Photographs are from all around Britain roads, many of Haulage Contractors Transporting through the Countryside plus rail and air photographs & The famous Jungle & Eagles Nest Transport Cafe known by old timer HGV & white van man drivers and travellers of yesteryear. I hope you enjoy the look back and can feel the atmosphere of the time, hard winters and trucks that had ventilation through the brake, clutch, and accelerator pedals which could freeze yer leg off, did I mention that cab heaters could have been an extra,,,,,, nope I am not kidding!
We can see the winter blizzards on the Shap A6 route, which was the north south connection in those days, and the Jungle Transport Café at the bottom of and south of the Shap. The Jungle Cafe located on the A6 between the Plough Inn and Shap Summit. Photos date from 1950’s
I can personally remember going in there for a fry up when I was freezing cold and starving hungry in the middle of the night, steam hit the night air as you opened the door to enter seeing drivers seated and tucking in to the food provided by those great ladies who worked through the night, giving sustenance to all those who entered in. Many drivers left their engines running to try and warm up the cab without ventilation from gaping gaps around the foot pedals,,, we really needed that fry up,,, boy did it make you feel good! In the later 1950’s rubber slots generally stopped most of the draught.
The eagles nest or Redwings was also there right on top of the Shap, again a friendly welcome from the ladies,,,
The Redwings or Eagles Nest transport café situated on the east side (south bound) lay-by on Shap Summit, this was formed from two old buses back to back with a connecting passage. The original bus-café probably dated from just after the Second World War, but may have been earlier. The top photograph shows the lay-by in winter conditions the café is on centre left of photograph. The lower photograph shows it in 1958/9. Not sure which photograph is earlier, but one shows a stovepipe and the other none.
In the mid 1960’s a replacement café (hut) was built on the opposite side of the road near the telephone box and this continued until the opening of the M6. Only the foundations of that hut are now visible.
Interior of Redwings 1958/9. The café operated between 8:30a.m.and 6p.m., and in bad weather the staff would either walk to the café from Shap (about 6 miles) or the Police would get them there by Land Rover. Cooking was by Calor Gas with heating provided by paraffin stove. All supplies had to be transported by car, and the water supply for washing up was obtained from a stream opposite! Drinking water supplies being transported from Shap.
Staff shown, Dorothy Houguez (proprietor) and Ann Watson (assistant) with a customer
Many of the other photographs are of HGV Drivers and trucks (lorries) and other interesting scenes, one taken from a Microlite above central England at about 2,000 feet seeing the shadow of a cloud on the earth from above.
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-- The Eagles Nest (Red Wings) Transport Cafe in the 1950's," Located on the A6 Shap summit, a black and white photograph. See body text for more details.Each link OPENS A NEW PAGE/WINDOW WITH a Photograph. DONT FORGET TO CLOSE THE PAGE/WINDOW WITH THE VERY TOP RIGHT X ON YOUR OWN BROWSER.
-- The Eagles Nest (Red Wings) Transport Cafe in the 1950's, photo two!" Located on the A6 Shap summit, this old black & White photo whilst poor does show the two buses so is listed here as a matter of recording it. See body text for more details.
-- The Eagles Nest (Red Wings) Transport Cafe inside in the 1950's," Located on the A6 Shap summit, a black and white photograph. See body/main text for more details regards those in photo..
-- The Jungle Transport Cafe again with Lorries parked outside in the 1950's," Located on the Shap bottom on the A6, a black and white photograph showing the trucks (Lorries) pulled in for a break, it was a long haul in those days and the A6 had a reputation as suicide ally during the hours of the ungodly
The Jungle Transport Cafe in the 1950's," located on the Shap bottom on the A6, a black and white photograph
-- The Jungle Transport Cafe photo of location taken in 2006." located on the Shap bottom on the A6.
-- The Jungle Transport Cafe looking north" located on the Shap bottom on the A6,
-- The Jungle Transport Cafe looking south" located on the Shap bottom on the A6, a black and white photograph
-- The Jungle Transport Cafe rear stream" The water could be heard rushing down when entering and approaching the Cafe. No shortage of water for a brew up!
-- The M6 running through the valley taken from the A6 on Shap" You can see the HGV's passing through in the distance.
-- MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company" En Route in England approaching the M54 from the direction of Wales
-- Hornsey Steels Roof Sheets Direct" SEE THE ABOVE PHOTO LINK, this is the small truck heading uphill about its business, which in this case is Roof Sheets, we all contribute to Societies Mechanism.
-- HJ Van Bentum BV Woudenberg" This Transport Company has some of the smartest HGV's in the EU Region.
-- Globetrotter XL JDF" Ypu see them here you see them there, you see them everywhere where transport is concerned. Look for the driver of this vehicle in the next photo
-- Globetrotter XL JDF again" You see them here you see them there, you see them everywhere where transport is concerned. Can you see the driver in this photo
-- Alfred Hymas Haulage Contractor Driver Name is Jimmy" Seen here filling up with fuel at the A1 Truck Stop on the A1. Its a great place to get a good meal also happy atmosphere at this unique Transport Cafe
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Royal Mail M54 Eastbound" Personally I think the Royal Mail service is excellent, always have and always will. Remember nothing is perfect where we humans are involved, nor can it be!
-- Royal Mail M54 Eastbound another pic" See above,,, taken from a different point.
-- Sainsbury’s M6 Southbound_" Bringing those goods to the supermarket, something we all take for granted when we shop,,, and sometimes have a moan if what we want is not there,,, one thing is for sure,,, the driver did his job!
-- Canada and Dockland " and the men in blue with different standard equipment
-- Iraq Convoy Rubber Duck" This group of trucks is in Iraq where the goods get through, despite what the popular media would have you believe in order to sell papers or watch the TV programme. An lot of good is done in Iraq by good people for good people.
-- Steve Swain Shrewsbury gets good attention" by Chris Hardy Tyres of Horton Wood Telford who run a 24/7 HGV tyre breakdown service. See the photo for the phone number of a team that really care!
-- Steve Swain & Chris Hardy Tyres of Horton Wood" Once upon a time this would be the horse & Cart in getting shod for the next day on the hoof,,, its different today,,, horses for courses and Chris Hardy Tyres of Horton Wood delivers!
-- Blackwell Transport Birmingham" All drivers need to stop for breaks by law,,, here we have Blackwell meeting that requirement.
-- JML Ireland Transport Ireland" Taking a break before moving onwards.
-- Turners Transport of Soham Norwich" Taking an official break
-- TDR Transport Services" with a low loader en route to who knows where for another building job!
-- TC Transport Antingham Norfolk" 44 tons on its way for all our needs.
-- Stiller Group Transport" shown here with a flat and its load strapped down.
