Monthly Archives: February 2014

Truckstar Festival 2014

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If you need the weakest excuse ever to go to the possibly the best truckshow in Europe, then you need to go so you can your hands on this delightful WSI model. The model is being released in collaboration with Truckstar. They produce an official 1/50 scale model each year, this year it is a Mercedes Benz Actros Big Space rigid, with a very tidy matching 3 axle frigo drawbar trailer. The WSI website says;

“The 6×2 truck features a tag axel and built-in cooling engine underneath. The chassis has been closed up completely. The trailer has 3 axles and also has a completely closed chassis with storage boxes and a Thermoking cooling engine at the front. The model comes in the colour combination white and orange.”

If you want to get one of the models then you can either pre-order on the WSI website from next week or you can get yourselves to the Netherlands for the last weekend of July. Having now been to Truckstar Festival twice now, I still can’t quite put into words quite how much I like it! Top trucks from all over Europe and a typical relaxed Dutch atmosphere and all without any hi-viz wearing Stewards or health and safety officers trying to make the show about them. Just awesome if you a real true truck nut.

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Held at the Assen TT Race Circuit, just out side of the northern Dutch town of Assen, the Truckstar Festival is well worth a weekend visit. The dates for your diary are 26th & 27th July and I suggest you charge your camera’s and for those of you who are old enough charge your beer arm as the Dutch are a hospitable bunch. If your slightly smaller and not old enough try to persuade your parents to let you take your roller skates of even a bike, there can be a lot of walking if you want to see all 2200+ trucks! My trusty drinking truck driving partner Mr James Cartwright will be heading over to Assen by one way or another, hopefully by truck but if not car will have to do, at least if we go by car we might be able to find a supermarket that sells that amazing Dutch curry sauce. Other than that I will have to be-friend yet another Dutchman so I can recharge my camera as I usually use a full battery each day.

Truckstar Festival 2013 (655)

Truckstar Festival 2013 (732)

Scania Centurions – The List

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Back in 1991 Scania UK launched the Centurion range of 100 trucks in order to celebrate Scania’s centenary year. The 100 special edition trucks were available to all and came in what ever guise you required. Some were 4×2, some 6×2, some Toplines, some were flat front old shapes and some were the new Streamline cab. In my opinion if your going to do a special edition truck release then they should have all been top of the range 143 500’s. It wasn’t worth letting the purchaser choose what ever spec they liked as it meant a lot of Centurions were fleet spec motors, with an out dated cab. Again in my opinion they should all have been like the one ordered by Philip Henson, the founder of Patrick International. As you can see the above is perfect spec for a special edition purchase. It is a 143 500, Topline Streamline, 6×2 tag (oh what would we all do to be able to order one those right now!), looks like a right stunner sat there in the sun. It turns out Patrick bought #84 brand new and she was a tag axle Topline Streamline a stunning looking machine. If your going to spend out on a special edition, then you should spec it as a special edition, clearly something Mr Henson and I agree on. This is an exert from Commercial Motor magazine back in March 1991;

“Scania has released details of its limited edition centenary Streamline cab, announced last week in Commercial Motor. The high-spec Centurion will have its own livery and each vehicle will have a numbered badge. Accessories will include a reversing warning buzzer, headlamp wash wipe, underbumper spot lights, roof air horns, chrome wheel trims and a CD player. An electronic trip meter and external temperature gauge are also fitted as standard”

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Centurions were available with various luxury options, such as a CD player as standard, special seat covers and also a nice shiny set of Alcoa alloys. Along with the exterior bits and bobs the purchasers were also given a framed certificate like the one above that Philip Henson received when he was handed the keys to K100 PTL. I’m still yet to be told how Patricks came about owning #15 J500 DSW, which was also a 143 500. J500 DSW was the first 500hp Centurion to be delivered. It was brand new to D&S Walker from Pickering and was originally painted up in pearlescent white and silver, only to be repainted into the distinctive white and blue that the Patrick trucks were all painted up in. Now this kind of leads me on to one of my more involved projects. I’m busy trying to complete a list of the 100 original trucks, with as much details and information that I can find. I was leaked a 75% completed list of the original sales list of the trucks but the list did miss a lot of different info, for example the list didn’t tell you the model or hp figures for each of the 100. I have put all the info I have and all that I am finding on the internet into a spread sheet that I hope you can all see.

Please click the link to see my list: Scania Centurion List

If you can help the cause then please email me; ben@truckblog.co.uk or why not Tweet me on Twitter; @truckbloguk

Ideally I need photo evidence of any number claims, spec details are required also with as much info as possible. Even current or past owner info would be handy, reg numbers or what ever else you know and can share. I know that at least 1 of the Ralph Davies trucks was exported to the Middle East as it was spotted by Nick Garlick. Lets try to find the whereabouts of as many as possible. Obviously some have been exported or even smashed up, but if we know the number then I can put it on the spreadsheet and try to complete as much as we can.

