NEWS UPDATE.
5th August 2008.
Number 59.
|
NEWS UPDATE. 5th August 2008. |
Number 59. |
This page is updated approximately every month to carry all the latest news about Shelvoke & Drewry - its products its former employees and those who have an interest in its history.
Each Quarter a Magazine section is published which remains on the Website for six months. The Summer 2008 issue will be found by clicking on the links. In the magazine you will find the following:-
|
Back in the Summer of 1983 S&D produced special edition of Shelvoke News for the Institute of Waste Management's Conference at Ayr. Among the announcements were the re-designed squared off body for the 'P' series chassis. |
|
Although the design of the SD Freighter may have been the greatest of James Drewry's achievements, the long list of patents filed under his name bear testimony to the inventiveness of this engineer. |
|
Reader's Letters. Since the last magazine I have received many interesting letters and e-mails. Several of these refer to family links with S&D where often son followed father into the Company. Readers remember happy times at S&D. |
NEWS.
VEHICLES IN EXISTENCE.
A 'TN' Re-born.
|
GJD 121 N is a former BP Tanker that has recently been beautifully restored and is the pride and joy of Michael Cooper from South Ayrshire, Scotland. Built in 1974 this TN was originally one of the tankers ordered by BP to deliver heating oil in London. With its narrow width and short wheelbase it was ideal for use in narrow streets. The cab/chassis was in a pretty poor state when Michael purchased it but over a period of 18 months it was converted into the magnificent vehicle pictured left. Fitted with a replica Derby type body the vehicle fulfils Michael's ambition to own a Shelvoke. For more photos go to:- http://ccmv.fotopic.net/c865693.html
|
SD Defiant Fork Lift Truck.
Someone I only know of as 'Duncan' posted two photographs on a website run by Jim Ransley. These are of a 1971 SD Defiant fork lift truck which is still operational in Duncan's timber yard in South Yorkshire.
Duncan has written: "It must be ex-army as it has a plate with a broad arrow. This must be a rare machine." It's great to learn about this thirty-seven year old machine demonstrating Shelvoke's reputation for a long service life.
Go to:- http://www.oilyhands.co.uk/Archive7.htm#Shelvoke_Drewry
Donation of Freighter Drawings.
A correspondent has generously donated five original drawings of the SD Freighter, along with three prints.
DRG 91 dates from 1925 and shows the General Layout of the SD Freighter Dust Cart. DRG 88 from 1926 is of the tapered tipping body. Three versions of DRG 158 are the SD Freighter Body Builder's Arrangement on pneumatic tyres.
The first from 1926 shows the Freighter with 4'-2" and 5'-2" track for the rear axle. This was accomplished by the chassis tapering out to 44" at the rear against the standard 32" width. Two drawings numbered DRG 158 B date from 1934 and a re-traced version from 1940.
A print of BU 604 shows a General Arrangement of the 10'-0" Side Extension Chelsea Body drawn in 1946, whilst sheet 1 of HU 201 is a G.A. of the Housing with sheet 2 showing the G.A. of the Front Shield and date from 1941.
|
We are informed that the Freighter Reg No. DFP 432 that is kept at the East Anglia Transport Museum in Lowestoft, is looking for a new owner. This 1935 vehicle was in service with Epsom & Ewell and is in a totally unrestored state. It has been stored outside in recent years but is believed to be complete. Further details from the Editor. If restored the vehicle would look similar to the vehicle shown left. See also the Preserved Vehicles page |
New Book. From Dawn Til Dust.
Tony O'Connor has written about how London, like most cities in the world, generates a vast amount of refuse. After collection by local councils the rubbish is reloaded into contractors’ vehicles and transported to landfill.
This is the story of the companies involved in transporting London's refuse, both domestic and commercial from the late 19th century to the present day, the vehicles that were used, their specifications and the consequences of what happened when things went wrong!
There are over 200 pages with over 400 photos some of which have never been published before.
This book is mainly about tipper lorries and just two S&D's appear in its pages. But it will appeal to those who have an interest in all aspects of refuse collection and disposal.
