They take the High Road

Film on Truck drivers in UK.

[@peterwalker6020]

This is a wonderful film of working men back in the day. It reminds me of being a young lad and going with my dad to the rail sidings and handballing bags of all sorts of things, then roping and sheeting. I was in awe of them men, a generation no longer with us, but definitely not forgotten. Thanks for sharing, I have got so much pleasure watching and remembering.

[@mypussysmellsofrottenfish4062]

A generation no longer with us? You could be right. The generation back then were an honest, hardworking lot. Now, you have fraudsters and criminals driving trucks. No kidding. I know one. This particular truck-driving fraudster even tried to become a *MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT* in 2010. Oh my God! But he ended up in prison for about a year, after defrauding multiple students and their parents. And today, 11 years after getting banged up in prison, he's still trying to con his employers (trucking company bosses). A criminal never sheds his skin. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmTJiqB4iZ5gq80 kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2qWl2CIqMebetk

[@Frightenedtofart]

My father in law used to drive for BRS. I wish he was still alive to see this . Fantastic film . Thankyou for putting it on here.

[@allanlindsay8369]

@@paulcruttenden1152 Why?

[@Lanzy4lee]

I work for brs now its owned by Renault trucks I drive hiabs for Bnq a firm a shadow of its former self

[@derekantill3721]

I worked for BRS bodybuilding in the 1950’s. Working on all the 8 leggers of the time. AEC, Maudsley, ERF, Scammell etc etc. this brought back many memories.

[@sidewindersid4180]

I love that breakfast scene at the start, would make you hungry.

[@kbrown6763]

Well done lads, in a time when people cared for each other, and the world was a happier place, I wish I could have lived in those days, you have set an example of what it is to be human, god 🙏 bless to you and yours, thank you.

[@yarslowmodelrailway1]

I'm sure it wasnt anywhere near as rosy and wonderful as this films makes out but things like "Pride in the job" and hard work are a thing of the past - something we seem to have lost and have no way of regaining. Pity.

[@williamwilson3156]

Evokes memories of a much simpler time. The music in particular makes me wish for a return to those times but I know that I am wishing in vain. Where did this world go wrong?

[@williamwilson3156]

@Wil Jones German brothers? Hitler (I know he was Austrian but he is very much identified with Germany), Himmler, Goering, Auschwitz, Treblinka, Belsen and many other atrocities.....they were no brothers of mine. In any case, this film was shot well after WW2 so what is your point?

[@garyandrewranford]

Just brilliant... what a gem this short movie is... thank you for the upload

[@john86779]

i drove the e r f back in my days of 22 now 72 this film brings so many memories back roping and sheeting in all weathers thanks for this great film

[@Otacatapetl]

And every time you pulled down on a rope in the rain your face got spattered with mud lol

[@richardbarber4444]

Aye @gilburton You and me both but I reckon we would both be aching, especially if it was sleeting. Friend Jim went back to running part time continental at 70.. because it was like driving a car.

[@explodman]

Richard Barber don’t forget to comply with the law you had to take your break (night) away from the vehicle.

[@nomdeplume798]

And breaking the ice off the knots with a mallet.

[@lydiaanderson4020]

@Hello john barber, How are you doing?

[@johnturnbull3361]

everything about this film is really top quality, and the music is so tranquil and beautiful,it is impossible to criticize this production nor would i want to.Of course we must accept the commercial aspect of it.But i presume there was no actors in it ( theres a small possibility i might have spotted one or two) but it doesent matter . So top marks to everyone involved and many thanks to Brar Films for bringing it to us,so please can we have more and if possible even more. Looking forward to many and much of the same Regards J.T.at 73 !!

[@pete.i7057]

Proper old school work. Trucks with mandraulic steering, crash gearboxes and professional drivers. Great film. Thank you.

[@thomasm1964]

“Mandraulic” - my new favourite word!

[@ChangesOneTim]

Brilliant video of a very different world of road haulage. Only a couple of years after this film the BTC, then a bit later on the statutory monopoly, were broken up. In the late 1970s/ mid 1980s my father worked for National Freight Corporation, which by that time was parent company of NCL, BRS and Pickfords. BRS became Roadline. There was also some sort of 49/51% split control of Freightliner jointly with British Rail, whereby [IIRC] NFC and BR alternated majority 'shareholding' every five years.

