Heritage Commercials - January 2020

44.2 MB·English

SEASON’S GREETINGS * SEASON’S GREETINGS * SEASON’S GREETINGS * SEASON’S GREETINGS
RUBBISH
THE DUSTCART
JANUARY 2020 £4.60
RACING CERTAINTY
1984
Leyland
Roadtrain
250
Firemaster Going Upmarket Turning The Wheels
n NEWARK SHOW n THE NEC CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW n LETTERS n FREE ADVERTS
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▲ Militant gritter.
Im ust start this month, with the very some funny insurance claims to bring other driver had been alert."
sad news that we recently lost a a smile to your face during the dark "I had been driving for 40 years when
regular contributor to the magazine; winter evenings. Roll on springtime. I fell asleep at the wheel and had an
Alan Barnes. I only knew Alan via “I was on my way to see an accident."
emails and by reading his excellent unconscious patient who had As this magazine is out before the
features, but a couple of associates who convulsions and was blocked by a festivities, may I wish all contributors,
did know Alan are putting together a tanker.” advertisers, readers and all those
tribute which will go in next month’s "I collided with a stationary truck involved in putting this excellent
Heritage Commercials. We have Alan’s coming the other way." magazine together a very merry
final feature in this month about the "A truck backed through my Christmas and a happy and healthy
ubiquitous dustcart. windshield into my wife's face." New Year.
Now we are in winter and as the "I started to slow down but the traffic Enjoy the rest of the mag
picture above would suggest, this is was more stationary than I thought."
the time of year to drive with extreme "The accident happened because I had
caution, but if the worst does happen one eye on the lorry in front, one eye on
and you end up having to make a claim the pedestrian and the other on the car Charlie Waters
please read your letter carefully before behind."
presenting your case as obviously the "No one was to blame for the accident CHARLIE WATERS,
people involved below didn’t. Here are but it would never have happened if the Editor
January 2020 3
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06 Racing Certainty 30 Rubbish-the Dustcart
for that sole purpose. Dean Reader found an
It may have started life in the glitzy motor sport The UK generates millions of tons of rubbish honest working classic.
world as part of the Tom Walkinshaw Racing each year and the disposal of the country’s
54 End of Season Newark
set-up, but as soon as Stuart ‘Diesel’ Dickson waste has led to the increasing use of
clapped eyes on the 1984 Leyland Roadtrain, technology in an eff ort to deal with the growing The season fi nished with a fl ourish, despite
then he knew it was destined to be painted in the problems as the late Alan Barnes discovered. heavy rain causing havoc in this part of the
stunning traditional livery of DC McWalter. Bob county. However, the Newark Vintage Tractor &
38 Leyland Roadtrain
Tuck travels to Fife to hear the story. Heritage Show came through on 9-10 November
This month’s centrespread is of Stuart ‘Diesel’ with a successful weekend says Peter Love.
14 Ignition
Dickson’s beautifully turned out 1984 Leyland
56 NEC Classic Motor Show
News and events from around the classic Roadtrain. Photo Bob Tuck
commercial world. There was a stunning array of machinery to
40 The Firemaster
admire at clearly Europe’s biggest and best
16 Turning the Wheels
The Firemaster was a special development in classic motoring show event held over 8-10
In exploring past alternatives to conventional fi re appliance design when it was launched November 2019 at the NEC Birmingham as more
diff axle drive – and electric-drive developments in 1959. Mike and Julie Blenkinsop, look at than 70,000 visitors witnessed, says Peter Love.
since Britain produced the world’s fi rst practical the concept and follow the path of this small
60 Lorries in the North
electric car – Ed Burrows spotlights the historical selection of vehicles and highlight interesting
importance of the 1930 Scammell Hundred times for the future of Manchester Fire Brigade’s Mike Forbes previews the latest issue in the
Tonner. Rochdale Museum. Vintage Roadscene Archive series, a look back at
the vehicles working on the roads in the North
24 Bathgate’s Finest 46 Upmarket
of England during the 1960s, plus a selection of
The operation of Russell of Bathgate was a Robert Campbell from the Vale of Leven is a more recent shots from the 1980s-90s recalling
well-known sight on our roads for many years. keen collector of old commercials. Bob Weir liveries of the past in colour.
However, in 1985, its Transport Development went to Dumbarton to see his latest acquisition,
64 Letters
Group owners decided to close it down and all an upmarket 1979 Bedford TM.
its vehicles were then repainted and distributed Here’s your chance to tell us a story, ask a
51 Orange Appeal
around other TDG concerns. One of Russell’s question or put things right.
employees was Alan McInally. And keeping the You really cannot beat a tired and worn old
66 HC Marketplace
memory alive of this well-known concern has workhorse. It shows that throughout life there
become something of a personal crusade. Bob has been-and still will be jobs to be done and The place to buy or sell anything related to
Tuck hears his Russell story. that often requires a classic commercial built classic commercials.
