My 955H has the angle hood , the service manual only shows 955 traxcavator 60a1-up. In the book it shows a picture of a straight hood and a angle hood , the straight hood was pedal steer in the book.

It's an early 951 for my 2 cents worth....the 955H has D330 turbo motor with the (larger diameter) stack mounted further forward.

Hi, Folks.
In all my wanderings I have never seen a 951A so I wouldn't know one if it bit me but that jigger does look a whole lot like a 955H - and a fairly well kept one at that. One wonders though how old those photos are. But as I said, I wouldn't know a 951A if it bit, or even if I fell over it.

The 951 B and C series were very much like a slightly overgrown 941B to look at and very easy to mistake for a 941B at any sort of distance too. All the B's I saw had overheating problems but the C's were just about as bullet-proof as the 941B's.

The side tipping buckets were used to load rail wagons on the track next to the removed track with spoilt ballast.These machines were transported to the work area by lowmac wagon, machines were unloaded over the side.These wagons also transported HYMAC 580's RB10's with " continental type cabs also compressors.Today all the functions are done with one fully equiped train with a loco at each end.The train will remove and relay ballast or complete railway line in one go.The trains are 1/2 mile long and cost millions.

Blue crane could be a Smith 21

Hi All,

I note a few comments about the machine being in good condition? Well it should be as according to Mr Marsh the photos were taken on it's first job after delivery, although he could not be date specific he thought it was around 69-70 ?

Thanks for all your contributions, it has proved to be an interesting debate.

Regards

Nick. (Iceman)

A.J. your first shot was bang on , its a 951 89a, how do I know becase I have heaps of photos of the things ether working or in bits after my tool box lid was lifted, f/drives and brake bands was a near full time job for me at one point,I would stick a few pics' up if the red line thing is back to the left on posting,
tctractors.
PS, it says 951 on the side , its not fitted with the correct transfers,and its had the 5 gallon rebuild, as this is not a new born ,

Nick,if the owner puts the machine down on as it's first job in 69/70 t has to be a 63K. Incidently is this the Marsh plant that had a depot up in Birtley Co Durham almost opposite the old Cat (now Komatsu )factory.I seem to remember they dealt in Bristol Taurus machines. Cheers Al

Hi English Al,

No they are not the same Marsh Plant Hire, this sucessful company are mainly based in the south of England with its headquaters in Havant Hampshire, they also have depots in Southampton, Swindon, Bristol, & Poole, I'm not sure but I think they may also have one in Birmingham.

These days they are more into cranes and Smaller self drive plant.

Going Slightly off topic here for a bit, I am after any photos that people may have of Priestman Mustang Hydraulic Excavators especially 108S, 120MKIII, & 220, But any would be appreciated.

Nick.

You guys have spotted it already, the machine is a 951, 89A series probably on its first day at work early in 1967 probably on the M3 or A34 in the Basingstoke/Newbury area, it used the same power train as the D4D 88A and replaced the 955F 45A also built at Glasgow which used the same power train as the D4C 24A.
The 63K 951A replaced it in 1968, the 955H, although looking similar was a totally different machine, power shift, later ones pedal steer and heavier final drives and undercarraige.
Martyn,I think you will find that British Rail only had 0ne 951, serial number
89A72, delivered during the first week of November 1964, it had a Cabcraft cab and Cat side tip bucket fitted, it joined a fleet containing 2 955 12A series machines (I think) at least one D6 4R and 3T D7 which was used mainly at Stoke Gifford tip. British rail later bought at least 2 of the last 933G machines built in 1968 complete with donkey engine start and side tip buckets.--thats all from memory.

Sorry I've been away so long, been tied up in other things, and no! I don't have a stash of BMW's from Branscombe in the garage.