Geograph - photograph every grid square

Although I didn't have anything like enough time to look round the entire collection here, this beast got more than its fair share of my attention. The basic vehicle is a 1946 Foden DG6/15 with a Gardner 6LW diesel engine. It was bodied by Lang Wheels of Uxbridge to the specification of Billy Smarts Circus at a cost of �12,000. The vehicle was designed to provide power to both the circus and a fairground that travelled with it until 1952. The vehicle is named after Lord Herbert Morrison the then Minister of Power who was also made Honorary President of the circus. The vehicle weighs about 21 tons and is capable of travelling at 20 MPH according to the maker's brochure. It was in use until 1971 then in store until acquired by the current owner in 1982. It has been comprehensively rebuilt.

The real meat is in the back of this vehicle and consists of a pair of Ruston Hornsby model 6 VPH diesels. These are straight 6 engines of 17,880 cc and producing 150 BHP at 1250 RPM. They each drive a Lancashire Dynamo & Crypto 110 V DC generator rated at 910 A. There is a transverse switchboard behind the cab. As built the road engine could also drive a 500 A dynamo but this was removed to reduce the front axle loading.

Much nicer than the current crop of generator wagons.