What a load of old b*llocks, what makes you think that the drivers of today are thicker than the drivers of our day? The reason these lads can’t rope and sheet is because there’s not much call for it these days and they have enough to learn with all this legislation that’s lumped on them without wasting time on something they’ll probably never need. That’s why you never see any job adverts for tram drivers, zeppelin pilots and railway firemen.
night shift bri:
What a load of old b*llocks, what makes you think that the drivers of today are thicker than the drivers of our day? The reason these lads can’t rope and sheet is because there’s not much call for it these days and they have enough to learn with all this legislation that’s lumped on them without wasting time on something they’ll probably never need. That’s why you never see any job adverts for tram drivers, zeppelin pilots and railway firemen.
hiya,
Beamish Museum are always looking for tram drivers, sorry sorry.
thanks harry long retired.
night shift bri:
What a load of old b*llocks, what makes you think that the drivers of today are thicker than the drivers of our day? The reason these lads can’t rope and sheet is because there’s not much call for it these days and they have enough to learn with all this legislation that’s lumped on them without wasting time on something they’ll probably never need. That’s why you never see any job adverts for tram drivers, zeppelin pilots and railway firemen.
You’ve seized the wrong end of the stick “nsb” thats exactly what I meant,the invention of a “proper” Tautliner like the Boalloy revolutionised the industry,from running 150 flats we replaced a lot of them with Boalloys as well as adding a large number as well.In the absence of this inovation I was suggesting the industry may have still retained a different complexity i.e. still having to learn the “craft” of sheeting and roping !! Cheers Bewick.
However on second thoughts if the Tautliner hadn’t been invented the industry would probably have been spared the “infliction” upon it of “fast eddie” as they would never have achieved the standards of sheeting and roping required !!!
So what’s this bit mean then?
hi kev is this the motor that you drove when working for onward, photo is from Gorden mitchell collection bumper
No Jim, after my day cab "B"series I got D916WJX the first “E” series at Birtley Fleet No 324, I’m not sure but I think that was Paul Seymour’s motor. Ps. if I’m wrong I’ve no doubt Iain will correct me. 
regards Kev.
How about this classic Thornycroft, 1960. Still fires up & drives. Regards Larry, [Photo Courtesy fo Colin Hogg].
Great photo, the one I took shows the damaged front bumper when the roof caved in where it was being stored, Colin is going to put it right in due course, Regards Larry.
Oh dear
The driver of the second one was sacked but the one who dropped the trailer out side of Corkies on the Valley is still at Fergies. (he shares his surname with the workshop gaffer).
Lawrence Dunbar:
0Waiting to load at Hebburn.
That looks like the old Palmers shipyard Harry, (later Appledore shipyard) is that correct ? regards Kev.
Spot on Kev, we were in there quite often, sometimes at weekends on time work, one of the rare good earners, I remember Waughs having trailers at the Wallsend Yard, Regards Larry.
Aye, a remember Alan, the last time I saw him to speak to was at Brunton Show some years back I was there with my old MGB.GT. , a real canny lad , of course he will be retired now, If you see him give him my regards, I wonder if the old Scania is still about, I know when the Late Micky Grant sold it the fellow that got was a Scania enthusiest, so perhaps he has still got it. Regards Larry.
Alan Irvine and Clive Bell and 1 of Freeways took these loads fom Himex in Blyth to Dudley
on a Sunday morning.Note the Electricity men on the Pavement pushing the phone wires up.
night shift bri:
However on second thoughts if the Tautliner hadn’t been invented the industry would probably have been spared the “infliction” upon it of “fast eddie” as they would never have achieved the standards of sheeting and roping required !!!
So what’s this bit mean then?
Hello Bri, Just putting my bit in if i may, I have to say that the flat trailors together with the hardened rope and sheet drivers (old school) managed to the job very well and get a very large majority of loads to there destination intact, whereas the in the case of box trailors and tautliners if not loaded with shrinkwrapped pallets or cages alot of the cargo will be just chucked in there by the wild boys for speed reasons. Then regarding boxes and t/liners there is the ongoing prblem of being blown over by heavy winds, into dykes/fields or worse, cant recall that happening much with flats, but then thats just me. Sorry i just felt like a rant There, thats better Bill Now its nvq,s and driver cpc,s to prove that the old school are capable of doing a job they have been doing all there working lives, Hah, wot a scam!!!