Next installment, another accident! Makes you wonder how Dad and son lasted 25 yrs!!
This involves the Bedford J type XGR 768 in Hargreaves livery, driven by Bill Wheeler and a wagon carrying steel owned (i think) by a company called Fraser’s (Frazer’s) from South Tyneside (maybe Hebburn?) It would be about 1964 ish?
Lot’s of question marks from me on this subject cos’ Ron does’nt remember this at all!! If anyone can suggest how i can confirm the accident i would appreciate it.I’m sure it was reported in the Sunderland Echo but i’m having trouble accessing the archives?
Anyway, before the “new” A19 was built, the main drag(old A19) went through New Seaham (North from Ryhope to,Lodge Garage,Mill Inn bank,top of Deneside(Esso Garage), Times Inn Bank then either left to Easington (through Cold Heselden) or right to Murton (under the colliery waste buckets to pit heap) and on to Easington Lane/ Hetton le Hole.
I honestly don’t recall which vehicle was travelling which way? I THINK XGR was heading South out of Seaham and up the South side of the bank towards Easington. Fraser’s wagon heading North down the bank (towards Seaham) At some point the lengths of steel break free and(turning through 90 degrees) strike the bonnet and windscreen of XGR, but more worryingly, the other end of the load strikes a pedestrian on the footpath. This may have been a fatality? 
I’m certain this happened but need to verify it somehow? 
Hi paulycats, Can you remember this firm, Regards Larry.
Lawrence Dunbar:
0Hi paulycats, Can you remember this firm, Regards Larry.
Hi Larry. At the very moment RCN 391 was on the weighbridge at West Cornforth, on the 26th Feb 74, i was in Bordon, Hampshire, serving with the R.E.M.E. as a mechanic. However as a coincidence about a year later i did do a repair on the cooling system of dad’s AEC Marshall 6 wheeler (PPT 17M) while on leave, in that very same quarry. I think i replaced the rad. fan and maybe thermostat?. Our Ron would/should know more about W.Barker & Co than i do. I’ll ask him. 
Regards Ian.
p.s Unbelievable you still have copies of weigh tickets from that far back!!
paulycats:
Lawrence Dunbar:
0Hi paulycats, Can you remember this firm, Regards Larry.
Hi Larry. At the very moment RCN 391 was on the weighbridge at West Cornforth, on the 26th Feb 74, i was in Bordon, Hampshire, serving with the R.E.M.E. as a mechanic. However as a coincidence about a year later i did do a repair on the cooling system of dad’s AEC Marshall 6 wheeler (PPT 17M) while on leave, in that very same quarry. I think i replaced the rad. fan and maybe thermostat?. Our Ron would/should know more about W.Barker & Co than i do. I’ll ask him.
Regards Ian.
p.s Unbelievable you still have copies of weigh tickets from that far back!!
Well its a hobby of mine, This wagon RCN 391 Was an Ex Ryton Sand & Gravel Motor, In fact there is an old no plate still in Lowdons Garage at Seaton Burn, The driver at that time was Curtis Ford, Cawthorns the Albion Dealers sold it to Lowdons, Regards Larry.
Hi paulycats, as an ex owner driver I have been there and got more than one T shirt! or should that be dirty boilersuits.
Cheers, Leyland 600
Leyland600:
Hi paulycats, as an ex owner driver I have been there and got more than one T shirt! or should that be dirty boilersuits.
Cheers, Leyland 600
You forgot the wellies mate!..well the lads leading out of the quarries had wellies!! Many a slipped clutch pedal and brake
Well i think this is the last accident to report for J.Paul and son of Seaham!
This relates to dad’s first J type KGR 491. After approx. 6 yrs of good service this wagon was showing sign’s of wear and tear and maybe it was time to “move her to a good home”. So dad decided to replace the front (slightly rusted) wings and fit a new engine (not sure if this was new or recon?) Also fitted body boards and had her painted.(so this would be early “65”)
Ron thinks this was her first outing since refurbishment and it would be a Saturday morning, leading out of Warden Law.
The weather was quite murky and for those who know the Warden Law area, it’s very prone to foggy conditions, even during the summer months!
Dad was heading West out of Seaham to the crossroads at Warden Law (around 7am ish). To access the quarry you had to turn right at the crossroads and up the hill (North) and the quarry was on your left at the summit of the hill (the karting circuit is there now)
At the same time wagon’s were leading limestone from Houghton quarry down to Seaham docks (West to East at the junction)
Dad maintained that as he slowed to turn up right to the quarry,the vehicle coming towards him flashed his light’s, as if to give him the o.k. to make his turn and continue on across (the path of the oncoming vehicle) and up to the quarry. Dad was a bit concerned when , half way across the road, the oncoming vehicle ( a fully loaded tipper) did not slow and caught him “amidships” at a rate of knots and turned him over (on his offside) and pushed him into the farmer’s field at speed!
