1957, AEC Mandator Mk 3, ballast tractor, loading dragline, and journey to Newark. May 2007.

YNN 724 is a purpose built ballast tractor, built in 1957 as a special build at AEC's for Westfield Transport Ltd; of Mansfield Notts; who used it for heavy low-loader work, and for transporting long textile machine up to 60 feet in length, rated by Westfield's as a 60 ton gross weight machine, it incorporating a 15 ton pull, Darlington power winch, and as a tractor it weighed 14 tons, and with a typical trailer weighing 12 tons as this one does giving around a 35 ton carrying capacity, a Lancashire steam boiler would be about the limit!
It was driven from new by my grandfather, for 14 years, my father was the drivers mate for a while, until he progressed onto is own lorry, and as a child I rode on the engine cover for a day out. After trying to buy it for five years from a guy who moved steam engines with it, I finally had it home, and after a five year restoration it was back on the road in 2001. The tractor is as exactly as it was when new, and I've tried to recreate the whole thing as it would have worked back in the day, including several typical trailers. This trailer is currently under going a full restoration, the dragline may be restored in the future, as you can see it's in a poor mechanical state.
As usual ear phones are recommended !