One for the Kids (or the grown ups!)

Are the kids getting  bored? Broken all their new toys already? How about doing some good old cut and stick?? I stumbled across this Dutch website, Click Here, where you can print out paper cut and paste truck models. There are a couple of UK firms including an Astran Scania 141. Get printing and get the kids sticking and hopefully impress the wife that you’ve occupied the kids for another 10 minutes! (unlikely). When you click the link above it takes you to a page where you can choose which truck you want, then above the big picture on the right, it gives you an option to click the truck or trailer, this then takes you to another page where you can do your print out. The only thing is you may need is extra flaps to stick the different sides together, but still its a bit of fun! If you, sorry your children make one, why not send me a picture to put on here, the address is; ben@truckblog.co.uk

Cut & Stick

Such Memories!!

2 of my favorite things, Subaru’s and trucks. I can vouch that this works, as when i had my Subaru I used it for the very same job. I pulled my truck (only a 7.5 tonner) out of the mud. They obviously provide just enough traction and pull to help said stranded vehicles out of their predicament!! This is a good example, the poor MAN is stuck at a slight raise in the road at the level crossing and the Subaru gives just enough to get it up and over…….. i just hope the truck managed to stop on the other side!

Le Scania Collecteur

Bonjour mon ami, Voici quelques images de mon Vincent d’ami français. Basically here are a few pictures from my French friend Vincent. Just like us over here them over there also have Scania perverts lurking in the Garlic fields.  Vincent says;

“hello, i am french and i am passionned by the Scania! I have a Scania LB110 super of 1972, a Scania LB 141 of 1978 , 760 000 kms, a Scania R142 6×2 of 1984,  800 000 kms, a Scania T 142 h 4×2 of 1984 , 780 000 kms and a Scania R143 450 Topline of 1992 with 1 800 000 kms !!!”

A nice little collection, i have asked if he wants a nice little blue and white 141 to add to to  it…………… he hasn’t said no yet! I think my favorite is the brown 110, very original.

Nédéelec Vincent
Nédéelec Vincent
Nédéelec Vincent
Nédéelec Vincent

Cruising i80 Nevada, USA

Now the other day i was out for a drive, cruising down the i80 in Nevada…… After a few comments of previous pictures here are a few more Google Street View shots from the dusty highway. I think its fair to say the Volvo VN’s are becoming very popular in the states. You can understand why, as most drivers in the US openly admit that European trucks are better built and have better ride and finish, but they wont have them because they don’t have the long bonnet. But since Volvo solved that little problem and started building the VN series back in 2002, there has been no stopping them. I think i am right in saying they are now top of the sales charts for the US. Have a look at this little selection (of mainly Volvo’s).

i80 NEVADA
i80 NEVADA

Just look at the long long road with the backdrop of the Nevada desert, not quite the same as the M6 now is it! This Gold Freightliner makes for a nice but modern change, a popular truck with the fleets as i imagine its a little cheaper but still is a good truck for operators and drivers alike. Note the white wheels, definitely a fleet truck! Smart none the less.

i80 NEVADA

These final 2 trucks are both Freightliner and Volvo, owned by Interstate Distribution Company based in Tacoma, Washington State. I think you’ll agree that both trucks look smart, but the Volvo is slightly better or is that just my European bias coming into play?? Just look at that scenery!

i80 NEVADA
i80 NEVADA

That’s about that for this one, but if you have any comments please leave them below or email me at; ben@truckblog.co.uk ……..Untill the next Interstate cruise…………..

Lightning Freight DAF LF45

I’m not the only fan of custom 7.5 tonners. This little beauty was Lightning Freights pride and joy. From what i remember the truck featured in one of the magazine’s at some stage, running car parts from the North East out to Europe. I have done a bit of searching and i’m not to sure if Lightning Freight are still going, their website is just a plain white page. If you have any pictures of this DAF 45 in its hey day or as it may be now, please email them to me to put on here, ben@truckblog.co.uk always good to see how these trucks look after a few years. It would also be good to know whats happened to Lightning Freight, if you have any answers email me!! Picture provided by www.trucknetuk.com  member dlote2009, thanks.

Trucknet - dlote2009

For Sale: Scania Longline 164 580hp V8

Look what i found for sale! Without a price i have to add. Looks like its in good condition although the artwork wont be to everyone’s taste (I think it would look better in the plain blue!) looks like it has all the bells and whistles on the outside, so i can only imagine some kind of plush fluffy blue interiour accompanies it, there are no photos. If you are seriously interested i can give you some contact details. I wonder if he’ll swap for a 141??!?!

