PMB:
This vehicle was one of two brand new ERF A series allocated to Alloa depot in 1974 (the other being PWG 884M). Three years into its working life it was transferred to Southampton depot hence the first letter of its fleet number is S.
With the demise of Guy Motors and the end of Big J production in 1974 it would cause a dilemma at SOM as to which ■■■■■■■ engined chassis they would then have to buy so I suppose ERF would have been the natural choice if a bit more pricey than what they had been paying for the Big J’s previously but I note that they steered clear of Fodens but might have tried a few Marathons ? What do the experts reckon ? Cheers Bewick.
I don’t remember them ever having any Marathons in their fleet but they would have been Leyland engined anyway. They had a few Bedfords but certainly ERF was the mainstay of their fleet in the late 70’s.
Dennis Javelin:
I don’t remember them ever having any Marathons in their fleet but they would have been Leyland engined anyway. They had a few Bedfords but certainly ERF was the mainstay of their fleet in the late 70’s.
PMB:
This vehicle was one of two brand new ERF A series allocated to Alloa depot in 1974 (the other being PWG 884M). Three years into its working life it was transferred to Southampton depot hence the first letter of its fleet number is S.
With the demise of Guy Motors and the end of Big J production in 1974 it would cause a dilemma at SOM as to which ■■■■■■■ engined chassis they would then have to buy so I suppose ERF would have been the natural choice if a bit more pricey than what they had been paying for the Big J’s previously but I note that they steered clear of Fodens but might have tried a few Marathons ? What do the experts reckon ? Cheers Bewick.
I don’t remember them ever having any Marathons in their fleet but they would have been Leyland engined anyway. They had a few Bedfords but certainly ERF was the mainstay of their fleet in the late 70’s.
I only threw in the possibility that SOM may have tried a Marathon or two because contrary to what you say Dennis Leylands did fit the ■■■■■■■ engines in the Marathon, the 250 ■■■■■■■ I believe was used but maybe some 220’s also. I think the use of a few Bedford TM’s came about as a result of the spares contract had with Vauxhall Motors & Bedford Trucks. If no Marathons were ever sighted in SOM livery I of course stand corrected Cheers Bewick.
Dennis Javelin:
I don’t remember them ever having any Marathons in their fleet but they would have been Leyland engined anyway. They had a few Bedfords but certainly ERF was the mainstay of their fleet in the late 70’s.
Dennis Javelin:
I don’t remember them ever having any Marathons in their fleet but they would have been Leyland engined anyway. They had a few Bedfords but certainly ERF was the mainstay of their fleet in the late 70’s.
Did they not have Marathons with 240s in them
Or for that matter any Big J’s with 240’s
. Well I do wish someone would come up with some solid evidence about the good old 240 Gardner in A Big J. , Larry.
Dennis Javelin:
I don’t remember them ever having any Marathons in their fleet but they would have been Leyland engined anyway. They had a few Bedfords but certainly ERF was the mainstay of their fleet in the late 70’s.
Did they not have Marathons with 240s in them
Or for that matter any Big J’s with 240’s
. Well I do wish someone would come up with some solid evidence about the good old 240 Gardner in A Big J. , Larry.
I can confirm S of M had only 4 x Marathons in their fleet. One was based at Falkirk see picture.
Now I wonder what Dennis “The Menace” Javelin has to say about the four Marathons that SOM ran and I just bet they had ■■■■■■■ engines
Thanks to PMB for the shot although I only floated the possibility that SOM may have tried a few Marathons as I didn’t know for certain ! Cheers Bewick.
PS and if I remember some Marathons were built at the Guy factory at Fallings Park !
Why does the SOM site burst into life then die a death ? Unbelievable ! One of the greatest Hauliers in the UK 50’s/60’s/70’s and so little is recorded about the operation during their “hay day” and later as an United Group co. and the eventual demise of a general Haulier ! Bewick.
Bewick:
Why does the SOM site burst into life then die a death ? Unbelievable ! One of the greatest Hauliers in the UK 50’s/60’s/70’s and so little is recorded about the operation during their “hay day” and later as an United Group co. and the eventual demise of a general Haulier ! Bewick.
I keep the flame lit for this once great Scottish transport company. I know so much detail about the company I am seriously thinking about writing a book. I have over 800 photographs of the fleet, depots and employees. My living room houses a cabinet of over 80 models and memorabilia from the company. I even have the brass plaque that was on the wall of the headquarters celebrating the opening of the upgraded offices and garage at Maddiston inside the cabinet.
