Biglorrryblog has 'Two-Stroke' to thank for this ancient beast. He tells me: "I spotted this during a recent visit to Wholesale Supplies the haulier who do brick haulage for Ormonde Brick in the wonderful former mining town of
This wee Beardmore Cobra artic was dual branded on the grille with a Chenard Walcker logo underneath. This compact design makes it look like a forerunner of the brewery urban artic or even the mechanical horse with a very compact wheelbase and its own unique method of coupling. It was used with what is known as a Larkhall trailer that applies (via a special coupling) 15% of the trailer load to the drive axle or so the theory goes. The pictures show a long arm on a conventional trailer that is winched on to the stanchion at the back of the cab - but with a wheel in each corner of the trailer it is not easy to see how they got the load transfer. Did this unique method of coupling lead to the snake-like name? Was there also an 'Anaconda' in the range?"
He goes on to say: "This particular truck was used in the area for delivering coal. When it comes to design for the urban environment - The cab design may even find favour today as it only has one door to the kerbside - with wide door, large step and high aperture - the spare wheel carrier is nicely blended into the design of the cab structure. With the spare wheel fitted it would like a short wheelbase 6x2 with a lifted mid axle!! It will be a delight to see when the restoration is complete."
Now click through here for more and a call for help and more information...
TS concludes: "When you start researching Beardmore you find that like the Armstrong family in the North East - William Beardmore and Co had many engineering operations during the 1920s - This operatiion with Chenard Walcker was known as Beardmore Multiwheeler, there where Beardmore taxis - they also owned Sentinel that small steam truck and loco manufacturer in Shrewsbury from 1917 for a period time, according to the detail on Wikipedia. Other interests include shipbuilding, railways and aircraft engineering. Do any of the loyal army have more photos or information about the Beardmore brand. The operator said there is one in the
So come on BLB readers how about helping the man in his quest for knowledge on the Beardmore?