4 Heritagecommercials.com
Issue: January 2020
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Transport heritage
RACING CERTAINTY
It may have started life in the glitzy motor sport truck driver, then you’ll have to head for the
Swedish sounding settlement of Balmullo
world as part of the Tom Walkinshaw Racing set-up
– which is actually in northern Fife – and
but as soon as Stuart ‘Diesel’ Dickson clapped eyes trace the housing estate known as McWalter’s
Fields to understand how the Beatt / Dickson
on the 1984 Leyland Roadtrain, then he knew it was
combo got together.
destined to be painted in the stunning traditional
Paper Mate
livery of DC McWalter. Bob Tuck travels to Fife to
Birth place for Diesel was to be in Tayport
which is just across the Firth of Tay from
hear his story and of course get a ride and drive
Dundee. Although his parents Ella and Eck
of his tremendous slice of transport heritage. (Helen and Alexander) later sent him to the
‘Big’ school at St Andrews, Diesel recalls
he’d rather sit alongside his dad than sit in
You’ll like this – it’s a good one. We item on the preservation scene and we a classroom: “Dad drove for David Charles
thought we’d heard it all but hand on imagine, that Roadtrain devotees across the McWalter for 35 years,” he says, “and started
heart, we reckon you’ll never guess land regularly surf the net hoping they might on a small Leyland Cub. Th ey were never the
where A639 OUD spent a chunk of its encounter such an off ering for sale. But don’t biggest of fi rms – they probably ran about
life – and how the heck it was discovered. Yes, give up, because the huge grin on Diesel eight lorries at their peak on general haulage
we’ve heard all manner of ‘barn fi nd’ stories or Dickson’s face will tell you that like him, you – but as a youngster, their wagons and road
even tales of wrecks dragged out of hedges to might win the lottery and discover your own transport was all I ever thought about.”
be rebuilt into time warp stunners. We’ve even dream of a machine. Riding shotgun was normal for many who
told you about a special version of Atkinson cab In fairness, Diesel – the nickname has been had a parent as a wagon driver but Diesel had
being shipped across the world from Australia part of his life since he was a teenager – would to take his turn as he had four brothers who
just so it can re-create a piece of Yorkshire never have thought of searching the Swedish all wanted to ride in the cab: “Dad normally
transport folk-lore, but we reckon the story to equivalent of e-bay for such a UK registered just drove a four wheeler as he never really
this Roadtrain just takes the biscuit. machine. Th e accolade for taking such an liked the artics as they’d bend in the middle.
In the ‘80s, the top of the range Leyland avenue goes to David Beatt who earns a crust A normal day run was taking waste paper –
T45 model could be seen here, there and by operating a specialist drilling concern in collected from around Fife – up to the paper
everywhere as this 4x2 32/38 tonner was a Sweden.
favoured workhorse for many. However, 40 But to understand why such a business man
years on, they are something of a collector’s is linked to a Scottish based long-distance
▼ Just prior to our visit, Diesel had just taken delivery of this period
tandem axle Scammell semi-trailer which shows off the roping and
sheeting talents of good mate Alan Forbes.
6 Heritagecommercials.com
Words: Bob Tuck. 1984 LEYLAND ROADTRAIN
Photos: Bob Tuck unless stated
▲ Sharing this moment is possibly the next
generation of the Dixon dynasty of truck drivers
– grand children Jayden and Caleb Walker – who
of course share the same style of DC McWalter
Team T45 shirts. Photo: Diesel Dickson collection.
millatMuggieMossinAberdeenandthen
getting a 10-ton back load of pulp from
Montrose back down to Guard Bridge Paper.
I loved that routine and I remember how
he always preferred to run the quieter coast ▲ The ‘Wee Eck’ plate on the grille of this Clydesdale denotes that Diesel’s dad drove this
road.” particular Leyland four wheeler. Eck drove at DC McWalter for 35 years.
