Swedish Greenery

Posted on May 15, 2013 by admin

You have to admit that is a handsome looking Volvo, in my opinion still better looking than its new younger brother. This particular FH13 is piloted by one Phillip Westaby. A big fan of Twitter Mr Westaby joined the TB twitter feed and has since shared some tweets and a wicked little video, which is perfect for those us who don’t get out and about to much these days. Recorded by a windscreen mounted camera, sit back and enjoy 13 minutes of good music and some continental trucking. Do you want to follow Phillip on twitter?…….then click HERE.

Phillip’s twitter account, sums him up in one sentence: “I’m a happy lorry driver from Yorkshire who wanders around UK and Europe in my Volvo, getting married in march 2014!” Driving for Johnsons of Whixley on nursery duties, Phil gets abroad quite a bit, collecting and delivering greenery to and from the Continent. In the meantime he’s busy making us quality videos and sharing his thoughts on twitter. I’m already looking forward to the next video, even though Phil says he’s not much good, the video below is well edited and has some great tracks to listen too, including the ringtone on my mobile phone!!. Good work Mr Westaby, the sticker will be in the post as soon as the next batch arrive!!

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Ultimate Customised Ger-MAN!

Posted on April 11, 2013 by admin

Ages ago I found a photo of this little MAN and I just had to find out more. Its taken 2-3 years of searching without much luck, except repeatedly finding the same photo! Then on March 29th came a message on the TB Facebook page, from none other than Florian Zeltwanger…….yes the driver of said Custom MAN TGL LX of course.

Considering its 6.5 years old and has over 650,000km on the clock it is still in great shape. After a few messages this is what Herr Zeltwanger had to say about the MAN in his life:

“Beuchtung Lichtleisten und Innenausbau hab ich alles Selber gemacht. Der Rammbügel ist noch vom Vorgängerauto ein Atego und der Dachbügel von Jumbo-Fischer. Das Steinschlagschtzgitter hab ich selber gebaut. Im Innenraum ist alles selber Lackiert und bezogen, nur die Sitzbezüge und das Lenkrad hat ein bekannter von mir mit Leder bezogen. Das Airbrush machte ein Lackierer aus unserer nachbarschaft. gruß”

And if your like me and your English is still far better than your German then this is the straight up translation:

“I did everything myself Beuchtung Strip lights and interior design. The front bar is an Atego and the roof Temple of Jumbo-Fischer from the previous car. I myself built the Steinschlagschtzgitter (Stone guard?). Inside, everything is itself painted and covered, only a well known by me with leather has taken the seat covers and the steering wheel. A student from our neighborhood made the Airbrush.”

Like it or loath it, you have to agree the customisation is pretty awesome. The interior is great, all colour coded, although the green paintwork isn’t my colour but still the whole job is einfach toll! Is there another TGL like it any where else?? I did see an all red inside and out TGL LX tilt which I think was from Czech Republic. If you have seen it or you’ve seen Herr Zeltwangers wunderbare Deutsche deichsel any where then please email me photos, i’d love to see them. Vielen Dank to Florian and I hope you will show me more photos of your little truck. All photos are HERE.

Email me: ben@truckblog.co.uk

Dad’s Scania R620 – by Jack Rigby

Posted on March 23, 2013 by admin

In 2010 my Dad (Tim Rigby) decided that he needed a new ride. He was watching 5 ex Soonius Transport BV Scania R620′s 3 of them were 2007 and the other 2 were 2008. In december 2010 there was one left, Dad decided to bite the bullet and go ahead and buy a 2 year old Scania R620 from VSB Holland.

The truck soon started work, by having the headlights changed from normal ones to xenon headlights. In the new year Dad had the truck in VSB’s workshop to have work done on it, they first started off by cutting the diesel tanks and making them smaller because when we put mega wheels on it the tanks would be dragging on the ground. When VSB put the tanks back on they looked like cheese blocks so we had them curved to the mudguards so it looked flush. Week by week the lorry started to take place, with its new red and cream leather interior, its checker plate over the cat walk to make it all smooth. A big design of the truck was the front grill. When Dad brought it, it had the first R series front grill, but Dad wanted to be different so he decided to have a new shaped front grill fitted to give it that brand new look. So in mid 2011 dad took his Scania 164 and his trailer out to bring the truck home, unfortunately it didn’t quite fit in the trailer, but was it unfortunate? So the lorry had to stay at VSB but Dad thought he would have more work done to it. We added a Swedish spec bumper with more lights than black pool illuminations!!! People who know dad he likes his lights. To finish the truck off we had air horns fitted, but instead of a 6mm air pipe we had a 8mm pipe fitted for extra noise!!, Alcoa wheels and a vision alert light bar, but this wasn’t an ordinary light bar, when you flashed the lights the beacons would come on as well.

