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| WEB NEWS 13 and 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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In this issue of WHOTT Web News we take a brief look at the vehicles used for the transportation of Portland Stone and West Country Minibus revolution. |
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 Portland
Stone - In this issue we look at the history and vehicles that
were used to transport the famous Portland Stone. Bath and Portland
Stone Company have for many years been involved in the quarrying and
cutting of local stone. In the early 1960s it was taken over by
Kingston Minerals and recently by the Hanson plc group. Initially
steam traction engines towing trailers were used, but in the late
1920s Sentinel steam lorries were introduced. However in the 1930s
the switch to diesel oil engined lorries took place and the AEC was
to be favoured with many orders over the years until the 1970s. The
eight-wheeled 'Mammoth Major' fitted with the 7.7 litre engine
formed the basis of the heavyweight fleet. AEC four wheelers
comprised the Monarch in the pre and early post war period, with
either the 4 cylinder 6.6 litre and the 6 cylinder 7.7 litre,
followed by the Mercury in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Want to
read the full story, then
become
a member
and receive our quarterly newsletters.
A classic shot of unloading stone from a pre-war Mammoth Major eight-wheeler for shipment. |
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| The West Country Minibus Revolution - With the forthcoming de-regulation in Britain, the NBC had been alerted to the potential of minibus operations and recognised the importance of leading the field. The newly appointed Manager of Devon General Ltd was Harry Blundred, who was a leading proponent of the concept of high frequency urban minibus network. The first example, an Ford Transit, was delivered to Devon General in late 1983 for evaluation. In February 1984 services were commenced in Exeter. Following the success of the service several vehicles were loaned to other West Country operators for evaluation. By the end of 1985, there were over 500 minibuses in service with the NBC and this had risen to nearly 4,000 by De-regulation Day. Several type of vehicles were used, namely; Ford Transit, Leyland Sherpa, Mercedes 608D. The full story can be found in the current copy of WHOTT News. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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  North
Devon Hauliers in the 1960s -
In the early 1960s North Devon was still
relatively remote, with poor roads linking it with the rest of Devon
and upcountry. It was largely a farming area but there were clay
pits near Torrington and several locally based manufacturing
companies. Roger Grimley recalls a good example of life in the
haulage industry at that time is the story of one Barnstaple firm.
The goods carried reflected the area - road and building materials,
agricultural produce and requisites, coal, coke and clay. Roger
takes us through the daily operations of this company and its
vehicles. Want to read the full
story, then
become a member
and receive our quarterly newsletters. |
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 Plus:75th Anniversary of the formation of Western, Southern and Eastern National Omnibus Companies David Johnson - Driver HH46574 We're All Going on a Summer Holiday Did Royal Blue drivers ever use the fool luggage racks? Pangs of Nostalgia as Bert looks back Paris Street Bus & Coach Station, Exeter Just the Ticket - 2 The History of Tally Ho! The Future (events and activities for Trust friends)
262 (ETT 956) and 1613 (LTA 772) at Stroud Bus Station on a tour to the Severn Valley Railway. |
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Would you like to see the full magazine? If so, please consider becoming a Member and we’ll send current year copies right away. Alternatively individual back numbers can be purchased at £2 each by request. Our Shop postal rates apply. |
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© Copyright The West Country Historic
Omnibus & Transport Trust |
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