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.

Truckfest Review 2014

Posted on May 6, 2014 by truckbloguk

I am going to write a number of blogs about different trucks from Truckfest over the next few weeks. Nothing like dragging it out when your short of blog material!! Any way I will say that the few hours I spent at Peterborough on Sunday morning where the most enjoyable hours I have spent there for a good number of years. The place was packed with trucks, I was told it was about 1900 trucks this year which is an amazing number. I don’t know what has changed at Live Promotions but this years show was better than its been in years. More trucks at a truck show how simple can it be. Perhaps the only improvement next year could be some slightly different area events, but I won’t complain. Keep it up Live/Truckfest organisers!!

Stacks Heading For Truckfest

Posted on May 3, 2014 by truckbloguk

All sorts heading for Truckfest this weekend. Might be a few worth seeing this year, seems there are a few new trucks out and about and I’m sure there will be plenty of New Volvos to look at as it’s their first real year on the road. I’ll be popping along tomorrow to have a quick look about. Hopefully I’ll be able to wear the TB Tshirt so say hello if you see me, I’ll have some wrist bands to give out hopefully.

Thanks CR!

Big Rig Videos

Posted on May 2, 2014 by truckbloguk

The wife often asks why I spend ages just looking at trucks. “What is it your actually looking at?” she asks. “No idea” I reply, “Its just, its just…….”, I can never put it into words, so instead of words, watch the above video and I think it just sums up what I’m looking at. Just watch it and tell me your not impressed with this gorgeous truck rolling along, quietly on its mission to its next job.

This video is filmed by Big Rig Videos in the US of A, the man behind the camera is Christopher E. Fiffie an ex US truck driver who’s goal is “to make entertaining and educational videos about the professional drivers and the equipment they run across America” to quote the website. The premise behind the videos is a CB interview, asking the drivers about their trucks, what the specs are and what they get up too. The 2003 Kenworth W900 above is a great video. The big K Whopper is a real stunner and for us Brits the voice over the CB is typical US Convoy-esque type voice, that tells you all about the truck and his families own truck accessories company, Life Time Nut Covers.

I can’t tell you enough how good the Big Rig Videos website or YouTube Channel is. Just watching these big rigs rolling along makes me smile. There is still very much something about American trucks that keeps me wishing I had taken the plunge when I was younger and taken the job I was offered with a small operator in Oklahoma. Any way I digress, you have to visit and get watching these videos, there are 60 odd to get through and there is a bank holiday upon us.

Also for all of us in Europe there is a wicked CB interview with JJ Verweij and family from the Netherlands, while on their tour of the US and Canada in their Scania and caravan trailer

For Big Rig Videos website, click HERE
For Big Rig Videos Youtube site, click HERE

Wilson Wednesday is Here Again

Posted on April 30, 2014 by truckbloguk

First up is Doris DAF and driver Slim, loaded in Ridderkirk, NL and heading for Loughborough, GB. I must say a tidy bit of sheeting drive

This picture perfect load is on European Charger, a Scania R560 driven by Geordie. Loaded in Damme, D and on his way to York, GB to make his delivery. I don’t think you can get a better suited, better looking load if you tried.

The 2nd DAF on the HC Wilson fleet is Daisy and her chauffeur Geoff. Loaded with a couple of Telehandlers on UK work from Cannock to Shefford.

This big beast is European Coloussus driven by Mick “Fumpa” Farrow he of TV fame, he does snug. In this case it is not so snug but still a big ol’ excavator from Cannock to Ipswich for a boom conversion.

Last but by no means least the youngest driver on Wilsons fleet, Matt Lamb and his delightful R620 Scania. Loaded here with an 18m load of piping equipment loaded in Wellingborough, GB and heading for Zoetermeer, NL. How well she looks on a sunny day in Northamptonshire.

Still Looking….

Posted on April 27, 2014 by truckbloguk

I’ve still not found the owner of this little gem. Can anyone work out what the name is on the side??

SCOOP!! ‘ello John, Got a new motor?!

Posted on April 24, 2014 by truckbloguk

We all know the name of John M Phillips. Most of us remember the 2 stunning yellow Scania 143 custom trucks he ran through the 1990’s, 1 of which is being restored in Ireland back to its former Centurion glory, read about it HERE. How can we forget the Royal Centurion, really I don’t think we can. If you have forgotten or have no idea what I’m talking about, please click HERE. In recent years the trucks have been a little more subtle, until now. Well it’s still very subtle but once again its a really unique, head-turning, belter!! Spotted today by top North Walian truck spotter Shaun Broadbent. John Phillips was in to load at Shauns place in Holywell, North Wales today and I’m so pleased Shaun managed to get a quick photo. Hopefully next time he will be able to get a few more. John’s latest truck is a 6×2 Mercedes Benz Actros Gigaspace 2563. Yes that’s right folks a 2563!! A monster and must be one of the first if not the first 2563 standard tractor in the UK. Mr Broadbent managed to get the following spec detail which talking to Mr Phillips;