Thankfully dad was ok. The other driver said he flashed his lights to let dad know he was there!I don’t think it was a Lythgoe motor!!?
Usually on a Saturday morning i would have been in the passenger seat, but must have missed the alarm call 
Lawrence Dunbar:
paulycats:
Lawrence Dunbar:
0Hi paulycats, Can you remember this firm, Regards Larry.
Hi Larry. At the very moment RCN 391 was on the weighbridge at West Cornforth, on the 26th Feb 74, i was in Bordon, Hampshire, serving with the R.E.M.E. as a mechanic. However as a coincidence about a year later i did do a repair on the cooling system of dad’s AEC Marshall 6 wheeler (PPT 17M) while on leave, in that very same quarry. I think i replaced the rad. fan and maybe thermostat?. Our Ron would/should know more about W.Barker & Co than i do. I’ll ask him.
Regards Ian.
p.s Unbelievable you still have copies of weigh tickets from that far back!!
Well its a hobby of mine, This wagon RCN 391 Was an Ex Ryton Sand & Gravel Motor, In fact there is an old no plate still in Lowdons Garage at Seaton Burn, The driver at that time was Curtis Ford, Cawthorns the Albion Dealers sold it to Lowdons, Regards Larry.
Dad bought his first Leyland (“she’s a Lady”) Super Comet from Cawthorn’s in “68”…i got a Leyland pin badge for free!!!
paulycats:
Lawrence Dunbar:
paulycats:
Lawrence Dunbar:
0Hi paulycats, Can you remember this firm, Regards Larry.
Hi Larry. At the very moment RCN 391 was on the weighbridge at West Cornforth, on the 26th Feb 74, i was in Bordon, Hampshire, serving with the R.E.M.E. as a mechanic. However as a coincidence about a year later i did do a repair on the cooling system of dad’s AEC Marshall 6 wheeler (PPT 17M) while on leave, in that very same quarry. I think i replaced the rad. fan and maybe thermostat?. Our Ron would/should know more about W.Barker & Co than i do. I’ll ask him.
Regards Ian.
p.s Unbelievable you still have copies of weigh tickets from that far back!!
Well its a hobby of mine, This wagon RCN 391 Was an Ex Ryton Sand & Gravel Motor, In fact there is an old no plate still in Lowdons Garage at Seaton Burn, The driver at that time was Curtis Ford, Cawthorns the Albion Dealers sold it to Lowdons, Regards Larry.
Dad bought his first Leyland (“she’s a Lady”) Super Comet from Cawthorn’s in “68”…i got a Leyland pin badge for free!!!
Hiya,
Once got a new ERF, and on the bonnet was a lapel badge for the said motor, I
flicked it into the passenger footwell in amongst the ropes did notice the yard
lad wearing a brand new ERF jacket bit nice it looked too and being as this was
the first and only ERF i guess it must have been a gift with my new motor and
the yard lad who didn’t even drive on the road must have thought he was more
worthy of the jacket than me,
thanks harry, long retired
paulycats:
Lawrence Dunbar:
paulycats:
Lawrence Dunbar:
Hi paulycats, Can you remember this firm, Regards Larry.
Hi Larry. At the very moment RCN 391 was on the weighbridge at West Cornforth, on the 26th Feb 74, i was in Bordon, Hampshire, serving with the R.E.M.E. as a mechanic. However as a coincidence about a year later i did do a repair on the cooling system of dad’s AEC Marshall 6 wheeler (PPT 17M) while on leave, in that very same quarry. I think i replaced the rad. fan and maybe thermostat?. Our Ron would/should know more about W.Barker & Co than i do. I’ll ask him.
Regards Ian.
p.s Unbelievable you still have copies of weigh tickets from that far back!!
Well its a hobby of mine, This wagon RCN 391 Was an Ex Ryton Sand & Gravel Motor, In fact there is an old no plate still in Lowdons Garage at Seaton Burn, The driver at that time was Curtis Ford, Cawthorns the Albion Dealers sold it to Lowdons, Regards Larry.
Dad bought his first Leyland (“she’s a Lady”) Super Comet from Cawthorn’s in “68”…i got a Leyland pin badge for free!!!
It was one Christmas in the early sixties I would be about 8 or 9 years old and I went with my Dad down to FW Cawthornes on the TVTE. A new Albion Chassis cab had just been delivered and Dad was taking the cheque down for it. Old Ted Cawthorne was sitting in the office in a fog of cigarette smoke. My Dad handed the cheque over and after a few minutes chat Ted said that as we had bought 3 or 4 chassis in the last eighteen months he had better give us a Christmas box. He went into one of his desk draws, pulled out a brand new Matchbox Triumph Herald and gave it to me. He then swiped a big pile of papers off the desk top picked up the Michelin ash tray in the photo,tipped a couple of butts into the bin and gave it to Dad. That was his Christmas box !!! As you can see I have cherished it all these years.
