Southern Metal Family
Jim Bates Contractor runs a fleet of immaculate American Iron at the bottom of the South Island. Surprisingly, these trucks were all second hand and in most cases had covered significant distances in line haul before being purchased and then brought up to Jim’s exacting standards.
The luck of the Irish?
How often do you arrive at a transport yard to be confronted by a large tank bearing the number plates GBH4U? Well if you ever have to visit Protranz Earthmoving, in Christchurch, that is exactly what you are likely to be greeted by – an Abbot FV433 Self-Propelled Gun. Protranz owner, Gerard Daldry, said he had always wanted to own one of these war horses, and when the opportunity arose to purchase one recently, he acted quickly.
50 years behind the wheel
Russell Carnegie started his driving career at Horton, Bidwell & Co Ltd. Fifty years later he is still behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz Actros for Heartland Haulage Ltd. Along the way Russell has tried his hand at many different sectors of the industry, including several stints as an owner driver. Age is seeing him cut back to just four days a week but this sprightly 69 year old still finds time to DJ on weekends as well as to fuss over his special edition Holden Commodore. Simon Vincent sat down with Russell and discussed his lively career recently.