BRS The Early Years 1948-1953

BKSHB

From the myriad of independent operators which were carrying a major part of the nation’s goods before the Transport Act of 1947, there evolved the vast British Road Services fleet which became so familiar throughout the country in the following years.

Arthur Ingram and Gordon Mustoe tell the story of how BRS was created, including details of many of the private companies which were gradually embraced to form the vast nationalised fleet. For drivers there was the promise of better wages and conditions, modern depot facilities, trade union recognition, and above all the abolition of competition which caused so many of the smaller operators to cut rates which in turn created the necessity to cut operating costs.

The acquired companies had been running a very wide range of trucks – as the fine photographs in this book show. For example, the photographs on one pair of pages chosen at random are: a Dodge 6-tonner run by Mack’s Hauliers; a Leyland TQ8 (JR Munday); Leyland ‘Lynx’ artic (J Reece); Karrier ‘Bantam’ 2-tonner (McNamara); International KR8R (McNamara).

The authors take the account through the pioneering days and up to the point of denationalisation. The book includes extensive Appendices which include details of the structure of BRS, a listing of BRS undertakings, RHE management in 1950 and operations organisation for RHE/BRS in mid-1950.

• 176 Pages
• 200 Black and White Photographs Throughout
• Hardback Book
• 275mm x 203mm