Truckstar Festival 2014

Posted on February 28, 2014 by truckbloguk

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.

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.

New Model: HCW Scania 143 8×4

Posted on February 15, 2014 by truckbloguk

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).

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.

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.

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.

Astran Tekno Model Update

Posted on February 4, 2014 by truckbloguk

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.”

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.

New Bernard Hunter Crane Model

Posted on October 10, 2013 by truckbloguk

Something a little different this time! Not exactly a truck but hopefully still of interest to you for the blog?

Please find attached pictures of our latest 1:50 scale model release, together with relevant write up.

This is our first model crane release and the production run is only 155 pieces – so it should prove to be very collectable.

If you have any questions, or if you need more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards,

Jim

Main tel: 01332 873555
Fax: 01332 875757
Web: http://www.search-impex.co.uk

Help For Fellow Trucker

Posted on July 21, 2013 by truckbloguk

I like to help when I can, so when asked if I can advertise a small model collection for sale I though well why not. Ally Shaw needs to sell off his collection of models for personal reasons, so if you are that way inclined and like me you have a room full of models please feel free to contact Ally directly. Over to Ally:

I have a selection of models I would like to sell may I advertise them on Truckblog , If so I will forward you the details there is a mixture of Tekno , Search Impex and Corgi , the reason being is because of my health , I would like to see them go to good homes and not end up being toys to be played with .

Tekno

= Nr 96 Shore Porters, Aberdeen Scania .£100.00
= Nr 76 V.G Mathers, Kintore , Aberdeenshire , Scania 143 topline ( box autographed by Mr Vic Mathers ) .£100.00

Corgi

= Nr CC14801 – Scania 113 /143 Mc Gawns Bros of Maybole Scotland .£40.00
= Nr CC12420- Volvo FH 460+ Fridge Van Scotlee Int Transport , Irvine , Scotland.£40.00
= Nr CC12220- Scania P Cab + Fridge Van , Gray & Adams , Fraserburgh.£40.00
= Nr CC99192 – Haig Transport Set Volvo FH + Skeltel Trailer /Renult Premium + Curtiansider , Bellshill Scotland.£70.00

Search Impex

= Nr 113018 – Scania Topline R Series+ Curtainsider Grampian International , Aberdeen . £80.00
= Nr 112405- Volvo FH + Fridge Van , G&J Jack , Fraserburgh .£80.00
= Nr 113041- Volvo FH + Fridge Van , Whitelink Seafoods , Fraserburgh .£80.00
= Nr 113257- Volvo FH + Flat Trailer Sheeted Load . V.G. Mathers Ltd , Kintore , Aberdeenshire . £80.00

I think the above prices are pretty close to being reasonable in todays market , if I was offered very close to the asking price for some of them I may negotiate .

I can be contacted on 07706 238747 or email: scanvab@aol.co.uk

Kind Regards

Ally Shaw.

SCOOP!! Astran / Tekno New Model Release

Posted on February 19, 2013 by truckbloguk

I’m spoiling you, 2 blogs in a matter of days! But this is big news and it can’t wait for me to get my A*se in gear. I had an email today from Kevin Letham, yes him in charge of the most famous intercontinental trucking company ever, Astran. Kevin asked if I wanted to be on the list for the next and possibly the best Astran model yet. So of course I said yes please put me on the list, to which he replied, i’ve already put your name down but I thought I better just let you know! Anyway for those of you who don’t know, there have been 2 Tekno 1/50 scale models produced already and both sold out in days. Now you have to pay twice the original price to get one off the electronic auction websites. So how about this time around, want to see if you can get your name down on the original list??

As you can see this time the model is based on a Scania 140 drawbar, reg no JLL 686K. Kevin said in his email; “We currently have, in production, what has already been called the “Best Model so far!!”. It was decided to make a 140 Draw bar as accurate as possible to the original. I have attached the design drawings and think that it will make a perfect addition to the previous models. Price has not been fixed yet, but it is thought to be slightly more than the previous models at £175.00 due to the extras that Tekno have had to make for it.”