[@bordertide2805]

Fantastic look back to the quality and happiness of a great period in our history - this was when Harold Macmillan told us "You've never had it so good"; he meant peace as well as prosperity and - as always - he was bang on the nail. This is such a beautiful film - many thanks.

[@Lilzsnr]

52 year old here. Got my Class1 when i was 21 in 1987 and came to realise a decade later I got in just at the end of the good times.

[@tonyowen8349]

rush2005 hi rush2005 im 51 past my class 1 in september 88 drove till 06 im glad im out of it . Hello from anglesey

[@nomdeplume798]

Guy, AEC, Leyland, ERF and Albion. Names we don't see anymore. Engines by Gardner, Leyland and Perkins and not one with more than about 150 bhp. A great look back. Thank you for posting.

[@greenfingersgardener822]

such a beautiful piece of filming

[@paulbroderick8438]

Enjoyed this very much. All when honest hard physical work was appreciated and required.

[@fazfinisher5598]

Being a class one driver today with all the creature comforts, i couldnt imagine being interviewed to work on this job with those rigids in that climate....we are spoiled.

[@stephenrice4554]

That life would have suited me , too late now . Great film 👍🇬🇧

[@andrewccochrane8052]

i started driving trucks 19 64 first truck aec mammoth major 8 legger twin steer i was a skinny wee weakling but after 2 years on it i had muscles like charles atlas i hated that ratchet handbrake allways caught my skin in the clip when releasing it and iwas working from the stirling area at the time this film brings back so many memories for me i retired from the trucks at 73 years old so nearly a life time on the same job

[@25ghr]

Great film from happier simpler times,

[@Cypher791]

Excellent... in a Scottish truck driver and this is so fascinating, hearing all the town names and seeing how things have changed... not by much actually... principals are all still the same. Just a slightly different way of doing it.

[@stevecunningham6537]

I got the video 20 plus years ago. And since then have done jobs like this. Scottish Highlands can't beat it to feel alive.

[@johnhealy8513]

What a lovely nostalgic film of the way things used to be and there was greater camaraderie

[@Otacatapetl]

Yep. Crap lorries but it didn't matter; we were happy. It was a pleasure to go to work in those days.

[@jerryjones8513]

It`s quaint, a story from a bygone era but I will stick to my 230BHP DAF, air suspension seat, automatic gearbox, all the toys including digital radio. These guys were real men, the type we will never see again.

[@tonystoakley5816]

i love this video watched it hundreds of times times gone bye

[@ocelot2234]

absolutely beautiful

[@allanlindsay8369]

Watching this wonderful presentation and can't help wondering what happened to the four lads, Dave, Bert, Geordie and Bob who lived on the "line" for 2 years at Killin trucking the cement each day? Presume they all will have passed on by now, though I suppose the youngest Bob, could still be around? Any of their family watch this and able to provide any details? That would be nice.

[@michaelparkin6974]

well, Geordie was 58 in 1960 so would be 118 if still living !

[@allanlindsay8369]

@@michaelparkin6974 Hello and greetings to you. Actually he'd be 121 this year, IF the figures supplied are correct and also IF Canny Geordie Joiner gave his correct age all those years ago, he was called "Canny" after all 😉. That's why I wrote, "Presume they all will have passed on by now, though I suppose the youngest Bob, could still be around?" Note I didn't single out Canny Geordie Joiner as the one possibly still living I singled Bob - any enlightening thoughts there Mick?

[@hulltramper]

When cabs were wood and men were steel.. Happy days.

[@peterjanrouw2805]

Yep, you got that right, now cabs are mostly plastic and man are mostly sissies...

[@inthenameofjustice8811]

My father drove for BRS (British Road Services) and was based in Tuffnel Park Depot in North London. I remember those trucks well. I went all over the country with him in some of them.

