As hinted at on this blog recently, we have added to the collection of vintage vehicles available to staff for use as part of their daily roles around the Museum.  This is the first of two commercial vehicles we have recently purchased, the second will be announced in due course…

Below: So what have we bought?  The lorry on the left (below) is a 1953 Seddon Mk5 fitted with a Perkins P6 diesel engine.  We are its eighth owner, it having been restored in the early 2000s, but originally registered in Bradford in 1953.  At some point its registration number TBB 18 was lost (presumed sold) but it was given an age-related registration of VSL 515 as a replacement.

It is seen alongside the (coincidentally similarly liveried!) Albion furniture removal van, six years older but still in daily use by Shaun Kay and the joiners, supplying the construction sites at Beamish, in particular the Chemist development.  We will add a further lorry to this collection, as well as the overhauled Morris Commercial flatbed, currently at Historic Vehicle Restoration.  These are at the heavier end of the spectrum, with the vans and car derived commercials also playing a supporting role in enabling the staff to carry out their duties but providing an added level of performance across Beamish whilst they do so.

Below: Seddon produced the Mk5 in considerable numbers.  It had a tare weight of 2.5 tons, which entitled it to operate at 30mph (rather than 20mph of heavier lorries).  It was still capable of carrying a 6 ton load and this flexibility, combined with the proven Perkins P6 diesel engine, made it popular with operators as a versatile chassis allowed a reasonable turn of speed with an economical engine.  Numerous bodies were fitted, but ours has a typical and traditional flatbed (the present load is not remaining on the lorry!).

Below: Some appropriate literature which was received with the lorry reveals something of the composition of this rugged lorry.  There are no mod cons, but the engineering was considered sound and BRS (British Road Services) used the Seddon Mk5 in some quantity.  In due course we may look at a more traditional livery for this lorry, but meanwhile, following some training, it will go into service with the Site Support team, replacing the Iveco lorry that visitors may have seen in recent months…  As for the second lorry, more on this in due course…