Sudan Railways - the road competition

[John Ashworth]

The first three shots show three lorries which came past us one after the other on a random day in the centre of Malakal town, southern Sudan. That first one has to be at least 50 years old, doesn't it? Can anyone identify it?

The last three show a typical Sudanese suq (market) lorry. It's usually an Austin, Bedford or Commer (although more modern Japanese trucks have also been converted). A new solid steel body is built on the back, and a new cab is constructed with a wooden bench seat and no doors. The rear wheels are replaced with larger wheels, and I'm not sure whether they do something to the gears in the rear diff too. I drove this particular lorry myself back in the 1980s. The gear stick has a disconcerting tendency to come off in your hand.

Photos by John Ashworth September 2008

[Philip Martin]

I drove this particular lorry myself back in the 1980s. The gear stick has a disconcerting tendency to come off in your hand.

Photos by John Ashworth September 2008

Thanks for the humor John, although I guess it's not funny when you are driving.