[@alanmcculloch8775]

I am lucky, I have lived and worked in those areas for the last forty odd years. The road over to Glen Lochy is sadly being allowed to fall into disrepair. I have cycled over it many times.

[@1juanitosully]

good job cake

[@johnmalpass3087]

I have loaded out of killin in the past from the power station viaduct,what a fantastic drive up through hills and gated road happy days .

[@janlabij7302]

I bought a used 1969 GMC 9500, 8V71 engine, 13 speed Road Ranger transmission pulling 4.33 gears on 10.00x22 inch rubber. Never used the clutch except to start the load. Longest haul was from Tampa, Florida to Las Vegas, Nevada, about 2500 miles. Flatbed trailer, 50,000 pound load. Over the Rocky Mountains, highest point where I crossed was 11,000 feet. It sang such a sweet song.

[@johnpirie3800]

8v71? Is that a Detroit diesel 2 stroke? Stay safe brother.

[@london1026]

Nicer times even had time to stop n chat ,men with dirty on their hands are most honest ,thats my experince in life.

[@MrDaiseymay]

with dirty what on their hands?

[@GCStalker]

@@MrDaiseymay I think he means dirt on their hands?

[@shahramzam2254]

Dirty man are more honest

[@allanlindsay8369]

Some quick maths, Bert, Bob, Geordie and Dave between them loaded some 1,200 bags of cement a day come sunshine, hail, rain, biting subzero cold, fog and snow and drove them 88 miles per day over often wild and steep terrain, without power steering and servo-assisted braking. No wonder they needed all that "power" food, bet they slept like babies every night.

[@gegwen7440]

Hand balling all those bags of cement was seriously hard graft & very bad for their health (we now know) as was driving those heaps of course.

[@gcfcos]

All them bends with no power steering, no wonder they needed a decent breakfast!

[@deezelfairy]

@Biker Boiy In the 50's and to an extent towards the mid 60's forklifts were a relatively new thing in terms of general cargo handling. They had been around since the late 20's but only used for very specific jobs. The concept of the 'unit load' and 'palletisation' was still very much in its infancy and not fully adopted. Unions didn't like them either in those times, forklifts put a lot of men out of work.

[@MrDaiseymay]

@gilburton jeeeezus we were backward, I remember seeing my first Swedish Scania truck, pull into the yard, from Sweden in the late 60's. It was a monster, half as high again as any British 'tractor'. cab. and inside?? like something from another world, The luxury was amazing, a fixed bed in the back of the cab, power steering, a stereo system that was REAL hi-Fi, a fantastic heating system, and on and on. We were like kids, queueing to have a turn in the driver's seat , as he sat amused on a wall, watching us. No wonder our truck industry died, no bloody investment see, a common reason for decline, and other factors of course.

[@ChangesOneTim]

@British-mechanic... and no servo-assisted brakes either down those Highland gradients!

[@douglasmcdermott2830]

Oh aye

[@mrrolandlawrence]

life was tough back then. my great grandfather was a coal handler for a power station. died at 55. my grandfather died from handing carcinogenic chemicals at work.

[@jennytalia226]

That green Morris van ! My favourite van of all time ! What the hell happened to the world ?

[@gazza2933]

Jenny Quality 'went out of the window' and was replaced by quantity. Happy New Year!

[@fergushall1797]

Very nostalgic. I remember many of the hydro electric power stations being built. And I recall hitching lifts as a student with BRS Atlas etc.

[@colinbuttery2047]

My dad worked for brs in hull 1960 he loved it also never stopped talking about the lorry he drove

[@repentbeforeitstoolate..8239]

Awwwww.♥️

[@stephenr6427]

Shame there isn’t a part 2 and more great film

[@PillSharks]

British workers, British wagons, British Land Rovers.....whatever went wrong! Wonderful film anyway

[@gustavmeyrink_2.0]

British management

[@philhealey449]

Add nationalisation to union culture and management woes, plus lack of investment, culture of exporting any old rubbish to the colonies, lack of uptake of engineering modernisation and little surprise Mercedes and MAN prospered in the long run by an opposite approach, while not much endured in Britain. Sad.

