OK so I've been a bit busy for blogging... But then I have had a worthwhile distraction. Namely driving the wonderful Volvo FH Globetrotter XXL in Norway. And in case you're wondering, the XXL is the extra long (by 245mm) FH Globetrotter cab that's only available in Australia (indeed XXL was developed originally for the Aussies) and Norway. Why Norway? Because their 17.5m artic length limit means that they can run with the extra long XXL without being overlength... Well having been launched in Norway a couple of months ago clearly it was my duty to check it out and arrange a drive and a sleepover in one.
And here's the man who made it all possible. Volvo's manager for market communications and PR in Norway, Torstein Magelssen who provided me with an spanking new XXL FH16.660 (it was only the second one built) and a trailer and even a set of Norwegian trade plates! And together (with Torstein in his car leading the way) we set out on the road from Oslo and north up the E6 to the picturesque town of Hamar as our overnight stop where I'd sleep in the XXL... And along the way all sorts of fun things happened... So click through here to see how I also bumped into two of Nick Garlick's mates along the way... And a very nice Norwegian fireman with an access platform.
Hamar is directly north from the Norwegian capitol and about an hour and a half away, more than enough time to get acquainted with the XXL. Halfway there Torstein told me there was a pull in where the Norwegian equivalent of VOSA normally operate complete with weighbridge. And no sooner had we driven into the site (which, as it happens was not manned) we were followed in by two trucks from Grampian International.
Well the name rang a bell as I seemed to recall Biglorryblog regular Nick Garlick working for Grampian every once in a while and so I got chatting to the two drivers Peter Sculliom (in the Scania) and Bill Simpson (in the FH) as you do and invited them to take a look at the Volvo--they didn't need much persuading! Two great guys, (and as Scottish as they come) on their way up to Kristiansund with some off-shore gear on the back. And it provides BLB with the the perfect instant Vox-pop opportunity on the FH XXL for my write up in Truck & Driver!
Naturally we invited them to take a look inside the XXL to get some views of two professionals - and they seemed suitably impressed. "I could be coaxed into it" was Bill's response! That's them above Peter on the right and Bill on the left, and talk about real industry veterans with more miles under their collective belts than you'd ever find.
Just before we depart Peter, Bill and Torstein confer on the best route to Kristiansund and Torstein brings a bit of 'local knowledge' to the discussion by showing them where there's a decent truckstop. Then it was back up the road again although by now the road (the E6) has more contraflows and roadworks than you can shake a stick at... 'Interesting' in a left-hooker...
A bit later we roll into the town of Hamar where Torstein leads me into a massive car park (ideal for photography) in front of the local sports hall and ice skating centre which was built for the Winter Olympics... It's like an up-turned Viking long ship complete with overlapping panels on the roof to simulate the 'ship-lap' (I think that's the right nautical term).
Anyway you can see the skater on the right and all the flagpoles... I shot this on Torstein's camera as he had a better telephoto! Meanwhile, as we're doing that the local Fire Brigade turns up (their fire station was just across the way) with their venerable F12 Simon Snorkel access platform... The firefighter was hammering on the tops of the flagpoles!
And what splendid machine it was too... And that got us thinking... Maybe we could errr... 'Use' it in our photo-shoot? (I've seen Tom Cunningham at work and picked up a few tips!)
Anyway, no sooner do we 'open negotiations' than firefighter number two (and a good mate for FF1) turns up with his FH 6x2 water tanker...
So naturally we've got to get that in the picture too haven't we? Now it's time to go up in the world, but not before Biglorryblog has taken a picture of shot of 'Hamar's finest'! And what helpful guys they were too.
However, with dark clouds approaching from the South it was time for take off! And with the outrigger legs deployed on the F12 it was up, up and away!
And having raised us up, fire-fighter No1 then proceeded to kindly slew around the platform to give me a better shot... The red bit in the bottom corner is the tanker so you can see how far up we were... Also by the fact that we're looking down at the flagpoles. And you can also see what I mean about the roof of the sport hall being like a Viking boat.
And there we are... One aerial shot of an FH16.660 XXL and an FH 6x2 fire water tanker...
And that's the kind of thing that happens to Biglorryblog every day... (Well almost) and my thanks to Hamar Fire and Rescue Service for all their help...
Mind you, after all that hard work what better way to relax than in an XXL with it's extra wide 'lounger' bed, swivelling passenger seat, sliding table, fridge, microwave and copies of my favourite magazines...? (Oh yes, and a cup of coffee from my flask provided by Torstein.) What? Pampered...? Me? Not a bit of it!
Anyway my thanks to all at Volvo 'Norge' for putting up with me over the past two days and providing me with an 'exclusive' too. This shot of Torstein at the wheel shows the length of the extra XXL cab quite nicely - look for the extra bit immediately after the door and just before the 660 badge.(and the fact that there is no side window blank in an XXL)... And the Kangaroo was a nice little touch to show its Aussie roots! And what do I think of XXL?
Well obviously... Every driver should have one (and just to really put the icing on the cake it's now available with 700hp). And what was it like to sleep in? You'll have to read my report in Truck & Driver! (But I'll give you a clue... I didn't have to count too many sheep!)
Up there in that bucket Brian with no hard hat, hi viz or harness, obviously the elf'n'safety police haven't got that far north yet!!
That's more like it!!!
Forget face lifting 20 year old cabs. Just stretch them a bit.
Photoshop anyone???
Nice pics! and nice to have a visit from BigLorryBlog in Norway, You are welcome back ø- anytime!!
Alan, You malign the man, with prejudice! Look closer at the pic of BLB in the Volvo cab with his baseball cap off - dont you see the integral, pink-hued hard hat?
Can't see why Volvo can,t offer the cab for heavy haulage units etc.. in other euro country,s. It is a top truck though.