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Thank You!

A special thank you to the late Thomas William Riding, former managing director and chief executive of W & J Riding for 25 years, to whom this website is dedicated.

Over the years Tom was kind enough to supply a vast amount of detailed historical information along with many of the superb rare photographs featured and without his invaluable help and dedication this website would not have been possible.

The site now contains over 2500 images, complete with in depth details, all of which are accessible via the main menu & side menu (marked with the mobile menu icon of 3 lines on a mobile & tablet).

Ready Mixed Concrete (Scotland)

In 1987 a company from Greece started exporting cement over to the UK by ship into a large new terminal on Leith Docks Edinburgh.

Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) were to purchase the cement from them but required a reliable haulier to move the huge quantities involved.

So it came about that Castle Cement, based in Clitheroe Lancashire, recommended W & J Riding who were approached by RMC to tender for the job and were duly successful.

The contract was to collect from the docks at Leith all the bulk cement that RMC required and to deliver it to their various batching plants across Scotland.

Initially the job required seven outfits, with W & J Riding eventually providing five brand new ERF and two brand new Seddon Atkinson 4×2 tractor unit’s to do the job, along with the relevant cement tankers which were all painted in the striking orange RMC livery.

This shot was taken during the early days of the RMC contract.

The Tom Riding recalled below……

“Initially when the contract began we were struggling for equipment so i borrowed a tank from Harris Road Services to start the job off.

Hauled by Seddon Atkinson 301 Series 4×2 tractor unit Reg No A130 HCK Fleet No 77 ‘Sir Tristram’, which was driven by Mick McKay, it is seen here discharging at the RMC batching plant at East Kilbride after collecting a load of cement from Leith Docks.

The first two vehicles permanently assigned to the Ready Mixed Concrete contract were Seddon Atkinson 401 tractor unit Reg No RPL 122X Fleet No 16 ‘North Briton’ (Chassis No 73019) and Reg No RPL 126X Fleet No 23 ‘Auld Reekie’ (Chassis No 73025).

These two tractor units were part of a batch that Tom Riding bought second hand that were originally owned by London Carriers and were both fitted with Cummins E290 Big Cam engines.

Their job was to collect bulk cement mainly from Dunbar and Leith Docks for delivery to all the RMC batching plants in Scotland.

Seen here at Longridge, shortly before being sent to work in Scotland, they had been given a thorough overhaul and repainted in Riding’s company livery.

Notice the tanks at this stage were also in the Riding’s company colours but were repainted in RMC livery soon after arrival in Scotland.

Ex London Carriers Seddon Atkinson 401 4×2 tractor unit Reg No RPL 122X Fleet No 16 ‘North Briton’ (Chassis No 73019) is pictured here discharging it’s load of cement during the early days of the RMC contract in Scotland.

Purchased secondhand off local dealer Syd Hartley & Sons on the 14th of March 1986 at a cost of £8,600 plus vat a further £2,570 was spent on various parts including blowing equipment before it was set to work in Scotland.

Seddon Atkinson 401 Series 4×2 tractor unit Reg No VPM 233Y Fleet No 15 ‘Black Douglas’ (Chassis No 74165) was originally registered new on the 1st of August 1982 to London Carriers and bought second hand in April 1987 by Riding’s when five years old from local dealer Syd Hartley & Sons at a cost of £4,500 plus vat

It is pictured here at Riding’s Motherwell depot in 1988 coupled up to a RMC liveried tri-axle cement tanker.

All future Seddon Atkinson 4-11 and ‘E’ Series ERF tractor units assigned to the RMC contact would be painted up in the company’s striking orange livery as can be seen below. 

Day cabbed Seddon Atkinson 4-11 4×2 tractor unit Reg No E940 MCK Fleet No 36 ‘Firth of Forth’ (Chassis No 84029) was powered by a Gardner 6LXDT engine.

Purchased new by Riding’s from Seddon Atkinson Vehicle’s Ltd on the 14th of March 1988 at a cost of £28,966.65 plus vat it was first registered for road use two weeks later on the 1st of April.

This particular tractor unit along with it’s tanker were out based at Wright Brothers of Tranent East Lothian where it is seen here about to leave their yard.

The late Tom Riding, who took the photograph, recalled that John Baillie, a local man, was it’s regular driver at that time.

An excellent on the road shot of Seddon Atkinson 4-11 4×2 tractor unit Reg No E940 MCK Fleet No 36 ‘Firth of Forth’ (Chassis No 84029).

Pictured hauling a tri-axle cement tanker it is seen here in 1993 on the A720 Edinburgh by-pass between the Straiton and Lasswade junctions.

Photograph courtesy of Steve Saunders.

Seddon Atkinson 4-11 4×2 tractor unit Reg No E410 MCW Fleet No 60 ‘Firth of Tay’ (Chassis No 84032) was another brand new addition to the RMC contract fleet on the 1st of April 1988.

Purchased from Seddon Atkinson Vehicle’s Ltd on the 14th of March 1988 at a cost of £28,966.65 plus vat it was based at Dundee.

