Part 1: Manchester to Manchester Via Rhodes, Greece

Posted on March 16, 2012 by truckbloguk

Tonight we have a new guest writer on the blog. Ian Harper has recently driven a 7.5 ton Renault Midlum from Manchester to Ipswich to Rhodes, Greece. Luckily for us he has sent me his diary for the trip. This will be a 3 part story so keep your eyes peeled over the week and try and keep up with Ian on his road trip. These words are all his own I haven’t edited it in anyway as I thought it best to leave it as was. I hope you enjoy the read, over to you Ian;

Day 1
03:45 Get up cold dark wet and miserable even the cat didn’t move, kettle on flask filled brew made and last night’s left over sausages and a tin of beans warmed up in food flask and out the door.
04:15 on my way down the M67 A57 over snake pass through Sheffield and onto the A57 then the A1 the roads are so quiet for a Friday morning even the A14 at Huntingdon isn’t slowing down, into Cambridge services for my sausage and beans brew and an hour’s kip I’m well in front of myself not loading till 12. I’ll be in Ipswich early, ring the customer they are waiting for me that a result into Hadleigh Rd Ind Est, Ipswich find the storage unit and 3 hrs later all their worldly possessions were loaded and ready to move to their new house in Pyloma on the Island of Rhodes. Can I get round to the Eurotunnel without hitting any traffic? Yes apart from the Dartford Bridge I didn’t slow down.
16:15 Not to bad a wait for the train 25 minutes and were loaded on the train waiting for the bus to take me up front why some drivers don’t move up the bus for others to get on baffles me there’s enough seats for all of us!
17:30 off the train and on our way got an hour left on a 9 need a “splash of juice” to get me to Luxembourg so head for Vuerne.

Day 2
03:30 Alarm goes off brew made checks and on my way at a foggy dark 04:00 morning I should make Luxembourg in 4:30 on a Saturday morning, 4 hrs 12 minutes later I’m pulling into Berchem services fuel up and round to the car park for a break and a free brew. The fog lifted and I was on my way the roads were busy but no problems a lot of Dutch cars heading south, off the motorway and through the hills and forests by Pirmaseans and down to Pforzheim and an hrs break taken, how far will I make it? I’ve set the sat nav for the Shell garage on the Germany – Austria border at Vils. I’m 25 minutes short of making Vils so the services at Dietmansreid will do for tonight as I know I can make Ancona in a day’s drive.

Day 3
00:30 Its freezing snowing and the night heaters got the little cab like an oven don’t really feel like moving, away we go into Austria some little snow flurries but the Austrians are on top of it the gritters and ploughs are out ,through the fern pass which is a lovely drive some excellent scenery in the day time. An hour and a half later I pull into the shell garage just off junction 3 at Innsbruck to fuel up. A free brew and 15 minute break I’m away down the Brenner Pass some little flakes of snow on the windscreen turned into bloody big flakes and for 15 minutes it was an interesting drive, the snow stopped and I was on the Brennero on my own for most of the way not many headlights anywhere.

An hrs break around Trento daylight was poking its head out over the Dolomites and on my way I go another break after Bologna and straight into Ancona get my tickets for tomorrow’s boat and a 26 hr break on the lorry park with free mix of Bulgarian and Greek folk music.
The Minoan ferry was loading as I walk pass and into Ancona town. There were a couple of Pulleyn trucks at the truck park so I had an idea where they would be having a pint, I recognised one of the lads and he clocked me so I went and said hi and was asked if I wanted to join them and grab a pizza later I accepted the invite we watched the 6 Nations Rugby and chewed the fat for a couple of hours.

Day 4
I was awoken with the combination of folk music loud talking and someone very kindly emptying the contents of his nasal passages. I couldn’t be bothered moving as I was warm and snug so I put the night heater on for 15 minutes to warm the cab up then eventually got up. To my surprise it had snowed through the night not a lot but enough to cover the ground. I got dressed and wandered up to the terminal used the facilities and got myself a coffee and a cheese pannini for my breakfast, on my wandering back the 2 Pulleyn lads were going so a quick bye, take care and they were gone, they were loading oranges near Rome so a nice drive over the tops but I didn’t envy them the drive up the A1 to Bologna it’s not the best of roads. I had 4 hrs to kill so I started this blog and had a sit in the sun on the harbour it was warm in the sun and I watched the world and the fishing boats go by, from where I was sat I could see the ferry terminal the Superfast had just come in then 2 hrs later the Minoan came in an hour after that I was on the ferry ,got a cabin to myself and went to watch us leave from the top deck and as usual we were an 1 and a half hrs late.

