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!

Truck Detectives Required

Posted on February 16, 2013 by truckbloguk

Intrepid TB reported James Cartwright, spotted this Scania 141 in Navyard, Harwich the other week. One of you must know some more about this old bus. Remember that little saying, Who What Where?? James and I both agree that it has been imported from the East, could be anywhere between Harwich, Germany, Turku and Russia!! What we need to concentrate on is who has bought it. I’m sure it is now in the UK some where, heading for a restoration shed. Did you see it on the back of a lorry leaving Harwich or heading away from Essex?? Is it parked in a yard near you now? Has it crossed the Irish sea?? If you have any answers then please feel free to leave your answers on a postcard below. It will make a cracking restoration, I’m very much a fan of a 141 rigid. I hope to see it soon on the show circuit. Get detecting!!

SCOOP!!: 1st Pics of Mercedes Benz Arocs

Posted on January 28, 2013 by truckbloguk

The next arm of the new Mercedes Benz Truck range has today been launched in Munich. The new AROCS range is designed specifically for the construction industry. What are you thoughts? Leave a comment below or send me an email: ben@truckblog.co.uk

Arocs – the new force in construction

16 power output levels from 175 kW (238 hp) to 460 kW (625 hp)
PowerShift available as standard for the first time in a construction vehicle
First electrohydraulic power steering system in a commercial vehicle
Frames, axles, suspension, brakes: all optimised to match the job
Seven cabs available in 14 variants
Loader and Grounder: leading forces for special loads
Special vehicles available direct ex-works
Cab comfort and user-friendliness on a par with long-distance haulage vehicles
Profitability: ecology meets economic efficiency
All safety systems available

Mercedes-Benz has achieved a triple leap forward in the field of Euro VI compliance: this year the brand with the star is expanding its current heavy-duty vehicle range with the addition of the Arocs. This specialist in construction follows hot on the heels of the Antos, which celebrated its market launch in the heavy-duty short-radius distribution sector in 2012, and the Actros, which celebrated its market launch in the long-distance transport sector in 2011. In addition to maximum environmental compatibility thanks to Euro VI, the new Arocs vehicles also boast three outstanding qualities: power, efficiency and strength.

Truck Falls Off Cliff – Norway

Posted on January 21, 2013 by truckbloguk

I don’t think it is, but some are saying this is computer generated. If its not I hope the driver of the artic is ok. It did look like it rolled quite slowly to what it could have gone over like. Anyway make up your own minds!

Blue Pete, Blue Sky, Blue Pete Guy

Posted on January 20, 2013 by truckbloguk

Every now and then I send out a Tweet to see where my Twitter followers are. Usually the replies come from Canada and the USA. Once again an all American trucker made contact. Mr Jeff Watret, a.k.a. @BluePeteGuy69 from Franklin, Illinois. As you can see above, Jeff drives a day cabbed Peterbilt 379 of 2007 vintage. He pulls a 40ft tandem axle tin plate grain hopper, although I think he’ll put anything that fits in the back not just the grain! Having only ever driven big Pete’s, Pat is more than happy with his current daily ride. Not a bad view either, with the big bonnet stretching out in front.

If you still think that American truckers get away with more than their European counterparts, don’t believe it. The American authorities are not just fair weather workers, Jeff was pulled over by the Illinois state Police the other morning, as you can see by the dazzling lights in the mirror and it was only 17’F or -8’c (depending which you prefer). A full log book check, axle and gross weight checks with mobile weigh pads, probably just trying to keep themselves warm! A let of with a warning and it was back to the Highway.

A more typical start to the morning above. Loading a full load of Soya beans from a farm in Jacksonville, Illinois. Hopefully Jeff will keep sending us pics. Nice to have regular updates from far and wide. Even I get bored with my own stuff on the blog, so it makes a good change to have something different to put up. If your on Twitter then how about following Jeff? his name is: @BluePeteGuy69 then you can keep up with blue Peterbilt and its daily travels.

