Round 2 LLC Release of AMT WHITE FREIGHTLINER DUAL DRIVE TRACTOR

I have been watching for the re-release of the classic AMT kit of the WHITE FREIGHTLINER DUAL DRIVE TRACTOR promised by ROUND 2 LLC last year. Finally in mid October I heard from one of my online hobby suppliers that it was available -- I placed my order!!!

I was pleased when it arrived five days latter. Round 2 was true to the memory of that old AMT kit. The instructions were just like the ones from the old kit. The parts were clean and the chrome did shine. My only complaint was the decals were too thick -- even decal solvent didn't help. The build up was exactly how I remembered the original.

Here are some pictures of "SPIKE"

A Case of the WILLY'S

This past summer brought about a pleasant surprise, a vehicle I hadn't seen in a long time and the chance to actually get in one for the first time since the early 60's.

Just up the road from where I live I spotted a Willy's Jeep FC-170. This was a former fire vehicle belonging to the small village of Millport, and it was being sold. Despite the fact that it hadn't run in four years and the brakes were not working it was in very decent shape otherwise. I have always wanted one of these as my dad had one back in the late 50's. It was my favorite of all the trucks my dad had. I should have jumped when I had the chance -- final sale price -- $5900.

Alens REO

I recently received the following e-mail along with some GREAT pics of a REO belonging to ALLEN VERMAN ----

hi there

ran across your site with the pic. of the old REO truck and thought that since you like old trucks so much i'd send a couple pictures of my '34.

i have had virtually no luck finding pictures of a truck like mine anywhere, it's a model 1B, without a bed at the moment untill i find a suitable style to use as a model.

we are wondering what this truck did for a living, the thing has lots of miles, but the secondary springs are not worn, other drive train parts show quite a bit of wear.

another truck nut

allen verman
cuba, ohio

Thanks Allen for the e-mail and the great pics --- NICE TRUCK YOU LUCKY MAN!!!

In search of WALTER

No, not the Jeff Dunham character, but great trucks known as WALTERS. My quest was to view and photograph the WALTER SNOW PLOW collection of Jerald Johnson in Lapeer, NY, just west of Marathon.

First, a little history about the WALTER

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William Walter was a Swiss immigrant, and came to the U.S.A. in 1883 and established himself as a manufacturer of candy and confectionery machinery. He built himself a passenger car in 1898 and from 1904 to 1909 made high­ quality cars, at first in New York City and later at Trenton, N.J. Truck production began in 1909 a t the New York factory on West 66th Street, and in 1911 the first 4-wheel­ drive trucks appeared, which were to become the staple product of the company. Based on the French Latil and of similar appearance with radiator behind engine, they were made in sizes from 1 ½ to 7 tons. Conventional rear wheel drive and also front wheel drive trucks were also made, all with internal gear drive to the wheels. Engines were Walter's own make up to 1920, then mainly Waukesha during the 1920s. Gradually the rear-wheel-drive models were phased out, although a 15/25-ton rwd tractor with 5­speed gearbox was made as late as 1924. By the mid-1920s Walters had assumed their characteristic appearance with engine projecting ahead of the front axle; in 1929 the first Walter Snow Fighter appeared, and this was a field in which the company later became well-known, as well as for highway maintenance work and carrying cement mixers. During the 1930's Walter supplied a number of fire engines to New York City. Articulated dump trucks were used in open-cast coal mining, and Walters were also seen in the logging industry. By 1940 there were six models, all with 4-wheel-drive, of 3 to 12 tons capacity. Engines were 6-cylinder units by Waukesha, Hercules and Cummins, the latter a diesel.

During World War II Walter supplied 4 X 4 artillery tractors with 672ci 6-cylinder Hercules engines to the U.S. Army, and also snow removal trucks with Waukesha engines to both U.S. and Canadian forces. After the war the 4-wheel-drive trucks were continued, and Walter entered a new field with the building of airfield crash tend­ers. These were developed in conjunction with the Federal Government, the Port of New York Authority and the National Fire Protection Association. Current production includes crash tenders with single and twin engines, refuse collection trucks and the familiar 4-wheel-drive trucks and snowplows.

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Our drive from Horseheads took about 1 1/2 hours, and I am sorry to say that upon our arrival Jerald was not present, the house across the road completely empty.
I had found out about this collection through my friends over at HANK'S where we have been discussing these brutes in a forum. Here is a taste of what I found --



This is just a small sampling of what I found. If you want to see more pictures, and read some more stuff about the WALTER, check out the post's on HANKS TRUCK PICTURE FORUM, the
WALTER THREAD --- remember to check out the previous five pages!!!