Seen here when only a few days old at the RMC batching plant at Newton Quarry Wormit North East Fife, it was driven by ex Blue Circle driver Jack Bremmer who is pictured standing proudly in front of the outfit which he always managed to keep immaculate.

Seddon Atkinson 4-11 4×2 tractor unit Reg No E410 MCW Fleet No 60 ‘Firth of Tay’ (Chassis No 84032) driven by ex Blue Circle driver Jack Bremmer, is seen here in a picture taken by the late Tom Riding while tipping at the RMC batching plant at Newton Quarry Wormit North East Fife,

Taken by the late Tom Riding Seddon Atkinson 4-11 4×2 tractor unit Reg No E410 MCW Fleet No 60 ‘Firth of Tay’ is seen here while tipping at the RMC batching plant at Newton Quarry Wormit North East Fife,.

Another shot of Seddon Atkinson 4-11 4×2 tractor unit Reg No E410 MCW Fleet No 60 ‘Firth of Tay’ this time pictured on the approach road to the Forth Road Bridge.

On the right is driver Jack Bremner who is talking to Motherwell depot manager the late John Elliot.

Purchased new on 15th of February 1989 from ERF Ltd Sandbach at a cost of £29,003 plus vat ERF E10 325 4X2 tractor unit Reg No F640 ACW Fleet No 57 ‘Moray Firth’ (Chassis No 62917) was assigned to the RMC contract at the beginning of April 1989.

With the Forth estuary in the background it is seen here tipping cement at the RMC batching terminal at Leith Edinburgh.

A nice on the road shot of ERF E10 325 4X2 tractor unit Reg No F640 ACW Fleet No 57 ‘Moray Firth’ (Chassis No 62917)

Registered new on the 17th of March 1989 it is seen here hauling one of the company’s trademark tri-axle cement tankers.

The image comes from the Jack London (Memorial) collection courtesy of the ‘NA3T Transport Photos’ (NA3T) who still have many tens of thousands of transport negatives waiting to be cataloged.

ERF E10 325 4X2 tractor unit Reg No F640 ACW Fleet No 57 ‘Moray Firth’ (Chassis No 62917) coupled to a tipping cement tanker is pictured here in one of a number of RMC publicity shots that were taken in March 1989 at Leith Docks in Edinburgh.

A final shot of ERF E10 325 4X2 tractor unit Reg No F640 ACW Fleet No 57 ‘Moray Firth’ (Chassis No 62917).

This picture was taken when it was brand new in 1989 at Blue Circle’s cement plant at Dundee in Scotland.

‘E’ Series ERF 4X2 tractor unit Reg F650 AHG Fleet No 107 ‘Dornoch Firth’ (Chassis No 62935) is pictured here after exiting one of the long gone toll booth’s on the Forth Road Bridge near Edinburgh.

Purchased new from ERF Ltd Sandbach on the 16th of February 1989 at a cost of £29,003 plus vat this was one of a number of brand new ERF tractor unit’s assigned to the RMC contract during 1989 and 1990, with this particular one being first registered for road use on the on the 1st of April 1989.

A colour shot of ‘E’ Series ERF 4X2 tractor unit Reg F650 AHG Fleet No 107 ‘Dornoch Firth’ (Chassis No 62935) parked up at Riding’s Motherwell yard.

One of a number of brand new ERF tractor unit’s assigned to the RMC contract during 1989 and 1990, Reg No F650 AHG was first registered for road use on the 1st of April 1989.

The tanker at this stage is still in W & J Riding’s company colours but was later repainted in RMC livery.

ERF E10 4X2 tractor unit Reg No F660 ARN Fleet No 42 ‘Formidable’ (Chassis No 62895) was purchased brand new from ERF Ltd Sandbach on the 15th of February 1989 at a cost of £28,853 plus vat and was first registered for road use two weeks later on the 1st of April 1989.

Powered by a Cummins L10 325 engine F660 ARN was driven on a regular basis by Tom Brady.

Pictured here at Riding’s Motherwell depot it is seen here coupled to a Riding liveried tri-axle cement tanker which would have later been repainted in RMC’s orange livery.

Another shot of E10 4X2 tractor unit Reg No F660 ARN Fleet No 42 ‘Formidable’ (Chassis No 62895) while doing some shunting at Motherwell depot.

It is coupled to one of Riding’s 45 foot tri-axle flat trailers loaded with empty GKN pallets destined for the Heinz plant at Wigan.

These empty pallets would have been dropped off in the depot by other Riding’s vehicles after delivering Heinz products to Scotland.

As they were not required for the return leg due to loading up with steel coil and plate from the Ravenscraig and Dalzell plants the empty pallets were stored  at the depot until there were enough for a full back load down south to England.

Another shot of ERF E10 4X2 tractor unit Reg No F660 ARN Fleet No 42 ‘Formidable’ (Chassis No 62895) this time seen coupled to a newly painted tri-axle cement tanker in RMC livery.

First registered on the 1st of April 1989 F660 ARN was driven by Tom Brady and is pictured here at the Castle Cement plant at Coatbridge.

