My Motoring Memories Part 3 (Back in the real world )

With my job change I had to hand in my company car, although the company arranged for me to purchase an older company car at a reasonable price. This was 2 litre Montego saloon, but I was now back in the real world of paying all running costs, including fuel. After the fitting of a towing bracket we were soon back on the nomadic trail

A few items were replaced on the Montego whilst in my care, including a clutch plate, exhaust system, alternator, and tyres.

I then changed my caravan to a Swift 400 Challenger from Canwell Caravans.

Then I traded in my Montego for a 2 litre Ford Granada Ghia automatic from Saturn Motors of Walsall Wood.

On Spring Bank Holiday 1999, we booked on a caravan rally at Woolercombe in North Devon. On climbing a steep hill near to the caravan site, I noticed in my mirror the caravan surrounded in black smoke. After contacting Green Flag breakdown services, the mechanic diagnosed an oil leak from the automatic gearbox, and the oil was spraying onto the hot exhaust pipe. He took the car to the workshop and replaced the gearbox seals over the weekend. I ran the Granada for a further 12 months then exchanged it for a 2 Litre Vauxhall Cavalier automatic in Champagne Silver.

After a years caravaning with the Cavalier we decided that after 18 years of caravaning we would like a change. With this in mind we sold the caravan.

In 2002 Tamworth Plastics went into liquidation and I was made redundant, and after a few months on the dole went to work at Focus DIY, and in 2003 purchased a Ford Mondeo from Saturn Motors of Walsall Wood.

After 5 years  motoring the only problems encountered were, a new battery, and 2 new front springs.

I then decided to look for a Mondeo estate, but could not see one that fitted my demands. Then Saturn Motors had a Jaguar X type Estate with the specifications that I wanted. After a road test I could not resist buying the car.

Since my retirement in 1965,I became a volunteer at Chasewater Heritage Railway, and now my driving experience as taken on another level, and I have driven the following Diesel powered Locomotives.

Two car Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU), class 101.

Ruston Hornsby, Diesel Electric (DL7), 11517

English Electric Class 73, Diesel Electric No 73128.

Brush Bagnall, Diesel Electric.

North British Diesel Hydraulic.

Hunslet Diesel Hydraulic, shunting Engine.

Diesel Electric class 08. No D3429.

Hunslet Diesel Hydraulic Narrow Gauge Loco.