INVENTORS of today could be following Huddersfield's lead.

A plan announced last week for a half-train, half-coach travelling at 100mph was hailed as the future of transport

But the multi-million-pound BladeRunner project to create vehicles that can run on the road and rails is nothing new.

Engineers at the famous old Huddersfield firm, Karrier Motors, came up with idea more than 70 years ago.

And Frank Thomas, son of the firm's former works manager, has photographic proof of the Karrier triumph.

He has a photo of a lorry fitted with railway wheels as well as tyres, built at the Huddersfield plant.

"My father George Thomas was works manager there for many years and was involved in the project.

"He joined the firm in 1908 when they were in Colne Road and was with them until 1935. By that time, they were based in Nile Street, off St Thomas' Road, and were sold to the Rootes group.

"My father worked with Harry Hanson the chief test driver and the firm produced this model for the London and North Eastern Railway.

"It worked very well for many years at Fort William in Scotland.

"They also came up with an idea for a bus that ran on road and rails and that was in service in Northampton. They were excellent engineers."

Mr Thomas, of Long Grove Avenue, Dalton, said his father enjoyed the work at Karrier.

He was a brilliant engineer and in his spare time constructed engines.

"Karrier were very much a pioneer of the transport industry and they put Huddersfield on the map."

The BladeRunner, by Silvertip engineering consultancy, was promoted as the way to ease Britain's congested motorways.