Astran / Middle East Drivers

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS OLD TIME LORRIES, COMPANIES AND DRIVERS (INTERACT
1641

Hi to all ex M/E drivers who contribute on this site…
I love reading all about those days and the characters! I had quite a long career in contintental and uk work and post on other sites , but back in the early 70’s, when I first had a licence all I wanted to do was head for Baghdad or Jeddha! I phoned and wrote to countless firms ( including Astran, Radclive etc…) and mostly got the reply ’ too young, no experience’ etc…
Was never in the right place at the right time or had that lucky break…

Part of my fascination was that my older brother had done part of the route on the way to Australia by road in 1968 ( in an old Morris 8 bought for 20 quid ) and also in about 1972 (ish ) I was living in Heston/ Southall area and opposite was P.I. E 's yard… I remember well seeing those great looking Daf’s pulling out of their yard…

Are there many ex P.I. E. drivers on here? By a strange coincidence I ended up driving an old P. I. E Daf regularly to Portugal in the late 70’s .
Finally, does anyone remember a wee Scotsman called Billy Cook? I met him once in around '78 I think in Belgium. He was on his way back from Abadan … can’t remember who he was on for…

Anyways, thanks for listening and keep those posts coming in, it’s sites and threads like this that keep the heritage going… , otherwise we’d just have to bore people in pubs with all our old ****… :laughing:

Thanks again to all.
Cheers, Baldrick.

1642

Baldrick1953:
Hi to all ex M/E drivers who contribute on this site…
I love reading all about those days and the characters! I had quite a long career in contintental and uk work and post on other sites , but back in the early 70’s, when I first had a licence all I wanted to do was head for Baghdad or Jeddha! I phoned and wrote to countless firms ( including Astran, Radclive etc…) and mostly got the reply ’ too young, no experience’ etc…
Was never in the right place at the right time or had that lucky break…

Part of my fascination was that my older brother had done part of the route on the way to Australia by road in 1968 ( in an old Morris 8 bought for 20 quid ) and also in about 1972 (ish ) I was living in Heston/ Southall area and opposite was P.I. E 's yard… I remember well seeing those great looking Daf’s pulling out of their yard…

Are there many ex P.I. E. drivers on here? By a strange coincidence I ended up driving an old P. I. E Daf regularly to Portugal in the late 70’s .
Finally, does anyone remember a wee Scotsman called Billy Cook? I met him once in around '78 I think in Belgium. He was on his way back from Abadan … can’t remember who he was on for…

Anyways, thanks for listening and keep those posts coming in, it’s sites and threads like this that keep the heritage going… , otherwise we’d just have to bore people in pubs with all our old ****… :laughing:

Thanks again to all.
Cheers, Baldrick.

Hi Baldrick - Interesting post - I don,t agree that you were in the wrong place at the wrong pal as there were many M/E operators in your area (Southall/Heston) namely Pan Express at Colnbrook - Concorde Express at Colnbrook - Poveys etc: and as for putting yourself down regarding experience all I can say is that you/we only get experience actually doing the job as it is worlds apart from any other driving job and I am sure that ‘ALL’ ex M[E drivers would agree with my comment, I consider myself to be so fortunate to have been part of it, what a fantastic experience I had and I have sympathy for the lads that missed out as it could never bee repeated again. Regards to all - Fred
Sorry that my post came up in the middle of yours (Senior moment) oop’s

Part of my fascination was that my older brother had done part of the route on the way to Australia by road in 1968 ( in an old Morris 8 bought for 20 quid ) and also in about 1972 (ish ) I was living in Heston/ Southall area and opposite was P.I. E 's yard… I remember well seeing those great looking Daf’s pulling out of their yard…

Are there many ex P.I. E. drivers on here? By a strange coincidence I ended up driving an old P. I. E Daf regularly to Portugal in the late 70’s .
Finally, does anyone remember a wee Scotsman called Billy Cook? I met him once in around '78 I think in Belgium. He was on his way back from Abadan … can’t remember who he was on for…

Anyways, thanks for listening and keep those posts coming in, it’s sites and threads like this that keep the heritage going… , otherwise we’d just have to bore people in pubs with all our old ****… :laughing:

Thanks again to all.
Cheers, Baldrick.
[/quote]

