McFadyens Transport Ltd Scania T cab

TIME FOR ‘T’ WITH McFADYENS!

Derbyshire based promotional model trucks specialist, Search Impex, is pleased to announce the release of a 150T Scania T-cab Topline 144G V8 530 (6×4) solo tractor unit, customised in the livery of well-known Scottish operator McFadyens Transport Ltd. The models have been produced exclusively for Search Impex by WSI as a certificated Limited Edition (405 pieces).

Based in Campbeltown, in the Scottish region of Argyll & Bute, it was back in 1901 that Charles McFadyen started a haulage business. Using a horse and cart, he would meet vessels at the pier and collect cargo (comprising, more often than not, coal or bricks) and deliver it around the area to local merchants. It soon became a thriving family business as each of his five sons, on reaching suitable ages, were also given their own horse and cart and tasked with finding more local haulage work. The growing “fleet” of horses and carts were kept at the nearby family stables in Longrow from where the McFadyens also advertised public excursions by horse-drawn wagonettes to popular local destinations such as Southend or Machrihanish, but this was their only official venture into passenger transport.

Towards the end of the War in 1945, the first motor lorries began to replace the horse and carts. With ex-army vehicles becoming readily available, Archibald McFadyen purchased several second-hand Bedford tippers, one of which was a square nosed 'OY' type which had served with the army. Since then, a wide variety of makes has been used by McFadyens, including AEC, Albion, Commer, ERF, Ford, M.A.N, Mercedes and Volvo. In November 1978, a Scania LB86 tipper joined the fleet and its arrival on the scene heralded the start of the long and close relationship with Scania which continues to this day.

Historically, a large amount of the business was based on livestock transport but today the business focuses mainly on timber haulage and wind turbine transportation for the renewable energy sector.

Today’s fleet of around 30 trucks is dominated by Scania ranging from standard 6×2 units through to heavy duty 8×4 trucks and trailers comprise a wide variety of types from extender telesteps, flat beds and step frames, through to low loaders, world adaptor clamps and superwing carriers, not to mention the necessary variety of escort vehicles. The Scania T cab unit on which the model is to be based is the latest addition to this operator’s impressive fleet and joins the Company as another example of a superb and lovingly restored veteran truck, destined only to work on high days and holidays and, hopefully, to make regular appearances on the truck show circuit! Beautifully in keeping with McFadyen’s well-known and easily recognisable colour scheme, the truck has been finished in the trademark Oxford blue, with contrasting red chassis and white roof and mudwings, topped off with the trade mark bachelor blue grille and hand-painted livery.

Models are priced at £144 each (including UK delivery & VAT) and are available from Search Impex.

For details of availability of this and other models, collectors can visit the Search Impex website at www.search-impex.co.uk or call on 01332 873555.