How times change...once upon a time if you said Pickfords you were talking pantechnicons..."But now" (as they used to say on 'Tomorrow's World') the UK’s leading removal company buys left-hand-drive, low height Volvo FH–440 rigids with a tandem-axled drawbar trailer. What's more the 18-tonne prime mover boasts a Globetrotter cab in ‘Prestige’ trim with more goodies than you can shake a trolley at including a 22-litre fridge, secondary air-con and I-Shift while the bodywork comes courtesy of Transport Enterprises of Leicestershire.
The vehicle is part of an order for four identical units, supplied through Thomas Hardie Commercials and will complement Pickford's existing dedicated European Department fleet based at the company’s HQ in Enfield, near London.
But the real question for BLB fans is does the 'dynamic tilt' in the picture work? For Biglorryblog it doesn't quite get away with it. Why? Because the truck is running downhill...tilting a truck picture usually works best when the vehicle is facing uphill. Or have I got it wrong?
While not wishing in any way to diminish the specification and appearance of the fine Volvo FH and drawbar in Pickfords' livery I would like to point out that this is certainly not the first such vehicle of its type in the fleet. Indeed it was probably about 8-years ago that they operated an even more eye-catching combination resplendent in the orange and black Allied - Pickfords colours. This was also LHD and was supplied by Westward Commercial Vehicles of Bristol. Regretably I can't locate a picture!
Andrew to the rescue.
Here is said (and if its not its one like it) Allied Pickfords Volvo wag and drag.
Taken from the www.lkw-infos.eu site so is not mine.
http://www.lkw-infos.net/images/themengalerien/lkw-weltweit/grossbritannien/teil-4/Volvo-FH12-340-Pickfords-Schiffner-270306-01-GB.jpg
Andy
Much obliged Andy. It looked stunning when it was new, and clean!
That cab is looking seriously dated now...
It makes the original globetrotter look futuristic! (which was the main inspiration for the cabtec design).
Interestingly enough, its the only one of the big-five to feature a raked screen, somthing that is not present on either the r series, the cabtec, or the TGAs
Hi All
I own a fairly large relocation company in Sheffield and I started out contracting to Pickfords. The allied wag and drag did look impresive but about 10 years ago they had a road train built as a training outfit (I will try and find photos if there is intrest), this was introduce by a good freind of minr callled Nigel Grice This was built on a volvo and did really look impresive in the Pickfords carfull movers livery, we have 2 road-trains built on Dafs and they look impresive, but we also run a volvo FH12 with a 7 comtainer trailer, Look out for them Specialised Movers of Sheffield, also a good book about Pickfords is the History of Pickfords, it takes you upto about 1996
I WORKED ON INTERNATIONAL REMOVALS FOR HOULTS of NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE,AND PICKFORDS OVERSEAS ENFIELD FOR 30YEARS,FEB 1970-APRIL 2002.I HAVE AN ASSORTMENT OF PHOTOS`OF BOTH COMPANIES VEHS.THE FH12 GLOBETROTTER XLS`ROAD TRAINS WERE FIRST DELIVERED IN 1996.1ST 2 REGS WAS P1CKT and P1CKF.AT THIS TIME WE HAD 3 DAF 85 330`s 3 AXLE RIGIDS WITH TWIN SUPER SINGLE DRAWBARS,1 DAF 2500 ROADTRAIN,MAN 17.323.THE 330 DAFS WERE DEMOUNTS,THE REST BEING FIXED BODIES.AT THE PRESENT TIME MY E MAIL IS GIVING ME PROBLEMS DUE TO VIRGIN AND NTL JOINING FORCES,BUT AS SOON AS I CAN I WILL POST SOME OF MY PHOTOS,AS I THINK THIS IS A REALLY GOOD SITE . LES GUY.
uy
Between us Im sure we have some grat pictures of intrest, I run out of Chester for GFA before the fire, and have some good pictures in Germany.
Good afternoon everyone, Can you help i am looking for work in the relocation business i have over 15 years experiance driving LHD drawbars, ex foreman in charge of all European moves both domestic and commercial.
I am based in London but would relocate any info would be great,
many thanks.