1643

On the earlier subject of Tonka’s and knowing that I put this truckwash on here sometime back I thought that I would give it another airing , memories eh :question: Fred

my pics_0001.jpg

1644

Hi Fred, saw your post about firms in Colnbrook. There were a lot of firms doing Middle East work in 70’s 80’s in and around the Heathrow area. There was also Elliots and Landers from the same neck of the woods. Not sure if they did any ME work though. I seem to remember you coming to Pan Express from Grangewood, around 1980… I worked for them from 1979 and as a subbie from 81 till 86 ish.
P.s. Ilike the novel way of checking the puncture repair was holding up. Mick…

1645

Many of us got into the m/e job by chance,and at the start,no one could ask for ,“Experienced middle east drivers” as there were very few.
Experienced class 1 drivers were as much as many of us were,the middle east experience started with the first trip,and what a steep learning curve it was!
Like most of us that did the job,I feel priveledged to have been part of that experience,we all have many tales to tell.

1646

bestbooties:
Many of us got into the m/e job by chance,and at the start,no one could ask for ,“Experienced middle east drivers” as there were very few.
Experienced class 1 drivers were as much as many of us were,the middle east experience started with the first trip,and what a steep learning curve it was!
Like most of us that did the job,I feel priveledged to have been part of that experience,we all have many tales to tell.

Well put Ian.my words exactly = experience makes experience - F

1647

freshir:

Baldrick1953:
Hi to all ex M/E drivers who contribute on this site…
I love reading all about those days and the characters! I had quite a long career in contintental and uk work and post on other sites , but back in the early 70’s, when I first had a licence all I wanted to do was head for Baghdad or Jeddha! I phoned and wrote to countless firms ( including Astran, Radclive etc…) and mostly got the reply ’ too young, no experience’ etc…
Was never in the right place at the right time or had that lucky break…

Part of my fascination was that my older brother had done part of the route on the way to Australia by road in 1968 ( in an old Morris 8 bought for 20 quid ) and also in about 1972 (ish ) I was living in Heston/ Southall area and opposite was P.I. E 's yard… I remember well seeing those great looking Daf’s pulling out of their yard…

Are there many ex P.I. E. drivers on here? By a strange coincidence I ended up driving an old P. I. E Daf regularly to Portugal in the late 70’s .
Finally, does anyone remember a wee Scotsman called Billy Cook? I met him once in around '78 I think in Belgium. He was on his way back from Abadan … can’t remember who he was on for…

Anyways, thanks for listening and keep those posts coming in, it’s sites and threads like this that keep the heritage going… , otherwise we’d just have to bore people in pubs with all our old ****… :laughing:

Thanks again to all.
Cheers, Baldrick.

Hi Baldrick - Interesting post - I don,t agree that you were in the wrong place at the wrong pal as there were many M/E operators in your area (Southall/Heston) namely Pan Express at Colnbrook - Concorde Express at Colnbrook - Poveys etc: and as for putting yourself down regarding experience all I can say is that you/we only get experience actually doing the job as it is worlds apart from any other driving job and I am sure that ‘ALL’ ex M[E drivers would agree with my comment, I consider myself to be so fortunate to have been part of it, what a fantastic experience I had and I have sympathy for the lads that missed out as it could never bee repeated again. Regards to all - Fred
Sorry that my post came up in the middle of yours (Senior moment) oop’s

Part of my fascination was that my older brother had done part of the route on the way to Australia by road in 1968 ( in an old Morris 8 bought for 20 quid ) and also in about 1972 (ish ) I was living in Heston/ Southall area and opposite was P.I. E 's yard… I remember well seeing those great looking Daf’s pulling out of their yard…

Are there many ex P.I. E. drivers on here? By a strange coincidence I ended up driving an old P. I. E Daf regularly to Portugal in the late 70’s .
Finally, does anyone remember a wee Scotsman called Billy Cook? I met him once in around '78 I think in Belgium. He was on his way back from Abadan … can’t remember who he was on for…

Anyways, thanks for listening and keep those posts coming in, it’s sites and threads like this that keep the heritage going… , otherwise we’d just have to bore people in pubs with all our old ****… :laughing:

Thanks again to all.
Cheers, Baldrick.