Seddon Atkinson Strato 4×2 tractor unit Reg No F881 RRK Fleet No 111 ‘Sir Bedivere’ (Chassis No 86601) was powered by a Cummins L10 325 engine.

Registered new on the 2nd of May 1989 it entered service with the Riding fleet on the 24th of September 1990 after being purchased second hand, at a cost of £17,750 plus vat, from Ryland North West Ltd who had utilised it as their demonstrator tractor unit.

Driven by Alan Greenwood it is seen here at Longridge depot in April 1993 while coupled up to a newly re-furbished and re-livered Carmichael tipping tank for use on the RMC contract.

Not to miss out on a return load, after it’s refurbishment at Longridge, the tanker would have been loaded with Castle cement for delivery in Scotland on its way back to Riding’s Motherwell depot.

On the 19th of March 1998 when nine years old Reg No F881 RRK was sold on to D.G.Taylor of Driffield for an undisclosed sum.

Photograph courtesy of Chris Richards.

‘E’ Series ERF 4×2 tractor unit Reg No G320 SEC Fleet No 74 ‘Pentland Firth’ (Chassis No 66908) was purchased new on the 26th of January 1990 at a cost of £30,010 plus vat from ERF (Manchester) Ltd.
 
Registered for road use on the 1st of March 1990 this was the last of a pair of brand new ERF’s that Riding’s assigned to the RMC Contract the other one being E’ Series ERF 4X2 tractor unit Reg No G330 SEC Fleet No 68 ‘Wolf of Badenoch’ pictured below. 
 
Powered by Cummins L10 325 engines, in line with a Fuller 11609 gearboxes and Rockwell rear axles they were both fitted out with hydraulics and Hammond high pressure compressors in Riding’s own workshops at Longridge before being despatched to Scotland.

‘E’ Series ERF tractor unit Reg No G330 SEC Fleet No 68 ‘Wolf of Badenoch’ (Chassis No 66939) was purchased new on the 26th of January 1990 at a cost of £30,010 plus vat from ERF (Manchester) Ltd.

Registered for road use just over a month later, on the 1st of March 1990, this was the last of a pair of brand new ERF’s that Riding’s assigned to the RMC Contract the other one being E’ Series ERF 4X2 tractor unit Reg No G320 NFR Fleet No 74 ‘Pentland Firth’. 

Powered by Cummins L10 325 engines, in line with a Fuller 11609 gearboxes and Rockwell rear axles they were both fitted out with hydraulics and Hammond high pressure compressors in Riding’s own workshops.

Driven from new by John Wardope G330 SEC is seen parked up at Longridge depot with a load of ICI Ltd pallets for delivery in Scotland and had probably come down to Lancashire on a weekend flyer as it was not normally seen at South of the border. 

Another shot of ‘E’ Series ERF 4X2 tractor unit Reg No G330 SEC Fleet No 68 ‘Wolf of Badenoch’ (Chassis No 66939) this time seen here at work in Scotland coming off the Forth road bridge while hauling a tri-axle cement tanker.

Introduced into the fleet on the 1st of March 1990 this was the last of a pair of brand new ERF’s that Riding’s assigned to the RMC Contract the other one being E’ Series ERF 4X2 tractor unit Reg No G320 NFR Fleet No 74 ‘Pentland Firth’. 

RMC Fleet line up in June 1990 which consisted of, from left to right, 

‘E’ Series ERF 4X2 tractor unit Reg No G330 SEC Fleet No 68 ‘Wolf of Badenoch’ 
 
‘E’ Series ERF 4X2 tractor unit Reg No G320 NFR Fleet No 74 ‘Pentland Firth’ 
 
‘E’ Series ERF 4X2 tractor unit Reg F650 AHG Fleet No 107 ‘Dornoch Firth’ 
 
‘E’ Series ERF 4X2 tractor unit Reg No F660 ARN Fleet No 42 ‘Formidable’  
 
Seddon Atkinson 4-11 4×2 tractor unit Reg No E940 MCK Fleet No 36 ‘Firth of Forth’.

Another shot of the RMC Fleet line up in June 1990 taken from a different angle. 

Seddon Atkinson 4-11 4×2 tractor unit Reg No E410 MCW Fleet No 60 ‘Firth of Tay’ (Chassis No 84032), new on the 1st of April 1988 is pictured here at the end of it’s working life after returning South from Scotland.

Pictured in October 1996 in the depot at Longridge Lancashire E410 MCW was broken up and scrapped the following month in November 1996.

Photograph courtesy of Chris Richard 

ERF E10 4X2 tractor unit Reg No F660 ARN Fleet No 42 ‘Formidable’ (Chassis No 62895), purchased new by Riding’s on the 15th of February 1989, is seen here in 1997 towards the end of its working life when eight years old after coming off the RMC contract.

Still in it’s original RMC livery it is seen here at the Nexus depot at Grangemouth being used as a shunter to place a Metalair 55 cubic meter tipping tank into the wash bay for a thorough clean and wash out.

Tankers used on the movement of plastic products from BP Grangemouth were washed out after every load as a protection against contamination.