RMweb Gold BMacdermott Posted June 14, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 14, 2019 (edited) Hello everyone I am acting here on behalf of S&D author, Mike Arlett. If anyone can help with Mike's queries below, I will pass them on. I would be grateful if you would respect the copyright of Mike's attached photos. Many thanks Brian Below from Mike Arlett The goods yard at Midford (S&D) was used (certainly in the late 50s/early 60s) by a local firm called the Auto-Mower Engineering Co. Ltd. This was a very innovative company, based a few miles south of Midford in the village of Norton St Philip. The founder designed (and sold the rights of) what we know as the Lister Auto-Truck. They also became involved (with others) in producing specialist rail-borne equipment for the North Eastern Region of BR; for example a hydraulically-operated, rail-mounted viaduct inspection unit (known as a 'Gozunder'!). Often to be seen in the railway yard at Midford, during that period, were two commercial vehicles: one a covered van which had been converted for use by Auto-Mower as a mobile workshop; the other a lorry-mounted crane to assist with the assembly of the rail-mounted equipment. Attached are two images of these vehicles – the only two I possess. They are grossly enlarged from a couple of photographs in which they just happened to appear in the background. More in hope than anticipation, is anybody able to identify, from such over-enlarged images, the make of van and of the lorry carrying the crane? Edited June 14, 2019 by BMacdermott Remove cap from title 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jack Benson Posted June 14, 2019 Share Posted June 14, 2019 Possibly a heavily modified exArmy recovery truck? No doubt, someone will have a much, much better suggestion. Cheers Jack Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted June 14, 2019 Share Posted June 14, 2019 Possibly a Douglas, based on a shortened Matador chassis. More usually used for logging than recovery work:- https://ccmv.aecsouthall.co.uk/p82812439 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Scottish Modeller Posted June 14, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 14, 2019 Hi Brian, If my father was still with us he would have been able to tell us all about it. However, as he isn't - I'll look back in his diaries in case they are commented on. One of his brothers had the pub that is just under the viaduct and I know dad went visiting quite often as I have seen info on trains passing through the station. Now - just need to find the box in the loft that has the diaries in it. Thanks Phil H 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jack Benson Posted June 14, 2019 Share Posted June 14, 2019 6 minutes ago, Fat Controller said: Possibly a Douglas, based on a shortened Matador chassis. More usually used for logging than recovery work:- https://ccmv.aecsouthall.co.uk/p82812439 Was the Army involved in forestry? Jack Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted June 14, 2019 Share Posted June 14, 2019 5 minutes ago, Jack Benson said: Was the Army involved in forestry? Jack Not during WW2, but post WW2, lots of second-hand lorries were sold off. Matadors were very popular (4-wheel drive and thirsty petrol engine), as were Bedford QLs. Bedford 'O-series' were much used by coal merchants, builders etc- my father had one from 1948 to about 1963. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Scottish Modeller Posted June 14, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 14, 2019 Hi all, A little idea popped into my mind as I was getting into the loft... Graces Guide - loads of company info on all motor/engineering businesses. A quick check on Auto-Mower Engineering Co. Ltd and variations. https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Auto-Mower_Engineering_Co Give 2 photos and some reference publications Thanks Phil H 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim V Posted June 14, 2019 Share Posted June 14, 2019 Bit like this one? Truck demobbed a bit later. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BernardTPM Posted June 14, 2019 Share Posted June 14, 2019 The cab looks closer to the pre-war AEC rather than the wartime version with the flat panel above the windows (I think the Wartime version started out using the civilian cab but later went to the simpler to build, angled version). I'm still not sure it's an AEC though. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bécasse Posted June 14, 2019 Share Posted June 14, 2019 Like Bernard, I am a bit doubtful as to whether it is an AEC (even though it was my first thought). The radiator looks a little bit too wide in proportion to the cab, but that might just be an optical illusion brought about by the harshness of the blow up. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BernardTPM Posted June 14, 2019 Share Posted June 14, 2019 (edited) Yes, not the easiest photo to make out. Normally you can see some sign of the vertical division of an AEC radiator, which I can't see, also the top seems a little to 'Pantheon' shaped. I did wonder about Albion, indeed this 1936 one could be close, but it's hard to say if that's right. The radiator does seem to go up right to the window frames, which is unusual but might eventually help nail it down. Edited June 14, 2019 by BernardTPM 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jack Benson Posted June 15, 2019 Share Posted June 15, 2019 (edited) 13 hours ago, Jack Benson said: No doubt, someone will have a much, much better suggestion. Cheers Jack As predicted, someone did have a much, much better suggestion. Cheers Jack Edited June 15, 2019 by Jack Benson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold BMacdermott Posted June 15, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 15, 2019 Hello everyone Many thanks to all who are contributing - much appreciated! Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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