Thanks to Neil Henson for sending me the photos of his father Philip and allowing me to use them on’t  blog. Also it’s worth a look at the Commercial Motor Archive if you’re in need of some info from the past.

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New Model: HCW Scania 143 8×4

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HAULAGE HEAVYWEIGHT No. 2 :
H C WILSON TRANSPORT

Promotional model trucks specialist Search Impex is pleased to announce the release of the second model in the Haulage Heavyweights collection of solo tractor units. “European Legend” – a Scania 143E (8×4) tractor unit, complete with ballast box, is customised in the livery of Suffolk based heavy haulier H C Wilson Transport.

The model has been produced exclusively for Search Impex by WSI Collectibles as a certificated Limited Edition (155 pieces).

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Established in the early 1960’s, H C Wilson was initially involved in the transport of hay and straw. Involvement in this sector of the market led to the haulier being approached by Vicon (an agricultural machinery manufacturer based in Ipswich) wanting machinery to be transported to their customers. As a result of undertaking this work, H C Wilson received requests from other machinery manufacturers and the business soon found itself transporting agricultural machinery throughout the British Isles.

As business developed, H C Wilson went on to establish a reputation for their work in the complexities of importing combine harvesters from France. As the size and weight of the combines increased so, too, did the need for larger and more specialised trucks and trailers on which to transport them. The need to start moving new 12ft wide Massey Ferguson machines saw the Company becoming involved in designing bespoke trailers and looking at purchasing bigger tractor units – and so began the evolution into the abnormal load market. A steady expansion of the business from its humble beginnings also saw a growing demand for wider reaching heavy haulage contracts and so, in 1979, a strategic decision was made to move towards heavy haulage. This resulted in the purchase of a new Scania 141 62-tonne tractor (EGV 565T) and a Broshuis three-axle 35-tonne payload semi low trailer.

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Further investment in heavy haulage kit continued with additional units, including a Foden 80 tonne 6×4 in 1984 which was replaced in 1987 by a 150-tonne 6×4 Scania 142E. Another 150-tonne 6×4 Scania 143E joined the fleet and was later converted
to an 8×4. “European Legend” – a factory built 160-tonne 8×4 Scania 143E (registration N500 HCW) joined the fleet in 1996 and although now semi-retired remains fully maintained and capable of working, if required. The Company now operates 30 vehicles and 60 trailers and is one of the UK’s leading heavy hauliers. They are also among only a few heavy haulage specialists willing to work not only in the UK, but also throughout Europe and beyond.

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Models, available from Search Impex, are priced at £103 each (including UK delivery & VAT). For details of availability of this and other models, collectors can visit the Search Impex website at www.search-impex.co.uk or call on 01332 873555.

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Astran Tekno Model Update

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You may or may not be a model truck collector but if you are then you probably know that Middle East Trucking legends Astran Cargo have slowly been releasing very limited edition 1/50 scale Tekno models of some of their more iconic trucks. So far the releases have been a Scania 111 and a Scania 143 Streamline, both artics pulling tilt trailers. The next to be released in the series is a Scania 110 drawbar again being manufactured by Tekno the Dutch model experts. This latest 500 piece special edition was due for release at the end of last year, then again it was due in January, but as yet nothing. Well that was until today, if you have been lucky enough to be one of the 500 names on the list then you have probably already received the following information on email. This was the update from Astran today;

To all supporters and collectors of Astran/Tekno 1:50 scale models.

“We have just received information from Tekno in Holland that upon final examination of the Scania 140 Drawbar, they have rejected the entire batch fresh in from China on the grounds that the quality is not acceptable.

We at Astran share your frustration, having waited such a long time for this new model. It is to Tekno’s credit that their standards are so high that they have taken this dramatic move. Most companies would have taken the easy option. I also have to add that I agree with their decision, having seen the first model off the line.

We will continue to keep the waiting list on file and will advise you when we have further information from Tekno. We understand this re-manufacturing process could take a long time, and at present Tekno are not prepared to say just how long it will be.

Thank you for your patience and support.”

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I’m sure we are all happy to be patient for such a wanted model and I’m sure Tekno must feel incredibly embarrassed about the situation. As far as I’m concerned, as long as it is still going to be produced then waiting is not a problem as long as the final standard is as good as we’ve all come to expect from Tekno.

