Astran lives on!
I was homeward bound from Tonbridge on Saturday morning,on the M25 when I saw an Astran trailer being pulled by a tractor belonging to Evans of Barnstaple■■?
bestbooties:
Astran lives on!
I was homeward bound from Tonbridge on Saturday morning,on the M25 when I saw an Astran trailer being pulled by a tractor belonging to Evans of Barnstaple■■?
Hi Ian. Mystery solved:- The Astran trailer is a Seymour one and was used for “free” Astran advertising. Evans have now bought Seymour out, but judging by what you saw, they still seem to be using the Seymour/Astran trailer. Confused? 
Ive now finished your book young ashley. It is a ■■■■ good read found the bit about Uwe, you were right it would have spoilt it going straight to that bit. I was talking to Nodrog recently and i did mention, that initially i was wondering if all the good comments about the book really did reflect the book beind a ■■■■ good one (and not just because you have put a lot of time and effort into it), after all i havent yet come across a negative view. But rest assured I can now honestly say after reading it and also my father reading the copy i bought him, that it is indeed just like everyone says, BLOODY BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!! :smiley: :smiley: . A big well done Ash, an aweinspiring book that really does keep you wanting more and more. I also know of people that dont even drive or have anything whatsoever to do with transport,trucks or the M/E but have really enjoyed the book, my sister being one of those people. You deserve all the praise you have duly received, and now that your first book is done and out there in the public domain, R u now working on the next one■■?■■?■■?. I have also ordered 2 tekno astran models 1 for me and 1 being a prezzie for me father. Cant wait till they arrive. R u and Kevin from astran planning on doing another model, maybe the original AEC wagon and drag, or John Williamss truck from the now infamous Tahir incident■■?.
Cheers Ash.
Westy
Better still, a model of NKM300W, Benz 1632 4x2 tractor, grille mounted air stack and air con unit, would be top quality.
I had a hell of a job getting my copy I can tell you, I tried Amazon & the rest but there was nothing by Adrian Copperfield anywhere 
My copy is on its Transatlantic voyage now, can’t wait until it gets here, had a quick thumb through a mates copy & it looks very good indeed, thanks Ash 
all i can say is if this is your first book then well…i have not been able to put it down.it realy is the best book on a transport company ,sorry i will rephrase that…THE transport company. R.I.P.BOB PAUL. bob
It’s always nice receive positive comments about the book. I’ve said “thanks” before on this thread, but there’s no harm in saying it again.
Westy, bigR250, Blissy, BrianH, Wideboybob…and all you others. Many thanks for your kind comments. I really appreciate them all.
Book number 2 is a posibility 
Something along the lines of a “scrapbook” style, soft back, filled with more of the photos I couldn’t get in book no1, plus a few more anecdotes and short stories. Got more of ■■■■ Snow’s letters home and one or two other bits of nice info, which would pad it out nicely…
am working on it
Not sure about a Tekno model number2. We shall have to see how the first one goes. Watch this space…
hi ash
put me down for a copy mate please
cheers
gaz
mmmmm maaate!
I thought this would be a good book after reading the comments on here and on other sites,but after reciving my copy today I’m blown away by it. Ash mate what a superb book,you really have produced an excelent read,I didn’t think there would be so much text,but I’m glad there is,I can’t wait to start working through it. Also there are so many great old photos that I’ve never seen before.
Well done mate,top effort.
Hello Ashley, i have just finished your excellent book, as a kid travelling all over the place with my father i often saw the Astran trucks and wondered where they had been and what the drivers had been through, well now thanks to your superb research i know.
For the past 25 years i jave been the transport manager for Derek Linch Haulage based in Kent, the next time i get a driver ring me and say that his air conditioning isn’t working or his washer bottle is empty i am going to present them with a copy of your book.
Many thanks
Del Carr
Hi Ashley … Just got the book from old pond. I never read a book in my life though maby sometime i will read it
from front to back. At the moment i cant leave it down reading a few lines or a chapter with a picture of a truck i remember
cant wait to turn the page. It has already kept me late for an M.O.T. this morning.
Good job well done.
truckerash:
It’s always nice receive positive comments about the book. I’ve said “thanks” before on this thread, but there’s no harm in saying it again.
Westy, bigR250, Blissy, BrianH, Wideboybob…and all you others. Many thanks for your kind comments. I really appreciate them all.Book number 2 is a posibility
am working on itNot sure about a Tekno model number2. We shall have to see how the first one goes. Watch this space…
Good idea for another book the more books on the golden era of trans arabian trucking the better, your idea for the content sounds good. If its even only half as good as long haul pioneers it will still be a ■■■■ good read, but it will be just as good im sure. And another must have for all us m/e fanatics. Tekno model 2 yeah, twist Kevins arm into doing another provided you can decide on which other truck to base the model on.
cheers Ash keep up the good work with book 2
Found this picture in a draw at work, from left, Roger Sparshatt and David Jones, of Sparshatts of Kent Ltd, Mercedes dealer in Sittingbourne and suppliers of the Astran Mercs, anyone any ideas who the other people are?
