National Transport Trust

09/09/2025

12/02/2025

Please participate in the crucial National Historic Vehicle Survey and keep transport heritage on our roads

The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) have recently launched a " fact finding" set of online surveys which they hope will better enable them to recognise your needs when it comes to assisting with a range of issues, not least legislation and policy making

It might seem a bit of a faff, but the Federation are not mind readers, and we all owe it to each other to complete the relevant survey (and there are 3)

It matters not if you are a "restoration professional" an individual vehicle owner, or a museum or event organiser - your feedback is not just important, it is vital.

So please. follow the link and invest 10 minutes of your time
completing the survey

Oh, and please share this with as many others as you can

Thank you

https://fbhvc.co.uk/survey

PS the picture is just to catch your eye!!

23/10/2024

Restoration Awards again...

Anyone can have their project considered for a restoration award, and recognised by the nations Transport Heritage trust, as well as potentially receiving a financial award.

It is dead easy to apply or nominate, go to this part of the web and simply fill the application in on line. But hurry, entries close soon!…
https://www.nationaltransporttrust.org.uk/awards

To whet your appetite here is another of this years line up, an unusual item from WW2, a Loyd Carrier - TT (TT stands for Tracked Towing)

Another Lincolnshire project (it must be something in the air) is this super rare wartime tracked carrier restored by Alastair McMurray of Lincoln

This Loyd Carrier was designed by the Vivian Loyd company in 1939 and approved for production in 1940. It is an open topped, fully tracked utility vehicle, tank support vehicle and Anti-Tank gun towing vehicle. (it was built in a number of different versions for the aforementioned tasks). The restoration is of a Ford built towing version recovered from an army firing range as a wreck. And what a wreck...

The Loyd is a prime example of the British rush to build vehicles, any vehicles, in the dark days of 1940. Loyds were issued to all Divisions for D-Day, and served through to VE Day across North West Europe. This particular Loyd was sold to the Belgian Army post-war to help them re-arm. But as time went by it ended up as a target on a range. Only one partly complete Loyd survives in a UK National Museum today.

Having stripped the wreck down in 2010/1 Alistair began the task of locating missing or damaged parts from around the world, the tracks for instance came from New Zealand. Firstly the rolling chassis was completed and then a new hull was drawn up from surviving sections. Alistair has compiled over 100 drawings for missing parts and these have been given freely to people around the world who are attempting Loyd restorations. In 2023 it was driven for the first time. Like many modern restorations progress has a strong Social Media following.

The final step in the project is to have a canvas hood manufactured An original New Old Stock hood in a private museum which Alistair has been lucky enough to borrow in order to be to be copied and thus complete the project. The Loyd is a very rare survivor which all those taking part in the D-Day invasion through to VE-Day would have been familiar with. It represents the 1940s spirit to make do and mend as well as having input from so many now defunct British engineering firms. As such it is a fine recipient of a restoration award.

16/10/2024

Let's have a look at a another restoration recognised at this years awards. As you know, anyone can apply to have their project considered for a restoration award, which, as well as the kudos of being recognised by the nations pre-eminent Transport Heritage trust, comes, in most cases, with a nice cheque.

It is easy to apply or nominate, go to this part of the web and simply fill the application in on line. But hurry, entries close soon!

https://www.nationaltransporttrust.org.uk/award-form/awardform/22_apply-for-a-restoration-award

This year saw an award go to the wonderful 1939 Leyland Cub FK8 fire engine owned by Richard Loudon of Scunthorpe in Lincolnshire and restored with the help of Barrie Seeley.

This project sees the restoration of Richards 'home town fire engine' after it had been resting in a barn in Lincolnshire for almost 50 years. It is a classic open cab pump ladder with crew of two and up to a further six on the running boards. The ladder is actually older than this pump but typical of the types carried, and they were interchangeable. It was new to Scunthorpe Borough Fire Brigade in August 1939 delivered one month before the outbreak of WW2.