Astran Big & Small

Posted on March 11, 2012 by truckbloguk

Not a great photo I know, but I am hoping that the owner of the real version will email a few more better ones for us all to enjoy. The truck in the fore ground is the latest Tekno release in the Astran’s series. The truck being M509 WCK, the lovely Scania 143 Streamline, that I think i’m right in saying was the one of the last Astran liveried Scania’s. The Tekno model is as true to life as possible and has a matching trailer, that is also a full on replica of Owner Driver Trevor Dodwells original truck.

In the background is the real thing. The 1/1 scale, original M509 WCK although now on Irish plates. Now used for fun, shows and the occasional Aid run to far flung places. Us less fortunate types can only dream of being such lucky beggars!!

New Truckblog Stickers Now on the Road!

Posted on March 9, 2012 by truckbloguk

The new Truckblog stickers are now in circulation, getting themselves around the UK and Europe. If you drive a truck any where in the world you can of course buy one as long as you send in a photo of where you have stuck it with some thing in the background, like Steve Marsh’s effort above. This is the first one “On the Move” that I have received, although Marshy has said it its not the greatest photo. The best thing is that he is showing the sticker off on it’s first trip, which is a good one, this photo was taken in Norrkoping Docks, Sweden. If you’ve got a sticker or you are getting one, click on the Truckblog Stickers heading on the home page of the blog. Then once stuck on your truck, email me your photos; ben@truckblog.co.uk

While on the way up through Germany to Sweden, Steve Marsh woke up one morning to see that his truck had had a baby! This little tilt turned up and looks like a mini-me version of Steve’s MAN TGL. I’m not to up on my vans but I think this could be a Renault Master perhaps?? Any way hopefully there will be more Truckblog stickers on the move to come!

Take The Long Way Home

Posted on March 1, 2012 by truckbloguk

In response to the last blog on Marshy doing along trip in a short space of time, the very next day I got an email from Trucker Bob of Louisiana, USA. The land of long straight endless roads, ideal for long distances in short spaces of time. Trucker Bob hails from Winsboro, Louisiana and emailed to tell me of a regular job he had for his trucks a few years ago. For those of you who dont know your American states, I will be using the wonderful Google Maps link to show you the rough route across the US.

Trucker Bob used to run a few Freightliner trucks under the name of BandS Transport. He used to have a regular long distance 7 day run that he used to complete. Bob is proud to say after 9 years of doing the run, he had no log book problems with the law. Bob said this about the run;

“We were very lucky to have a super account which was a dedicated run from Winnsboro, Louisiana to Boise, Idaho then back to New Orleans and home to Winnsboro, Louisiana. Around 4300 miles round trip. We had to make the turn around in 7 days, averaging 625 miles a day or 1000 Km, as a solo driver. Legalish is a
great term you used …. In the event of bad weather or special conditions we could get extra time. In the US most states allow trucks to run 70 mph and out west we can run 75 mph (120 km per hour) and I am sure my driver pushed that. We hauled rolled paper up and onions back. Sometime in the winter up north we would put a propane bottle
and a burner for heat then down south open up the vents to cool the
onions (and dry them if the trailer sweated).”

Now in my book that sure is good enough for the short long trip pile! I think even Marshy would struggle to keep up with that. Have a look at the map below to see where Trucker Bob and his Freightliners used to haul ass!!

Finally BandS trailers always had the slogan; “Take the long way home” on the rear doors. Bob says; “I always thought I was headed home when I left the yard.” A good philosophy I think, surely once your trip has started your ultimate goal is to get home again. I like it.

Marshy’s New Year Marathon MAN

Posted on February 28, 2012 by truckbloguk

How many km’s do you clock up in round trip?? How many do you think this little 12 ton MAN TGL does?? Probably more than most give these little trucks credit for. Back in January your friend and mine, Steve Marsh, embarked on mini marathon around Europe. I’m hoping that if you click here you can see THE MAP of Marshys New Year Marathon.

