Mr Wilson’s Wednesday

Posted on July 16, 2014 by truckbloguk

A Wilson Wednesday with few words. These few photos came from one of the Wilson brothers, the quieter one of the 2 is the expert planner of the delightful red fleet from Suffolk. Just because he doesn’t write a blog and plaster himself across the internet like other bosses of high profile fleets, Mr Wilson is definitely a bit of a spotter and is definitely proud of his fleet. I often used to spot him take a sneaky photo on his afternoon yard walks. His spotter knowledge is amazing and his mind is full of priceless info, although my mother had to remind him of some ACH knowledge during a conversation they once had! Anyway here’s to you SW, thanks for the photos.

Centurions #8 #9 #14

Posted on July 13, 2014 by truckbloguk

Above are 2 very lucky owner drivers and no doubt very deserved too. On the left with the Olympic blue 143 500 is Maxi Mehrlich and on the right with the white 143 500 is Gorden Ardren. As you are probably all aware by now I’ve been trying to gain as much info on Scania’s original 100 special edition Centurion trucks as I can. This latest flurry of information comes from an excellent source, none other than Nagel Langdons own commercial director, Patrick Griffiths. This is what Patricks first email said;

A couple of corrections for your Centurion list.

J4 MJM was purchased through Langdon Industries Ltd by owner driver Maxi Mehrlich hence the J4 MJM. Copy of the original sales invoice is attached. We dug out a copy of this only a few months ago for the current owner.

J2 GLA was purchased through Langdon Industries Ltd by owner driver Gordon Ardren hence the J2 GLA.

J981BYA was purchased through Langdon Industries Ltd by owner driver Derek Champion. J981BYA it was a Scania R143 MA 4×2 R450 in white.

Myself or Patrick haven’t managed to find a photo of J981 BYA when it was new, so if any of you have then please email it me; ben@truckblog.co.uk – I did managed to find this photo of J981 but I don’t know whose photo it is or who owned the truck at the time, but I’m guessing it might be Plymouth owner driver Peter Orr. There is a slight question mark as to whether this was a 450hp or 500hp when new.

The truck details are as follows;

#8 Scania 143 500 Topline Streamline 4×2 Tractor – new to Maxi Mehrlich – now owned and fully restored by Dessie Mackin at Mackin International in Ireland. Above is the original invoice for the truck. I have cropped out the figures but I will tell you that it was between £60-£65,000 before VAT. I don’t know why but I was a little surprised that there is no mention of the edition number on the invoice. Before and after photos as follows;

#9 Scania 143 500 Topline Streamline 4×2 Tractor – new to Gorden Ardren – the truck has in the last few years been fully restored by Ashley Pearce and is now living in Ireland under the ownership of Donnell & Ellis. I have to say I helped convince Ashley Pearce to repaint the truck in Scania’s 3 Series pro-mo colours of blue with pink strips after giving him some posters an brochures. What a claim to fame! See below for its current condition.

#14 Scania 143 450 (May have been a 500hp?) Topline Streamline 4×2 Tractor – new to Derek Champion – now owned by Shropshire Forrestry Contractors as far as I’m aware. The last photo I have of it was when it was with its last owner Neil Johnson. Again if you have a recent photo of it since Neil Johnson had it please email me a copy; ben@truckblog.co.uk

Thanks again to Patrick at Nagel Langdons for the info and photos. Hopefully it’ll lead to more info about more Centurions. I think it’s amazing that the 3 Langdon Owner Drivers trucks are all still on the road and we can trace there where about’s as I know how difficult it is proving to find out info about some of the others.

Scania Operates Longer Vehicles in Sweden.

Posted on June 30, 2014 by truckbloguk

What isn’t there to like about Sweden?? Does anyone know anything bad about the place?? The trucks are great, the country is full of stunning scenery, the people are beautiful and the government have their heads screwed on!! Read this from Scania’s press department;

By driving with two full-length trailers, Scania reduces fuel consumption by up to 30 percent with an equivalent reduction in harmful carbon dioxide emissions. Following Scania’s request, the Swedish Transport Agency has now granted permission to operate rigs of 31.5 metres in total length between Södertälje and Helsingborg in Sweden.

Scania Transport Laboratory has been conducting research activities on the road for the past six years by transporting the company’s own materials under realistic operating conditions between Scania’s production units in Södertälje, Sweden and Zwolle in the Netherlands. The Transport Laboratory has already been able to demonstrate a halving of CO2emissions per tonne-kilometre from 2008 to 2012, thanks to skilful drivers, optimised vehicles and lower average speed. Another step is now being taken to show how heavy vehicles through new ways of thinking can dramatically reduce climate emissions to 20 grams per tonne-kilometre. The haulage service has been operated to date using rigs of 16.5 metres, which is the maximum permitted length today for the tractor-semitrailer vehicle combination in most European states, with the exception of countries such as Sweden and Finland. For the truck-trailer combination, a maximum length of 18.75 metres applies in most European states, while countries such as Sweden and Finland, permit 25.25 metres.

