Atkinson Lorries
In 1907 Edward and Harry Atkinson joined forces with George Hunt to set up a company called Atkinson & Co in Frenchwood Avenue, Preston. Soon out growing these premises they moved to Kendal Street. The company repaired motor and steam wagons. In 1916 the Atkinson brothers decided to build a wagon of their own design. The company went through good and bad times during and after the First world war. Edward Atkinson died in 1932 and W.G Allen bought the business and renamed it Atkinson Lorries (1932) Ltd. They started producing diesel lorries, these lorries had Gardner engines, Kirkstall axles and David Brown gearboxes. Those of us old enough to remember this combination still have a great affection for these lorries. The company moved to bigger premises on Marsh Lane,Preston, finally moving and settling at the famous Winery Lane site Walton Le Dale,Preston in 1947. Atkinson lorries wore many famous liveries W.H Bowker Ltd, Sutton of St Helens, Pollack, Gibb's of Fraserburgh, Northern Ireland Trailers,W & J Riding of Longridge and of course John Killingbeck of Blackburn. I have been lucky enough to come across some pictures of Atkinson lorries at the Winery Lane Factory . Peter Davis has produced a wonderful book called Lorries Illustrated Atkinson
Two Atkinsons at the 2001 Leyland Museum open day.
Continental Ferry Trailers Lorries 1029 HK and 291 HK
Four wheeler tippers waiting for export to Mauritius
Special bodied Atkinsons circa early fifties.
British Trade Fair Helsinki 1957 Low Loaders lined up for export to Pakistan
Light weight 6 wheeler Four wheeler Atkinson in Uruguay.
Working in Africa On the production line and inside that famous cab.
TJ 87145
A picture sent to me by my friend John Cutler of a rare Krupp cabbed Atkinson (thanks John)
Many thanks to Graeme Turner for this picture of The Ultimate Atki Borderer, magnificent lorry.
Many thanks to David Gates for this picture of a Peter McCallum & Sons Atkinson Unit
Peter Tossell sent me this picture he found on the web of an Atkinson unit he drove from new for Charringtons Transport (any copyright issues please e-mail me)
John Huddleston's magnificent Atki's taken at the Atkinson gathering Botony Bay by the side of the M61 Lancs
My mate Mick Fanner recently sent me these pictures of this magnificent Atkinson reg Number XNP 973M taken near his home at Titchfield, Hants.
Owned by Dave Freemantle Steam Haulage.
Advert from Newspaper dated March 15th 1921 for Atkinson Steam Lorries
Big Al's latest big boy's toy 1971 Atkinson Borderer with Cummins engine reg number MRN 382K Anybody any info on this lorry.
To re register this Atkinson with her former number I had to track down a build sheet for it, to this end Jill Honeybun of the
Atkinson society was a great help. After Atkinson was taken over by Seddon to become Seddon Atkinson they in turn were
taken over by Iveco. All the paperwork appertaining to these great companies were transferred to Iveco House at Winsford, Cheshire.
I was put in touch with Keiran King who is a font of knowledge on all things Atkinson, he used to work at the Winery Road works.
Indeed when I gave him the chassis number he was able to tell me that at the time this unit was built (1970-71) he would have
fitted the rear axle to it. Keiran supplied me with the build sheet for my unit so hopefully I can get her original reg number back.
I recently received an email from David Rimmer who having checked his records was able to give me some information on
my lorry. He recognised the spec from the build sheet and also the registration number, it seems like the lorry was new to
Northern Ireland Trailers, the Autolube and 5th wheel was fitted by West Lancs Auto Lube Services at Mere Brow Tarleton.
Fleet No 163 Tare weight 5t 16cwt 1qtr date in service 25th October 1971 apparently this was the last Atkinson to
NIT with their spec, the next batch of lorries were to Pandora spec Cummins 220 - 6 speed David Brown and Kirkstall axle.
I am not sure but I think she went from NIT to Brian Nelson of Hoghton near Preston, I am told she ran sawdust from Preston
to Haltwhistle. I have attached copy of build sheet below. I know she spent the last 12 years dry stored with William Partington
of Chorley, in fact I first saw her in David Partington's garage out at Nateby near Garstang. David sold her onto Brian Pearson and his
brother and I aquired her from them. I do not know where she went to from her leaving Nelson's up until she surfaced with
Bill Partington, as soon as I get her registration number back and I have the log book I will apply to DVLA for the details of
all registered previous owners. (watch this space) A couple of months ago I was contacted via email by a vintage lorry
enthusiast called Ian Halsall, Ian has been a great help to me and is helping to restore the Atki Borderer. At my age and with
a dodgy hip I do not think I could manage on my own, so many thanks Ian all your hard work is much appreciated.
Atkinson Borderer build sheet for the unit pictured above
Ian Halsall took these pictures down at Twin Lakes, Croston, where the Atki is being resprayed.
Restoration under way more pictures to come as each stage is completed. (photos by Ian Halsall) Friday 27th June 2008
Dick Eaves master sign writer has put the finishing touch on my Atkinson Borderer.
Picture courtesy of and copyright of Keith Revell (Road Rat) place cursor on picture to be taken to Keith's website
This Seddon Atkinson 340 8 wheeler belongs to a friend and neighbour of mine Bob Sutcliffe
After telling Bob I had put a picture of his lorry on my website he came across to visit and brought me a photostat of a picture of him
taken about 40 years ago. It was taken when he received a new Atkinson 8 wheeler tipper when he drove for J & M Collinson, a firm
which is still on the go today. Bob is on the right of the picture standing next to Melling Collinson, the other two gentlemen are from
the Atkinson sales team, anyone know their names ? Bob thinks Steve Oxley took the picture. Keiran King was able to tell me
the gentleman on the left was Frank Whalley now sadly passed away. I had a call from a gentleman called Chris Knowles who
told me the gent second from the left was called Jack Green, and that Jack had gone to work for Atkinson in Australia, he believed
that Jack had once driven for Shorrock's of Pilling.
Frank Whalley Jack Green Melling Collinson Bob Sutcliffe