Bewick:
Why does the SOM site burst into life then die a death ? Unbelievable ! One of the greatest Hauliers in the UK 50’s/60’s/70’s and so little is recorded about the operation during their “hay day” and later as an United Group co. and the eventual demise of a general Haulier ! Bewick.
I keep the flame lit for this once great Scottish transport company. I know so much detail about the company I am seriously thinking about writing a book. I have over 800 photographs of the fleet, depots and employees. My living room houses a cabinet of over 80 models and memorabilia from the company. I even have the brass plaque that was on the wall of the headquarters celebrating the opening of the upgraded offices and garage at Maddiston inside the cabinet.
Bewick:
Why does the SOM site burst into life then die a death ? Unbelievable ! One of the greatest Hauliers in the UK 50’s/60’s/70’s and so little is recorded about the operation during their “hay day” and later as an United Group co. and the eventual demise of a general Haulier ! Bewick.
I keep the flame lit for this once great Scottish transport company. I know so much detail about the company I am seriously thinking about writing a book. I have over 800 photographs of the fleet, depots and employees. My living room houses a cabinet of over 80 models and memorabilia from the company. I even have the brass plaque that was on the wall of the headquarters celebrating the opening of the upgraded offices and garage at Maddiston inside the cabinet.
Well you can put me down for a book Paul,sounds a great idea!
Like the display cabinet of SoM motors too,a worthy collection!
Bewick:
Why does the SOM site burst into life then die a death ? Unbelievable ! One of the greatest Hauliers in the UK 50’s/60’s/70’s and so little is recorded about the operation during their “hay day” and later as an United Group co. and the eventual demise of a general Haulier ! Bewick.
I keep the flame lit for this once great Scottish transport company. I know so much detail about the company I am seriously thinking about writing a book. I have over 800 photographs of the fleet, depots and employees. My living room houses a cabinet of over 80 models and memorabilia from the company. I even have the brass plaque that was on the wall of the headquarters celebrating the opening of the upgraded offices and garage at Maddiston inside the cabinet.
Well you can put me down for a book Paul,sounds a great idea!
Like the display cabinet of SoM motors too,a worthy collection!
David
Put me down for a book so thats two orders you’ve got PMB before it’s even written ! Cheers dennis.
It’s a shame you’ve left the idea of a book so long, one of the best Lorry related publishers Roundoak, Nynehead Books closed down not so long ago they would have welcomed such a book especially as you have many photo’s and I suspect the company history to go with them. You could try another publisher or self publish, I’m sure there would be many interested buyers. Franky.
Bewick:
Why does the SOM site burst into life then die a death ? Unbelievable ! One of the greatest Hauliers in the UK 50’s/60’s/70’s and so little is recorded about the operation during their “hay day” and later as an United Group co. and the eventual demise of a general Haulier ! Bewick.
I keep the flame lit for this once great Scottish transport company. I know so much detail about the company I am seriously thinking about writing a book. I have over 800 photographs of the fleet, depots and employees. My living room houses a cabinet of over 80 models and memorabilia from the company. I even have the brass plaque that was on the wall of the headquarters celebrating the opening of the upgraded offices and garage at Maddiston inside the cabinet.
Well you can put me down for a book Paul,sounds a great idea!
Like the display cabinet of SoM motors too,a worthy collection!
+1 = 3 E.W.
David
Put me down for a book so thats two orders you’ve got PMB before it’s even written ! Cheers dennis.
I have very little information on two depots that S of M had, can anyone help please.
Rainham and Greenock. Looking for any information available, location, storage, staff etc?
PMB:
I have very little information on two depots that S of M had, can anyone help please.
Rainham and Greenock. Looking for any information available, location, storage, staff etc?
“In the late 1950s the haulage and warehousing sides of the business separated. Smith’s could offer storage facilities, a facility with 1 million cubic feet at Camelon, where a redundant factory was converted in 1955. They developed a special building there for the storage of aluminium which had to be stored at a minimum temperature of 32 degrees. There was also 1 million cubic feet of storage at Paisley, 500,000 cubic feet at Port Glasgow, 200,000 cubic feet at Greenock, and 300,000 cubic feet at Glasgow, plus another 10,000 cubic feet out in the open. Open storage was also available at most of the warehouses and depots. In 1968 the Smiths sold out to United Transport, which was taken over by British Electric Traction, which was in turn bought out by Rentokil.”
There’s also this but I suspect you have already seen this site.
Cheers Bewick.
Maddiston ran a few Scanias too.
and I just bet they had ■■■■■■■ engines 
Bewick.