“There are positive environmental effects of longer vehicle combinations but unfortunately it is difficult to find support for this issue in many European countries,” comments Erik Ljungberg, Senior Vice President, Corporate Relations at Scania. “It is really gratifying that the Swedish authorities are taking action to obtain these benefits. To achieve an equivalent climate effect through vehicle development would take several years.”

The decision of the Swedish Transport Agency was preceded by the Swedish Transport Administration’s stability tests on vehicle combinations of 31.5 metres in order to ensure that these vehicles do not present any risk, for example during sudden evasive manoeuvres.

“Our long haulage services will not cause any disruptions to the pace of traffic and we will quite easily be able to maintain the legal speed limit of 80 km/hour,” assures Anders Gustavsson, Managing Director of Scania Transport Laboratory.

Wilson Wednesday

Posted on June 25, 2014 by truckbloguk

A quick return this week for red Wednesday. HC Wilson Transport’s famous fleet pounding the roads of the UK and Europe once again. Above we have Terry Alderton and below we have Doris DAF and Slim, both trucks on locals today a little run round to Middlesex with 2 loads of machinery.

Next is driver Geordie and European Charger. Having started the week with a run to Wick, Scotland and reload from Muir of Ord back to Wilson’s Elmswell yard in Suffolk. The Charger is now heading off mainland Europe to load 3 trailers in Stromberg, Germany. Check that route out on your Google map!

Above is part time driver and part time office waller James Cartwright. Called into action this afternoon to load some military vehicles in Norfolk for delivery to Wiltshire tomorrow.

Wilson fans favourite European Dream really living its name today with 24 metre long steel rails loaded from Luxembourg back to the UK. She looks well.

Mick “Snug” Farrow today on a little reach stacker move from Doncaster down to Maidenhead. Micks big Scania, European Colossus no doubt making easy work of the big load.

Husband and wife team Dave and Sue Ramm in N5HCW also on a UK job today. Loaded with some 23 metre long beams heading down to Harwich, Essex.

Just when your thinking it’s all go go go with Wilsons trucks and trailers today, we head to Germany where top Subbie Mike Tasker and Wilson driver Mark Gladwell have been waiting all day to load storage vessels back to the UK. A warm day sat in the German sun, trying to get some sleep isn’t a great day by my reckoning especially when you’ve got a night move out of Germany back to Rotterdam. Oh don’t forget the 17metre long tank in the well of the low loader too! Thanks for all the photos.

And the morning after the first night move……

Who owns #35??

Posted on June 24, 2014 by truckbloguk

Centurion: #35
Reg Number: J988 BYA
Current Owner: ???
(This is not my photo!)

WANTED: 2 x Scania Piston Rods

Posted on June 21, 2014 by truckbloguk

If you can help please contact me.
Email: ben@truckblog.co.uk

Wilson Wednesday

Posted on May 28, 2014 by truckbloguk

Wednesday again all ready and this is a late entry I know. First up is Workshop manager the one and only Bob Cross. I say workshop manager but there isn’t a lot Bob doesn’t get involved in and that also includes days out on the road still moving the big stuff about. Bob always carries a broom with him that can usually be found inside his person, but today he’s put the broom down for a few hours while he delivered this 4.25m wide, 4.80m high 29 ton reeler to Felixstowe. Boys load. SW02 HCW is a 150 tonner 8×4 Scania that these days is a spare. With a number of 8×4’s on the road it pays to keep a reliable V8 in the yard for as and when it’s required.

Next we have show favourite Mick Farrow heading for Liverpool with his big 250,000kg GVW Scania loaded with a reach stacker weighing in at approx 125,000kg GVW. A big old load, I’m sure it got a bit snug at some point today.

Doris DAF was today in Germany loading crane parts for the UK with driver Slim. This pair are Wilson Wednesday regulars, the big DAF is a regular on runs backwards and forwards to the continent.

2nd DAF on the fleet is the delightful Daisy, this week back at work with regular good looking driver Geoffrey Tarbun. From what I can work out Geoff could be adopting a one week on one week off rota but I could be wrong! Anyway here she is resting (again) on her way to the ferry from the Netherlands back to the UK with an agricultural machine for this years harvests.

Last one this week is European Charger that has charged up to Nuneaton today to tip an easy load of drums. A nice little load for driver Geordie.