It sounds to me like this will be a great model once again. I think it is fair to say that Dutch model builders Tekno, do know what they are doing when it comes to creating a real collectors item. This time around i’m sure that the Certificated Limited Edition Astran model will be hugely popular, so please get emailing Kevin now to try and secure you place on the list. To contact Kevin please email: kevin@astran-cargo.com or you can tweet him: @astran_kevin or i’m sure it’d be ok to call Astran direct if your not really an email person. How ever you do it, do it now because you really don’t to miss out on this one…..DO IT NOW!

QUAYSIDE COLLECTABLES!

Posted on July 3, 2012 by truckbloguk

Search Impex, are pleased to announce the release of a 1:50 scale Scania Highline (6×2) with 3 axle, Thermo King refrigerated trailer, customised in the striking livery of Grimsby based operator Quayside Distribution. The model, produced exclusively for Search Impex by WSI Collectables, is a certificated, Limited Edition (105 pieces).

Established in 1997 as a fish transportation business serving, initially, just the Humber ports area, Quayside Distribution started life with three trucks (a Scania rigid, a Mercedes rigid and a Scania artic ) and one highly determined founder with a big vision – Mick Wilkinson. As an ex-truck driver, Mick made the tough decision to stop working for someone else and take charge of his own destiny. Continuous investment in the business from the outset, together with terrific drive and perseverance has seen Quayside Distribution develop rapidly. Having initially aimed to cater for the needs and requirements of the UK’s fresh fish industry, the business has actually grown into the UK’s leading full load transporter of not only fresh, but also frozen seafood. Based at distribution centres around the country, the operation has a commercial vehicle fleet which, today, numbers around 85 units and 120 trailers. Quayside Distribution runs throughout the night collecting from all domestic ports and inland markets around the UK and delivers to a wide variety of outlets, including major supermarkets and their associated RDC’s (regional distribution centres), commercial catering outlets, restaurants and even fish and chip shops. The Company also offers an overnight service to France, for onward distribution of fresh fish and seafood products to Belgium, Spain and Italy.

Models, available from Search Impex, are priced at £137 each (including UK delivery & VAT). To check availability of this and other models, collectors can visit the Search Impex website at www.search-impex.co.uk or call them on 01332 873 555.

DENBY AND THE SEVEN DAFS!

Posted on July 3, 2012 by truckbloguk

One of the latest truck releases from customised promotional model vehicle specialists, Search Impex, is a 1:87 scale DAF XF105 Super Space (6×2) and 3 axle, curtain trailer customised in Denby Transport’s livery. The models, with die cast metal cabs and trailers, are sure to lend some weight to an already well known name!

Lincoln based Denby Transport is a long established haulage business with roots which can be traced back to the 1920’s and to founder, Bill Denby, Grandfather of the present (and third generation) Managing Director, Peter Denby. Having slowly and steadily built up a successful road transport company with a solid reputation, the business, along with many other haulage companies, found itself caught up in post war Government policy and was nationalised in 1949. As a result of this, Bill Denby took the opportunity to pursue other business interests and leave the transport industry. Denationalisation of transport started in 1954 and it was some seven years later, finding the lure of trucks too powerful, that Bill opted to re-enter the industry. With the original Denby Transport trucks having long since gone to other homes, he purchased another small haulage company and once again set about building up the business, this time together with his son, Richard. Over the next 50 years, with input and effort from three generations of the same family, Denby Transport has grown into today’s impressive operation. With around 50 tractor units (a mix of DAF & Volvo) and more than 140 trailers, including curtain, double deck, stepframe and probably the largest fleet of ramped flats in the Anglo-French market, the business undertakes a variety of general haulage work, but specialises particularly in the transport of agricultural and industrial machinery. The DAF XF105 Super Space 6×2 truck is the latest addition to the fleet – and a further seven of the DAF units will be joining later this year.

