” and I haven’t got one single photo of any of them.
eagerbeaver:
Some say it’s a bit sad. I hit a golf ball around a course, maybe that’s a bit sad.
Stamp collecting, train spotting, kicking a football through a rectangular frame, drinking alcohol,…
Very few of our pastimes, or hobbies make any logical sense, but if it makes a person happy then crack on.
My thoughts entirely, and at least some history of my truck will remain long after it has been scrapped, I owned so many cars back in the day which would now be considered “classics” and I haven’t got one single photo of any of them.
I didn’t realise the importance of pictures of everyday things until my dads funeral, there were plenty of pictures spanning his life, really great to see especially from the 50’ and 60’s. Since then I’ve taken loads more pictures of almost anything and it’s so much easier now with digital photos and decent cameras on phones.
I understand exactly where you are coming from chaps.
For me though, (maybe because I am a knob), I tend to get a touch nostalgic and can often start focussing on the negative side of things when rooting through old pics.
But as for truck spotters, I can understand it entirely. I will probably be one in 25 years when I stop driving them!
Lonewolf Yorks:
Seems they’re on every other bridge these days. We had a couple in our yard a few Saturdays ago. What do they do with all the photos??
Hi Lonewolf Yorks, I’m one of those snappers, tho’ not an anorak in the true sense of the word, started driving big wheel stuff 1956, city buses then hgv, cut my driving teeth aged 11 on a Fordson N model tractor, diesel in the veins ever since now aged 81 and still keen(health permitting) tho’ left lorries a long time ago. I prefer to snap working lorries and if they are parked up and a chance to chat to the driver I will, not found one yet that was not interested in what like it was for us compared to what you guys have to put up with today. I’ve only a few photos from my time which I regret. Started snapping when I joined trucknet 2010. My collection is here flickr.com/photos/oiltreader/ and of course on the Old Time Lorries thread.
I would add that some of the drivers I talk to consider it “a job” ie employment where others,the majority are dyed in wool lorry men, well genned up on the tools of the job just as I remember it.
I wish all of you young uns safe driving and in retirement you will find that you might just have wished you had some sort of picture record to look back on and discuss with family and like minded people.
Cheers
Oily
Love your pics Oily - what I like is the variety; it’s not just artics. Presume you take some stills from a really good dash-cam.
Back in the 1950’s and before, train-spotting was a huge pastime; the older ones amongst you will remember the Ian Allen books which listed the classes, numbers and I think the home sheds of all British Railways’ steam locos. Nowadays most of the railway rolling stock are bland soulless tin boxes, so perhaps lorry-spotting is starting to take over.
My missus is a bus driver, and she says bus-spotters are a common sight on her job. It’s harmless, and if it gets young 'uns interested in getting into the industry, probably beneficial.
Thanks for all the kind comments
To Lonewolf Yorks, I live in the Highlands, (Ross-shire), retired here ‘96 having spent 37 years working and living south of the border, having a campervan I travel the length and breadth of the country, tho’ not so much now, hopefully heading south again this Spring.
To cargocargocargo, Yes, some of the pics are dashcam stills, which is a Blackvue DR400, had it about 4 years latest model here blackvuehd.co.uk/Blackvue_DR600GW_Wifi.php It is fixed top centre windscreen compact and unobtrusive and with mic (can be muted), GPS, micro sd card, when card is read on Blackvue software(included) shows date, time and mph/kph, can be speeded up or slowed to almost stop to catch the desired still. Happy to answer any other queries.
Cheers
Oily
if you want to have a look if anyone has posted a pic of your truck online,google your registration number,some spotters label their pics with the reg number