Scania Blue Stream

Posted on May 26, 2014 by truckbloguk

I know it’s old news now but I still want to put it on here as it’s the 2nd special edition Scania released within a matter of weeks of each other. The Blue Stream is available world wide but the UK market also has the Golden Griffin special edition. Any way here’s the Scania press release for the Blue Stream.

Go with the flow – Scania now presents a custom-built, limited edition truck based on the Scania Streamline model and Scania’s unique V8 heritage. Blue Stream has an R-series cab styled and enhanced in collaboration with Svempa Bergendahl, the legendary Swedish custom truck builder. The unique truck will be produced in 200 numbered units in Södertälje as a tribute to the original Scania Streamline introduced back in 1991 – the first, truly aerodynamic cab in the heavy truck industry.

“With the re-introduction of Scania Streamline last year, we got a lot of positive feedback from customers who had been driving the original 3-series Scania Streamline back in the day”, says Kristoffer Nyberg, Product Manager Long-haulage at Scania Trucks. “Many especially recalled the striking appearance of the light blue truck with pink and purple striping. When we decided to honour that icon with a limited edition model of the new Scania Streamline, we of course wanted to involve Svempa since there is no better man for the task. The limited edition Blue Stream is characterised by a unique metallic exterior, striping and interior details and is produced by Scania’s regular production system, which permits great flexibility.“

“We were thrilled to get this assignment,” says Jan Richter, head designer at Svempas. “We were of course tempted to use the original baby blue colour, but, even though iconic, we wanted something that reflects 2014, and ended up with a more vibrant blue metallic colour that changes tone depending on viewing angle and light conditions.”

The heritage from the old Streamline is apparent in the striping, but once again more up-to-date, designed to enhance the class-leading aerodynamics of the truck. The distinct Scania V8 design features are further emphasised in the glossy black front grille. Inside the cab, a wide range of features are included while other options can be specified by the customer. Probably the most visible interior styling feature with Blue Stream are the unique, ventilated leather seats, with their exclusive stitching in contrasting colours.

“Blue Stream will be a unique but yet affordable truck within its segment”, says Nyberg. “The styling is bold and striking, but make no mistake, we are talking about trucks that are extremely well-suited for any tough transportation task that requires the kind of solid power that Scania’s V8 engine provide. Coupled with a full air deflector kit and typical hallmark values such as Scania Opticruise and class-leading fuel efficiency, Blue Stream will be just as productive as any other Scania.”

Blue Stream will be available on all Scania markets together with Scania’s V8 engine range, regardless of emission classification, with power outputs ranging from 500 to 730 hp. It can be ordered as a rigid or a tractor in any standard configuration with Highline or Topline sleeper cabs. Each unit will be numbered with a Blue Stream badge on the dashboard.

To further mark their exclusivity, all Blue Stream trucks come with the following packages, which are normally optional:

– Lighting package
– Driver package
– Prestige package
– Comfort package

The final specification will be set in a dialogue with each customer. Other factory options such as cat-walk, extra storage etcetera, can be ordered factory fitted from Scania, depending on customer preferences.

“Each Blue Stream will be unique,” adds Nyberg. “But they will all have in common that they carry the Scania Streamline heritage further, while delivering both profit and pride to their owners.”

Wilson Wednesday – it’s a big’un!!

Posted on May 7, 2014 by truckbloguk

This could be the biggest HC Wilson Wednesday yet. I don’t know how but it’s a double figure turn out this week, even drivers who I was beginning to think didn’t have phones have sent their entries in.

First up is N7HCW, European Charger. Sent in by driver Steve “Geordie” Pattison, loaded with a cable drum from Germany to Ireland.

Next, an old favourite of mine, Garreth Rowlands and V8HCW, European Diplomat. Loaded with cable drums from the UK back to the Continent, photo taken at the Goch boarder between NL and D.

X300HCW and driver Jon Pryke deliver another load of JCB’s to Harwich. It’s no easy job fitting all 3 on that trailer, trust me.

A firm spotters favourite, WIL2217 and driver Matt Lamb with a historical load this week. A 1914 London bus delivered at 2am this morning to Londons Transport Museam.

N50HCW loaded with a 4.2m wide cable drum heading for Felixstowe. Photo taken by Sully, Wilsons escort driver, the truck is driven by Graham Daniel.

Next is a new entry from driver Viv Nixey with R50HCW. Loaded in Birmingham and delivering today in Germany. Pull up a sand bag…..

Another new entry is driver John “Tea Bag” Franks. A quiet Yorkshireman who does more work than most without any fuss or even anyone realising how much he’s done! The JCB and combine friendly Scania, W100HCW and it’s A frame trailer look so simple to drive when being reversed by John “no shunts” Franks. A great truck and a great driver. The first truck I’d seen with a Sky box fitted. Another load of JCBs for Harwich.