Richard served over 32 years as a firefighter at Scunthorpe Fire station retiring in 2007. One of only 2 pieces of Scunthorpe fire station equipment are known to have survived. The workmanship on the visible parts is of a very high standard and the restorers have retained original material where possible but lino and upholstery have been fully replaced, as has new wiring, a replacement fuel tank (the original leaked), and the engine fully overhauled. Mudguards have had plates welded in where rust was excessive and similar repairs elsewhere. Paint is of a very high standard as is the signwriting, all the more impressive as work was undertaken largely by torchlight as the engine was stored in a part of the shed with very poor lighting. Being a seasoned fire-fighter Richard claims he knows who was responsible for every dent and scrape!

This fine old appliance has returned to its home town after over 55 years away. Other than the coachpainting and lining it has been completed by the owner and a friend both of whom are of state pension age. It is a 'brass finish appliance' and as such requires constant attention to lots of brasswork to keep it up to standard

An excellent addition to the 2024 awards line-up

10/10/2024

It is not just projects that the National Transport Trust recognises during its annual Awards, but also people; people who have been nominated because they have made a personal contribution to the conservation of heritage transport.

Remember, if there is someone out there who you think deserves recognition then do not hesitate, nominate them in one of the categories

https://www.nationaltransporttrust.org.uk/awards/about-our-awards?bk=25

A lifetime achievement award this year went to Matthew Boddington

Engineer, aircraft constructor and restorer, air-worthiness inspector, display pilot, Matthew has been involved with vintage aviation since childhood.

His father was a pilot with the Barnstormers Flying Circus and built and flew replica aircraft for several films. Matthew flew with him in early childhood and, after his father was killed in a flying accident, Matthew has devoted his life to building, restoring and flying vintage aircraft.

Based at Sywell Aerodrome he is the ‘go to’ engineer for advice and expertise.

After leaving college, Matthew worked for Sloane Aviation and gained his pilot’s licence in 1986 when working for Sywell Aviation Services and then as a Civil Aviation Authority engineer for March Helicopters.

During this time he flew Austers and the Miles Messenger G-AKIN and restored and ferried Chipmunks, Tiger Moths, the Gipsy Moth and flew the Harvard.

He also rebuilt the Comper-Swift G-ABUS.

His opportunity to fly WW1 aircraft replicas started with the Fokker Dreidecker and he later became involved the The Great War Display Team in 2008, later flying his father’s BE-2C (Biggles Biplane).

The BE-2C had been badly damaged in an accident in 1977 in America. It was rediscovered in 2005, shipped back to England, and Matthew spent 6 years restoring it to flight. He flew the ‘Biggles
Biplane’ on many occasions with the GWDT.

Following a near fatal accident in the BE-2C in 2020, Matthew made a remarkable recovery and has since restored to flight and displayed the Avro 504K replica and, with his son Charlie,
he is now rebuilding the BE-2C.

Highly thought of throughout the vintage aircraft world, Matthew’s dedication, expertise and continued lifetime commitment to the restoration of vintage aircraft, make him a worthy recipient of the NTT’s Lifetime Achievement
Award.

06/10/2024

The National Transport Trust champions all sorts of heritage transport areas, land, sea and air, and the next awards falls into the last category. In this case, it is the 1969 Handley Page Jetstream, an ambitious project, being undertaken by volunteers from the Sywell Aviation Museum, Northamptonshire,

The work has seen the disassembly of the rare Jetstream aircraft from Cranfield airfield and re-erection at Sywell Aviation Museum with work now underway to restore the aircraft to be used as a classroom for the Museum's Young Aviator Tours

The HP.137 Jetstream was HP’s last design, a small turboprop-powered airliner Development began in 1965 and was a little more protracted and the first flew in 1967. This particular aircraft was assembled at Radlett during 1968, and first flown on 17th April 1969.