So what did Steve get up to in his 9 day, 4,367km round trip? Pull up a sand bag and i’ll tell you a story;

– Start Culcheth, Warrington Thursday
– Load Thursday Westhoughton, Lancashire
– Ship Dover Calais
– Arrive in Vercelli, Italy on Saturday
– Unload Monday
– Load Baldenheim, France on Tuesday Morning
– Ship Calais Dover
– Home to Culcheth, Warrington Wednesday
– Ship Holyhead Dublin Thursday
– Deliver Limerick, Ireland Friday Morning
– Load Collinstown, Ireland Friday Afternoon
– Ship Dublin Holyhead Friday night
– Deliver Crewe, Cheshire on Saturday Morning
– Home for tripe, black pudding, liver and onions Saturday lunch.
– Walk the Whippet Saturday afternoon (I made this bit up.)

So you see, size doesn’t matter when it comes to covering big distances. For the narrow minded of us, these little trucks can cover just as many, if not more km’s a week than their big brothers. Another blog regular from Australia, runs a mini artic and he covers the whole of Oz driving his little rig, and can legally cover more of Kangaroo Land than the massive Roadtrains they have out there. Perhaps this helps explain my love for a tonka toy that does long distance work, its just more unusual I guess. Have you covered a decent round trip in a short space of time?? Legal (ish) stories only I think is best, email me; ben@truckblog.co.uk

Oh the romance of long distance lorry driving! Marshy keeps apologising for sending me photo’s that always have his table and chairs in. I don’t mind at all, it’s part of the job. How many drivers these days stop, park up and stay in their cabs all day every day?? Not Mr Marsh, my only worry is there is never any food on his table!!

…..Keep the photos coming Steve, I now have people emailing me asking if all is ok when we don’t hear from you for a few weeks. You have fans, it’s official! If you have any urgent cargo requirements please contact Steve, he can do vans as well if needs be, he says he is happy to quote on anything, but for his own vehicles 5 tons is his limit. Have a look at the website; www.stevemarshexpress.co.uk

DAF (mini) Super Space Cab

Posted on February 25, 2012 by truckbloguk

A few months back when I was looking about for little lorry’s, I came across this little big cabbed DAF LF. The 1st truck I bought was the predecessor of the LF a 45. Although I always bang on about the MAN TGL, I do like DAF’s version of a little big truck. The only problem with the DAF is that they don’t do their own big cab, you can select a sleeper cab, but it’s a good old fashioned standard height cab and a single bunk. Where as the Germans have perfected the mini space cab, with big bunks, high roofs and enough room to stand up in and put your trousers on in the morning. In fact both German options share their space cabs with bigger tractor units. I have often wondered why DAF haven’t given a factory built big space cab option for the LF range. After all they have excelled with the XF Super Space Cab and you would have thought that they would be keen to produce a mini version. Instead if you want a Super Space Cabbed LF you have to have a Hatcher high roof conversion. The Hatcher Components website in all honesty is beginning to be very dated and isn’t all that great at telling you what you want to know. I think I am right in saying that they do 2 high roof extensions for the LF DAF. A Sky Cab like the one in the picture above, or a Semi Sky Cab which isn’t quite as tall, obviously.

Any way this little DAF was for sale with my friend Mick at Moody International, but as usual I missed the boat and this little beauty had already been sold. I think the truck was originally part of the David G Davies fleet from Glossop, but it is now part of the Frank Hudson clan from Bishop Auckland. The truck as it is in the picture above, is how it was when it left the David G Davies fleet, but since joining the customised fleet of Frank Hudson Transport it has had a few tweaks and now looks like this……

Just as smart if not smarter. You have to agree that is a smart looking truck and I bet, no I guarantee it works just as hard, does just just as many miles and more than likely makes more of a profit than its big brother, the DAF XF105. So why don’t DAF make thier own big little lorry?? My guess is that they aim the LF at the day cab and odd night out market and leave the long distance mini trucking to the likes of the Mercedes Atego High Roof Sleeper Cab and the MAN TGL LX. I would like to urge DAF that their must be a market for a factory built high roof sleeper version of the LF otherwise, why would Hatcher bother making the conversion??

Any-hoo something to ponder on. I’ll leave you with a couple more pics of this DAF LF Sky Cab. The pics are courtesy of one of it’s current pilots, Lewis Blakey at Frank Hudson (o the marvels of Facebook!). Note the front and rear Kelsa light bars.

