Pickfords Scammell truck, 1950s

"Under the watchful eye of a policeman, and the driver's mate, a huge pressure vessel is being delivered to Woolwich Docks. Such boilers might have to travel many miles on muds narrower roads than today's, causing major traffic congestion. Drivers also had to be very skilled to handle such huge loads.

"Scammell Lorries Ltd was founded in 1922 after an old-established firm of coachbuilders, G. Scammell and Nephew Ltd had experimented with a prototype four-wheel tractor and two-wheel semi-trailer. In the 1920s and 30s Scammell built ever larger and more powerful four- and six-wheel tractors, powered mainly by Gardiner diesel engines, and capable of hauling enormous loads on purpose-built trailers like the forty-eight-wheel example shown. Also caught up in the event are three cars. The Ford Prefect on the right is the 1939 Model 93A, rated at 10hp. On the left is an SS Jaguar 1.5-litre side-valve 4, and behind it may be lurking a Riley 12 Model 29S saloon.

"An unusual feature of this area was the triple tramlines, with power supplied to the vehicles via a centre rail, while the wheels ran on the two outside rails which also conducted power. The centre rail consisted of a conduit open at the top, with a sunken centre rail, and the tram had a trailing shoe that made contact to pick up power Only a very persistently kamikaze pedestrian would have managed self-electrocution, but one feels water and debris must have been a problem at times."

Mike Jefferies painting(?)