[@harrywhiterow2782]

Nationalisation happened and the less communist western Europeans blitzed past us with superior vehicles so when they did arrive they made our lorries look ancient

[@luinesharpuines192]

Oh I just love these old films about average day live. People look more happy and relaxed than nowwadays. Sure it was hard work but is it better now ? Burnout and depression were just vage words then

[@Looopius]

I worked in the cutting- room on this British Transport Films production (1960.) Glad to see it getting an outing. Why does it have a "Brar" films label and not a BTF logo? Please?

[@RafaelPerez-mn4ld]

wonderful film! Thank you.

[@558vulcanxh]

Great Film, pity about the obtrusive Brar Films sign to spoil things .

[@tonydean2541]

They handballed 60 tons of cement everyday loading????? bloody hell..... hats off to them lads

[@repentbeforeitstoolate..8239]

Lovely film.

[@voicezful]

Proves beyond doubt existence of a railway at Killin, Perthshire

[@glennharrison705]

Massive respect

[@krakatoa1200]

I like the way he carves that cyclist up on the left hander right at the start.

[@TheScottishSprayer]

Lol, ran to the kerb, obviously cunts even b4 the lycra!

[@sarjim4381]

They were using a forklift to unload the cement at the dam site. I wonder why they couldn't have done the same at the railhead? Maybe labor was cheaper than a forklift and driver in 1959. They were tough guys, no doubt about that. I'd be in bed paralyzed for three days from one day's worth of unloading!

[@MrDaiseymay]

The first time I saw and sat in a modern Volvo Lorry Cab, was in 1968; the driver was Norwegian, and had driven all the way from Stavanger. It was huge compared to British Lorries, high off the ground, and with all the now familiar comfortable attributes we now take for granted. Power brakes and Steering, auto gear change, A bed in the Cab, Air con, and a heating system that blew onto all the glass areas. electric adjustable seating, Stereo Sound system, radio phone too. We were like visitors to the future. It was the beginning of the big change.

[@zennor_man]

Transport was my choice as a young man in the early 70's.....I don't regret it....they were better days..glad I'm retired from it now tho'....

[@deejaytee5481]

Those were the days! No power steering, 4 speed crash box (no synchromesh, double declutching all the way up and down the box) , sheeting (properly) and roping your own load and folding your sheets up afterwards Ask a modern day lorry driver to try that,or even tie a dolly, see how far you get! On the plus side, all the roadside pull-ups where you could get a REAL breakfast at any hour of the day and night, no tachos, just a log book (easy to fiddle - NO! - joking, honestly!) I'm just bemg nostalgic really, before anyone takes issue (I'm a 70year old ex trucker, so I'm allowed!)! Certainly, todays truck driving is safer and better in all respects (except the roadside pull ups - and probably the wages!) ( Is that all night truck stop on the A5 at Cannock still going? - and anyone remember the Black Cat Cafe on the A27 - mega brekkie!)

[@brandybolls]

aye been there done rope n sheeting easy now

[@davidmarkersnr.1888]

Isn't the Truckers' Rest the other one a little further on on the other side. used to be called the Coronation Cafe?

[@davidpanton3192]

They were obviously proud of what was then a hi-tech office. Today that would all be done by an app!

[@markellis796]

I want to live in that time :(

[@robbierobson3251]

So the cement dust "Rots your clothes and boots". What did it do to these guy's lungs? I bet none of them lived to make old bones.I am no 'elf and safety fanatic, far from it, but in some few ways, things can be better now! It's just a pity everything else in this wonderful old film has gone forever.

[@flipper2392]

My dad did a similar job, two loads a night, Grays to Wembley handball cement, I'm sure it was the cause of his emphysema.

[@ghalibmahmudlaskar5980]

Wow a Leyland comet!

[@tkx86]

Proud Aussie truck driver hauling goods round Sydney and her surrounds.

[@stevenrichardson7320]

THIS WAS BRITAIN AT ITS BEST ?? GOD BLESS THEM WHO MADE US GREAT !!

[@kennethwalsh3078]

Slaves

[@Perthshire]

@@kennethwalsh3078 what do YOU do for a living? Or are you a work-shy state benefits sponger?