More Un-Seen Blasts from The Past from The Cannon

Posted on February 24, 2012 by truckbloguk

……Peter Cannon that is, of Astran fame. Peter has been sending through a few of his favourite photo’s from his years at Astran.

Some of you will recognise this photo. Taken in Pakistan on the far side of the Khyber Pass, another version of this photo, taken a bit to the left, features in the Astran almanack, The Long Haul Pioneers. If you haven’t already bought one, you do need a copy so get buying. Speaking of the Khyber Pass, here is a great shot of the perfect place for bandito’s to hide!

While we’re on the Pakistani tourism desk, this is a great shot of what was then called the Attock Bridge. Being the inquisitive chap that I am, I got onto the Google Map and finally found the bridge. These days its now called The Old Bridge as there is a new modern bridge to cope with the greater flow of traffic I guess.

Next in the unseen archive is Astran driver John Frost, shovel in hand, having just fitted the snow chains to one of the pink ladies. I’m not to sure where this is, but i’m sure some of you will know. **28/02/12 – Admin: I have since learned that this is actually one of Gordon Pearces photos.**

These 3 photos are all of AMY 147H, Peter’s regular truck. All taken at various places across Turkey. A hard working girl was AMY, she certainly got around and did her bit to get Astran the name they achieved. Not having my copy of LHP to hand, I think I am right in saying she was the first Astran truck to go to Pakistan. I’ll check that when I get home!
Perhaps AMY 147H, a Scania 110, is a good candidate for the next model in the Astran series of Tekno models?? If you agree, leave a comment below. In fact if you have a suggestion for the next model in the series leave your ideas in the comments box and i’ll make sure Kevin at Astran gets to see them all.
Thanks again to Peter Cannon for the photo’s hopefully there will be more to come. If you have any of your own photos you want to share on the blog, then email me at ben@truckblog.co.uk

Ford Cargo is a Turkish Delight

Posted on February 17, 2012 by truckbloguk

Following on from my post the other week of an undercover Turkish Ford Cargo, I have had an email from Jay Grant, a driver of one of only 3 of these Ford Cargo’s in the UK. This photo was taken in La Jonquera, Spain, so Jay does get around a bit, but what does he do?? “Ford Motor Company” written on the front and an “FMC” number plate may be a clue or 2. Jay said in his first email;

“There are 3 in the UK, 2 x 2005’s and a 06…the 05s are artics and pull covered transporters and the 06 is wagon and drag transporter…the 05’s are going shortly as we have 2 new ones in Turkey awaiting collection….I work for Ford public affairs UK hence the Cargos.”

Naturally I wanted to know more about what his work involved, Public Affairs could be anything. Here’s what Jay said (I could put it into my own words but there really is no point!);

“Our work is really quite varied and not always all that glamorous lol…while we do move things like the concept and show cars about much of the time we only move support cars, these are often just Mondeo’s or Galaxy’s just for the crew to use to get about…last week I took 2 Torneo mini buses to Cologne…its a completely different way of working too, the emphasis is on getting it right with no damage even if it takes longer, and trust me if I’m loaded I drive like an old man…

We do a fair bit of publicity work too, a few weeks ago one of my colleagues took Katy B (I don’t know – Admin!) to a Sony event in Battersea power station in our XXL Torneo – this is a stretched Transit with full leather, dvd screen for every seat and is about 30ft long…I’ll have to get permission to send u a couple of pics….”

The stretched Transit sounds like fun! Hopefully Jay will grace us with some more photos. It’d be good to see these Turkish delights on their travels around Europe. Perhaps Jay will be flown out to Turkey to pick up his new truck from the factory?? That would be photo fest!! I think Jay is looking forward to his new Cargo;

“I’m not too sure yet which cab were getting but am hoping its the one in your photo (earlier blog post HERE), this is taller than the old and looks wider too…ours being a narrow cab design…I know they are moving from a 7 litre to 9 litre engine so should be a big improvement…”

Keep us posted Jay. I wonder if Ford would let Jay stick one of the new truckblog stickers some where on his truck?? I doubt it. If you see these few Ford Cargo’s in the UK, then email me; ben@truckblog.co.uk ………….. in fact I may have to email myself!

If Anyone Can, Cannon Can!!

