OT: South Sudan road vehicles

Photos of motive and rolling stock, stations, signals and anything else train related in the Sudan! Photos should be 800x600 pixels, maximum size 130K. Very good ones will be moved to the Online Gallery, the rest will be pruned away after 14 days to conserve space.
Post Reply
User avatar
John Ashworth
Site Admin
Posts: 23606
Joined: 24 Jan 2007, 14:38
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Contact:

OT: South Sudan road vehicles

Post by John Ashworth »

I spent the last few days in one of the most isolated parts of South Sudan, at Kuron Peace Village, close to the Ethiopian border. It was a gathering to celebrate the 75th birthday of one of our retired South Sudanese bishops who has played an iconic role in South Sudan, and people came from far and wide, by road and air. I saw so many different vehicles, some fairly venerable, that I couldn't resist photographing them.

Land Rover enthusiasts will be disappointed not to see any. Sadly the 109 was the last Land Rover that was fit for the tough conditions in South Sudan; from the Defender onwards they just don't make the grade and you rarely see them. I believe the British Ambassador has one, but then he has no choice.

All photos by John Ashworth, 24th-27th February 2012, Kuron Peace Village, Eastern Equatoria, South Sudan.
Attachments
This lorry has just arrived with a load of grass for roofing
This lorry has just arrived with a load of grass for roofing
a604DSC00641.JPG (76.16 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
Close up
Close up
a603DSC00643.JPG (97.38 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
This lorry is looking a little sorry for itself
This lorry is looking a little sorry for itself
a602DSC00705.JPG (92.46 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
A relatively modern and "normal" lorry
A relatively modern and "normal" lorry
a601DSC00714.JPG (83.33 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
Another lorry of the same type
Another lorry of the same type
a600DSC00715.JPG (93.7 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
Large 4WD tractors are not only useful for agricultural projects (and for carting things around during birthday celebrations), but have to accompany any vehicles moving in the wet season. Over long distances this involves huge fuel consumption.
Large 4WD tractors are not only useful for agricultural projects (and for carting things around during birthday celebrations), but have to accompany any vehicles moving in the wet season. Over long distances this involves huge fuel consumption.
a705DSC00660.JPG (137.83 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
More tractors
More tractors
a704DSC00716.JPG (117.94 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
The Unimog ambulance. During the height of the wet season, Unimogs and tractors are about the only vehicles which can still move.
The Unimog ambulance. During the height of the wet season, Unimogs and tractors are about the only vehicles which can still move.
a703DSC00646.JPG (95.32 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
A large water tank is, of course, essential kit for any ambulance
A large water tank is, of course, essential kit for any ambulance
a702DSC00647.JPG (83.91 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
Two other Unimogs receive some TLC in preparation for the rainy season, when they will be used extensively
Two other Unimogs receive some TLC in preparation for the rainy season, when they will be used extensively
a701DSC00650.JPG (130.22 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
JCB to the British, back-hoe in the USA and back-actor in South Africa
JCB to the British, back-hoe in the USA and back-actor in South Africa
a700DSC00642.JPG (127.45 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
The bishop's trusty VW jeep, given to him many years ago by a German army officer
The bishop's trusty VW jeep, given to him many years ago by a German army officer
a803DSC00706.JPG (80.14 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
Rear view
Rear view
a804DSC00648.JPG (102.97 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
You get an impression of the size when it stands next to a Toyota Land Cruiser
You get an impression of the size when it stands next to a Toyota Land Cruiser
a806DSC00649.JPG (109.26 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
The VW stands next to the simple, door-less thatch house where the bishop slept, having given up his own house for guests
The VW stands next to the simple, door-less thatch house where the bishop slept, having given up his own house for guests
a802DSC00722.JPG (122.73 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
Simple controls and easy access to the batteries!
Simple controls and easy access to the batteries!
a801DSC00707.JPG (94.05 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
Plenty of storage space in the engine compartment
Plenty of storage space in the engine compartment
a800DSC00709.JPG (115.55 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
The short wheelbase version of the Toyota Land Cruiser
The short wheelbase version of the Toyota Land Cruiser
a905DSC00708.JPG (121.51 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
Bishop Paride Taban stands next to a type of Land Cruiser which is quite popular in South Sudan, particularly for carrying people in less extreme climatic and terrain conditions.
Bishop Paride Taban stands next to a type of Land Cruiser which is quite popular in South Sudan, particularly for carrying people in less extreme climatic and terrain conditions.
a904DSC00711.JPG (111.56 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
These new, soft, smooth Land Cruisers are not up to much - hardly better than a Land Rover Defender!
These new, soft, smooth Land Cruisers are not up to much - hardly better than a Land Rover Defender!
a902DSC00713.JPG (71.3 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
The ubiquitous Land Cruiser hard top, often called a "Buffalo" in South Sudan. This is the car of choice for the bush in South Sudan. Is this the one they call a "Troopie" in South Africa?
The ubiquitous Land Cruiser hard top, often called a "Buffalo" in South Sudan. This is the car of choice for the bush in South Sudan. Is this the one they call a "Troopie" in South Africa?
a901DSC00717.JPG (68.52 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
The equally ubiquitous Land Cruiser pick-up (bakkie to South Africans), with the essential kit - two spare tyres, a high lift jack, a shovel and a jerrycan of something
The equally ubiquitous Land Cruiser pick-up (bakkie to South Africans), with the essential kit - two spare tyres, a high lift jack, a shovel and a jerrycan of something
a900DSC00710.JPG (108.91 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
An unusually busy day at Kuron airstrip, with two Cessna Caravans and a Unimog. We had five flights that day, four with the Caravans and one with a UN helicopter, lifting out well over 50 guests.
An unusually busy day at Kuron airstrip, with two Cessna Caravans and a Unimog. We had five flights that day, four with the Caravans and one with a UN helicopter, lifting out well over 50 guests.
a999DSC00720.JPG (70.08 KiB) Viewed 2900 times
Image
User avatar
John Ashworth
Site Admin
Posts: 23606
Joined: 24 Jan 2007, 14:38
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Contact:

Re: OT: South Sudan vehicles

Post by John Ashworth »

Back in South Sudan's capital city, Juba, and today I took a few snaps of an old Commer which stands very near to my office. This one is not working, but I have seen similar ones still operating in towns like Malakal and Bentiu.

Photos by John Ashworth, 3rd March 2012.
Attachments
juba_DSC00723.JPG
juba_DSC00723.JPG (91.16 KiB) Viewed 2873 times
juba_DSC00724.JPG
juba_DSC00724.JPG (98.92 KiB) Viewed 2873 times
juba_DSC00726.JPG
juba_DSC00726.JPG (109.7 KiB) Viewed 2873 times
At some point this lorry (or its owner) obviously aspired to be a Toyota Land Cruiser!
At some point this lorry (or its owner) obviously aspired to be a Toyota Land Cruiser!
juba_DSC00725.JPG (89.85 KiB) Viewed 2873 times
Image
User avatar
John Ashworth
Site Admin
Posts: 23606
Joined: 24 Jan 2007, 14:38
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Contact:

Re: OT: South Sudan vehicles

Post by John Ashworth »

A lime-green Foden delivering building materials to an NGO office in Juba.
Attachments
Photo by John Ashworth, 17th April 2012
Photo by John Ashworth, 17th April 2012
foden_DSC00823.JPG (132.84 KiB) Viewed 2819 times
Image
User avatar
John Ashworth
Site Admin
Posts: 23606
Joined: 24 Jan 2007, 14:38
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Contact:

Re: OT: South Sudan vehicles

Post by John Ashworth »

On the road from Juba to Yei, South Sudan, May 2012. Photo by John Ashworth.

This road is now very different from the first time I was on it in 1997, at the height of the civil war. Then it was just wheel tracks through the grass. The Sudan People's Liberation Army took me to the front line, 40 miles from Juba, to show me the bodies of the foreign mujahidiin that they had killed in a big battle. There is a hill nearby which is known as "Iraq Mountain" as a reminder of the foreign forces, but apart from that I'd be hard-pushed to recognise the site of the battle now.
Attachments
truck_DSC00887.JPG
truck_DSC00887.JPG (40.46 KiB) Viewed 2786 times
Image
Kevin Wilson-Smith

Re: OT: South Sudan road vehicles

Post by Kevin Wilson-Smith »

The Foden is a very interesting find indeed!

It must have an interesting history!

Good vehicle - some are still in use with the British Engineers in Afghanistan.
Post Reply

Return to “Sudan and South Sudan - Photo Gallery”