Progress to date has seen the disassembly, transport and re-erection completed, and it is worth noting that is Sywell had not rescued it then it would likely have been scrapped. The tailplane has been refurbished and installed, and the elevators are refurbished and ready to fit. All passenger windows have been replaced and fitted, and the cockpit overhauled.SAM has taken 17,000 young people round the airfield from 2001 on its ‘Young Aviator Tours’ (won Northants Heritage Awards ‘Community Award’ for these tours in 2014 and Highly Commended for ‘Best Special Project’ for the Jetstream Project in 2021).

The whole point of the Jetstream is to use it as a classroom (since ‘live’ aircraft are used on the tours the children cannot sit in them) and to permit children to work the controls etc. With ‘airstairs’ and fitted seating it is a natural classroom.

Not only is it an important Sywell ‘artefact,’ but in its own right it will enhance the visitor experience by permitting something not possible before and also increases display space (part of cabin will be seating, part will be displays on the Jetstream). As a result the Trust is delighted to recognise the project with a restoration award.

You can help us to help others - why not become a member so we can continue to support great projects such as this? https://www.nationaltransporttrust.org.uk/join-us

04/10/2024

Restoration Awards

Remember anyone can apply to have their project considered for a restoration award, which, as well as the kudos of being recognised by the nations pre-eminent Transport Heritage trust, comes, in most cases, with a nice financial award.

It is dead easy to apply or nominate, go to this part of the web and simply fill the application in on line. But hurry, entries close soon!

https://www.nationaltransporttrust.org.uk/awards

Which brings us to another award made this year, this lovely 1934 Guy Wolf Flatbed Lorry.

Owned and being restored by Steve Rodd of Wincanton in Somerset, this is an interesting little lorry from another long lost British manufacturer. Originally rescued and restored by the current owners father, but time took its toll and work was due again. The lorry is believed to be one of 10 ordered for the Home Office as an inter-depot transport. (there is another one around approx. 1936 but not from this order).

It was produced by Guy Motors of Wolverhampton and powered by a Meadows 20hp Petrol. Owned at one time by Grove Commercials, the vehicle was rescued by Steves father on collection of workshop equipment from a Garage in Sully, Wales

Work has included removal and refurbishment of the load bed, replacement of the back of the cab and front roof support, refitting windows and making new door panels, and much other mechanical work. The lorry has now been out, static and then running (just!!) to a couple local shows. The next steps include replace the exhaust system, refurbishing the carburetor and possibly a dynamo refurbish. And the lorry will need some better tyres for long road use (has been trailered so far)

Steve's father was going to sell it 8 - 9 years ago, so Steve took it apart, so he couldn't!! He has known the lorry since birth, and has personally completed 90 - 95% of the work, himself, often without any previous knowledge Its a rare vehicle and a proper survivor that will create much public interest out and about. It is thoroughly deserving therefore, of a restoration award.

29/09/2024

The first of our restoration awards for 2024:

1960 CA Bedford Pick-up Truck

This restoration is being led by Mike Foulkes, part of The Griffin Trust based in Ellesmere Port
and is effectively a nut & bolt restoration of this vehicle to provide a working as well as a show addition to the collection of Bedford trucks. Once a common sight, this was the Bedford version of the Transit van This version is now rare, most examples being of the "Dormobile" variety. As a bonus it has a hand cranked tipping gear.

Progress to date has seen a re-built tipping body; the .chassis stripped, sandblasted & painted. Cab has been welded & is now being prepared for painting. All the mechanics are undergoing, and Reassembly is beginning at last, with the help of a student from the local college & our team of volunteers, aiming for completion by Mid Summer 2024

The Griffin Trust (https://www.griffintrust.uk/) do terrific work preserving items from the Vauxhall and Bedford stables and have featured previously in Awards line-ups. As well as the Vauxhall and Bedford products, they restore house and display many other items of local interest (including aircraft). This is a nice little project to restore a once common, but now rather forgotten model of a lost marque. The effort going into the restoration is most commendable and aims to return the vehicle to fully operational condition, including the hand tipping gear. Not the sexiest of vehicles, but nevertheless worthy of an award.

