For everyone who is interested…some long awaited news on my forthcoming book.
THE LONG HAUL PIONEERS - A celebration of Astran International. Leaders in overland transport to the Middle East for over 40 years.
The book will be fully illustrated with 350 photographs (99% colour) and will be filled with stories, anecdotes and captions from the employees. The history of the company is included, from its inception in the mid 1960’s as Asian Transport and coming right up to date with details of the business as it is today (and the future plans) as Astran Cargo Services Limited.
The book concentrates predominantly on the early days when the men were fighting for something and finding it all very adventurous. I have been very lucky in finding almost all of the employees from that era and through their images and words, the reader will be able to gain an insight into something that most people never even dreamed of doing.
I have now completed my writing (130,000 words) and am just about through with the incredibly difficult task of choosing which images to leave out!
The size and price of the book has not been finalised yet, but the initial feeling is something A4 ish and hardback retailing at around £25 although I must stress, that is just an estimate at the moment.
Release date has not been confirmed, but I am hoping it will be ready for the early part of 2010. My publisher (Old Pond Publishing) will give more details of progress in due course.
If anyone would like to pre-order a book (I know it is a long way off yet, but no harm in getting an order in) please send me an e mail to:-
The interest in my project has ( and still is) been phenomenal and I have already received many pre orders, so thank you to everyone who has done that or given me encouragement, constructive advice (more like criticism), information and general good wishes.
I have to say it has been a true labour of love for me but something which I have thoroughly enjoyed working on and now cannot wait to see the finished article! And of course the men (and women) I have met during the research have been amazing, especially the Asian Transport drivers - The Long Haul Pioneers - who in my eyes are my ultimate heroes.
A few pics to wet the whistle…
Bobby Vallas (pictured) drove the 110 (TDX 400K) regularly. Posing here with one of the V8’s (ELK 384J) on Tahir winter 1971
Another Bobby Vallas pic. UHM 25F posing in Eastern Turkey. Winter 1968.
PHK 172M 140 V8 pictured in Afghanistan on route to Kabul 1975
That would have been superb.
I’ll be posting (and e mailing) more news closer to the release date with more info etc.