Posted on February 12, 2012 by truckbloguk

This is one of the few photos I have that were taken by my relation, the late Dick Snow. I often wondered who that is walking in the shorts, until the other week I had no idea. I received an email from a Peter Cannon, a well known name to most of you Middle East trucking fans. Peter was one of Astrans original drivers and also went on to be transport manager for the now legendary transport company. Peter said; “The “tall chap” walking towards the camera beside a line of Astran trucks is me!!! JAN 774K was Snowys Scania 1st in line, then mine AMY 147H with the taller trailer. don`t know the 3rd one possibly WLO 95G.”

Being ever the faithful blogger I was delighted to hear from Peter, as I am delighted to hear from any of the men that were the original Long Haul Pioneers. I asked Peter if he felt like it, would he mind sending me a few unseen photos, as he had contributed quite a bit to Ashley Coghills book. Being a true knight of the road, Mr Cannon has been very obliging and has sent over these brilliant pics. The photo email stated a very true, but probably unstated statement; “Unfortunately at times of drama in the mountains in the snow there was never time or opportunity to mess around taking photos consequently there are very few photos of the real hairy bits but several posed ones!!” I hadn’t thought of it before, but it is probably very true. In the good old days it was far more important to help your fellow drivers out of a sticky situation, rather than the modern trend of videoing it on your mobile to stick on Youtube or You’ve been framed!!

The following photo was quite significant as Peter thinks this is him offloading in Kuwait on the 1st trip there in probably 1970.

As per the photo in The Long Haul Pioneers book, this is another shot of AMY147H crossing yet another river in Turkey. I wonder if a modern camera would give so much detail, just look at the steam coming off the brakes!

And finally for this little installment, is this photo of AMY in Pakistan. Peter said: “AMY outside the Marriot hotel in Islamabad Pakistan on the 1st trip there. The hotel has been featured on the tele` recently as militants have set off bombs there !!!!!”

These photos are just brilliant, please respect that they are Peter Cannons own photos. I can’t thank Peter enough. If you or anyone you know has an equally good collection of such nostalgic trucking then do feel free to email me, ben@truckblog.co.uk and i’ll publish them here on the blog for all to see and share the tales. Thanks Peter, I hope there is more to come.

Batman – Superman – MarshMAN

Posted on February 9, 2012 by truckbloguk

Is it a bird, is it a plane, not it’s super-Steve!! Marsh that is. Back in November your friend and mine, Steve Marsh Express was asked to transport some art, modern art, down to an exhibition in Courchevel 1850, France. Courchevel I hear you repeat to yourself, yes Courchevel its that rather exclusive ski resort in the French Alps. Marshy got the call to transport the sculpture work of artist Mauro Perucchetti, to the Courchevel Festival. Mr Marsh sent me some snaps of the stunning scenery but none of the cargo, so he described it as “Batman/Superman & Jelly Baby statues.” Not really knowing what Marshy meant by Jelly Baby statues I had to have a look for myself and sure enough they can only be described as the aforementioned Jelly Babies. This modern art stuff can be strange can’t it? There is pretty well nothing that can’t be classed as art. Personally I like a good old piece of picture art, nice scenery, good composure, some good detail and of course an ideal subject. Something like this works well………..

If my idea of art is not the same as yours perhaps the press release for the exhibition is more your thing. When you can, have a look through the gallery on Mauro Perucchetti’s website, you can see the Jelly Baby sculptures. If you look hard enough you’ll see a white marble carved sculpture of Batman and Superman, which actually is quite good, I like it. Anyway this isn’t weirdartblog.com.org so i’ll leave the opinions of modern art to those who claim to know what they are talking about!

Stunning views those mountains, quite steep too some of them, they look great as a backdrop for the little MAN. Come snow or shine Marsh’s little MAN seems to cope. So after unloading his arty farty load, it was time to head off to the reload. This time Switzerland was the loading point. 340 ish kilometres from Courchevel to Niederbipp, CH. The load was some tools and machinery GB05 STE had delivered out to Niederbipp two weeks earlier. They had been used to repair some machines at a papermill, but now had to be returned to Darwen, Lancashire. All in all another good trip for us to marvel at (ref to superheroes I think you’ll find!). Hopefully if you click HERE you can see a Google map of the trip. I thought i’d give it a go and see if it works. For now i’ll leave you with Mr Marsh heading off into a mountain filled sunset, until the next time……………………. Italy, France and Ireland next.

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