Nearly at the end of the year we decided to drive out there and drive the truck back. Dad brought it home to show my mum and the rest of the family, they loved it. It was time to paint it, the truck was white anyway so we decided to go with black and white. We had the grill and other bites and pieces painted white that were green. The writing was in black also the checker plate and some few other things. We had to re register the truck as well because it was on dutch plates. What a job that was, first we had to change the speedo because it was just in miles but they wanted miles and Kilometres, then we had to measure the the wheels bases and other sorts of annoying things. Finally we were ready to roll after nearly 2 years all the hard work we put into it we were ready to hit the road and see the faces turn. One more thing we had it remapped to 700hp and 3000nm of torque, for people who know Dover, we came out of Dover coming up Jubilee Way with 44ton on….we never left the limiter, when you are going along like that you know you have a good truck.

But after 740000km my mum was diagnosed with cancer again, Dad was forced to sell his truck and trailers to send mum to a private clinic in Germany. A quote from Dad:

“I was in a bad way when my wife got cancer again because she had just got the all clear, i had to sell my truck to send her to germany for private treatment, my heart was broken when i had to sell my new lorry because i haven’t even been driving it for a year yet and all the hard work that me and my son and VSB put into it. I was heartbroken. So i phoned up Simon Wilson and offered it to him and sure enough he accepted the offer and that was it, my dream was gone. I bought this lorry because i knew that it would last me 10 years or so and i had designed it the way i wanted it and because of the front air suspension it drove like a car, this was going to be my last truck. But you cant put a price on a life. I am glad my pride and joy went to a good place and i hope that i will see it again”

By Jack Rigby

Truck Detectives Required

Posted on February 16, 2013 by admin

Intrepid TB reported James Cartwright, spotted this Scania 141 in Navyard, Harwich the other week. One of you must know some more about this old bus. Remember that little saying, Who What Where?? James and I both agree that it has been imported from the East, could be anywhere between Harwich, Germany, Turku and Russia!! What we need to concentrate on is who has bought it. I’m sure it is now in the UK some where, heading for a restoration shed. Did you see it on the back of a lorry leaving Harwich or heading away from Essex?? Is it parked in a yard near you now? Has it crossed the Irish sea?? If you have any answers then please feel free to leave your answers on a postcard below. It will make a cracking restoration, I’m very much a fan of a 141 rigid. I hope to see it soon on the show circuit. Get detecting!!

Blue Pete, Blue Sky, Blue Pete Guy

Posted on January 20, 2013 by admin

Every now and then I send out a Tweet to see where my Twitter followers are. Usually the replies come from Canada and the USA. Once again an all American trucker made contact. Mr Jeff Watret, a.k.a. @BluePeteGuy69 from Franklin, Illinois. As you can see above, Jeff drives a day cabbed Peterbilt 379 of 2007 vintage. He pulls a 40ft tandem axle tin plate grain hopper, although I think he’ll put anything that fits in the back not just the grain! Having only ever driven big Pete’s, Pat is more than happy with his current daily ride. Not a bad view either, with the big bonnet stretching out in front.

If you still think that American truckers get away with more than their European counterparts, don’t believe it. The American authorities are not just fair weather workers, Jeff was pulled over by the Illinois state Police the other morning, as you can see by the dazzling lights in the mirror and it was only 17′F or -8′c (depending which you prefer). A full log book check, axle and gross weight checks with mobile weigh pads, probably just trying to keep themselves warm! A let of with a warning and it was back to the Highway.

A more typical start to the morning above. Loading a full load of Soya beans from a farm in Jacksonville, Illinois. Hopefully Jeff will keep sending us pics. Nice to have regular updates from far and wide. Even I get bored with my own stuff on the blog, so it makes a good change to have something different to put up. If your on Twitter then how about following Jeff? his name is: @BluePeteGuy69 then you can keep up with blue Peterbilt and its daily travels.

You can follow truckblog on Twitter: @truckbloguk – If you are a tweeter you’ll get tweets each time I put something on the blog – at my current rate, thats once a week if yoru lucky!!

New Year New Actros

Posted on January 3, 2013 by admin

These new Mercedes Actros are increasingly popular by my reckoning. More and more operators here in the East of England seem to be realising that the new Merc does do what it says on the tin and is producing improved fuel figures right across the board, no mater what line of haulage your in.

Latest to join the party are Felixstowe container hauliers, DRS Logistics. A small order to start with but the numbers will grow if the new trucks perform as well as the Demonstrator provided by Orwell Trucks did. DRS have opted for these 2545LS Gigaspace 6×2′s so they can cope with the variety of containers that appear off the ships. Aaron Richardson at DRS say the trucks were purchased “For the improved efficiency they offer and also the style.” No one can argue that the new Merc is a good looking beast, even if it is wearing a big old cab top spoiler (Camel Toe Spoiler i’ve heard it called!!). The spoiler DRS have had fitted has been designed and manufactured by Hatcher Components and is set to match the height of a 40ft High Cube container on a skelly trailer. These German supermodels are smart and making container haulage really rather glamorous compared to the old days of Volvo FL10′s and the like!

