Welcome the newest trucks to the fleet of your local (maybe) fire department. Zack shares with us a whole mess of new rigs he has shot over this summer. I like the looks of this Kenworth for the Prospect Volunteer Fire Department..
This ladder truck for Stanford looks more than capable.
And so many more. Thank you for sharing Zack. Make sure you check out his website for more great shots by clicking here.
You can tell it’s fall when the crazy looking LORAM devices start showing up on tracks in my part of the world. Last October we saw a rail grinder working the steel west of the CSX East Syracuse yards. This time we have shoulder ballast cleaner sitting on siding that places host to plenty of weird loads and other equipment. I didn’t have my normal camera with me so my cell phone had to fill the gap. It did OK in the fast approaching twilight.
So what are we looking at with this Rube Goldberg device? I’ll let LORAM tell us.
Loram HP Shoulder Ballast Cleaners are selfpropelled and use twin 30-inch wide digging buckets to clean ballast from the tie ends outward to the edge of the ballast section, digging as deep as 16-inches below the top of tie. Scarifier teeth undercut the tie ends to 5-inches, breaking up mud pockets and restoring drainage. A conveyor transfers the fouled ballast to a series of vibrating screens where fines are separated and discharged up to 29 feet from the centerline of track. The screen is set at an optimum angle for proper separation of fines and ballast. Screen level is adjustable to compensate for super elevation and to transfer ballast from side-to-side as required. The Loram HP then distributes the cleaned ballast along either or both shoulders and regulates to the shape specified by the railroad. Any ballast that may have come to rest on top of the tie ends is then broomed into the ballast section. When the job is done, the Loram HP moves efficiently to the next work site at speeds of up to 48 mph.
This setup has been slightly modified as the fouled ballast is not shot off into the weeds but into a vintage Cheesie System hopper. It’s amazing how complex the modern world is. I never thought that so much effort had to be placed into keeping the stones underneath railroad track in good shape but that is the sole purpose of this machine. It digs along the track helping to release water that has become trapped in the ballast. Over time this water causes frost heaves and all other kinds of issues.
It would be fun to see this whole setup at work.
I shot a video of this train as I walked along taking in the details. Warning: Slightly shaky video ahead. Stop by the LORAM site to see more photos of this machine along with a more detailed explanation of its specifications and job duties.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3uaPnuKy4U
The ultimate burnout machine? Wouldn’t it be something to see this old Euclid perform the worlds most awesome burnout? That’s the look I’m getting from this machine. In reality we all know these rigs were designed for brute strength and massive torque over high end speed but one can dream. The dual pipes on this monster indicate the presence of a Detroit 12V71 diesel.
Jacks spotted these old Euclids and many other cool items at the Field Days of the Past Rockville, VA. Also present was a Fairbanks Morse 4 cylinder diesel that once powered a fish processing plant in Ocran, VA. It’s power band resides around 300 RPM producing 300 HP. Talk about low end power! Jack tells us it shakes the ground but is not as loud as one might think.
Like similar events across the country there were plenty of other bits and pieces of heavy equipment to be enjoyed including drag lines, dozers and even rock crushers. Check out the gallery below. Thanks for sharing Jack. Looks like a cool show!
We all know I enjoy taking shots of snowplows but I just realized something that I would like to share. I like taking shots of snowplows in summer! Not winter. The trucks look better. The lighting is better. Everything is better. Fast forward two months from this date and you won’t find this new truck for the Town of Chenango looking this clean. Or maybe you will. I’m not sure on their maintenance practices.
One thing is for sure, I won’t find lighting like this come February. No identify marks for the future owner of this truck but take note of the DEF tank. Engine choices could be the International N9 or N1o. The Cummins ISB 6.7 is a new option available on the WorkStar so I don’t believe this rig has one under the hood.
Ah, look at this cold mess. Back in February I traveled to Watertown for business. I picked a great day as a heavy snow storm covered the entire stretch of I-81 with the usual whiteouts around Pulaski and Adams, NY. Placing my camera in a hands free device I recorded a few select moments of my journey. This video is best enjoyed while sitting in front of a fire.
The randoms below include an OCDOT 2674, Town of Cicero, NY Mack at the tire shop, different angles from of the two new rigs from above and of Town of Norway Western Star that had a bad day.
How do you move a gigantic crane? The answer appears to be one track at a time. I recently came across this setup for JPW Riggers at the local commercial tire shop. I’m not sure if the problem tire had been fixed by this point or not. I didn’t seen any that looked to be in poor shape. I do know one thing. At the time of this photo, somewhere in the world, there was a very large crane with just one track.
Ladies and Gentlemen, put your hands together for the reigning champion of Autocar Mondays, with four appearances it’s the ’84 DK of Syracuse Haulers!
I’ve been sitting on this photo for a few months now, almost nine months to be exact. As you can see this old girl is pretty versatile with not only being able to handle a dumpster but act as roll back flatbed. Ten days prior to this photo we learned this truck was for sale most likely caused by the addition of a new Western Star. The truck was then listed on Craigslist but was never sold. To the best of my knowledge it was still on the Syracuse Haulers lot just last week.
Creepy stalker vid below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T05TR6qhWXk
Peace sells but who’s buying? –Â Dave Mustaine
Speak softly and carry a big stick – Theodore Roosevelt
Two radically different individuals from radically different times but a singular truth remains that unites the two. You must be prepared to defend yourself and your interests should the need arise. Mack Trucks has an arm of their company specifically devoted the production of unique military products and the conversion of domestic trucks to military uses. A few of these machines were on hand during Trucktoberfest.