Diesel recalls his dad used to cycle the six Photo: Diesel Dickson collection.
miles to work as the DC McWalter base was
in nearby Balmullo: “It was mainly day work ◄ Tom Walkinshaw
but one long distance run he did was taking at the front and
some processed timber to Campbeltown on Diesel’s Roadtrain
the Mull of Kintyre. Back then it was a three – at the back left –
day run and he’d have two nights out in digs.” share this stunning
shot with the rest
of the TWR team. Ex
Leyland marketing
man Tony Pain
reckons this was
taken about ’87 or
’88 when TWR were
classed as WRC
champions. TWR
were to also go on
and win their fi rst
Le Mans 24 Hours
in‘88 Photo:Diesel
▲ Transported about 800 miles from northern Sweden, the Roadtrain is seen in David Beatt’s
workshop where it was fi rst worked on by Diesel, David and Stephen Gardner. Hardest job was
to remove the windscreen in one piece to fi x the cab roof corrosion. Photo: Diesel Dickson collection.
January 2020 7 Ê
Transport heritage
▲SeenonthebackofDavid’sScaniaeightwheeler,theRoadtrainis
ready for its trip back to the UK. Its original cab top defl ector / air kit is ▲ 25th April 2016 sees the Roadtrain arrive at the premises of
seen behind the cab but Diesel was to fi nd a new home for this. Ladybank Commercial Refurb in Fife prior to its transformation into a
Photo: Diesel Dickson collection. stunning head turner. Photo: Diesel Dickson collection.
Diesel’sloveofallthiswagonactionprompted theonedaughterJeanetteandtowardstheend,it fromSwedentoattendmydad’sfuneral
hisdadtonicknamehim‘DieselDickie’sono wasAlanFinniewhowasrunningtheMcWalter andwegottalkingaboutdaysofoldandhis
surprisethatbecamehishandlewhenhelater businessforhim.Sowhenhesubsequently grandfather’stransportbusiness.Idon’tthink
gotontheCBairwaves–andthe‘Diesel’part died,Alantookthebusinesson.Butwhenthe herealised–untilthen–howpassionateIwas
ofthatnamehasstuckwithhimeversince.On Finniebusinessmovedaway,thesitewassold aboutthehistoryandthetimesofdaysgone
leavingschool,hewastooyoungtodrivewagons fordevelopmentalthoughthehousingestatewas by.ItoldhimI’dlovetofindasuitableperiod
sohejoinedthetravellingpipe-lineinstallation thennamedMcWalter’sFieldstodenoteitslink motorand–ifIeverdid–I’dlovetohaveit
sceneandatfirstwasfetchingandcarrying toabusinesswhichwasfoundedin1932.” paintedbackintohisgrandad’soldcoloursand
beforemovingontoplant–drivinganything TheMcWalternamenaturallydisappeared obviouslythatthoughtmusthavestuckwith
andeverythingallovertheplace.Whenhewas fromtheroadtransportworldandthatcould him.Ididn’tknowthenbutfollowingthatchat,
35,hemovedbacktotheScottishtruckdriving havebeentheendofthestorywereitnotfor he’doftenspendtimeonthe‘netlookingtosee
worldandquicklygainedallsortsofexperience thecloseconnectionDieselkeptwithJeanette’s whatwasupforsaleanditwasoutoftheblue
fromheavyhaulagelowloadersto44tonnebulk sonDavidBeatt:“Davidisafewyearsyounger thatherangmeuponenightfromSweden
tippers:“I’vebeenwithWJ&JGreenofCorskie thanmebuthewasalwaysknockingaboutthe aboutfouryearsago.‘Howdoyoufancya
nearGarmouthforthelast13years,”hesays, yardandhebecameveryclosetoallthedrivers 1984LeylandRoadtrain,’heasked.‘I’vefound
“andit’sthebestjobI’veeverhad.” whoworkedforhisgrandfather.Fromschool, aright-handdriveoneoverherewhichisstill
DieselworksoutofGreen’sAlloadepotashe heeventuallygotintotheoff-shoredrillingwork registeredintheUK.Itseemstidyenoughand
stilllivesinTayportwherehewastohavethree andthenmarriedaSwedishlassandmoved theyarenotaskingalotofmoney.Doyou
children–hiselderdaughterCherylandthen overtherewherehetookonland-baseddrilling fancygoinghalvestogether,’heasked,‘shallwe
thetwinsDavidandGillian.However,overall work.Aswegrewup,westillkeptintouchandI takeiton.’”AndofcourseonceDieselcame
thosepassingyears,henaturallykeptagood eventuallysharedthethoughtsofadreamIhad downfromtheceilingindelight,theagreement
eyeontheDCMcWalteraction:“Dadlosthis withhim.” wasreachedandtheRoadtrainwasdestined
licenceduetohealthreasonswhenhewasonly Thatoccurredabout10yearsagowhen tochangehandsagain.Andofcourse,thenbe
61andhehadtopackin.MrMcWalteronlyhad Diesel’sfatherpassedaway.“Davidcameover repatriatedbacktotheUK.
