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• A good deal has been said recently on the
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subject of the Mercedes-Benz electropneumatic shift (EPS) gearbox. The UK operation has pinned its colours to the box, and has only recently back-peddled in offering the alternative manual DB gearbox on some lowpower tractive units.
Some operations, however, refuse to take the unit under any circumstances; the Russian road haulage fleet is just such an example. You can't buy the trucks that Russians use from UK dealers, although Mercedes grudgingly admits that: "If we saw there was a market, then we might import some to the UK." The trucks in question are the 2035 (now superseded by the 2435) fitted with a manual gearbox, and a lifting rear axle (probably fitted by NAW in Switzerland.) The Russians tried the EPS gearbox, but it was too fragile for the pounding inflicted by the Soviet roads; manual gearboxes were their only choice.
Sovinteravto representative Gennadiy Parshin was delighted when we told him that operators could not buy his trucks in the UK. "So you come to Russia to see new trucks," he chortled. There are 300 new models running out of just one Sovinteravto service area. The actual numbers operating in the whole of Russia must be huge.
Most of the hauliers running regularly to Russia told Commercial Motor that they would prefer the Russian specification if they bought a Mercedes truck. "Mercedes is not going to come and rescue you in the middle of Ukraine," one said, "so you had better have something the Russians have spares for." With only 32% of Mercedes' UK sales in 6x2 tractive units last year, the German manufacturer seems more involved with piling them high, rather than catering to such a very small market as Russianbound hauliers. • The 19-year-old despatch rider from Pony Express who dropped his load of hypodermic needles on the M6 earlier this month causing hundreds of punctures (CM 9-16 March) is to appear before West Bromwich magistrates. He is charged with having an insecure load.
I had considered the obvious "getting the needle" puns but, unlike sections of the national press, I will restrain myself.
• The quips were flowing fast and furious at NFC's AGM a couple of weeks ago, especially from chairman Sir Peter Thompson.
He complained that over the past few months several people had griped to him about the "Icriackered and aged" appearance of the NFC board of directors. So, hand on heart, he promised shareholders "more hair, more youth and a more virile looking board" before the next AGM.
One lady had also bent her reverend chairman's ear over his appearance at last year's AGM, rather tactlessly pointing out that Sir Peter's matching tie and shirt made him look as though he was wearing "a jumper with a collar".
"As you can see, I have taken care not to repeat the same mistake this year," said Sir Peter, drawing back his jacket to display a natty blacktie/white-shirt combination. He then put his hands on his hips and strutted John Travolta-like around the stage amid cheers of approval from the meeting.
Shareholders were also lucky enough to see the company's corporate video which, amongst other things, showed the NFC American operation. "I have spent the past 10 years trying to convince the world that the NFC is not a bunch of cowboys," said Sir Peter.
"Then we hire a movie crew, and what's the first thing they do? Go out and find a Texan cowboy to film, who drives NFC trucks."
• The Duchess of York is the latest member of the Royal Family to pass the Institute of Advanced Motorists driving test. She was tested by Ted Clements MBE over a 50km route.
"I am delighted, to have passed," she said afterwards. "I hope I have convinced Ted Clements on this point, but! am sure he would not have given me a pass otherwise."
IAM certificates generally attract lower insurance premiums, and as the Duchess hacks about in an XJS, this will doubtless help stretch the family grocery budget.
• A £5 million bypass round Prudhoe, Northumberland, has been rejected because the scheme incorporated an underpass for badgers and roe deer at a cost of £200,000.
Councillor David Watkins says: "It is not just the roe deer you have to consider, it is the people driving the cars which might hit them."
• Bus operators take note: Fat women are forming a pressure group to campaign for their rights, and near the top on their list is bigger bus seats. The London Fat Women's Group says many bus seats are simply too slim for any but the most svelte passengers.
They are particularly unhappy with the seating on some of the new minibus services; an unforeseen but nevertheless important result of deregulation on the buses.
Are you sitting comfortably?
• Steve Cobden uses Curiosity Cottage, his S-reg Bedford 330 D ex-mobile library, to sell renovated printers' cases, filled with miniature ornaments at village fairs. Graphics are by one Andy Cox.
Keen gardeners who catch a glimpse of this horticultural roadshow might notice that all of the 400 flowers bloom at the same time; and apiarists will of course notice that all the bees are of the Buckfast variety.
• Orlando, Florida, is the venue for the Road Haulage Association's annual conference this year: outside Europe for the first time.
It appears the RHA is looking even further afield for its 1990 gathering: Members are being asked to select a Far Eastern venue from a list of Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
Lowestoft is the farthest east I've ever been.