The Sherpa is Mack’s design take on the all purpose highly adaptable vehicle required by modern military forces. Powered by an inline 4 cylinder turbo diesel the Sherpa is highly capable with a full time 4×4 system working with a six speed Allison automatic. The Sherpa on display was wearing a funky fabric wrapping attached at various points with what appeared to be clips and velcro. It’s basically a ghillie suit for a truck.
For heavy loads you’ll need the Kerax 8×8. Just look at this guy parking in four parking spots! And people think BMW drivers are rude. A big old 6 cylinder diesel and a 16+2 mechanical transmission keep this lumbering beast moving at a brisk max speed of 70 mph.
Out behind the mod center this interesting truck garnered a fair share of attention. While wearing a Mack grill all other components including suspensions, axles and interior cab pieces wore the Renault name. It’s interesting to note that Renault once owned a large majority of Mack. Today both companies are owned by Volvo. Oh the webs we weave.
Below we have an example of a military commercial of the shelf vehicle or MILCOTS. The ideal behind such a setup is to reduce the cost to armed forces by purchasing trucks easily mass produced by existing manufactures with a large spare parts network. Gotta save pennies when you can so you can buy $10,000 dollar toilets later. JOKE! Like the Granites you can buy from your local dealer this one comes complete with an MP8 under the hood and emission control equipment.
And with these fine patriotic examples of trucks we conclude coverage of Trucktoberfest. What a fest it was. Next year I encourage you to attend. Bring your trucks. Hit the track. Meet friends. Eat fine foods.
Now that we’ve gorged ourselves on vintage iron for over three days let us take a moment to review the trucks that help pay the bills and keep the Mack name alive on the roads of today. At this point in time I would like to point out that in conjunction with the ATHS, ATCA and SPAAMFAA, Mack Trucks bankrolled the entire Trucktoberfest activities including free drinks, snacks, a lunch, goody bags and a nifty challenge coin all free of charge to registered attendees. Never mind the fact they opened the door to their facility and let the truck obsessed loons like myself run all over the place like it was home. After listing to a few Mack representatives speak during lunch it was apparent that “truck people” still work in the company and take pride it what they do. Very refreshing in the age of bean counting and over hyped corporate strategies and buzzwords. A big thank you to Mack and their volunteers as well as the volunteers mentioned from the groups above.
Wandering around the back of the Customer/Test/Mod Center I found a variety of new trucks waiting for customer delivery. Mixed among the new rigs were what I assume to be test rigs? Not really sure, a few looked they more than a couple miles under their belt. A handful of NG powered Pinnacles in both the compressed and liquefied varieties were available for inspection.
We all know Granites are the current heavy duty truck in the Mack lineup but this special setup makes the majority of them look like puny pickups. Spokes wheels in the year of our Lord 2015. And tall rubber at that. Loved it. Too bad it was labeled for export only.
Loogit! A plow! Destination Lower Saucon Township, PA
Waaaaaay out in a back lot were show trucks were loading/unloading I found this trio of Mack Granites with super set back axles and wearing M-Drive HD lettering, the Mack Truck in house heavy duty automatic transmission.
Once again with so many trucks I figured I would take a video. Watch as I wander and make generally uniformed comments and observations especially when I mention that the plow truck has a one way plow which it clearly does not. Anyway, you’ll get to see the inside of a TerraPro, a few Pinnacles, a set forward Pinnacle with Rawhide trim package and the Granite plow.
Tomorrow, the fun continues with the trucks of Mack Defense. Some real wild rides in this bunch. Make sure to check them out!
Trucktoberfest 2015 had its share of vintage Macks like B’s, NO’s, and AC’s but there were also a fair amount of what could be considered late model Mack Trucks in the form of Superliners, MH’s, R’s, and Cruiseliners.
Venezia brought along three pristine examples of R-models in the form of two tractors and one dump. The tractors later hit the track and put on a nice display of bulldog power.
A few non Macks snuck in the main gate like this ’96 Marmon.
With poor weather looming overhead all day I decided to do something a little different and take a walking touring through the show. Cabover fans hang tough until the end when you’ll be in heaven.
Some odds and ends.
I might be repeating myself but they really don’t come any nicer than this 1954 Mack LJ. Browsing through the trucks of Trucktoberfest this past weekend was like flipping through the Mack history book. We saw the B’s yesterday.
Don’t forget about D for DM. This 1984 mack DM886SX was an impressive machine. I love the the old Bethlehm Steel logo and markings. I bet this truck looked awesome prowling among the blast furnaces and other heavy industrial locations that make up a modern steel plant.
Out behind the museum there was a mini collection of trucks awaiting restoration or at the very least a reprieve from hungry scrappers. I had never heard of an NO model Mack previous to seeing this truck. The cab is massive while the engine compartment is regular size. Regardless of the strange proportions this truck is still a true classic.
I put together a little video tour of me gawking at these classics.
If I ever won Powerball and Mega Millions on the same day my future property would look something like what you saw above. A large industrial building full of trucks with even more trucks outside. Think Jay Leno’s garage but with nothing but trucks and other heavy equipment. Don’t forget to toss in a test truck and large sandbox like area for digging and other fun.