Self Tipping Task

Posted on December 23, 2012 by admin

It must be something that others drivers can only imagine, a trailer that you can truly tip yourself. Turn up where ever and just get on and tip, no waiting for a forklift, no waiting for loading bays or for the truck in front to move, just find your space an start unloading. This trailer is know as a recovery trailer in the business, although HC Wilson do utilise its capabilities to do specialised jobs, such as this. You have a specially built trailer that is destined for a customer in Australia and its not designed to run on UK roads and you don’t want it to run on UK roads you need some one who can load and deliver said trailer. Bring in a semi low loader trailer with a hydraulic fold neck and Robert is your mothers brother. As clearly displayed by HC Wilson’s top subbie MW Tasker (p.s. displayed on this occasion by a rather splendid R560 V8 Scania!).

1) Trailer dropped and after pressing the button the neck folds flat to the ground creating a very handy loading ramp.

2) Reverse tractor unit up the “loading ramp”. Adjust tractor unit front and rear suspension and hook up to the Ozzie tanker.

3) Drive carefully off the fold neck and Voila! Unloaded easily and with no sign of the usual loading bay jobs worth who is there just to make your day!!

As it goes I think the outfit looks pretty dam cool! I can see Tasker pulling this along the dusty highways and byways of Oz. The only bugger being its only one trailer, i’m not sure if there is a tow hitch to fit a 2nd trailer which would be more Taskers thing!

Wilson Wednesday – The Saturday Edition!

Posted on December 8, 2012 by admin

Hi remember me??? I’m back the blogs are mounting but I just can’t get them on here ;-( just not enough hours in the day, so i’m sorry. I don’t think i’ll be getting my MBE for services to blogging just yet. This Wednesday parts of the UK were treated to a decent enough scattering of snow to send the Countries roads into total chaos once again. Much like Christmas it seems to be an annual event. Luckily enough for me it led to a few un-asked for and a few asked for HC Wilson photos. For those of you who are new to the blog I used to work for HC Wilson and since I’ve left I still often get sent photos from the drivers. As a bit of a tribute I often get photos of Wednesday loads. Why Wednesdays?? Coz it sounds good – Wilson Wednesday. First up above is the “spare” Classic Scania V8, N200 HCW. Driven this Wednesday by office junior and Truckblogs show reporter, James Cartwright. James is often allowed out on a Wednesday and this week did a little shunt from Felixstowe to St Ives near Cambridge to deliver another load of next years Balers. Balers in the snow, only in the UK!

Next up is Doris, Daisy, Geoff and Slim not quite John, Paul, George and Ringo but pretty close. Loaded in the middle of Germany and on their way to Rotterdam for the boat to Felixstowe and onward delivery to St Ives. Daisy and Doris are a fine pair of top of the range Dutch ladies. I think i’m right in saying they are both DAF XF105′s with 510hp. Also some of you may not know they are both 6×2′s, they have the little FTP lift axle behind the side skirt in front of drive axle, just to help with a little extra weight (Usually Geoffs lunch box!). Daisy and Doris are also the first trucks in the Wilson fleet not to have a name starting with “European…..” a rarity in the Wilson fleet.

Above is blog regular Geordie driving R60 HCW, his beloved Scania R480. Here with what looks likes some sort of dish end. Loaded in Massbracht, Netherlands on Tuesday, shipped into Harwich and delivered to Yate near Bristol, UK on Wednesday. Looks like it was getting on for being 4 metres wide. European Star and its grill lights shining on through the dull, grey snowy skies, helped with marker boards and an escort van piloted by Dodgy Dave.

Such a clear photo taken by X400 HCW’s driver Matt Lamb. One of Wilsons low height 6×2 Scania R480′s. Also managing to find some snow in Weimar, Germany. I’m sure Matt had no troubling loading his pair of dumpers looking at those tyres!!

Last but not least was full time Wilson subbie Mike Tasker and his gorgeous (but dirty!) Scania R560. Tasker had loaded from Bradford with a specialised gas tanker destined for Australia. I’m sure Mike would have been only to happy to take it all the way himself, but unfortunately he only took it as far as Southampton Docks. I’m not going to say to much more other than, keep your eyes peeled for a little blog all about this one on its own. Thanks once again to all participating drivers for letting us all keep an eye on what they are upto.