Hi TDL102; I very nearly used that image in the book to go with the details of the new Mercedes.
Left to right; Roger Sparshatt, David Jones (Sparshatts), Nigel Emms (Mercedes), Bob Paul, Uwe Ploog and Chris Douglas (Astran). The cake was presented to celebrate the first Mercedes going into service with Astran.
Hope that helps. I have sent you a PM. Regards ASH
Ashley - out of interest did you try and find Chris?
SheepLady:
Ashley - out of interest did you try and find Chris?
Yes, but no luck 
Wouldn’t be surprised if someone knows where he is though… Any ideas?
Afraid I dont - Carole and I were going through names of people who werent at the do and he was one of them. Wouldnt know where to start. But if it’s any help, I think the spelling was Douglass… or was it? Dont quote me on it!
truckerash:
Hi all; Some news about my book - The Long Haul Pioneers.
All my work is done now. Everything has gone to the printers and all being well, a HUGE container load of books will be ready for sale mid JUNEIf you haven’t already done so, and you’d like to pre-order a copy, please drop me an e mail at: ashleycoghill@aol.com
or follow the link below to find out more information about the book.
rogergsmith.typepad.co.uk/publis … ation.htmlif the link doesn’t work, go to oldpond.com and click on ‘news’
here is the official cover:
hi only got half way thro the book but you list all the subbys of astran but missed out C V H transport who sub for astran for over 10 years 
then you list JOHN BRAIN as a subby john brain was never a subby for astran HE DROVE FOR c v h HE PUT HIS NAME ON THE HEAD BORD THEN TOLD EVERY BODY IT WAS HIS TRUCK EVEAN TO THIS DAY HE TELLS EVERY BODY HE MEETS IM AN OWNER DRIVER HE IS FULL OF BULL
BUT STILL A GREAT BOOK WELL DUN
poundstrecher:
hi only got half way thro the book but you list all the subbys of astran but missed out C V H transport who sub for astran for over 10 years
then you list JOHN BRAIN as a subby john brain was never a subby for astran HE DROVE FOR c v h HE PUT HIS NAME ON THE HEAD BORD THEN TOLD EVERY BODY IT WAS HIS TRUCK EVEAN TO THIS DAY HE TELLS EVERY BODY HE MEETS IM AN OWNER DRIVER HE IS FULL OF BULL
BUT STILL A GREAT BOOK WELL DUN
Hi Poundstretcher; It’s alway difficult when you are relying on people to give information. I was “reliably informed” that John Brain was indeed a subby for Astran. Maybe there was some confusion if he worked for CVH but had his name on the headboard… I have a photo of an “ex” Astran 111 still painted yellow/red and with his name in the headboard. My “informer” seemed to think he was pulling for Astran as an owner driver, but maybe it was a CVH truck?
Maybe you missed it, but if you look on page 108 (the subby chapter) you will see a photo of a CVH truck
Hope you enjoy the rest of the book. Regards ASH
truckerash:
poundstrecher:
hi only got half way thro the book but you list all the subbys of astran but missed out C V H transport who sub for astran for over 10 years
then you list JOHN BRAIN as a subby john brain was never a subby for astran HE DROVE FOR c v h HE PUT HIS NAME ON THE HEAD BORD THEN TOLD EVERY BODY IT WAS HIS TRUCK EVEAN TO THIS DAY HE TELLS EVERY BODY HE MEETS IM AN OWNER DRIVER HE IS FULL OF BULL
BUT STILL A GREAT BOOK WELL DUNHi Poundstretcher; It’s alway difficult when you are relying on people to give information. I was “reliably informed” that John Brain was indeed a subby for Astran. Maybe there was some confusion if he worked for CVH but had his name on the headboard… I have a photo of an “ex” Astran 111 still painted yellow/red and with his name in the headboard. My “informer” seemed to think he was pulling for Astran as an owner driver, but maybe it was a CVH truck?
Maybe you missed it, but if you look on page 108 (the subby chapter) you will see a photo of a CVH truck
Hope you enjoy the rest of the book. Regards ASH
hi ash thanks for the reply
yes thats right it says john brain but eather side it small letters cvh then cymu i no this cus i worked for cvh for the neck end of 20 yrars till he packed up m/e work ( well you should have seen the tantrum john brain went into when the boss told me to paint it over he was like a baby ha ha )
best regards ash