Leyland T45 was ‘underwhelming’
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BRIAN WEATHERLEY’S article (CM 11 October) sums up the underwhelming reality of the Leyland Roadtrain perfectly.
In the 1990s I worked as an agency driver, mainly for BOC Baker (later Gist) and WJ Sims (hauling for Sainsbury’s). Baker’s T45s had Rolls-Royce engines and the horrible Spicer gearbox. Relatively new to artics after years on rigids, I thought the inevitable crunch every time I selected first gear was due to my ineptitude – until an old hand put me right.
The cab nod was dreadful and on largely local distribution duties a constant source of backache.
Conversely, the little Daf 2100 (admittedly a little short of power) and 2500s used by Sims on similar routes had a sure synchromesh change, good ride and excellent manoeuvrability. An illustration in microcosm of why British truck manufacturing deservedly died. Dave Young North London