BLACKWELL Scrapers M40 Construction

[taurus MK1]

Just came across these, took these along with many more i cannot find! during the construction of the M40, these were taken at the bottom of the cutting as you are heading south towards the now Cherwell services. Enjoy



Cheers John

[Green Dragon]

Nice to see the slasher standing in the cut, no hard hat incase the seagulls $hit on him and no hi vis cause we're not blind. Nice pics of a now defuct way of shifting muck. Thanks for sharing, please post anymore you may find. All my pics were lost in a house move.

[modelman093]

Taken near High Wycombe / Beconsfield in about 1966. Apologies for poor quality but scanned from old prints.

[Forster]

I worked on the M40 (known then as High Wycombe By-pass) in 1964. We had 3 No Cat 631Bs, which were probably the first in the UK, also 4 No Cat DW21s. This was the Stokenchurch to Marlow Road section. Site agent Peter Baldwin. Worked again on this section in 1965 after a spell in West Africa. This time we had Cat 619s, who remembers these machines. We also had a Terex twin bowl scraper, probably the only one around at that time.
Blackwell was relatively small at this time although they did have Cat 657s working on the Cannock (Stafford) section of the M6.
Who knew the Geogdie GF there Sammy (Woodhead !!) Blackwell in those days always had the obiquitous Allis Chalmers, invariably pulling a roller. The company generally employed a good standard of operator in those days compared with say Dick Hampton who was well known for "chancers".

[bigkit]

Best not copy that to the Dick Hampton thread!

[modelman093]

I worked on the M40 (known then as High Wycombe By-pass) in 1964. We had 3 No Cat 631Bs, which were probably the first in the UK, also 4 No Cat DW21s. This was the Stokenchurch to Marlow Road section. Site agent Peter Baldwin. Worked again on this section in 1965 after a spell in West Africa. This time we had Cat 619s, who remembers these machines. We also had a Terex twin bowl scraper, probably the only one around at that time.
Blackwell was relatively small at this time although they did have Cat 657s working on the Cannock (Stafford) section of the M6.
Who knew the Geogdie GF there Sammy (Woodhead !!) Blackwell in those days always had the obiquitous Allis Chalmers, invariably pulling a roller. The company generally employed a good standard of operator in those days compared with say Dick Hampton who was well known for "chancers".

Couple of pics of 619 at a gravel pit near Chelmsford - taken in about 1963. Note mix of hydraulic and cable control.
Also Blackwell 657s on section of M1 near Chesterfield - about 1966

[hoggie]

Good old photos thanks, take a look at the second 619 photo and clearly visable is the lockeed hoist rope saver. As you hoisted the box it sent a shot of brake fluid to the top of the winch and pulled the hoist lever out of your hand. Didnt always work though?

[Robert Guy]

My Dad took this of me near Randalstown in N Ireland i think.
He worked for blackwells when they were doing the M1 there.

Me and TS24.jpg

[andrew campbell]

Can someone explain the proper role of the 'slasher' what does he stand in the cut for ?

[modelman093]

Can someone explain the proper role of the 'slasher' what does he stand in the cut for ?

Heard the job described as like the Ringmaster in a circus but with added danger! Suspect a better job description will be forthcoming! Think that he keeps a load count etc and "slashes" the more optimistic claims.