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BILL SWAIN, of the UK

Like father like son, trucking gets in your blood. This is Bill Swain's Dad in the centre photo shortly after WW II, in the timber business. The other recent photos are of a modern day trucker, his son Bill hauls for British Sugar out of

NEWARK-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND.

Bill unloads with a different style equipment than we do.

While he lifts and tilts his tank for end unloading, we usually bottom unload without tipping.

BILL SWAIN of the UK, is now BILL SWAIN of the USA

Bill has just recently relocated to the Atlanta, Georgia area where he is now driving for CYPRESS TRUCK LINES Inc. Gypsum board is the main product hauled with this flatbed service.

MARK MANDERS, of the NETHERLANDS

Mark hauls tanker and slaughter house products throughout Europe. The weekends are extra special for him, he hauls tractors to various locations in the European Tractor Pull circuit, blending work and pleasure together.

He recently celebrated a birthday and was picked up in a convoy of tractors, driven by friends, and family to the party.

Mark Manders has just completed a vacation trip to visit his sister in Canada. During his visit he traveled an extra 800 km just to visit the Diesel Gypsy. During this visit he was shown the wilds of Northern Canada. Moose, bear, fox, and WILD CANADIAN TRUCKERS in the bush country. It was an experience that he could not find at below sea level in Holland. Mark tells me that this was his one trip in a lifetime, something that he will never forget. We have become great friends for life.

ALAN SLEIGHT, of the UK,

with his completely restored MILDRED, a 1945 THORNEYCROFT STURDY DIESEL. Their first public showing was at THE FESTIVAL OF THE PLOUGH. on September 22, 2002.

See BIG AL's TRUCK STOP, also on my FAVOURITES Page.

Riding in the back of MILDRED, is GERTRUDE, a 1940 FORDSON TRACTOR.

Alan took the grand children to an old Vintage Lorry rally held at the COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MUSEUM in Leyland, Lancashire, home of the Leyland Truck and Bus Company. A great place for the kids to explore.

(photo on right) Mildred on the low loader prior to her trip over The Pennines to be shown at the annual FESTIVAL OF THE PLOUGH event. There is everything there from Steam ploughing to Terrier racing, making it a great day out. You can click on BIG AL's TRUCK STOP and view a series of photos from that day.

One of Al's greatest passions is his restoring of antique equipment, and to attend all of the Vintage Lorry rallies as he can possibly squeeze into his spare time.

After acquiring and rejuvenating a low loader, Al is ready to take his kit to shows about the country in style.

If you are fortunate enough to see Al's display at one of the rallies, please pass on greetings from the Diesel Gypsy.

CHESTER (CHET) CHAMBERS, of the, U S A.

"TRUCKS"

Big or Small, We love them all. We can thank Chester, of Worcester, Mass. For resurrecting and converting this beautiful little black, 1935 Ford P/U Truck into this green beauty

He has not as yet restored the larger truck.

BRUCE STILLWELL, of AUSTRALIA

After retiring from the forces, (Royal Australian Signals) Bruce took to trucking on the open road. Along the way, he also became the President of the Young Convoy For Kids, team. They are a group of truckies, raising money for asthma, as well as donating a portion to help with dyslexia in truck drivers.

To learn more about the program, check out their web site, by clicking on the CONVOY FOR KIDS, also linked, on my

FAVORITES PAGE

JIM WITNEY, of CANADA,

Owns and operates this great looking MACK VISION tractor. He works out of Barrie Ontario, Canada, and hauls for Barrett Hides, mostly to Boston, Mass., USA, for export by container to Europe.

BOB FLETCHER, of the UK

Has spent the last 35 years hauling oversize loads. Moving all sizes, and weights of machinery to and from all points in the UK and Europe. Spending from days to weeks at a time, on the road, he doesn't have a chance for boredom to set in. His new custom built SCANIA, has just now gone into service.

To see some great photos from his past moves, go to BOB'S FLOAT SITE, for direct access.

JASON NEWPORT of NEW ZEALAND

Jason and his 2003 Western Star.

Jason's wife, and his new tractor.

Jason has not been left behind, in having good looking, and up to date trucks to drive.

The truck has no shortage of power. Rated at 550 HP, it pulls the 5 B-Train unit with ease. The scheduled run between New Plymouth & Auckland, on the North Island Of New Zealand, is a daily trip. Jason has had plenty of over the road experience, during his last 22 years in the business. He does not have to worry about the equipment. Hooker Pacific has one of the nicest looking fleets and have been around since 1869. (No, they did not start out with Western Stars at that time in history.)

SAM (BUD) WILSON, of PORT WASHINGTON, WI., USA.

SAM WILSON, (Above left Photo) --- as well as myself, are truckers of the 1950's. Things were a little different in those days. The trucks were mostly gas job, single axle day cabs. There were no such things as CB's, mobile phones or walk in sleepers. Your CB chat took place on the side of the road, and your meals were taken in mom & pop restaurants, wherever you could find one. Sometimes you could not make it to the delivery site without being dragged in by a bulldozer, but that was all part of the job. Between driving and almost cooking to death in the summer heat, and freezing your fingers and butt off in the winter, it was still considered fun. We had a great time anyway while physically wrecking ourselves.

H.J. MORELAND, of AUSTRALIA

Those Famous Australian Road Trains.

These trains are piloted by H. J. Moreland, running double with Ken Trost, on a dedicated run between Brisbane, Queensland & Darwin, Northern Territory. The express run is a 6,700 km round trip, in 4 days.

Every country has it's specialty trucking systems. With Australia's vast outback and lower population, no railroad could compete with this type of professional driving service.

When the boss tells you that this is a HOT load, and gotta go, ask him what he means by HOT. Do you really expect to find a handy fire hydrant, on the side of the road in the vast outback?

OR --- IF IT'S TOO DRY FOR YOU, JUST WAIT FOR THE SEASON TO CHANGE.

A couple of the boys drove through 1.2 metres of water (4 feet). At that depth you have to guess where the road is. Here is a photo of one of the times (1999), that Jim had to drive through the wet. It was 30 kilometers long, or approximately 19 miles. Jim was driving a Mack Superliner back then. This photo was taken up in crocodile country.

NOTICE THE WAVES IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR

AUSTRALIA'S WET SEASON

NOVEMBER TO APRIL

Notice the vertical marker on the road displaying the depth of water. You have to know your limit.....or else...

Drivers must carry life support supplies

This photo, permission granted by ROADTRAINS.com.au

Note, --- (WA) Western Australia

JEFF SUTTON OF CANADA

(Click on Photos to enlarge)

Jeff has just received a new 2009 Freightliner Columbia powered by a 500 hp Detroit Diesel (pre emissions) coupled to a 13 speed Fuller transmission with 13 th as an over/drive. This tractor is on it's maiden voyage and squeezed 8.5 mpg on it's first trip. (Canadian gallon) Better mileage is expected as Jeff's experience, coupled with the engine loosening up after the break in period.

On this particular trip, Jeff unloads newsprint at Rapid City, North Dakota, USA, from Canada and then empty to St. Cloud, Minnesota to reload for Mississauga. Ontario. This trip started at Thunder Bay, Ontario, down into South Dakota & over to Minnesota, USA, and back to Mississauga, Ontario, and then onto home at Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. This was a 5 day run covering 3,431 miles. (5,522 km)

Soo-Security was a well known name in the history of the Canadian trucking industry, going back decades. Jeff came across this rare trailer in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada that rekindles the memories of retired truckers who lived the great trucking times gone by.

CLICK HERE, AND

CONTINUE TO PAGE -- 2 -- FOR MORE GUEST PHOTOS,

(From around the world)