Its Not All Grim Ooop North

Posted on November 13, 2012 by admin

Surely piloting a big Cummins powered Leyland Roadtrain can’t be a grim job?? Can it?? One of the UK’s last home grown truck talents. I love the big old Leylands, but there doesn’t seem to be many about now even on the show circuit, although I think I might be right in saying BH Cecil from Gloucestershire have one in restoration. The British Bulldog above was driven by top international heavy haulage pilot Stephen “Geordie” Pattison before his days of big red Scania’s. I have to say that Horns Transport from Tyneside is a new one on me, but some of you will no doubt remember them.

Geordie gave me the following info on his days at Horns Transport, apparently his 4th job but also the firm that gave him the long distance driving bug. Any hoo, Why-aye-Man and all that, here’s what you need to know about these few photos and Horns Transport, literally straight from the horse mouth;

“The orange anchors we loaded in Walker & took em 2 Peterhead.
The sheeted loads was 4m Caberboard at Cowie 4 Northsheilds.”

“It was run by Harry Horn & his sister Mavis. 6 artics & 6 rigids, 3 of which were tautliners, 2 rigid hiabs, 2 flat rigids and 1 fitter Terry! It was just Harry & Mavis runnin the trucks, Caroline was the secretary & that was it. We were quite well paid, all the trucks livery was hand painted & we were 28t gross in them days no limiters! The yard was at Wellington Road, Dunston. They were coal merchants originally, but when I was there (94-99) we mainly did waist paper 2 Purfleet, rubber 2 various places and steel castings from Charlie Taylors in Southsheilds (where I had me accident!). 2 London & 1 Scotch trip a week! Oh and their mam & dad started the business”.

“3 of us were classed as hurry up men (asap anytime anywhere) UK work only & mainly rope & sheet which is were I learned 2 do it (Handy for current HC Wilson work – TB) By the way there was a guy who worked there called George Horn, no relation, but he still drives at 74 & also his 2 brothers !! When we did wastepaper 2 Purfleet, if we ran on Sunday, u could never get passed the weighbridge at Sawtry on the A1, as it was always open & pulled every North East truck!! No phones in them days, u would find a payphone when emty and ring in. If no reload we’d wait by phone till they rang back. No fuel cards either we had 2 do whatever trip we had on the tank which was normally about 400ltr & that C reg I had had a belly tank on 200ltr maybe.”

A lovely little snippet into the ways of the North East, although to be honest it sounds to me the way all firms used to be. Those were days of hard graft and long days to make the next load. Also slightly less regulated must have helped! ;-) If you have anything to add about Horns Transport or you want to share some thing on the blog, just email me; ben@truckblog.co.uk

Tell Me More, Tell Me More

Posted on November 3, 2012 by admin

I am told this was a cancelled order from Gilders, now owned by an Owner Driver from the West Country who goes by the name of Loopey!

It looks like an R560 tag axle Scania with a rather custard yellow paint job. You can’t say that this is a modest quiet owner driver motor with a paint job like that. Certainly one way to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Extra bars and lights, air horns and even a blind spot camera mounted on the aftermarket visor.

Now all you need to do is tell me a bit more about the wagon, what other gadget and customised but and pieces does she have?? Leave your comments or send me an email with you on the road spots perhaps?! My email is; ben@truckblog.co.uk

Peak Truck Show 2012 by James Cartwright

Posted on October 18, 2012 by admin

Once again I will hand you over to top guest writer and photographer, Mr James Cartwright. If you want to see the rest of Jimbo’s photos from the show, click HERE;

All that was needed after finishing work on the Friday evening was a dry and hold up free run up to the Peaktruck show held at the Uttoxeter racecourse. At a steady 50mph the 143 had no problems covering the distance in under 4 hrs. Even with the late arrival I was still able to get on to the site and park up for the evening, luckily the boys from McGawn Bros had kept me a space on the tarmac and with the bar still open a double result.

A bright start to the Saturday did much to improve the hangover which I always seem to wake up with when I come here! Saturday morning was taken up with giving the old Scania a clean and polish, you think I would’ve learnt to bring something smaller than a 8×4. Still not quite as much work as the trucks entered into the combination class, credit must go these guys. One of the best was the V-reg FH Volvo of MJS from Stoke on Trent along with its powder tanker.

The Peak shows are always very well supported by the local fleets from names such as Shirley’s, Mike Ponsonby and Stan Robinson. The Peak Truck Show was this year celebrating it’s 10th anniversary over the years shows have been held at a number of places, Belfast was a regular venue along with Carlisle and Penrith this helps to explain why Roy Gill and Sarah Mcgregor have always attracted many trucks from all over the country. Both Roy and Sarah used to run and show trucks one of the most well known was the Queen of Hearts (You must have a picture of this somewhere Ben can find mine think they are in the loft – I can’t find it!!) so with him being one of the judges you know you better have thing done right. You always are made to feel like old friends when you turn up no matter what time of day or night you finally manage to get there Sarah or Roy are always there to greet you this for me is what the truck shows are all about meeting friends new and old.