“630BHP 6×2 midlift. It went into the paint shop to have the door handles colour coded. John ended up having bespoke side-skirts made to Mercedes pattern as they’re only available off the shelf for a 4×2. A chassis infill panel was fitted. All painted in blue and white to match the cab. Then the whole cab was lacquered to enhance the paint finish. A slim-line illuminated headboard is fitted along with Kelsa bars and spotlights. Full leather seats with the Mercedes tristar embossed in the headrests. A full set of Alcoa alloy wheels with super singles on the front. Michelin tyres all around. Pulling 44ton most days on steel haulage for the same company (Armstrong Steels now ASD OCS – TB) that he has pulled for for the past 20 plus years, the truck is returning over 9mpg with a 28t payload. – Fill your boots!”

Hopefully this won’t be the last time this gorgeous German beast is featured on the blog. Thanks to Shaun for the Scoop and thanks to John for creating another stunning truck.

Wilson Wednesday

Posted on April 23, 2014 by truckbloguk

It’s been a while since I did a Wilson Wednesday which is probably why I didn’t get much response from the drivers from the finest international abnormal load specialist in the UK. This is a small window into the wonderful world of Wilsons.

Above we have arguably Wilsons best looking driver, Geoff Tarbun. Loaded with a storage tank from Germany to Herefordshire. The delightful DAF “Daisy” (WIL2219) is the identical twin to “Doris” (WIL2218) they are the only 2 ladies on the HCW fleet.

This is N8 HCW or European Spirit. Driven by Nick Garlick on a bit of UK work. A pair of picture perfect CAT excavators from Southampton to Leeds. N8 is one of a pair of new Scania Streamline R480 low height 6×2 tractors.
Below is a Wilson classic that really does need a good polish, that said N200HCW is still going strong and is in regular use on all duties local and international. This photo sent by James Cartwright parked next to N50HCW. Just a little shunt of JCB’s from Wilsons base in Elmswell, Suffolk down to Harwich, Essex.

Finally we have driver Matt Lamb and European Dream (WIL2217). A pair or Army tanks on exercise loaded in the UK and delivered to Mailly Le Camp, France. Matts R620 Scania certainly looks the part with the 4 axle Broshuis trailer and load.
Hopefully Wilson Wednesday will become a little more regular again, thanks to those who contributed.

Looking for my Perfect MAN!

Posted on April 22, 2014 by truckbloguk

So I did an image search for MAN TGL 12.250 and ending up stumbling across this. Probably the best looking TGL I have seen. It’s proper perfection.

MAN TGL LX 12.250 – check
Alcoa 17 inch wheels – check
Frigo body – check
Side door – check
Tail lift – check
Cab air deflector – check
Long range light weight fuel tank – check
Left hand drive – check
English owner driver – …….Bugger!!

Right next step is trying to find out who’s the owner. I can’t read what’s written on the cab and I don’t recognise the colours. It is Spanish. If any of you know what the company is then please tell me ASAP.

I have no idea who’s photo it is either, but to who ever did take it, thank you.

Italian Breakfast

Posted on April 21, 2014 by truckbloguk

While most normal people were having their breakfast this morning and reading the paper, I was doing what I usually do when I get a few quiet minutes…….searching Europe’s classifieds to see what’s for sale, just incase of a weekend lottery win. Most of the time I don’t find much so it doesn’t matter that my lottery numbers haven’t come in, although this mornings finds hardly warrant the need a lottery win.

There are various websites to hunt for your perfect truck. There are websites in Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and many others but this morning the Italian site was just heaving with things to stop those burn holes appearing in your pockets. Usually £20,000 or €20,000 will buy you a nice half decent classic but in Italy it seems there is no demand for classic trucks. Starting with this gorgeous Scania 142. Looks very tidy up for €5,500. Perfectly summed up by the sellers advert text, simply translates too;

“Hello I sell beautiful tractor with 142 8cilindri few miles rubberized revised“

For my next slice of toast I came across this very international looking Volvo F89. It even comes with a set of Trilex wheels, love ’em or hate them. Yours for €3,000.

Finally to wash down with a class of juice I found this delightful 10.5 metre trailer of 1969 vintage. As your probably beginning to work out, this is restored and is still oh so cheap at just €6,500. Bargain.

Are the Italians mad or is it that in Italy classic retro trucks just aren’t in demand?? perhaps the Italians have better hobbies and things to do with their spare time than messing about with old trucks, so they just don’t have any value. Even so I could get 2 gorgeous tractor units and a trailer to match them both for €15,000. That is crazy, but we all know about supply and demand so that’s the way it goes.

I know when my numbers do come up on the lottery I’ll be too busy drinking champagne for breakfast I won’t get the time to check the classifieds and I’ll miss these bargains, never mind, it’s good to dream!! Right I’m off to pick up the 142, drive over and collect the trailer then I can strip it down and put the Volvo on the back. Then it’s off, up and over the Alps and back to Blighty. One day.

The Italian website is: www.subito.it

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