[@TheScottishSprayer]

@@kennethwalsh3078 lol search the definition or slave, ya work shy donut

[@kennethwalsh3078]

@@TheScottishSprayer your spraying shite dats all your at,

[@TheScottishSprayer]

@@kennethwalsh3078 your talking shite! Ya dick :)

[@harrycurrie5295]

That's why no woman drove lorries back then to hard for them no automatics and hand loading bag by bag this made my dad a old man before his time but. I loved my holidays out in his truck 🚚. Wish I could go back to those days just me and my dad and his truck

[@davidpanton3192]

They were obviously proud of the then hi-tech office full of women tending loads of clunking telex(?) machines and punched tape readers. These days it would all be done by an app!

[@halftime3723]

Brilliant!

[@lydiaanderson4020]

@Hello Nick Wright U.K., How are you doing?

[@harrycoffeynield6941]

No iPhones, personal computers or social media, but in the words of Monty Python......”we ad nowt but we were appy in those days........aye we were.”

[@flipper2392]

You were lucky!

[@stugill4513]

brilliant film

[@minidriversouthsweden5137]

The policeman is your friend. Aye If it was true Even to this day. Nice video nostalgia all the way.

[@SpiritEngine]

Why wouldn't they be? When you're smart and professional they will have greater respect for you, because they sense you speak 'their language'.

[@Perthshire]

Cops gave you a good slap if you deserved it. Pity those days have now gone in the snowflake UK

[@McIntyreBible]

4:40, the workers eating their breakfast before they go to their jobs.

[@briancarno8837]

in scotland would have been good to see some albions

[@johnmalpass3087]

My dad drove for British road services most of his life

[@gladyssellar6408]

So did ma grandad and his brothers 👍

[@GCStalker]

The private road at Kenknock is still accessible but in poor condition.

[@mrrolandlawrence]

cor and i bet they are british made trucks as well!

[@mikelinda5203]

What a shit life . Too hard , breathing in cement dust etc . No wonder they died young

[@WullieMammothWizard_1]

Nice old lorries , takes me back but LOL @ 3:33 "The policeman is your friend...." That's comedy!!!!! Thought it was a Monty Python flick for a second!!!!

[@สาวสาว-ศ1ห]

Lorries never had power steering in those days

[@pearlyhumbucker9065]

18:19 What a nice beauty.

[@ryanred1976]

That's when men where real men!!!

[@jimwalsh233]

Were real men, not where real men.

[@js.s8832]

Ryan Red Define a "real man"

[@deezelfairy]

@@js.s8832 Obviously not you... 😂

[@js.s8832]

@@deezelfairy Nobody asked you, so go take a hike.

[@deezelfairy]

@@js.s8832 😂 😂 😂 😂

[@TheTk1971]

30 tons a day Today you'll get that lot up that hill In one go. Granted it' would be on a flatbed 44 ton artic 'shame it would not be a British motor these days.

[@goldcup11]

They actually did 60 tons as it was 2 trips per day, not sure if a modern 44 ton could access that place. Take your point about how it wouldn't be a British Truck these days though, either way.

[@brianmccabe2430]

All workers out. They blew it. They who under paid, They who would not invest in modernisation, think Morris Marina. The British motor industry was replaced by Hino, Datsun,Toyota. Not the workers fault.

[@kevinryan7633]

Strikes may of been some of it. For trucks our products were totally outclassed by what the Europeans especially the swedes were offering in the late 60s and from then on we was playing catch up.

[@harrywhiterow2782]

@@brianmccabe2430 unfortunately no different to the soviet Unions lorry manufacturers compared to their non worker owned western and Japanese competitors they are like comparing a model t to a tesla

[@weerobot]

No bloody smart phones... lol

[@23hublock1]

Ah but there was...see 16:00 lol

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

But would they have accepted them if offered

[@peterbremner1731]

They didn’t show them in winter when ropes and sheets were frozen solid and you couldn’t undo a knot . Or half frozen in those draughty cabs with little or no heating. Demisting meant keeping inside temperature the same as outside so it didn’t steam up . No thanks I’ll keep modern stuff

[@Perthshire]

Ya big softie! Grow a pair of balls, man!