The weather both days was lovely and sunny which makes a change as we normally have to take cover from the rain at least once during the weekend here, moving the show to later in the year definitely helped with this. The truck of the show went to the T-cab of Bartletts which as the pictures show was as clean out side as it was in with its fully upholstered cab along with painted dash. From fully custom work to the restored 141 with tandem axle trailer you decide what looks the best. One of the nicest trucks for me was the Scania 560 of Dutch owner driver Peter van der Eijk as with most European trucks typically understated but still had plenty of detail.

The Saturday night is another sociable gathering with entertainment in the bar this year with a rock band in full swing. The CF DAF of Massey Feeds was looking spot on sitting next to the big cabbed Toplines and XF’s. There was a strong Scottish contingent with the R-cab from Laurelbank Nurseries, Gordon Steel and John Templeton’s Avatar. One of the furthest travelled must have been Brian McLennan of Peterhead with his brand new Scania. Judging takes place over both days, so there was plenty of cleaning still to be done with the results being given out on the Sunday afternoon.

The Mc Gawn Bros did well this year by taking top spot in a Best Fleet and combination classes to name just a few.

The 105 DAF from Smith of Bury did well in the traditional livery class who says red and green should never be seen! I even got a highly commended in the company owned class for the 143.

A final thanks must go to Sarah and Roy for organising another top show hopefully there will be plenty over the next few years.

For Sale: Daily Mini Artic

Posted on October 7, 2012 by admin

Now and again I put a few things on here I find for sale on the Internet, but this time it’s something that i’ve been emailed this weekend. As far as i’m concerned it qualifies for “truckblog” as it is a tractor unit and trailer. Stuart Beevers, from what appears to be his own company, SPB Boat Haulage emailed me asking if I knew of anyone looking for a mini artic. Unfortunately I don’t off hand but i’m hoping that one of you lot does.

Mr Beevers said the following in his email; “I have a I Iveco Daily 2006 mini artic for sale. It was a crew cab but now converted to a sleeper cab but could quite easily be put back to crew cab as all seats included. Only 60.000km. 2009 rm trailer 6700kg built to move boats but has a remove able alloy flat bed which can carry cars or pallets any thing I am after £26000. P.s it’s does 25mpg empty @4.5t train weight and 18/19 mpg full 10t train weight and only costs £165 a year tax.”

If you have any interest then please email me: ben@truckblog.co.uk and I will gladly put you in touch with Stuart. Perhaps I need to get myself into boat haulage so I can finally get a mini artic!

Truckfest Original by James Cartwright

Posted on September 11, 2012 by admin

A misty morning start soon brightened up with sunshine and a quiet run up the A14 and A1 to the showground at Newark. I even managed to park in the exhibitors car park less of a walk to the gate for the old legs! With 400 plus trucks to see there would be plenty of walking left for the day. I was pleased to see the show trucks were all kept together unlike Peterborough where they seemed to be spread all over the showground. Credit must go to all of the drivers who had put in hours of hard work in getting their trucks ready for the weekend, most of which is in their own time at weekends leading up to the event. I have learnt this from previous experience!

There was a small gathering of motors painted by Stewart Bone who sadly died last month. Stewart was responsible for the paint work on many well known fleets from Northern England and Scotland, along with custom paint work on SNT Scania T-cab, Nichol Boilers 143, Longthorn’s T-cab and the last truck to be painted by him the DAF of Gordon Steel. As you can see his work was first class. Stewart will be sadly missed.

In amongst all of the big Swedes was Graham Turners fully restored ERF E series on the ERF revs stand which the family firm ran when it was new and is now a firm favourite on the retro circuit. A little disappointing that Iveco and Mercedes were the only manufacturers in attendance never the less the new Giga Space of Lomas Distribution stood head and shoulders above its predecessor.

The Kelsa stand had its normal high standard of light bars adorning new vehicles from the likes of owner driver Brian Mclennand and also the DAF CF510 from BJ Waters. Also on the stand was a favorite of mine the DAF of Paul Hinchcliffe painted in the same traditional colours of the old family firm with just a hint of custom work. To be honest I didn’t look at anything that was going on in the main arena as it is always the same things year after year. This may say more about me having been around truck shows for to long !!

Away from the main trade stand in amongst the lines of trucks is were the BBQ and partying is done over the weekend but still the lines of fleet trucks were gleaming in the sunshine. Amongst them was the well known DAF from Axminster Carpets which as the pictures show is as clean underneath as it is on top, thanks to the dedication of its driver Tony Moore. By the amount of general public wandering around the show it would have been a success no doubt helped by possibly the first sunny show of the season from the arrivals on Friday afternoon to the departure on the Sunday night. Inside the hall there were many stands selling models and a large area set aside for the radio controlled trucks which the modelers were only to pleased to show you how they worked. All in all a good day, roll on Uttoxeter next weekend!!