Astran have told me that the current list of 500 models is full and even the waiting list is growing (over 50 names so far!). If you still want to add yourself to the waiting list please contact Astran directly. You can email sammy@astran-cargo.com. If your on the waiting list you will be pretty lucky to get a model. If your already one of the 500 lucky people but can no longer be one of the lucky, please contact Astran to let them you are no longer able to purchase one of the models then at least some one on the waiting list might get one.

So that’s the update, please be patient it will be worth the wait!! You can contact Astran direct or myself and I will pass your message on.

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DAFt Farmer

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Every now and then I do get to keep my hand in. As it was my Saturday to work and we had no trucks to load, it made sense for me to tip a local load of fertiliser to a farm about 5 miles away. Can’t be that hard can it?! I rang the phone number just to check directions and off I went in the big DAF. Apparently they have big trucks at this farm all the time….
Anyway into Kersey village (this is sort of deepest Suffolk village type roads!) turn right follow it along to the old white rose pub, turn left. Down the hill up the other side then take the first Tarmac road to the left, follow it along for 1/2 a mile and the farm is on the left. Easy peasy. Well if only it was as easy as that. It was ok upto the pub and turning left. Just after the left turn was a parked car outside a house and a very full ditch. I eased along side the car, keeping closer to the car than the ditch due to the amount of rain we’ve had. It might be that the rear marker light stalk on the trailer touched the car but I like to think it was well planned!

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This is the entrance to the farm as I was driving out. I approached the farm from the road to the right. It was a narrow single track with the trailer wheels brushing the banks of the lane as I came up to the farm. I stopped in the lane as the left turn into the farm was slightly back on myself. As I hopped out the farm hand came out to tell me I was in the right place and also to see me in. I backed up slightly, pulled as far right and forward as I dare before jack-knifing round to the left. As I did so I had to make sure the left side trailer wheels didn’t catch on the large concrete block that had been put there to protect the grass, never mind the large vehicles you might expect on a farm! As I swung in I stopped and jumped out to move a tree stump protecting the grass on the right hand side, I hand to move this so I could get the bumper round as my steer wheels were just touching the seemingly precious grass. As I edged round the farm hand said nothing apart from ok as the trailer cleared the concrete block. Slowly forward past a barn and round into a large open farm yard. “Pull up any where and open 1 side”. That was all he said so I duely obliged and the 19 bags of fert soon started coming off the trailer.

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It was about this point 2 dirty Jack Russell’s and a grumpy farmer appeared;
Farmer: “can you not drive over the grass on your way out again”
Me: “oh did I catch it on the way in? It was a bit tight”
Farmer: “yes you did, we have trucks in here all the time and they have no problem”
Me: “it is pretty tight….”
Farmer: “well your supposed to be qualified to drive this thing”
Me: “I am, but I’m happy if you want to drive it out onto the road so I don’t catch the grass again”
Farmer: “No that’s your job”

What can you say to that?? All in a days work, to expect some one not to understand. Once empty I asked the farm hand if I made a mess and he said “no not really the farmer just assumes that all trucks are the same size!” I asked if he wanted to see me out as I had to drive out the way I came. Turning right out the entrance back on myself with the concert block on the drivers side this time.

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Crawling along I went as far forward as possible before going left into the entrance, again to avoid the trailer wheels catching on the grass on the left. I hung out my window to make sure the tyres were not touching the blooming grass. This time, before turning right out if the entrance and onto the lane, I went as far forward as possible before turning right, so I just edged over the road into the soft gateway on the other side of the lane, I then turned hard right, making sure the trailer wheels on the drivers side missed the concrete block while also making sure the front passenger side of the trailer swung back quick enough to miss the telegraph pole. Once back on the lane I jumped out the cab and replaced the tree stump I had moved on my way in. As I climbed back in the cab, pleased eased with myself for not touching anything, I noticed the farmer had been watching my exit from a hidden spot next to the barn, so just to make sure he knew I knew he was there, I gave him a honk and a wave as I drove off.

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No matter how hard you try as a driver there will ways be those who you just can’t please. I don’t think I could have done much more on my way into the farm especially as the farm hand was helping me in. It didn’t bother me that the farmer had a moan, but it does make me wonder why they bother, especially as he declined my kind offer of driving the truck out onto the road for me! Funny old boy.

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Anyway I always enjoy a farm delivery as It does usually provide some sort of a challenge. Next time I think the boss man, Big Dave, should take the challenge and make the next farm delivery. At this point I will just congratulate my bosses on reaching the 10 year anniversary of Kersey Freight Ltd. While I was messing about in the mud, 10 years earlier David and James were busy starting the company from a small room in Kersey Mill. Congratulations boys!!