Railway Herald
Pictured in the staff car park at Gateshead TMD on 13th December 1986 is BRUFF Road Rail Recovery Vehicle No. C961YOR. Based on the Bedford TL lorry 30 of these vehicles were delivered to BR in 1985/1986. They were used by the M&EE Department and allocated to Motive Power Depots all around the country. Equipped with Recovery and Emergency Equipment and being able to drive on roads as well as railway lines enabled them to reach any incident quicker than a standard breakdown train. This vehicle was allocated to Gateshead TMD and carries the Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council 'In Unity Progress' Coat of Arms on the drivers door. Last taxed for road use in 1997 it was noted withdrawn from use with a burnt out cab at the Toton TMD open day on 29th August 1998, and was scrapped there during 2002.
Bob Woolnough