If you want to see the rest of James Newark photos then click HERE. Hopefully James will be up for doing a review of his Uttoxeter Show trip, I know he is taking something a little special so keep your fingers crossed.

Now or Then??

Posted on September 7, 2012 by admin

What a cracking sight! If you were between Harwich and Halstead in Essex today there is just a chance you saw this classic combination on the road. N.C. Cammack & Son are a long standing family outfit based in Essex and have run all sorts of classic motors, including a load of old DAF’s that I will be showing you as and when I finally get the scanning finished. Any hoo this looks like it was taken back in 1993 when this truck would have been new, but it was actually taken today leaving Harwich docks. Sorry to say it wasn’t working, but Jim Cammack had to pick up the tilt that he bought over on the mainland. The delightful 450hp Swedish powerhouse is a recent addition to the fleet and has spent a fair amount of time in the restoration shed. The tilt has been bought to accompany a number of other restoration projects that are bubbling under in the Cammack workshops. Now luckily for me I’m popping over to see Jim tomorrow so hopefully I will have a few more pics to share with you……This isn’t going to help my cause as I’m still missing my 141, all this talk of trailers and classic motors. Perhaps as this combination will be based no more than 7 miles from Truckblog HQ, I may just get to see it a bit more and perhaps even a lget ittle bit of a drive one day?! Tell me honestly, if it wasn’t for the photos being quite so clear, you could have easily thought they were taken back in the day! Destination anywhere………

Piggy Backer Volvo – Now & Then

Posted on August 30, 2012 by admin

Trawling through the endless photos that appear on Facebook these days, there are always one or two that catch my eye. The other day my eye was caught by a photo posted by Gökhan Diler of a Volvo F88 Rigid cattle truck. Mr Diler posts plenty of photos clearly taken all over the place (I’d love to know where this one was taken??), so why did this Volvo stand out?….Well it just had that familiar feel to it. I mean how many rigid Volvo cattle trucks do you know of?? I have since been told that “UPB” on the head board stands for “United Pig Breeders”. A few years back I was busy buzzing about the Essex countryside in a tipper and I used to get everywhere. Not far outside Chelmsford on a main road, not visible from a car, I could just see over a hedge next to a shed on a farm, an aging Volvo in an orangey colour. I stopped in and enquired like you do. I was told that it used to do a lot of continental work with a cattle wagon body on which made sense as it was left hand drive. I thought at the time I took a couple of photos but as yet I haven’t managed to find them. Any way the photo above appeared on the Facebook and I was sure it was the same truck, challenge on, ask you my beloved bloggers for help……….

……BINGO!! A big thanks to blog reader Dan Edmonds, a driver from Chelmsford. He knew exactly where said Volvo was resting and managed to send these more recent photos of JWH 499P. As you can see she isn’t in quite as good condition as Gökhan’s photo and also not quite the same colour scheme. I love these then and now pics and I hope to bring you a few more over the next few months, as and when I can scan a few hundred photos I have here at Truckblog HQ. If you have any Now & Thens, please feel free to email them to me for us all to enjoy;

Majorcan Mystery Motor

Posted on August 27, 2012 by admin

Hands up all those who take photos of trucks while your on holiday??? Most of us then. Dodgy Dave, H.C. Wilson’s top escort van driver recently had a break in Cala Bona, Majorca. All the little streets and bars need stocking with plenty of booze for all the holidaying Brits and this little mystery motor is one of the trucks doing the job. Dodgy Dave says it had no markings on what so ever but did seem to be struggling along with it’s heavy liquid load! Who can tell us what it is? My guess is some sort of Pegaso, but I may be wrong. Leave your comments below of what you think it may be. If you have any holiday trucks that you want to share, then email them over and tell me where they were and I’ll put them up on the blog. Email address is; ben@truckblog.co.uk

ACH – Photo Update

Posted on August 23, 2012 by admin

For those who aren’t aware I have a big affection for old Buckinghamshire family firm Aston Clinton Haulage. Why? My dad worked there back in the early 1970′s before I was born and so far I have only found 13 photos of his in my 33 years on the planet, so with the age on the tinternet I am now cashing in and have even set up an ACH Facebook Page for like minded fans. I think because I have so little of ACH from my old man that I want more and more. It turns out there are a few ex drivers following the FB Page and one man in particular, Dave Mortimer has kindly sent me 80 odd photos from his 30 year driving career with the Beige and Black from Aylesbury. I have to say some of Dave’s photos are just brilliant. Now I think I love ACH that little bit more! I have scanned all the photos and put them on the flickr page, so click HERE to see the set.