For further details go to http:// www.tipperlorries.com
Remember that board with details of medals awarded to SD Emloyees?
Harry Shelvoke was immensely proud of the number of ex-servicemen he employed. As a former soldier who had seen service in the Boer War he was keen to give employment to those who had served their country in the armed services. A board displayed in the Reception area in Icknield Way listed the various medals held by the workforce. Apparently this was "liberated" when the company closed and is now on sale for £30. A major problem in acquiring it is that it's very heavy. Presumably the board was made in the Company's workshops by the Joiners and Signwriters and is substantially made. If anyone is interested in purchasing this board I can put you in touch with its owner and have a photograph.
INTERNET MATTERS.
THIS WEBSITE's LINKS PAGE.
The many links listed on this page have recently been checked. It is difficult to ensure that links remain valid as websites are withdrawn from time to time. I hope visitors will now find the information they're seeking by following these links. If not please e-mail me at the address given below.
SPAM. For some time I have been receiving a huge number of SPAM e-mails daily, If I fail to answer your e-mail it may be due to confusion because I have many e-mails to delete daily. So please do accept my apologies and write again if you don't get a reply within days.
FIVE LINKED WEBSITES WHICH COULD BE OF INTEREST.
JAMES DREWRY.
Tony Drewry, whose grandfather was the brother of James Drewry, co-founder of S&D has a Website http://www.drewry.net/TreeMill/indiI066.html where a whole host of material has been posted recently. This adds considerably to our knowledge of this talented engineering designer, and is well worth visiting.
CLASSIC REFUSE TRUCKS(U.S.A.)
This is the work of Eric Voytko from Falls Church, Virginia, and is a comprehensive record of the American scene in particular, but also covers some European refuse collection vehicles. The site is well worth a visit. www.classicrefusetrucks.com Eric has added a page about S&D from material submitted by this website. The latest page features Pakamatic bodied AEC/Leyland six wheelers.
WELFREIGHTER WEBSITE.
|
Towards the end of World War Shelvoke & Drewry were commissioned to build 37 ft submersible craft for clandestine operations, despite having no previous experience of ship building. After over twenty years research Tom Colville has put the results of his search onto the Internet. Tom's late father Capt. Archibald Colville MOIsp KOSB was involved in sea trials of the Welfreighter based in Australia in 1945. The Welfreighter was a miniature submarine built at S&D's Icknield Way works from 1944 onwards. For many years the history of these vessels was covered by the Official Secrets Act, and Tom's father destroyed any papers he had about his war time experiences prior to his death. The story told on the website makes fascinating reading, and I thoroughly recommend it to anyone with an interest in this phase of the history of S&D. It can be found at www.welfreighter.info |
PHOTOS OF SHELVOKE & DREWRY VEHICLES ON THE INTERNET.
|
Shaun Taylor, from Howden, East Yorkshire, started a website featuring photographs of Shelvoke & Drewry vehicles in the autumn of 2003. His website, which is an excellent addition to this website, carries a large number of photos of SD vehicles. It's well worth a visit. |
Photos of preserved Shelvoke & Drewry vehicles that appeared at the Old Warden Steam Rally in September 2005 can be found on:- http://www.fleetdata.co.uk/rally2005/bedfordshire.html
For an alternative account of the history of S&D go to:- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelvoke_and_Drewry
A full list of links to other websites can be found on the "Links" page of this Website.
VIDEO on the Internet. Video clips of SD products have been posted on the YouTube Website. I believe that you need Broadband to view these. Go to:-
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=ClassicRefuseTrucks and http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=RapidAssistant
Over 11,000 visits have been made to the website since we began counting in August 2002. With1,869 visits in 2007. Your comments, news and views are always appreciated. If you have enjoyed this website please e-mail me at :-
pinnerboy [at] btinternet.com and let me know. I try to reply to all e-mails within 48 hours.
|
Brian Carpenter 5th August 2008.
CLICK HERE.