▼ Diesel had pulled into the A9 services at Ballinluig and seeing this unaccompanied Stevens’ semi-trailer parked there, he couldn’t resist
reversing the Roadtrain close enough to capture this stunning combination. Photo: Diesel Dickson collection.
8 Heritagecommercials.com
1984 LEYLAND ROADTRAIN
Back then, Jaguar
was still part of British
Leyland
TomWalkinshaw
Although he died in 2010, Tom Walkinshaw
squeezed a lot into his 64 years of life. Born
near Penicuik – south of Edinburgh – he made
his name in the motor sport world initially
as a touring car racing driver. In 1976, he set
up Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) based at
Kidlington near Oxford and over the next 25
years, enjoyed a variety of success – all round
the world.
In 1984, he started a relationship with Jaguar
and in ’88 (and ’90) the TWR-Jaguar was to win
the prestigious 24 hours race at Le Mans. Like
everyone else in motor sport, TWR relied on
a variety of support vehicles to carry their cars
and equipment to tracks all across the UK and
Europe. And part of that team was to be A639 ▲ In 2018, Diesel was to buy this Laurence David ex Co-op delivery trailer from Stuart Walker at
OUD – one of the latest High-Datum Leyland Aberdeen and convert it into a home from home. Photo: Diesel Dickson collection.
Roadtrain based transporters.
Back then, Jaguar was still part of British
Leyland and we thought this Roadtrain may
have been part of a sponsor deal with TWR.
However, the ex Leyland marketing guys of
Tony Pain and Martin Hayes doubt this: “I don’t
think Leyland directly sponsored the TWR
team or gave them a truck,” says Tony, “and
Martin thinks the truck was part of a normal
commercial deal with TWR. It might have
come second-hand as I’ve found details of a
sister vehicle OFR 925X. Th is Roadtrain has a
1981 registration from Blackpool, Lancashire,
which suggests it may have been an ex
demonstration vehicle or similar when acquired
by TWR who were then running in Jaguar’s
racing green colours.” Tony suggests that
Diesel’s Roadtrain may also have been painted
▲ The addition of a personalised DC McWalter sheet on top of the van bodywork transforms the
outfi t. Photo: Diesel Dickson collection.
▲ Father and son – Diesel and Derv Dixon. ▲Diesel’ssonDavidisbehindthewheelashethreadshiswayroundtheprivateestate.
January 2020 9 Ê
Transport heritage
several times as the link with Silk Cut only
really started in 1987. Tony isn’t sure whether
the Roadtrain was used to reinforce the Jaguar
/ British Leyland heritage but he adds that this
seems to have been forgotten by 1988 when
TWR were also running a Scania 113.
It’s hoped that Diesel’s Roadtrain was used
on the 900 mile round trip to Le Mans in ’88
and ’90 when TWR won there. But even though
these outfi ts never did a huge mileage – or even
worked under full weight – the fi ckleness of
the fashionable motor sport scene meant that
glitzy transporters like the Roadtrain didn’t stay
around for too long as new ones, were soon
to take their place. However, what might have
been TWR’s cast off , soon became someone
else’s pride and joy. Not so much for the
Roadtrain tractor unit but mainly because of its
specially built transporter semi-trailer. And the
fact that the outfi t stayed together was the main
reason, the Roadtrain has survived to today.
Th e Leyland’s registration document shows
it changed hands about four times and the last
UK owner (in ’97) was David Edward Cook
from Sheriff Hutton near York. From there, it’s
believed to have travelled across the North Sea
and Diesel has learnt that it was bought by a
Swedish rally-cross team: “Th ey were mainly
aft er the trailer but the outfi t was sold as a job
lot,” he says. “But apparently when they tried
to register the Leyland in Sweden there was
something slightly diff erent to its brakes and for
some reason, the authorities wouldn’t let it go
back on the Swedish roads.”
Th eir loss was of course to be Diesel and
David’s gain: “I think it was used as a shunter
in some sort of works,” he says, “but it was
obviously well looked aft er. It must have been
stored in the dry as well because there was very
little rust on it.”
Doing The Rounds
Sweden is quite a big country and Diesel says
that David had to transport the Roadtrain 800 ▲ It’s amazing how well the interior has stood up to the passage of 35 years as
miles (from way up north) to his premises in very little has yet been touched.
▼ The Roadtrain was very much aimed
for operators both in the UK and across in
mainland Europe, The European TIR version
was launched at the Brussels Show in January
’81 where the Roadtrain received the accolade
of ‘Truck of the Year 1981.’