Along with the photos Mr Mortimer enlightened me with the following information;

“ACH was started in the 1960′s by Mr Les Fowler. The name came from an old Coal delivery company. It was bought for the A and B licenses. They never actually had a yard in Aston Clinton, the first yard was at Winslow, Buckinghamshire then they moved to a yard in Stone near Aylesbury about 1970. ACH ran a fleet of about 20 trucks. The fleet was increased when they bought out Howe European from Enfield. This was to gain extra European permits to do extra European work. Some of Howe’s trucks came with drivers such as Johnny Whitbread and Dave Coope. But most left again when Des Lacey (ex Howe European) started up Hercock London.”

“ACH started doing European in 1973 and I (Dave Mortimer) started with ACH in January 1974. My first year was UK work, then my first trip abroad was to Fiat in Torino, July 1975. Reloaded washing machines back to High Wycombe. I didn’t start doing regular European trips until about 1977 and then the rest is history! Back then it was all the old roads as the motorways weren’t built. Such good routiers we used to eat at; Footballers, Bakehouse, Monkey House – I could go on for ever about the old times! I think the only firm still doing European from the old days is EM Rogers. All the rest have gone; ACH, Leggetts, Ferry Freighting, Roba, Dow European, Murfitts…the list just goes on.”

What an insight into one man’s career. I just love em! If you know any thing, any one, have any photos of ACH then please get in touch. You can email me at ben@truckblog.co.uk and I will look forward to hearing from you. Just think if ACH had kept going and my parents had stayed in my home town of Aylesbury, ACH would have been my closest haulage firm. Thanks to Dave Mortimer for the photos, he has said there could be more to come, we’ll see….

Wilson Wednesday

Posted on August 8, 2012 by admin

“Finally another blog” – Twas the cry from the depths of the Internet. I know, I know and once again I apologise. Been so busy with work, baby prepping the house and everything else, mixed in with a serious lack of blog content. But as usual in the next few weeks the blog content is likely to go completely the opposite way, lots coming up so hopefully it’ll become a little more regular once again, so please please keep checking back.

A quick Wilson Wednesday this evening, just so you can keep an eye on what those H.C. Wilson boys are upto. As it goes the above photo is a good place to start and it’s not even officially a Wednesday job, but I didn’t think you’d be too fussed about a days difference between friends. Each year H.C. Wilson and top Wilson customer, Portcentric Solutions have to do a delivery to a large estate in Sussex. For no real reason other than it’s a nice little jolly out for the directors of both companies, it has now become a little outing in Wilson’s legendary Scania 141. So loaded up and ready to roll, drop a larger machine at Tilbury dock on the way and then onward to the country lanes of Sussex. Thanks to top retro, Yorkie bar eating trucker, David Baker for the photos.

Next up below is Jon Pryke with X300 HCW. Loaded with crane parts from Germany to London. I see that Jon’ photographic skills are still the same!

Next, H.C. Wilson driver, turned office boy, now day relief driver James Cartwright was out and about today in V8 HCW, a Scania R580, delivering a load to Leamington Spa that he loaded in Felixstowe yesterday. An office boy having a night out??? (wait til next week – its not only happening at Wilsons!).

The gorgeous Scania R560 V8 of Owner Driver Mike Tasker is also keeping busy backwards and forwards to the continent. This time having loaded a cable drum from Koln, Germany heading back to the UK. Looking good pulling a 2 axle Nooteboom low loader.

Last but by no means least 4 of Wilson’s were busy loading some 16.50 metre long storage tanks from South West Germany today in the 34′c heat. That’s 16.50 metres in the well of the trailer, not overall. These tanks are all night moves out of Germany heading to the ferry out of Rotterdam. So a long night ahead for drivers; Richard Arnold, Mark Blunt, Dave Knappett and top geordie driver Steve Pattison. Great photos, thanks Geordie…Don’t worry the German Rozzers are there to help!

Manton European Freezer Freight Part 10

Posted on July 29, 2012 by admin

Part 10 and its a bit of a belter to be honest!! For those of you who might not have done a search on the blog for Mantons, it all started back on the 21st February 2011. I posted up a photo of a nice Manton truck I took a photo of in Braintree when I was a boy and since then it’s just rolled on and on. In fact it probably is worth a search to read a few of the posts. This latest installment of pics is from Rich Tilford, the man responsible for spraying all the Manton vehicles.

