Some Cats from my youth

[iceman]

Hi All Cat fans,

Just thought I would share some photos with you all from the early 1970's when I used to accompany my Father to work during the construction of the M27 south coast motorway between Southampton & Portsmouth in England.

The photos are old and not the best quality but Still worth a look...I hope you like them.

The D9G and D8H with 463 Scraper were owned by M.C. Pierce Earthmoving after that job I never heard of them again, except a rumour that he had shipped a load of his kit out to Saudi Arabia. Anybody know any different?

Nick Drew...."The Iceman"

[3512B]

Great pictures! thank you for posting! got any more?

[iceman]

Here are some more Cat photos from the 1970's

I have a lot more photos of more recent Cat Equipment, but as I am new to this site I am not sure if they are wanted here? Please advise...

Oh I also have some 212BFT, 215 & 225 excavator pics anyone interested?

Regards

Nick.

[Richard~J~W]

Top pics there, Nick.
Its good to go back thru the albums from time to time, even if it does make you realise just how long ago it was!

Expect you've wrapped up for Christmas, so hope you've put the vandal guards on the machines or you might find some of 'Da Plymuff Bruvvas' have been joy-riding on a Zaxis down Union Street.


Richard

[RolyD8k]

Hi Nick,micky pierce was on my doorstep in 73-74 building the
Huntingdon by-pass,and also at that time on the Kings Lynn
by-pass,we had a D6c 46j on hire to him at Huntingdon for
6 months, but after pulling off and luckely getting paid whithin
a month they went bust,sadly no pics of that job,but i do have
some of the Eaton Socon by-pass in 1970 on hire to highways
with a D6c 82a and home made blade,i,ll try and post some old
photos.
Roly

[iceman]

Hi Roly,

Thanks for the old photos Fantastic !! I just love old photos from the golden era of British earthmoving. More of the same please.

I Notice that you are from Huntingdon, I was working up Cambridge way around this time last year at Arbury off junc 32 of the A14 for some old friends of mine whom you may know James King Earthmoving from Northampton doing a few shifts on their old Cat 215DLC. will attach some pics.

All the best & Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you & Your Family

Regards

Nick,

[RolyD8k]

Hi Nick,We moved onto a big open field just off kings hedges road
back in 73-74 with a D6c46j and closed bowl onions 9/11yrd scraper
contracted to smarts builders for top-soil strip and cut out the roads,
it was to be called Arbury Estate,in the field next door were a fleet
of D8s & boxes belonging to Blackwells carving out the dreaded A14
which i hope will soon be up-graded to 3 or 4 lanes.
A very merry xmas.
Regards Roly

[RolyD8k]

Hi Nick,James King,know them well,worked with them and for them,
currently working with 2 of there terex trucks and until a week ago
there D6M dozer the same as in your pic,at pineham Northampton,
where we are preping and stabilising 200 acres for ind warehousing.
Regards Roly

[iceman]

Thanks Roly

Great set of photos once again.

Yes I have to agree with your comments about the A14 it's just a total nightmare isn't it. it was a real wind up trying to commute back to Devon on a Friday night, but I could well be back up that way working again real soon as the "Kingy" boys have a lot of work coming off up that way soon, they were on the phone to me just a couple of weeks ago. You know the crack if the moneys right I'll be there!! Can't afford to work for the locals down here in Devon far too tight fisted "They know the price of every thing but the value of nothing" !!

At least with Kingys they appreciate a decent driver and look after them.

Keep those photos coming please..

Regards

Nick.

[iceman]

Hi Roly,

Here are some pics from 1996 when I first worked for James King on a job in Coleshill nr Birmingham.

I started of on the 225 but then sadly the Rubber Duck Driver "Bunny" passed away and I inherited his machine a Cat 212BFT.

We had moved up to Northampton as my other half had got a job at the Moulton Agricultural college as a lecturer in Equine Science.
She Now works at the Duchy College in Cornwall and that what brought us down to the West Country.

Do you Know Nick Leatherland an excellent fitter who used to work for O&K at Watford Village Depot but now works for the Kingys ? A sound bloke!!