[/quo

Hi Baldrick, I as one of the early m/e drivers have to agree with Freds comments experience is only gained by doing. It is an experience never to be forgotten and I am proud to say I cherish those memories more than many others. I jumped off the circus train in 78 and came to the US of A where I am now retired. Yes surprisingly I do remember Billy have no clue if he’s still around, although I am so there’s always a chance he is :laughing:

1648

Fred wrote - Going through my old pic’s I came across this old memory that may interest some of the older drivers (With respect) Having been around the block over the years I ended my TIR days with Concorde who were taken over by Salvesen in 92 'ish (Not a lot of people know that) and my 3600 DAF was painted into the livery of one of the subsidiary’s companies. Hands up if you did’nt know that- be honest. :slight_smile:

ECT - BILBAO.jpg
ECT - BILBAO.jpg510×608 80.1 KB

1649

Hi Fred…we all did our first trip, respect to all the drivers on here that have done trips to M.E. before me, but people are interested in when, where and how far…How about your an insight into your first trip to M.E
We all have vivid memories of the first time we queued up the stairs in Dover, Carnet in hand and not knowing quite what to expect. I accept that I was spoilled, I only ever drove Scania or Volvo, But the guy’s on here have done a trip or two in ERF etc, , total respect to them… Yes, all a long time ago, less we forget! … :smiley:

1650

PanX:
Hi Fred…we all did our first trip, respect to all the drivers on here that have done trips to M.E. before me, but people are interested in when, where and how far…How about your an insight into your first trip to M.E
We all have vivid memories of the first time we queued up the stairs in Dover, Carnet in hand and not knowing quite what to expect. I accept that I was spoilled, I only ever drove Scania or Volvo, But the guy’s on here have done a trip or two in ERF etc, , total respect to them… Yes, all a long time ago, less we forget! … :smiley:

Hi Mick - To answer your post and regarding my first trip it was Teheran in Aug 76, I had no concerns regarding what laid ahead and as I remember I met up with Teherani Barney he was a godsend and we are back in touch now that he has appeared on this thread over the last few months, when I read other Jockey’s comments on their experiences and there concerns and if I could create a motto it would be “Ignorance is bliss” and taking that into consideration I maintain that the next trip is the one that causes concerns having experienced the obstacles that you were ignorant of on the first trip.You mentioned the stairs at Dover and that I will never forget as I was standing there patiently and some dirty git ■■■■■■, by christ did that stink i think there was a bit of blood with it - If it had been an Olympic event it would have got a gold but looking back the funny side of it was everyone looking at everyone even the Customs geezer closed his window - Be lucky - regards Fred

1651

freshir:

PanX:
Hi Fred…we all did our first trip, respect to all the drivers on here that have done trips to M.E. before me, but people are interested in when, where and how far…How about your an insight into your first trip to M.E
We all have vivid memories of the first time we queued up the stairs in Dover, Carnet in hand and not knowing quite what to expect. I accept that I was spoilled, I only ever drove Scania or Volvo, But the guy’s on here have done a trip or two in ERF etc, , total respect to them… Yes, all a long time ago, less we forget! … :smiley:

Hi Mick - To answer your post and regarding my first trip it was Teheran in Aug 76, I had no concerns regarding what laid ahead and as I remember I met up with Teherani Barney he was a godsend and we are back in touch now that he has appeared on this thread over the last few months, when I read other Jockey’s comments on their experiences and there concerns and if I could create a motto it would be “Ignorance is bliss” and taking that into consideration I maintain that the next trip is the one that causes concerns having experienced the obstacles that you were ignorant of on the first trip.You mentioned the stairs at Dover and that I will never forget as I was standing there patiently and some dirty git ■■■■■■, by christ did that stink i think there was a bit of blood with it - If it had been an Olympic event it would have got a gold but looking back the funny side of it was everyone looking at everyone even the Customs geezer closed his window - Be lucky - regards Fred

A’hem! I do remember your first trip Fred, it was memirable especially your beautiful wife (mo offense) Fred, LOL. If I remember right I had picked up another new love in Istambul, she was American and blonde with frizzy curly hair, Iknew her as Meisha wish I could remember her real name :unamused: . Think about her alot since my big D :blush: , It would be awesome to run into her again especially with me living in US at the beach in S’Carolina. :blush: :wink:
My first trip was I think in 68 or 69 in a f88 with an air lift axle, left UK on Dec 10 spent Christmas at Londra Mocamp, not many m/e drivers back then. Headed to Tehran it was a trip through hell. Arrived in Tehran on March 17, swore I would never go again after fighting snow, ice, fuel freezeups, melting snow to make a cuppa, sitting on Tahir for 3 weeks before that big old Cat came down clearing the 3-4 feet of snow that held us in its grip. Titch Westfall was the other driver with an early model f88 with a drag axle, a nightmare from hell. We even tried backing it down hill over the side of the mtn we both watched it go to no avail, it hit a ice rock and sat there spinning rubber and chains :blush: . After the Cat got us out I went over and bobtailed back to pull Titches trailer over . What an experience his brake lines were odd, so I had no choice but to drain the tanks and drag it over with only tractor brakes :angry: my a&$ tweaked the whole way. Titch flew home from Tehran, I drove back, what a difference no ice but mud and dust, made it home in 10 days :sunglasses: . Stayed home 4 weeks and Jeff Litvin called me to haul for him, he gave me a 140 scania, my threat to never go again somehow got flushed down the john LOL :unamused: . I wound up working M/E until 78 then I jumped a plane to the USA.
Do I miss it, hell yeah! buut now all I got is memories, it will never return to the old, wild, devil may care days :cry:
Thanks all for this thread, it keeps this old mans memory alive.
I have seen threads from old M/E drivers living here in the US, it would be great to hook up with some of y’all and share the past. My email is … dehustler@gmail.com
Regards Bernard (Barney) Snipe

