• One of the biggest attractions at this year's Commercial
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Motor Truckfest will be this brute: a Western Star, bought for £113,000 from a Texas dealer by Geoff Byford of Byfords Cargo Express. Byford discovered the monster in Alaska and shipped it to the UK via Houston.
The four-axle tractive unit has a 355kW (475hp) Cummins engine with twin turbos and a cold weather kit that includes silicone hoses and a special radiator to cope with temperatures as low as —60°C. It has a 6 x2 axle configuration with an additional pusher axle, the rear axles are all on air suspension.
When Byford arrived at Felixtowe to pick up the truck he was so afraid of souvenir hunters that he slept all night in the cab waiting for customs clearance. Not an entirely unpleasant experience, judging by descriptions of its hi-tech, hotel-like interior. It features a walk-in sleeper, fitted with stereo, TV, video and microwave, as well as a night heater and air conditioning. Just the thing to while away those lonely hours on the great Alaskan highway.
During the day it can't be too bad either, with driver and passenger seats on air suspension and a dashboard resembling an aircraft cockpit.
Byford has been busy preparing the truck for Truckfest, on 1 and 2 May. He believes he has the only Western Star in Europe . . but maybe you know better? • Members of London Regional Transport's choral society are getting their vocal cords into gear this week ready to give a sweet, angelic rendition of Stainer's Crucifixion on 27 March at St Peter's Church, Mount Park Road, London W5.
A second performance is promised for 1 April at Shoreditch Church, and both concerts are in association with St Peter's Church Choir at Ealing. So if next time you get on to the Number 74 the driver booms out the fares in a sonorous tenor, don't be too surprised.
• The Friends of the British Commercial Vehicle Museum are organising a get-together of wreckers on 16-17 April. The informal drive-in is open to working or preserved vehides of all makes and ages, and will he held at the museum in King Street, Leyland, Lancashire. Contact the manager for more information or just turn up with your wrecker on either or both of these days.