A Matchbox Triumph Herald AND a Michelin Man ashtray for 4 chassis cabs?..Canny business that tho’ 
A great piece of nostalgia that like. We were so easily pleased in those days
The ashtray must be worth a few bob to a collector and i hope Tom gave you the box for the Triumph? Without the box they’re worth nowt apparently 
Regards Ian
keith8357:
that was one of mine kenny
Like the photo Keith added it to my collection
paulycats:
A Matchbox Triumph Herald AND a Michelin Man ashtray for 4 chassis cabs?..Canny business that tho’
A great piece of nostalgia that like. We were so easily pleased in those days
The ashtray must be worth a few bob to a collector and i hope Tom gave you the box for the Triumph? Without the box they’re worth nowt apparently
Regards Ian
Didn’t know about the Triumph Tyneside but remember your dad telling the tail about the ash tray also remember that office on the Valley!
transporter man:
paulycats:
A Matchbox Triumph Herald AND a Michelin Man ashtray for 4 chassis cabs?..Canny business that tho’
A great piece of nostalgia that like. We were so easily pleased in those days
The ashtray must be worth a few bob to a collector and i hope Tom gave you the box for the Triumph? Without the box they’re worth nowt apparently
Regards Ian
Didn’t know about the Triumph Tyneside but remember your dad telling the tail about the ash tray also remember that office on the Valley!
Hi Ken how you doing ?
The Triumph is a mere memory now but as you can see I still have the ashtray, still have my first mobile phone from 1988 Now that is an item of curiosty !!! Even had hands free !!!
tyneside:
transporter man:
paulycats:
A Matchbox Triumph Herald AND a Michelin Man ashtray for 4 chassis cabs?..Canny business that tho’
A great piece of nostalgia that like. We were so easily pleased in those days
The ashtray must be worth a few bob to a collector and i hope Tom gave you the box for the Triumph? Without the box they’re worth nowt apparently
Regards Ian
Didn’t know about the Triumph Tyneside but remember your dad telling the tail about the ash tray also remember that office on the Valley!
Hi Ken how you doing ?
The Triumph is a mere memory now but as you can see I still have the ashtray, still have my first mobile
phone from 1988 Now that is an item of curiosty !!! Even had hands free !!!
Doing ok Bob thanks, talking about 1st phones I still have the shoulder case mine came in it still has a few spanners & odds ends in used to have it in the car when I was doing loading trials.
Just going back to the Cawthorne days we got a Marathon demo he insisted in giving the driver a lesson on the twin splitter, this is a driver who had used one for a couple of years. He told him that he thought the engine was noisey the reply was they all sounded like that. After having it for 2/3 days he was coming down the A68 something went wrong on the front of the crank cannot remember if it broke or the pulley had fallen off. I rang them up & told them we had left it in a lay-by with the keys up the exhaust because the driver had a chance of a ride home, they weren’t happy that we had left it my reply been nobody going to pinch it. It was recovered back to Edinbugh & then we got a bill off the dealer for trailer storage, but that’s another story.
Hi
[/i]That Marathon we had was a TL12 with the Fuller and it developed a rumble on the bottom end. The crankshaft damper was replaced and it seemed to cure it.
Put a few photos on of my 1988 vintage mobile ( cost £1200.00 brand new in September that year) against a current Samsung I have now. It could be used as a standalone with its own battery or it split in half and could be mounted onto a bracket which was wired in to the electrics on the wagon.
Tyneside
Hi Tyneside, We had a similar system fitted into our SedAki Unit,In 1986 Cost £1200.00. on a lease buy back deal. It could only be used in the wagon, But it soon paid for itself for getting return loads, As you know public phone boxes were getting vandalized all the time, We gave the mobile number to our return load clients & they could ring us at any time plus saving usa a lot of money, The calls on Cellnet at that time was 50p PM, Regards Larry.
It would be when KGR 491 (J type) was written off at Warden Law crossroads that dad ordered the Bedford TK. I assumed that this was another Adams&Gibbon’s vehicle, but apparently not. A company in Thornaby (i thought is was Yarm) supplied the chassis cab and fitted the body. This was a Neville “U” body with the" underbody" Telehoist single ram and registration DPY 146C. It was painted in the Hargreaves livery of grey and gold lettering. Ron say’s they “cocked up” the positioning of the body, leaving quite a gap between the cab and body consequently giving an unwanted body overhang at the rear end! Did’nt stop her carrying 10 ton’s tho’ with the added “power steering” effect ! 
Another TK owner (working for Hargreaves) was a fella called Don Watson from Witton le Wear. He must have had to leave his bed early to make Warden Law for 6.30 am
Came across this whilst mooching on web! Stockton on Tees