You can follow truckblog on Twitter: @truckbloguk – If you are a tweeter you’ll get tweets each time I put something on the blog – at my current rate, thats once a week if yoru lucky!!

Martins Moody Motor

Posted on January 14, 2013 by truckbloguk

Now there’s a beauty! As these are the days of modern classics in the trucking world, along with other well loved late 90’s models, Scania’s 3 Series Streamlines must be among the best. Whether or not it would be your choice, I think it fair to say we’d all like to restore our favourite Diesel Daisy if we had the time and money. So for those who have got the money (or not as they may claim), rebuilding a 143 500 just had to be done. What a good job too! But then again what did you expect from the combination of top independent Scania sales man, Mick Moody and top canal boat builder Guy Martin (apparently now and again he rides a bicycle with a motor on it too). The end result is some thing along the lines of a near on brand new truck, which I hasten to add is for sale if your interested, but be prepared for a nearly new price too. Justified in my opinion as where can you buy a virtually brand new 143?……Exactly. Any way after another of our little chats, Mr Moody told me of a little video of Guy, talking about the rebuilding of said Swedish beauty. I have put the video on here but if you search the YouTube for “Guy Martin” you’ll see what else he gets upto inbetween mechanic-ing for Mr Moody. Great truck.

New Year New Actros

Posted on January 3, 2013 by truckbloguk

These new Mercedes Actros are increasingly popular by my reckoning. More and more operators here in the East of England seem to be realising that the new Merc does do what it says on the tin and is producing improved fuel figures right across the board, no mater what line of haulage your in.

Latest to join the party are Felixstowe container hauliers, DRS Logistics. A small order to start with but the numbers will grow if the new trucks perform as well as the Demonstrator provided by Orwell Trucks did. DRS have opted for these 2545LS Gigaspace 6×2’s so they can cope with the variety of containers that appear off the ships. Aaron Richardson at DRS say the trucks were purchased “For the improved efficiency they offer and also the style.” No one can argue that the new Merc is a good looking beast, even if it is wearing a big old cab top spoiler (Camel Toe Spoiler i’ve heard it called!!). The spoiler DRS have had fitted has been designed and manufactured by Hatcher Components and is set to match the height of a 40ft High Cube container on a skelly trailer. These German supermodels are smart and making container haulage really rather glamorous compared to the old days of Volvo FL10’s and the like!

Self Tipping Task

Posted on December 23, 2012 by truckbloguk

It must be something that others drivers can only imagine, a trailer that you can truly tip yourself. Turn up where ever and just get on and tip, no waiting for a forklift, no waiting for loading bays or for the truck in front to move, just find your space an start unloading. This trailer is know as a recovery trailer in the business, although HC Wilson do utilise its capabilities to do specialised jobs, such as this. You have a specially built trailer that is destined for a customer in Australia and its not designed to run on UK roads and you don’t want it to run on UK roads you need some one who can load and deliver said trailer. Bring in a semi low loader trailer with a hydraulic fold neck and Robert is your mothers brother. As clearly displayed by HC Wilson’s top subbie MW Tasker (p.s. displayed on this occasion by a rather splendid R560 V8 Scania!).

1) Trailer dropped and after pressing the button the neck folds flat to the ground creating a very handy loading ramp.

2) Reverse tractor unit up the “loading ramp”. Adjust tractor unit front and rear suspension and hook up to the Ozzie tanker.

3) Drive carefully off the fold neck and Voila! Unloaded easily and with no sign of the usual loading bay jobs worth who is there just to make your day!!

As it goes I think the outfit looks pretty dam cool! I can see Tasker pulling this along the dusty highways and byways of Oz. The only bugger being its only one trailer, i’m not sure if there is a tow hitch to fit a 2nd trailer which would be more Taskers thing!

Activ Once Again…..