2009, 10th Annual National Brockway Truck Show

WOW, even that does not describe my day with over 120 beautiful BROCKWAY trucks. No, you can not have TOO MUCH of a good thing!! I arrived in Cortland via route 13 at 7:30 AM to find this beauty parked along the road ---


I then found a spot to park, no problem. Then it was on to the parade route. The parade started on time and you could hear the trucks before you saw them, blowing those air horns, and jaking their trucks --- I wish I could have captured that in my pictures.

At any rate, you can enjoy my day here in VIRTUALITY by way of YOU-TUBE ---

Mystery of the "IRONSIDE" Paddy Wagon

The popular TV series "IRONSIDE" was produced by Universal Studios and ran from it's premier in 1967 until 1975. The first thirteen pictures in this video show the Paddy Wagon that was used to carry Robert Ironside (played by Raymond Burr) from place to place during the first three seasons. It should be noted that while modifications were made to that vehicle, the overall body remained unchanged -- I like to think of this vehicle as "THE IRONSIDE PADDY WAGON"

The last three pictures show what I call the "Demise Vehicle". This similar looking truck was used early in the third season when the "PADDY WAGON" met its' death.

Note very carefully that this is NOT the original vehicle. The rear fenders are different. The windshield is rounded, the door windows are different, and the box extends to hide the chassis behind the running board. Also, I do not believe that "THE IRONSIDE PADDY WAGON" had an air scoop vent just in front of the windshield.

It is my unproven contention that the vehicle used in the demise was a "parts" vehicle.

If that is the case, what happened to the "REAL THING"?




Give me your thoughts ----

That Skeleton In Your Closet --

Spent this weekend on a project I have been putting off for way to long -- finding a place in our house for all my truck models and die-casts --- all 44 of them.

It was during that process that I decided the closet in my computer room need to be checked out --
glad I did, because I had forgotten that I had stored the subject of this post in a corner of that closet.

What I found was something I did back in 1972 when we lived in OKC, a jigsaw puzzle of a late 60's Kenworth and Thermo King Reefer. I'm glad I decided to mount it, and even happier that it has survived.

It now holds a place of honor in what will become my "TRUCK ROOM" ---

Those "OLD SCHOOL" Trucks

When it comes to a "favorite era" of trucks for me, I would have to state that anything goes before the 1980's. But if I were to narrow it down even more, then I would have to say the period between 1950 - 1970.

I really like what I call the "old school" look of those trucks, especially the 50's era. Those are the trucks I remember from my "early childhood", and into the 60's. To me, they looked like a truck should look -- simple, beautiful, and tough.

They didn't need to be dressed up - they looked fine just doing what they did. So, I've spent some time these past few weeks, finding some saved photos and doing some reworking to come up with these renditions .

You can also find them over on Hank's ---- but don't tell anyone!!

50's Mack H -- Nigro Freight Line










And who will fault these two fine GMC's?

50's GMC 850 -- NIGRO FREIGHT LINE
















50's GMC 950 Cannonball with Champion Grain Trailer

















And finally --- this Ford --

An early 50's FORD V-8 ---- Nigro Freight Lines


A note about "NIGRO" Freight Line ---

NIGRO, Tom Tom Nigro, 83, of Ashford, husband of Betty Jane Nigro, died peacefully in the presence of his family on Friday, (October, 17, 2008) in Mansfield. Born December 19, 1924 in Hartford, he was the son of first generation Italian Americans, Vito and Mary Nigro. Tom was a well known entrepreneur, a hard working husband with a wide network of friends and extended family. Seeing his family struggle and yet survive the depression years endowed Tom with boundless optimism and an irrepressible spirit that seemed larger than life. His zest for living was a boundless quest for the next opportunity and a joyful appreciation for family, friends and children. They learned to cook his Italian delicacies, grew up in a circle of love and returned again and again. Tom and Betty opened their home to numerous friends and extended family members who became generations of benefactors enriched by their loving care. They experienced deep and meaningful living and were absorbed into their ever expanding blended family. He received a Bronze Star Medal and an honorable discharge from service in the U.S. Army during World War II in Italy where he drove truck convoys through occupied combat zones. Tom founded Nigro Freight Lines, an interstate trucking firm in the 1950's. In the early 1960's he settled in Ashford where he began Hillcrest Farm and Equipment Company. With help from Betty, he launched the Wagon Shed Restaurant, bakery and antique shop. More recently he operated the Summit Farm Welding and Repair Shop and sold tools and machinery at local flea markets.

"Old School" Trucks --- A Pete and a GMC

Took some time out today to do a little something I enjoy --- thought you might too!!!

A 1950's Pete from the movie "DUEL"


And this 1950's Cannonball GMC Reefer Unit ---

Today is FLAG DAY - June 14, 2009

I was reminded by my daughter that today is FLAG DAY - she called a week early, thinking it was FATHERS DAY.

So to honor this day, I am posting a picture that my friend Jerry found.

I think it is appropriate ---