Scania Longline

Scania 164 580 LONG LINE

Scania 164 580 LONG LINE

NEWS: Sick Thieves & Gangs

This disturbing release has come from ROSPA (Advanced Drivers Association). It seems some people will stop at nothing to get you to stop and then they can rob and beat you. Please read on and pass on to all you know. Its just a shame those who would be inclined to stop and help will no longer do so. In true grumpy old man style “Nothing is safe any more!” Read on;

“While driving on a rural end of the roadway on Thursday morning, I say and infant car seat on the side of the road with a blanket draped over it. For whatever reason I did not stop, even though I had all sorts of thoughts running through my head. But when I go to my destination, I called the Police and they were going to check it out. But this is what the Police advised even before they went to check it out…..

There are several things to be aware of… gangs and theoives are now plotting different ways to get a person (mostly women) to stop their vehicle and get out of the car.

There is a gang initiation reported by the local police where gangs are placing a car seat by the road…with a fake baby in it… waiting for a woman to stop and check on the abandoned baby.

Note that the location of this car seat is usually beside a wooded or grassy area and the person ..woman.. Will be dragged into the woods, beaten and raped and usually left for dead. If it’s a man they are usually beaten and robbed and maybe left for dead too.

DO NOT STOP FOR ANY REASON. DIAL 999 AND REPORT WHAT YOU SAW BUT DO NOT EVEN SLOW DOWN.

If you are driving at night and eggs are thrown at your windscreen DO NOT STOP TO CHECK THE CAR, DO NOT OPERATE THE WIPERS AND DO NOT SPRAY ANY WATER as eggs and water become milky and block your vision up to 92.5% and you are then forced to stop beside the road and become the victim of these criminals.

This is a new technique used by gangs, so please inform your friends and relatives. These are desperate times and these are unsavoury inndividuals who will take desperate measures to get what they want.”

Holiday MAN’s are Coming!

………To Germany any way. Read on for MAN’s Press release;

“Just like every year, this year will again see two MAN TGX trucks, specially decorated for Christmas, bringing a sparkle to eyes – not only of the children – at Children’s Villages and kindergartens all round Germany, from the first Sunday in Advent to Christmas Eve.
The 16-metre MAN semitrailers with their festive illumination will be touring the entire country, from Kiel to Hamburg, Leipzig, Dresden, Zwickau, Plauen, Coburg, Salzgitter, Wiesbaden, Cologne, Augsburg and Munich to Regensburg. The two Christmas trucks will be visiting children’s hospitals, kindergartens and other social institutions, taking with them truck models made of chocolate and sliding tile puzzles with the MAN Christmas motif as small gifts for the children. The trucks will also be visiting the MAN plants, branches and service partners, as well as some Christmas markets. .Trainees from MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG in Munich have transformed the two metallic red 540-hp MAN TGX semitrailers into real Christmas trucks: 200-metre long chains of lights, able to withstand weather and washing systems, have been mounted on each of the tractors and their trailers, which have been fittingly decorated for Christmas. The trainees framed the radiator grilles with hundreds and hundreds of LEDs. What makes this year special is the way the trailers have been decorated: the children who make up the motif are all at the kindergarten of the MAN plant in Munich, “Löwenkinder”.

MAN Christmas Truck

Frosty Times

Snow and cold gets everywhere as does that Frost. My old mate Tony van der Nunn has sent these various pictures in the last couple of weeks, while pulling for HC Wilson. As always Tony’s wheels never seem to get affected by the bad weather and salt, no wonder the old girl is still in great condition. The picture of the brown tank, was a little frustrating for TvdN as it was destined for Bahrain, but unfortunatly it was going via boat not over land, so the old V8 only got as far as Southampton dock. The 3rd picture is one of 8 or 9 flatrack loads to Pembroke.

Frosty Frosts
Y171 OBJ
Y171 OBJ

HC Wilson 1/50 Scale Model

Coming soon to a collector near you! This model is currently in the design stage but is getting very close to production, fingers crossed by late spring early summer these models may be a reality. Being produced by model manufacturer WSI this 1/50 scale model is based on Wilson’s Scania 141 with a matching 3 axle semi low loader. The model still has the smaller details to be approved and then final production numbers will be decided, but if you want to register your interest and be kept informed about the release of the model, then email ben@hcwilsontransport.comand title your email “141 Model”. The big boss GW is keen to know how much interest there is in the model and this will obviously affect the production numbers. The price is still be confirmed but expect a similar price to all other Dutch made 1/50 scale models!

WILSON MODEL_0001.jpg
WILSON MODEL 1_0001.jpg