Posted on December 22, 2012 by truckbloguk

Way back in the day I used to get rather excited at the sight of a little silver German mini artic. These little wonders are in particularly operated by Activ Cars GMBH from Achim, Bremen, Germany. Now and again i’d catch one on its way to or from Harwich on my way to work. I’ve not seen one for a while and after Activ Cars German HQ said they would send me some fleet photos around Christmas 2011 but never did, the little Germans have taken a bit of a quiet back seat. From blog favourite to blog back burner. That was until this week………

That was until Wednesday this week when I received an email from Blogger X. I know him as Blogger X so thats what we’ll call him. Now BX may have a regular slot on the blog if these shots are anythinng to go by. BX works at a company in North Wales that receive weekly deliveries from Activ Cars vehicles. Blogger X has said he will send some photos when ever one arrives, which i’m hoping may be weekly. BX sounds like he may be a keen photographer as he said he was hoping to get a photo of the above Mercedes Vario as it drove along but it arrived before he was ready…..I think we can let him off as it is his first attempt! Below is a fully liveried Activ Atego at its German base. Keep your pics coming Blogger X.

If you spot one of these little Mini Artics make sure you grab a pic and email it through to the blog, ben@truckblog.co.uk

Wilson Wednesday – The Saturday Edition!

Posted on December 8, 2012 by truckbloguk

Hi remember me??? I’m back the blogs are mounting but I just can’t get them on here ;-( just not enough hours in the day, so i’m sorry. I don’t think i’ll be getting my MBE for services to blogging just yet. This Wednesday parts of the UK were treated to a decent enough scattering of snow to send the Countries roads into total chaos once again. Much like Christmas it seems to be an annual event. Luckily enough for me it led to a few un-asked for and a few asked for HC Wilson photos. For those of you who are new to the blog I used to work for HC Wilson and since I’ve left I still often get sent photos from the drivers. As a bit of a tribute I often get photos of Wednesday loads. Why Wednesdays?? Coz it sounds good – Wilson Wednesday. First up above is the “spare” Classic Scania V8, N200 HCW. Driven this Wednesday by office junior and Truckblogs show reporter, James Cartwright. James is often allowed out on a Wednesday and this week did a little shunt from Felixstowe to St Ives near Cambridge to deliver another load of next years Balers. Balers in the snow, only in the UK!

Next up is Doris, Daisy, Geoff and Slim not quite John, Paul, George and Ringo but pretty close. Loaded in the middle of Germany and on their way to Rotterdam for the boat to Felixstowe and onward delivery to St Ives. Daisy and Doris are a fine pair of top of the range Dutch ladies. I think i’m right in saying they are both DAF XF105’s with 510hp. Also some of you may not know they are both 6×2’s, they have the little FTP lift axle behind the side skirt in front of drive axle, just to help with a little extra weight (Usually Geoffs lunch box!). Daisy and Doris are also the first trucks in the Wilson fleet not to have a name starting with “European…..” a rarity in the Wilson fleet.

Above is blog regular Geordie driving R60 HCW, his beloved Scania R480. Here with what looks likes some sort of dish end. Loaded in Massbracht, Netherlands on Tuesday, shipped into Harwich and delivered to Yate near Bristol, UK on Wednesday. Looks like it was getting on for being 4 metres wide. European Star and its grill lights shining on through the dull, grey snowy skies, helped with marker boards and an escort van piloted by Dodgy Dave.

Such a clear photo taken by X400 HCW’s driver Matt Lamb. One of Wilsons low height 6×2 Scania R480’s. Also managing to find some snow in Weimar, Germany. I’m sure Matt had no troubling loading his pair of dumpers looking at those tyres!!

Last but not least was full time Wilson subbie Mike Tasker and his gorgeous (but dirty!) Scania R560. Tasker had loaded from Bradford with a specialised gas tanker destined for Australia. I’m sure Mike would have been only to happy to take it all the way himself, but unfortunately he only took it as far as Southampton Docks. I’m not going to say to much more other than, keep your eyes peeled for a little blog all about this one on its own. Thanks once again to all participating drivers for letting us all keep an eye on what they are upto.

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