1652

Hi, I am not a HGV driver, Just a 57 year old Wanna Be who got the truck bug from my Dad who was a Truck driver.
Back In 1979 I had a 3 month spell working in Baghdad (May, June, July.) installing 2 flight simulators for Iraqi Airlines at Baghdad airport.
We stayed at a hotel along the Airport Highway, It stood about 100yrds back from the main road, The Hotel was called “Ibn Fenaz” (spelling?).
One afternoon when returning from work as the mini coach turned off of the highway towards the hotel I spotted 3 british trucks parked up outside the hotel, There was 2 Ford Transcontinetals from Hicks transport, and a White Road Commander pulling a Whittle trailer.
My work mates were suprised to see these vehicles from england, So I had to fill them in on what I knew about overland transport from the UK to the ME.
Latter in the day I went outside to take some photos of the trucks, There was a driver with the Whittles truck so I asked if he minded me taking some photos, He was OK with it so I carried on.
Whilst taking the photos the driver told me that he had some hassle on the way done with an air pipe rubbing thru on the load sensing valve (At least I think thats what he said?), I don’t remember the drivers name
Never got to talk to the Hicks drivers I am sorry to say.
A week later and there was some Dutch trucks parked up outside the hotel, All very friendly drivers and one afternoon I got offered a lift with a driver called “Ruddi” when he went to get some diesel, so I did get to do a few kliks of Middle east trucking.
I was trying to get a lift back to the UK on a truck but when my employer found out what I was doing they expressly forbad me from doing it and would have fired me If I did, so I missed out.
I don’t have the photos either because my darling EX wife burnt them with a load of other stuff one day.

Would this hotel have been a regular stop over for ME drivers ? (there were many european engineers and construction workers staying there)
My interest with Astran and the whole overland transport idea started after reading about asian transport in the AA drive magazine or reader digest magazine in the late 60s I think.
Ive still got a dogearred paper back copy of Cola Cowboys, Have also got “Not all Sunshine and Sand”, I Bought Ahley’s book last year (superb Book Ashley, A real Work of Art) and have just bought “Baghdad Trucker” on ebay for £12.
Thanks to everybody on here that have posted pictures and stories of there travels and please keep them coming as Ive really enjoyed reading them all

1653

sundanceuk:
My interest with Astran and the whole overland transport idea started after reading about asian transport in the AA drive magazine or reader digest magazine in the late 60s I think.

I remember reading this. I think it was Readers Digest. The author of the article rode shotgun in one of the red LBS76s. He described it the latest thing in driver accomodation, or something like that. I like to read articles by writers from outside the industry- they present it with a sense of perspective, giving the more noteworthy aspects due enthusiasm, and describing details which possibly jaded “insiders” would take for granted.

1654

[zb]
anorak:

sundanceuk:
My interest with Astran and the whole overland transport idea started after reading about asian transport in the AA drive magazine or reader digest magazine in the late 60s I think.

I remember reading this. I think it was Readers Digest. The author of the article rode shotgun in one of the red LBS76s. He described it the latest thing in driver accomodation, or something like that. I like to read articles by writers from outside the industry- they present it with a sense of perspective, giving the more noteworthy aspects due enthusiasm, and describing details which possibly jaded “insiders” would take for granted.

Thats spot on anorak, I did keep the magazine it was in but over the years it’s been misplaced, there was some good photos with the article Too.