[@Otacatapetl]

I remember my first night out ever. I had ice on the windscreen - on the inside. I suppose we were just tougher then.

[@davids8449]

Then take the road rage to go with it, and the stupidity of endless I want I want, I need more, for my part I would sooner be back in 1950

[@davids8449]

I will remind you of what you said the next next your car goes in limp mode

[@TheCramunhao666]

grande documentário ....

[@Spookieham]

The pay on the Hydro schemes was really good - up to double the normal wages

[@arch9enius]

I take it it was hardship pay, Since there was nothing to do but sheep.

[@Perthshire]

@@arch9enius sheep or sleep :-)

[@john86779]

o the good days when i drove trucks

[@SuperSupasi]

They still are good days. Despite the negative comments. We still just suck it up and crack on.

[@stuartrussell8529]

born in the rong era i was!!

[@9erner]

Stuart Russell me to

[@hubs37]

Me also, what a waste.

[@simonrichardson5533]

So was I - I was lucky enough to spend my childhood in the passenger seat of my old mans Foden. I wasn't 21 until '91, so my first truck was a '92 Volvo - just not the same!

[@deezelfairy]

Yeah, me too.

[@ianbetts4435]

I don't know how they do it without high vis.

[@treforjoned6149]

Ian Betts easy

[@davesaunders3334]

37 men were killed during the construction of the Giorra dam. It's health and safety gone mad I tell you.

[@bobnicholson4702]

Tarp and rope. Ask a modern driver to do that today and he would run a mile.

[@alanmcculloch8775]

Ask them to use a clutch and they run a mile, or waddle half a mile.

[@23hublock1]

16:00 that's a smartphone...proof of time travel...at last solid proof!

[@saxoncodex9736]

Ha ha ha, nice one, a diary week to view by the glance?

[@e.s.6275]

Rather a small notebook. A smartphone would be completely useless even to pull out without the network.

[@Scots_Diesel]

Why do people like you put your own watermark on others work ? COPYRIGHT BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE NOT BRAR FILMS

[@marycoull2737]

A wee clip of findochty and Buckie in there

[@HYUKLDER1]

This economic activity was before the European Union bloc ruined it.

[@gsd4me00]

I'm surprised it wasn't hand stack onto the trucks and hand unload as well.

[@g2macs]

Ben Lawers dam, Aberfeldy PH15 2PB - google map this address if your interested in what they were building.

[@Spookieham]

Ben Lawers dam Aberfeldy PH15 2PB, UK maps.google.com/?cid=946832919623138572

[@Perthshire]

Incorrect - they are building Giorra Dam and Lubreoch Dam - both are mentioned by name in the film. Ben Lawers Dam is very small in comparison

[@Perthshire]

@@Spookieham wrong dam!

[@Spookieham]

@@Perthshire ah well I can't be right all the time!

[@McIntyreBible]

Can anyone tell me what this building (0:37) is?

[@rabmcleod3508]

Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh?

[@petermcgregor3274]

Most drivers would run a mile from that job there were no flashy scainas or Volvos then just proper drivers who could work as well as drive

[@Ibrahim10555]

Splendid

[@tilerman]

Hard working men. Loading lorries. Driving them. Untold hours. Unloading the lorries. And cooking for themselves. And where are the feminist's?

[@CFinch360]

Back home taking care of the kids and holding down their own job too, like my mother did in the 1960's an 70's

[@jupitermoongauge4055]

18:19 oh yeah

[@101jumpit]

Hells Bells,having to hand ball load the cement onto their wagons and then drive them to the dam.Hard working blokes,not like the mamby pamby lot that around this day and age.

[@Htiler]

10:25 they all have iphones on their windows...

[@martm216]

Lovely old film. But can anyone tell me what year this was? Can be no later than the early sixties. Perhaps the fifties?

[@Johg777]

Martin Mitchell Filmed in 1958-9

[@martm216]

@@Johg777 ah! Thanks Ben 🙂.

[@uttaradit2]

Hell Drivers

[@saxoncodex9736]

I thought that, brill film :-))