Amd who's this fellow with the big smile on Biglorryblog? Why it's none other than Cam McFadyen's very own scrap metal collector. But I'll let Cam tell the story. "Hi Brian, a couple of pics of our 'Scrappy', John aka, 'the Crappy Scrappy'..John believes in only getting around in the best of gear. I Can`t recall exactly how long he has had this Bedford---at least 15 years---it replaced a D Series Ford.The truck retains its petrol engine for economy! .Anyway, the scrapyard which benefits from the hard toil of the Crappy Scrappy had a little fire in about 100 tons of old car bodies last week---the photos are in the next e-mail, all the best,Cam."

And here's John's pride-and-joy--with that crane on the back he can pick his own truck up and take it down the scrap yard when it's time to call it a day.....or would that be impossible...? Meanwhile, click through here for the burning scrapyard picture..

During the course of an e-mail conversdation with Nick Garlick about Felixstowe Docks and container ships he sent me this picture he found on the internet of a Maersk container ship...and those are artics on the bottom left of the picture!  Now here's one that Nick snapped at Felixstowe recently...kind of puts it into perspective. I've no idea where the above shot was taken..any ideas anorak army?

Now click through here for how not to lift a container off the back of a truck....

Nice stuff Nick...and thanks. Now click through here for news from Road Rat on how well the new RHINDS cards scheme is working...

That old curmudgeon and blogging partner of Biglorryblog--Oliver Dixon---(you can find him and his 'World truck Blog' on www.roadtransport.com ) has sent me this picture and says: "Here's the definitive answer to the question that has bedeviled the automotive media for many a year: Namely "What is worse than a pink Chrysler 300?" Answer: A pink stretched limo version of a Chrysler 300. Well all I can say Ollie is click through here..but be afraid..be very afraid.....

Richard Stanier, AKA 'The Brochure King' has returned from his travels to send me this super collections of pictures and prose..."Good Morning Brian. I've been away working in Bonnie Scotland for a couple of weeks and I've missed some of your blogging---but it looks like there has been plenty of interest as usual! I looked at John H's mystery trucks, and thought they looked 'Diamondy' and sure enough Niels had provided confirmation as I scrolled up. I thought the attached image was worthy of blogging - It's a Diamond T Cab Over Engine truck from the 1930's (and pretty similar to a Diamond that Will Blogged a while ago from the Motor Transport Archives) The brochure refers to "America's smartest truck investment" and proclaims the manoeuvrability advantages over normal control trucks. This brochure was kindly provided to me by none other than Niels Jansen whom I have struck up a good trading relationship with all thanks to BLB!"

Well all I can say to that Rich is that's what BLB is all about--bringing together people with a passion for trucks. And I'm more impressed (and gratified) by the way the Aussies and Kiwis have turned the comment section into their own chat-room! (Although they also seem to use it to be rude to each other too!) Anyway, on to another popular topic.

Meanwhile Rich continues: "The Spanish Dodge/Barrieros blog attracted a bit of interest so here is my (belated) contribution. The first is a nice little Barrieros Saeta 55 from before the period of involvement with Chrylser. This truck had a Barrieros A 90 Diesel which developed 83 BHP and the rear axle and gearbox were made by David Brown."

"The second scan (above) is a big Dodge C3084 imported into the UK. The rigid 300 Series were introduced as 6x4 and 8x4 models in 1978/79 and were powered by the Dodge BS16 diesel of 209 BHP. They were not on the market for long, but I recall seeing some in use with the brick manufacturers!" I recall that too, was it London Brick Company perhaps? What say you Mr Tuck?

Now click through here for a most unusual comment about the Leyland Ergomatic cab.... 

Further to my posting concerning John Henderson's 'Mystery Milkers' Niels Jansen has ridden to the rescue on BIglorryblog and says: "Hi Brian, It's been some time since you last heard from me. I've been terribly busy with work.[The curse of the bloging classes Niels!] However, I am still following everything on your blog with great interest. It is amazing what is all posted by various people around the world!  Regarding John Henderson's question about the two old wagons in Scotland. They are Diamond-T's model 220 or 211. This truck with handsome grille and V-shaped  windshield was introduced in the summer of 1933 and had a capacity of 1.5 to 2.5 tons. Power came from a 63 or 68 hp six-cylinder gasoline engine. Gearbox was a 4-speed. See enclosed picture of a colourful brochure from those days. By the way, quite a few of these chassis were imported in the 1930's by Beers in Holland. The same people who handled later Scania. Hope this is of interest and keep up the great work! Regards Niels."