I first heard from Rich when he contacted me via email. The email read as follows;

“Hi Ben’ just browsing on me phone these trucks look very familiar. I used to paint them!… Got all sorts of reg no.s running through my mind! I remember K414! Is that sad? K14 NTL was ridged fridge driven by Mark Bussey , who previously drove M396 JRH a 7.5t Renault Midliner. I think there was a few Magnums (4?) N830 DAG rings a bell! They where a bit of a twat to paint due to height and fibre glass cab attracted dust (static elec) etc. I have a few photos of there later vehicles 1995> ie. Late 3 series first 4 series N682 JWT? P65. .. etc. Currently running DAF 95/ 105/ but plain white or yellow livery (boring) not seen Dave Manton in long time hope he and family are well”

I think its fair to say that Rich qualifies as a reliable source of Manton info. Having posted me a batch of his photos for me to scan (as Rich can’t work anything unless it runs on diesel), Rich also added a small note in the envelope with a few notes on each pic. For example, Rich says that the 4 Series Scania above was part of a batch of 4 trucks and P657 RYG was badly damaged in an accident just 2 weeks after he took these photos. On one of the earlier Manton posts on the blog, we talked about there being a Renault Magnum on the fleet. Not just one according to Rich and we have a bit of evidence to show that they did exist as we have a couple of Tilfords photos showing the before and after of said Magnums.

Some of you may recognise the spec of the 3 series in the foreground as I did. Rich said that there were 3 or 4 of these 3 series Scania’s with the side skirts. They were a cancelled order from MacFarlanes Transport and were already painted in the familiar green and yellow livery of Macfarlane. It wasn’t just tractor units that Rich had to paint. Trailers were a regular in the paint shop too. Most of the fridge trailers were painted in the same livery, apart from this one trailer below. For a reason that Rich has told me, just one fridge was given this livery, I rather like it! Perhaps some one can enlighten the rest of us??

Rich also hasn’t said whether he was a dab hand with a paint brush as well as the spray gun. Some smart sign writing on these trailers, especially on the tanker. Next up we have one of the tankers being pulled by a Volvo Globetrotter. Apparently the only FH Volvo Mantons had. This one was also the first truck that Rich painted when he started at Mantons, so good was the paint work the truck also made it to the Volvo truck stand at the Pickering show.

There are plenty more of Rich Tilfords pics on my Flickr page for you to see. Click HERE to have a look. A couple of nice rigids for different uses, but all in some form of yellow and green.

Last but by no means least, K414 KNW. This is the 143 that started all this off and it wasn’t even a from-new purchase by the looks of it. That is unless it was an ex demonstrator, they do look like Scania stripes don’t they. A few days in the paint shop with our man Tilford and she soon looked like part of the fleet, soon to be on regular runs to Moscow. Freshly painted waiting to leave the paint shop, just imagine the turning that key! All I can say is that I am very pleased that Rich managed to browse the Internet on his phone even though it doesn’t run on diesel! Thanks Rich, here’s hoping that you find some more photos one day.

Funnily enough in the middle of Rich contacting me, I had this comment on a Mantons blog post, from K414 KNW’s owner when it left the Manton fleet. Mr Lee Windle said;

“Just looking through the Manton story and seen a photo of K414 KNW. I was the owner of this truck for 4 years after Manton traded it in at Scania Normanton in West Yorkshire. It was working round trip to Germany every week and never let me down. I had it repainted white cab red chassis when I first bought it. Sold it to a chap in Wakefield then saw it a few years later for sale on ebay. I added the spot lights, air horns and alloy wheels.. that gave me the bug for the V8′s, had them ever since current truck Scania R580 4X2 OPTIC CRUISE……”

The one thing with this blog is how these things all lead onto some thing else. Any one got a photo of K414 in its life after Mantons??

One Mans Scania is Another Man’s Dream

Posted on July 23, 2012 by admin

Not so long ago I was the owner of a very nice Scania 141, but all good things have to come to an end. So the time came and she was sold. The problem was before I made the decision to sell her I was thinking of selling and buying a 143 and having some change. This didn’t quite go to plan due to starting a family, so the 143 plan is hold for now. The thing that made it so hard was that I found this truck for sale in Holland. Looks lovely although in need of a wash! Anyway this idea had to be put on hold.

A few months went by and this black beauty had disappeared from the various used truck websites I keep tabs on. Then one day it appeared back, at a new dealers and for sale for quite a bit more, but at least it had had a wash! It was still very appealing but I had to stay strong! The chance came and went and to this day I still live in hope of finding a lovely old 143 that needs a home when I have the time and the money. Then by one of these increasingly weird coinsedances on Facebook it appeared once again, well it looked like it and how can you really mistake it. It’s now been touched up, shown a bit of love and had a good polish as well another wash or 2!

The truck now belongs to Sam Nelis from Belgium and I have to say he has done a good job on the truck. Keeping the lovely black paint and just adding a few simple stripes and accessories, she looks stunning. How about the painted wheels?? I said on the blog recently how painted wheels are the current fashion, and looking at the pics above, it makes a massive difference to the truck. Looks great.

Fingers crossed the lottery numbers come up this Friday, then I think I may have to have a nice chat with Mr Nelis. After lots of hard graft restoring the 141 to show condition I think the next truck will have to already be in show condition so all I have to do is wash polish it ready for days out. I think this 143 is yet anoher example of how simple / subtle is the way forward. Nice one Sam!

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