From Big Trev Himself

Posted on February 23, 2011 by truckbloguk

Having a few emails from Trevor Dodwell on other matters so i thought i’d give him the wonderfull opportunity of contributing to the best truck blog in the world (this one not BigLorryBlog!). He says he will send more but sent this cracker to start with. Trevor’s legendary 143 Streamliner, one of the best and last fully Astran liveried trucks. Not only was the truck a beauty to drive but Trevor say’s the trailer had all the bits and bobs you need for driving the long dusty roads to the Middle East. He say’s “The trailer’s extra accessories included: Angle fridge, full fitted kitchen with running water and diesel capacity on the whole vehicle is 2,100 litres to fill it up in Saudi cost less than a hundred pound.!” Thats a £100 total not per litre like it is here currently!! Great pic Trev, keep sending them…….

Astran / M.E. Drivers???

Posted on January 13, 2011 by truckbloguk

Amongst the few photos i have from my relation Dick Snow (yea really), there are a number of faces that have no identity, well to me anyway. Have you got any ideas who they are?? Can you put a name to a face?? If so please let me know. The current or ex Middle Easters may be one step ahead of the rest of us! Email me at ben@truckblog.co.uk or leave a comment below. The first one is the man himself Dick Snow.

Surely you all know who thi slast one is??? Be funny to see his picture in return!

More Astran!!

Posted on January 10, 2011 by truckbloguk

Not that any of you mind i’m sure, but this month is looking fairly Astran mungus! I have recently had a strange but true coming together with ex Astran driver Tony Soameson. This man was one of the original drivers starting with Astranback in 1969 firstly as an employed driver then later becoming an owner driver for them. I have spoken to Tony and he is willing to send me some pictures to use on the blog. I am hoping most of them will be different to those used in Ashley Coghills book, The Long Haul Pioneers. The picture below is one of Tony’s, if you look in the book there is a picture of this truck being loaded. I’ll post some more pictures as and when they come through. Please acknowledge the Copyright on this photo.

Astran Polo Shirts

Posted on January 7, 2011 by truckbloguk

End of the week, you’ve been given you weekly penny packet, are you are AstranPerv? Do you wish you were off to the Middle East? Each time you hop out of your cab you hope your in Baghdad or Bandar Abbas not Biggleswade? Do you wish to work for the UK’s 3rd place all time favourite haulage company?? Well now’s your chance to pack those feelings away for good. You could be the proud wearer of an official Astran Polo shirt. Currently in stock in M, L, XL and XXL, yellow with red writing including Arabic!!! ……………..Selling like hot-cakes at £19.99 inc p&p!!!!! If you want one then email, kevin@astran-cargo.comand title your email “Can i have a Polo Shirt Mr Letham?”

Astran Liveried Trucks are Back!!

Posted on November 18, 2010 by truckbloguk

Have a look at these pictures sent over by Astran Director Kevin Letham. This Actros has been painted in the legendary Red and Yellow. The plan is to do a few trips to the M/E and then sell her on to a new life in the sun. The big question being will she be replaced by another Red & Yellow beasty?? The load of pipes were collected from northern Italy and deliver to Losail, Qatar in under 2 weeks. Good going but then again the pilot/photographer was the old M/E hand Roger “Rabbit” Gool, returned from retirement for a few trips. Keep the pictures coming Roger/Kevin!

Where do you Read Yours?? No.2

Posted on November 3, 2010 by truckbloguk

We had The Roving Reporter reading his in his cockpit a few weeks back, so how about reading it on the famous tapline as featured in the book? This is surely a point winner. This picture was sent to me from AstranMD Kevin Letham, although it is Roger Gools photo. Yes Roger Gool as mentioned in the book. Have you been reading your copy in a weird or wonderful place? Send me proof to; ben@truckblog.co.uk

Astran Tekno Model

Posted on September 24, 2010 by truckbloguk

It arrived yesterday! After many long days siting waiting at the door for the Posty to come a’knockin he finnally arrived yesterday. Upon opening i was greeted with huge white Wotsits that spilled across the desk! Excellentyly packaged. Once i opened the model box i found what can only be described as an excellent model. I am not a collector of Tekno models but i think if you were rich enough this model would make you start collecting. The attention to detail is amazing even down to the aerials for the cab roof. It really catches what the real truck was, although i was expecting to find a small bag of sand in the model box to add to the model along with the mirrors!! Astran i’m sure are dead chuffed with it as are the other 349 people who are now WHJ 194S owners. Mine is number 51 if any one is interested.

Ex Astran Scania 143

Posted on July 29, 2010 by truckbloguk

This old beauty was spotted in the M/E by Astran boss Kevin Letham on a previous trip. You can see the old english plate still under the bumper, it was a “G” reg but does any one know any other history of the truck?? Email me at ben@truckblog.co.uk

Nearly There……….

Posted on July 26, 2010 by truckbloguk

Mr Skinner has sent an update. A few posts ago i put a picture of this truck on its way to a new life in the sun and with another load for the legendary ASTRAN. The truck was part of a group of 6 trailers taking some steel down to Qatar for a stadium that they are building. They are hoping to win the 2022 world cup!!!! Now the truck is there and probably needs to learn the new language, looking at the road signs!! Although the desert isn’t all that interesting, some how it still makes a cracking shot!! Keep them coming Wayne. Any pics you lot want to send, please do to; ben@truckblog.co.uk

Middle East Sellers

Posted on July 19, 2010 by truckbloguk

These pictures were taken by Wayne Skinner on his way to the ME with some sellers. Still seems to be a good trade in European trucks out there although he did say he was a little cautious about the ex MW Tasker Scania as they are slighty out of favour at the moment. Still a cracking pic of the Volvo in the desert and does any one know where the Scania pic was taken?? i have no idea! At least Astran are keeping him busy, hopefully more pics to come.

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