Produced exclusively for Search Impex by WSI Collectibles, the model is priced at £23 (incl VAT & UK postage) and only a small number of models are available to collectors. For details of availability of this and other models, collectors can visit the Search Impex website at www.search-impex.co.uk or call them on 01332 873 555

PRIDE OF THE FENS!

Posted on July 3, 2012 by truckbloguk

Customised promotional model vehicle specialists, Search Impex, are pleased to announce the release of a 1:50 scale Volvo FH3 Globetrotter XL (6×2) with 3 axle, curtain trailer, customised in the well known livery of East Anglia based operator Knowles Transport Ltd. The model has been produced exclusively for Search Impex by WSI Collectables as a certificated, Limited Edition (105 pieces).

Founded in 1932 by Gerald Knowles, the haulage operation began life with the transporting of agricultural produce to the wholesale London markets (Covent Garden, in particular) and the carrying of sugar beet from the fields of East Anglia to the local refineries. Some 80 years on, whilst general haulage remains the backbone of the operation, the Company has grown unrecognisably. With a fleet approaching 90 trucks and 200 trailers, the business remains privately owned and serves an impressive customer base which includes many household brands from both UK blue chip companies, as well as multi-national FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) customers. The Company operates throughout the UK and delivers to retail locations, dedicated distribution warehouses and manufacturing plants alike. Hand in hand with its distribution service, Knowles Transport also operates 1.5 million square feet of warehousing within East Anglia, in easy reach of Felixstowe and Tilbury ports, with a huge variety of storage options.

BIG BEAST NUMBER 2 – Also from Search Impex & WSI……Corrrrrr!!!

Posted on May 13, 2012 by truckbloguk

This is a must for all you serious collectors, look at it, a real beast of a model! For those of you who don’t know Randolph, they are a real proper Scottish haulier, you know what I mean!!

Search Impex, are pleased to announce the release of a 1:50 scale Scania Topline R620 (8×4) tractor unit with Nooteboom World Adaptor trailer (with Vestas nacelle load), customised in the livery of Scottish operator Randolph Heavy Haulage. The model has been produced exclusively for Search Impex by WSI Collectibles and is a certificated, Limited Edition (102 pieces). This is the second Randolph Heavy Haulage model to be produced and follows on from the sell out release of the MAN TGX XXL (8×4) with wind turbine tower section.

Based in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Randolph operates a variety of heavy haulage units, including another five 8×4 tractors, but their Scania Topline was the first “two pedal” 8×4 unit (i.e., truly automatic – with no clutch) to operate in the UK. Amongst other tasks, the Scania unit is used for haulage of heavy wind turbine sections, such as the nacelle (the heavy top section, or head of the wind turbine) included with this model, using wind-farm adaptor trailers supplied by the wind turbine companies for which Randolph undertakes the haulage work. They also carry the tower sections and the wind turbine blades.

The model is about 72cm long which, in real life, would be the equivalent of 36 metres in length! Longer loads are not unknown to Randolph – with some wind turbine bases being around 60m long and 5m wide and the wind turbine blades can be up to a whopping 62 metres long. When moving loads in the region of 145 to 150 tonnes gross (the Scania and nacelle being in this weight category), on-road fuel consumption is a little over three miles per gallon – but this can dip well below one mile per gallon when climbing hills and the going gets tough!

Models, available from Search Impex are priced at £315 each (including UK delivery & VAT). To check details of availability of this, or other models, collectors can visit the Search Impex website at www.search-impex.co.uk or call them on 01332 873555.

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Category Archives: Models

Truckstar Festival 2014

New Model: HCW Scania 143 8×4

Astran Tekno Model Update

New Bernard Hunter Crane Model

Help For Fellow Trucker

SCOOP!! Astran / Tekno New Model Release

QUAYSIDE COLLECTABLES!

DENBY AND THE SEVEN DAFS!

PRIDE OF THE FENS!

BIG BEAST NUMBER 2 – Also from Search Impex & WSI……Corrrrrr!!!