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.......preserving our commercial road transport history for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations..........

WEB NEWS 10

In this issue of WHOTT Web News we take a brief look at the Rowe Hillmaster event and Decimalisation on the buses with Bert.

Rowe Hillmaster -  On 20 March 2005 there was a major event at Rowe's Garage in Dobwalls to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the production of their first Rowe Hillmaster chassis in 1955. The reputation of the Hillmaster has stood the test of time as evidenced by the large number of enthusiasts, including several WHOTT Friends, who attended. The Hillmaster was a very flexible design with more that 1220 models available. In the event, 115 lorries and five buses were were custom built in Cornwall, primarily for use in the West Country but including several exported as far afield as Spain, Canada and New Zealand.  Want to read the full story, then become a friend and receive our quarterly newsletters
1957 4-wheel drop-side truck 798 AAF has a Meadows engine and Mark I cab

161 LTW has a Leyland engine and Albion gearbox with a Mark II cab and generated great interest in its un-restored condition

   
Pangs of nostalgia...as Bert looks back - The year was 1971 and February may be remembered as a month in which so many people became utterly confused with the introduction of decimal currency which hit our purses on 15th. Imagine sat in a classroom in 1971 and being told of the impending changed to decimal currency. What seems so simple today, really did tax the brain and, more to the point, could hold up a bus journey if the conductor took too long to work it out. In 1970 Western National selected seven Bristol LS5G saloons from the disposal list and gave them an extended life as mobile classrooms. 

TU1 - MOD 950 ex 1699
TU2 - LTA 956 ex 1689
TU3 - MOD 956 ex 1665
TU4 - OTT 51 ex 1697
TU5 - MOD 967 ex 1676
TU6 - LTA 981 ex 1684
TU7 - LTA 983 ex 1686
The words MOBILE TRAINING UNIT appeared on the side and DECIMAL TRAINING UNIT in the destination aperture. The subsidiary companies of Western National, Devon General and Greenslades had their names in the via blind position on the front. Want to know the full story then why not become a friend 

TU1 (MOD 950). One of seven vehicles converted as a Decimal Training Unit.

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Inside are revealed the secret code for D day as others gather up vital information in preparation for the UK's most dramatic changed to a new currency system.
       
Plus:
  • Just the Ticket 5
  • Trials and tribulations of Royal Blue ownership
  • A Wholesome Sandwich
  • How to become a bus driver and turf accountant
  • Archive update
  • The Future (events and activities for Trust Friends)

 

 

86 GFJ and VDV 137S are the two recent additions to the collection alongside TDV 217J (WHOTT Mobile Museum)

Would you like to enjoy the full Newsletters? If so, Become a Friend and we'll send you a copy right away.

 

Web News 9

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Web News 11

 

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