Now for all you Diamond Geezers click through here for a real stunner..

File this under 'The Camera Never Lies'...or Call that a lorry-mounted grab...? no mate THIS is a lorry mounted grab...Or else it's the arm of an excavator that's otherwise obscured by this rather splendid Hino 700 Series tipper that's recently entered service  with Higgins plant hire....you pays yer money and you takes yer pic.

Golden Gate Bridge? Pah! Mille Viaduct..poof! The Transporter Bridge? Are you kidding? They all pale into insignificance compared to this one....but who can tell me where it is and what famous bit of water it spans? Biglorryblog's 'Man North 'o' the Border' does...as he sent me the picture. So how about spilling the beans John if the anorak army doesn't get it?  And for those of you who can't make up your mind which is your favourite bridge why don't you take my tip and click through here...

It's easy to overlook hidden gems in what appears to be a rather nondescript press release. For example, attached to the press bumf from P&O Ferrymasters' describing its new "pioneering direct intermodal rail service to Russia plus a new service to Poland for the UK and other European markets" I found this rather nice shot of a big box stacker truck...and I mean big. I wonder who makes it? Then I was also reminded about a big Hiab Crane picture I've had rattling around on my desk top for a while...and click through here and you'll see what I mean....

 click below to continue reading

AtkiPete Lynch has sent me this curio and says: "G'day Brian, Rain, not something we have seen in a while down here. We have only had one drought recently... but it has lasted 3 years..  Anyhow what am I whinging about, right in the middle of it was this Mack Magnum, which looks rather like your Renault Magnum. Not sure if the spec is the same, Cheers Pete." Well not such a strange beast as you might think as over the years Rod Simmonds has been sending me the odd picture of a Mack Magnum from his travels around OZ and NZ. Including this one below from Mount Gambier...though it doesn't quite have the front bumper arrangment of the one above! Well Pete it's raining in leeds (Yorkshire) too this morning---but back to the Mack Magnum. At one stage Mack Australia was designated with the somewhat grandiose title of "right-han-drive manufacturing centre" And the Mack Magnum, like the Qantum, was a good example of taking a European truck and putting a North American driveline underneath it. Down-under the Magnum was offered with a Cummins Signature--not something we got in Europe. In fact the biggest 'big-banger' we got was the old E9 Mack V8 which in the European Magnum went up to around 520hp (if I remember rightly--although it may have been higher..anyone?). But it fell at the Euro-3 fence and Magnum continued with the E-Tech Mack engine before switching to the Volvo family group of engines---first the D12 and more recently the D13.   If my memory serves me well, one of the (alleged) sales benefits for the Magnum was that it could meet the then B-double length regs in Australia but with a decent European-style comfortable cab compared with, say, the tried-and-trusted Kenworth cabover. Not sure anyone bought that....Now click through here for a real oldie...

Two-Stroke has written to me to say: "Brian---we've had the Commer ambulance, and the Commer fire engine in recent days. It would be good not to dodge the issue and finish the complete set off with the Commer police van---on display courtesy of the Coventry Transport Museum at this years CV show. (You've even had this vehicle's successor the 50 Series on a recent posting. )

TS now sips into a warm reverie to say: "It takes me back to those heady 'Heartbeat' days where protective front wire mesh and anti-bandit screens where not normal police van attire. It would be interesting to see how well it would perform when the blues and twos are switched - looking at the size of the body maybe this had a more supporting as a mobile incident room?. The walkthrough is a brilliant concept but is this one extra high so you can walk through with your hat on? With regard to Elfin Safety you'd need a full harness and climbing gear to change the blue light bulb. "

 John goes on to say: "I've also attached a slightly more up to date shot of the premises Hayton Coulthard have used as their HQ since 1916. Cheers for now, John....PS- If you look closely at Hayton's facial features, you'll see that David Coulthard the formula one driver is very like his ancestor!  Mystery Milk Motors." And if you want to see what John means clikck through here... and for a haggis, what's that red truck?

There is something about a good bridge that stirs the emotions, whether these be wonder, excitement or even fear. But obviously some are more exciting than others.
And with that in mind, here's a list of the Top 10 bridges that everyone needs to cross before they die.
I stress that these are just my own personal opinion, and please feel free to throw in suggestions and tell me which ones you think I should have included.

Click below for the Top 10 Bridges