If you know of a restoration that could be one of our winners don't hesitate - get the restorer to make an application - it could not be easier, go here and find out how:

https://www.nationaltransporttrust.org.uk/awards

Please share this widely so that great restorations can be recognised.

27/09/2024

The National Transport trust is the only national charity established to promote and encourage the preservation of Britain's unique transport heritage in all its forms – that is to say air, land (road and rail) and water (sea and inland).

Each year the Transport Trust invites nominations for awards to assist individuals and groups who are working hard to preserve items of importance to the Nation's transport heritage. Awards generally come with a substantial financial lump sum which it is hoped will assist with making good restorations great.

This years applications were many and varied, and the standards were, as ever, very high. The awards panel considered all the applications and had their work cut out choosing these winners against some stiff competition. All those who put forward projects for consideration are to be congratulated for playing their part in preserving our transport heritage, and all those involved in restoration should consider applying for an award. Not only are the awards a great boost financially but they are great for boosting morale – especially when a restoration project has taken a long time and seems to be never ending!

Each individual award will be posted here so everyone can share the fantastic efforts of the various preservationists, but for now, here is a summary of the award winners and a few pictures!

Restoration Awards 2024:

The 1960 Bedford CA pickup owned and being restored by the Griffin Trust from Ellesmere port.

The 1946 Clinker built Morgan Giles Sailing/Rowing gig Waterwitch
Owned by the Sea Ranger Association

The Loyd Carrier - Tracked Towing
Owned and restored by Alastair McMurray of Lincoln

The 1910 Marshall No 2 Light Traction Engine
Owned and restored by Richard Day of North Scarle near Lincoln who also wins the Peter Allen award

The 1939 Leyland Cub FK8 fire engine
Owned by Richard Loudon of Scunthorpe in Lincolnshire and restored by him with the help of Barrie Seeley

The 1969 Handley Page Jetstream
Owned by the Sywell Aviation Museum, with restoration undertaken by volunteers from across Northamptonshire

The 1919 Thornycroft J Type 4 ton lorry
Owned and restored by Toby Robinson from Newick in East Sussex

The 1882 Aveling Road Roller
Owned and restored by "The Friends of 1760" from Vale of Belvoir, near Melton Mowbray

The 1934 Guy Wolf Flatbed Lorry
Owned and restored by Steve Rodd of Wincanton in Somerset, who also wins the Ron Wilsdon Award.

The Spirit of Falmouth
Owned and restored by a group known as "Turn to Starboard"

The 1877 Great Eastern Railway Prince of Wales Saloon
Owned and restored by Stephen Middleton, of Harrogate, who also wins both the David Muirhead and Sir William McAlpine awards

The 1932 Taskers of Andover Ltd, 6 Ton Timber carriage.
Owned and restored by James Loader from Ringwood in Hampshire

The 1927 Sentinel Super Steam Waggon.
Owned and restored by Chris Hutchinson from Alloa Clackmannanshire.

Personal Awards 2024

Preservationist of the year
Michael O’Brien in recognition of his restoration of his Motor Cruiser Lockheed

Young Preservationist of the Year
Rose Hodgson-Jones in recognition of her restoration of her Ford Model T

Lifetime Achievement Award
Matthew Boddington in recognition of his achievements in historic aircraft preservation over many years

Lifetime Achievement Award
The Late Richard Sozanski in recognition of his service to the Hillman Imp Club over more than thirty years

Lifetime Achievement Award
Richard Peskett in recognition of service to the historic commercial vehicle movement over more than half
a century

Lady McAlpine’s special recognition award
Malcolm Stern for his achievements with 1930 Talbot Darracq K74 drophead

Lady McAlpine’s special recognition award
Jack Dibnah for his restoration of Kerr Stuart locomotive Works No 4388

20/09/2024

Meanwhile, at the annual National Transport Trust Awards Lady Judy McAlpines full guage Garden railway is in full swing, giving guests a fine experience. With her own loco in for repairs we have, instead Jack Dibnah's loco doing the honours up a pretty impressive gradient up into Somersham Station.

Worth turning the volume up a bit!