A&R ERF Showman's Specials
The ERF make of lorry has become a firm favorite with showmen up and down the country.  None more so than Anderton & Rowlands.  In the late 70's there were very few ERF's as the firm employed scammells and Atkinsons.  All this was to change during the 80's and 90's.

During the late 70's and through most of the 80's Ernie Devey used the ERF shown below for the No1 Dodgems.  The ERF carried the floor, plates and nets. 
An Atkinson 8 wheeler carried the sets and the steps and the Scammell John Bull pulled the car truck.


ERF GBA 158C at Taunton 1987 (Photo by M Wells)

In 1988 Ernie Devey replaced his complete fleet and had a custom body built onto a more modern ERF.  The ERF carried the bottom and the cars.  The rest of the track packed into a box truck.  This configuration is still used today however the ERF has been replaced by another newer ERF in 2003.


ERF RDT 405R pulling onto Exeter in 1988 (Photo Paul Andrew)
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ERF RDT 405R
Ernie later replaced the lorry with another but put the same body on it


George DeVey dispensed with his multiple loads for his track in 1981.  The track used to be packed in a Bedford "Gengis Khan" and two trucks pulled by the Scammell "Gladiator".  In the winter of 1980 John Allen of Bristol built a custom body onto an 8 wheel ERF.  I helped build this lorry as I was wintering in the yard in Bristol for that winter.  It is still used today.


No 2 Dodgem Load GYA 872K  "Ark Royal" Plymouth Hoe 2000 (Photo A Dyke)

Still going strong in 2003 at Torquay (22 years in service)

Colin DeVey retired his scammell "Dragon" in 1982 and pulled out of the yard with a 6 wheel ERF tractor unit.  It combined the pulling power of the scammell with the generating power of the old plant truck.  The ERF had a body on it which housed three Generators, a 240v lighting set and a diesel tank.  Over the years it was repainted many times.  It had to be one of my favorite lorries for driving on.  The longest load I towed with it was when it had a living wagon and a 22ft trailer on the back. The lorry is now at Dingles Steam Museum

ERF NBX 956H "Lord Nelson" taking the gate at Taunton 1982.

ERF NBX 956H "Lord Nelson" Taunton 1987 (Photo by M Wells)

In 1982 George DeVey dispensed with the Scammell Demetrius and the aging plant truck and replaced it with an ERF. This was a classic showman's in that it was the front half of an artic unit attached to a set of back axles from an 8 wheeler to create a 6 wheeler.  The lorry arrived at Goodrington and was named "Lord Mountbatten" it carried the two dodgem sets and would often be seen towing the sykrider load.  It is said to be sitting in a field in Redruth and should not be confused with the more modern named ERF that replaced her also called "Lord Mountbatten".

The original "Lord Mountbatten" OTT 220M 1986 (Photo by Paul Andrew)

The "New" Lord Mountbatten Paignton 2000 (Photo by A Dyke)

Colin DeVey bought an ERF tractor unit to pull the Round Up that he purchased from Jennings in 1986.  The ERF was lettered out in the traditional fashion and was named "Victory".  I drove this lorry many times pulling both the Round Up and also Colin DeVeys articulated living wagon. This lorry left service in 2001, being replaced by a Foden

Round up Load ERF UTV 177S Paignton 1987

Pulling Colin DeVey's 50ft artic wagon and advertising trailer Paignton Green

Colin DeVey employed another ERF to pull his new Orbiter Load that came out in 1989.  The lorry a 6 wheeler was made from an artic unit front attached to a set of back axles from an 8 wheeler.  In this case Robert Keffords old 8 wheeler that he used for his slip.  The lorry carried a set and could also run a dynamo off a power take off. This ERF was replaced in 2001 with a Foden 6 wheeler.

The Orbiter load pulled by ERF XYK 381T "Progress" at Redruth 2000 (Photo by Steve Andrew)

The ERF Progress at Bridgewater 2000 (Photo by A Dyke)

Rowland DeVey used an ERF artic unit to pull his Trabant load from about 1982 onwards. 

ERF "Prince William" PJU 782R Taunton 1987 (Photo by M Wells)

Rowland DeVey also employed an ERF 8 wheeler for the coaster ride.  The coaster (ex Traylens) was put onto an old Atkinson 8 wheeler that used to be owned by Phillip Stevens.  The lorry had a reputation for being very hard to drive (no power steering).  Rowland transferred the body to the ERF in the early 90's.

ERF "King of the Road" PPF 590M Exmouth 2000 (Photo by A Dyke)

George Devey took delivery of another 6 wheeler power plant unit to carry two lighting sets.  It traveled with an old box body before a new body was put on in true showman's style.  The lorry was called "Montgomery" but later on the name changed to Winston Churchill.

"Montgomery" OYA 791P pulling into Exeter 1987 (Photo P Andrew)

"Montgomery" now "Winston Churchill" OYA 791P Paignton 2000 (Photo A. Dyke)

 "Winston Churchill" OYA 791P generating at Torquay 2003

When Simon DeVey took ownership of the ex Whitelegg Ark/Waltzer he purchased another 6 wheel ERF to provide the pulling and Generating power.  It must be one of the finest looking power plant units on the road today.

City of Plymouth  Waltzer plant unit FVL 73Y Teignmouth 1999
Apart from the center all the rest of the City of Plymouth Waltzer travels in an articulated truck pulled by another ERF.

City of Plymouth Waltzer pulled by ERF YYB 44S

Simon DeVey started towing the Skyrider load on an artic ERF tractor.  The ERF was called Vanguard.  It also carried a set on the back for generating.

ERF Vangaurd YDV 751S pulling onto Paignton Green

Ernie DeVey employed an ERF for pulling power and generating when the Scammell John Bull was retired. 

ERF DAW 280L No 1 Dodgem Power Plant unit 1987
Ernie retired this ERF in the late 90's replacing it with a 6 wheel ERF.

ERF TJH 646S pulling onto Bridgewater 2000 (Photo by A Dyke)

Ben Devey used this ERF to pull his Matterhorn ride
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ERF "City of Truro" SNV 82W

Ben scrapped ERF SNV 82W and replaced it with this smart  ERF.  The lorry is well known for driving the  "Jumping" Ride. 
The lorry retired in 2009 and is famous as the lorry that Corgi made a model off (Towing the No 2 Waltzer Artic trailer)


ERF F150 EXR generating power for the "Jumping" ride Torquay 2003
Ben bought out this newer lorry for the 2009 season after selling F150 EXR.  Not so sure on the new colour scheme looks just like any other artic unit now:
erf
Ben DeVey's ERF PN52 WZT "Unique" at Torquat 2009

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Rowland DeVeys ERF L880 NFA decorated to celebrate 150 years seen here at Torquay 2004

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Kelvin James used this ERF GHD 131S

A&R Use this ERF below with the Big Wheel load - This ERF was used before by Nipper Appleton

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ERF AFS 172S used with the Big Wheel

Although there are many more ERF's about and as they seem to become more disposable this is where this web page ends..........................
 
 


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