Next is driver Richie Burnett and X400HCW loaded in the UK and tipping today at Luxembourg Airport.

You’ll recognise Doris DAF and driver Slim. Having delivered their load of steel that you might have seen in the photos on the blog this week, they reloaded today from NL back to the north of England with a 21m long and 3m wide crane frame.

Next on the list is European Earl the perfect description for the driver of SW51HCW, Terry Alderton. Loaded back from Germany to the UK with a perfectly trailer fitting excavator.

Richard Arnold is the driver of R80HCW, the first R620 Scania that joined the Wilson fleet a few years ago. Seen here today loading a liquid storage vessel in Germany for the UK. The tank is 4.2m wide and 12m long, that’s 12m long in the well of the low loader. No problem for the quiet professional that is Arnie.

Also loading with Arnie in Germany is Mike Tasker and his beautiful black R560 Scania. Not just another 6×2 tag axle. Tasker had specced this truck to every last detail, to make sure the truck lasts the next 10 years or more. Tasker shipped out to Europe on Monday with a Sugarbeet Harvester.

Next are 2 big loads from the north of England to the South. Photo taken by the female part of husband and wife team Dave and Sue Ramm in N5HCW. Followed up by John Stocks and the Europe flattening WIL2580. Both loads are 4.2m wide.

The last 2 entries are honouree Wednesday entries. First is part time office dweller James Cartwright, out in GW51HCW yesterday doing a couple of local jobs around Norfolk and Suffolk. Always good to see the office staff keeping their hands in.

The final entry is of Daisy DAF last week before driver Geoff Tarbun had another holiday this week. Geoff says he can afford to take so much holiday as it gives the other drivers time to catch up with the amount of work he does with Daisy. Photoed here with a lifeboat loaded in Norfolk and delivered out to Amsterdam, NL.

There you go, a record 15 entries for this weeks #wilsonwednesday, that’s more than half the fleet! All trucks out and about working hard in a good mix of UK and European work. Always a good selection of interesting loads to be seen from HC Wilsons drivers. On a side note GW, the drivers photos are getting better. John Pryke now gets the whole truck in his photos, next he just has to get the whole load in and he’ll be an accomplished photographer! Thanks to all the drivers, let’s see what happens next week.

Madonna Arrives in Essex!

Posted on May 7, 2014 by truckbloguk

I had a tip off from a friend in a ferry handy place that Madge was going to arrive in Harwich on the Saturday evening boat from Holland, then top Scandinavian trucking expert (Neil Jarrold of course!) confirmed he was off to meet a celebrity off the boat. So seeing as Saturday night is dull as dish water I jumped in the car and drove the 23 miles down to Harwich. Not a lot going on down there on a Saturday evening, apart from a fairly wide Jan de Rijk aerospace trailer and of course Madge herself. The Madonna truck is owned and operated by Ristimaa Trucking from Finland. Ristimaa have a long history of customised trucks and Madonna is one of the latest creations. Scandinavia’s 25 metre long roadtrains are too long for our roads unless they have a permit, so everyone at Truckfest Peterborough had to make do with just the rigid Scania, but it would be hard to say that made it disappointing. Our man Mr Jarrold was escorting the truck up to Ipswich on its way to Peterborough, so I took Neil’s photo too and his very trusty Volvo coming out of the dock, then Madonna appeared and my goodness does she make an impressive entrance!! The pearlescent puce paintwork was shining bright in the late evening sun, it looked pretty as a picture.

The driver very kindly came to a virtual standstill so I could get a photo as he passed. I then jumped in the car and followed both Neil and Madonna (arrr what a couple!) back up to Colchester. What a sound from those side mounted double pipes. Any way I decided to try one last photo off a bridge on the A12. I shouldn’t have bothered as it was too dark by then and the camera could keep up with big V8. Any way an enjoyable hour and a half and when I got home I don’t the wife had even noticed I had been off with another woman.

Those how saw Madonna at Truckfest should have been suitably impressed by the pink lady. I for one was and standing looking at the truck, I actually started to like the colour! Lets hope next year Ristimaa can come again and perhaps some how a trailer can come too, its only a case of sending an over length notification after all.

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Category Archives: Scania

Mr Wilson’s Wednesday

Centurions #8 #9 #14

Scania Operates Longer Vehicles in Sweden.

Wilson Wednesday

Who owns #35??

WANTED: 2 x Scania Piston Rods

Wilson Wednesday

Scania Blue Stream

Wilson Wednesday – it’s a big’un!!

Madonna Arrives in Essex!