1655

sundanceuk:
Hi, I am not a HGV driver, Just a 57 year old Wanna Be who got the truck bug from my Dad who was a Truck driver.
Back In 1979 I had a 3 month spell working in Baghdad (May, June, July.) installing 2 flight simulators for Iraqi Airlines at Baghdad airport.
We stayed at a hotel along the Airport Highway, It stood about 100yrds back from the main road, The Hotel was called “Ibn Fenaz” (spelling?).
One afternoon when returning from work as the mini coach turned off of the highway towards the hotel I spotted 3 british trucks parked up outside the hotel, There was 2 Ford Transcontinetals from Hicks transport, and a White Road Commander pulling a Whittle trailer.
My work mates were suprised to see these vehicles from england, So I had to fill them in on what I knew about overland transport from the UK to the ME.
Latter in the day I went outside to take some photos of the trucks, There was a driver with the Whittles truck so I asked if he minded me taking some photos, He was OK with it so I carried on.
Whilst taking the photos the driver told me that he had some hassle on the way done with an air pipe rubbing thru on the load sensing valve (At least I think thats what he said?), I don’t remember the drivers name
Never got to talk to the Hicks drivers I am sorry to say.
A week later and there was some Dutch trucks parked up outside the hotel, All very friendly drivers and one afternoon I got offered a lift with a driver called “Ruddi” when he went to get some diesel, so I did get to do a few kliks of Middle east trucking.
I was trying to get a lift back to the UK on a truck but when my employer found out what I was doing they expressly forbad me from doing it and would have fired me If I did, so I missed out.
I don’t have the photos either because my darling EX wife burnt them with a load of other stuff one day.

Would this hotel have been a regular stop over for ME drivers ? (there were many european engineers and construction workers staying there)
My interest with Astran and the whole overland transport idea started after reading about asian transport in the AA drive magazine or reader digest magazine in the late 60s I think.
Ive still got a dogearred paper back copy of Cola Cowboys, Have also got “Not all Sunshine and Sand”, I Bought Ahley’s book last year (superb Book Ashley, A real Work of Art) and have just bought “Baghdad Trucker” on ebay for £12.
Thanks to everybody on here that have posted pictures and stories of there travels and please keep them coming as Ive really enjoyed reading them all

That dog eared Coca Cowboy was worth ay least £70 a coupla yrs. ago.But today,its not.

1656

sundanceuk:

[zb]
anorak:

sundanceuk:
My interest with Astran and the whole overland transport idea started after reading about asian transport in the AA drive magazine or reader digest magazine in the late 60s I think.

I remember reading this. I think it was Readers Digest. The author of the article rode shotgun in one of the red LBS76s. He described it the latest thing in driver accomodation, or something like that. I like to read articles by writers from outside the industry- they present it with a sense of perspective, giving the more noteworthy aspects due enthusiasm, and describing details which possibly jaded “insiders” would take for granted.

Thats spot on anorak, I did keep the magazine it was in but over the years it’s been misplaced, there was some good photos with the article Too.

Yep. Mine’s gone missing too. No doubt it will turn up when the house-clearance boys come to sift through my junk.

1657

You are suddenly very chatty these last days, Freddie. Did they change your tablets? :smiley:

Lets be honest we all lucked or bullshi**ed our way into our first job on the Middle East. As bestbooties has said there were plenty people with an HGV and even continental experience but our M/E experience we had to get as we went along. Some made it, some not. But my God it was one hell of a good time to be a driver - and there will never be anything like it again.

No, Freddie, I did not know that. hands up!

The subject of Cola Cowboys has also come up. I am just reading it for the first time and I must say that anybody who paid £700 or even 7 pence was robbed. I shall get all cross later!

David

1658

Memory is fading a bit, but is this Kim Belcher of Astrans examining his camera after a few effes at lunchtime…A little further back to get everyone in… this was taken around 1982 Londra Camping.

I took the good lady to Istanbul in October last year, as I have been going on about what a great place it is for over thirty years and said we would have to visit the Londra Camping as a mark of respect. Dissapointed to find it was an indoor Go Cart track and two five aside pitches :cry:

1659

Just discovered this board and have spent ages reading through the posts and remembering my youth, old faces,names and carefree days.

Not without a touch of sadness to read of old friends and others who have passed on.

Stuck in the drawer are lots of old photos and some Super 8 needing to be digitized before its irrecoverable.
Here’s just a few pics that I do have on the PC, mid 70s






1660

whisperingsmith:
Just discovered this board and have spent ages reading through the posts and remembering my youth, old faces,names and carefree days.

Not without a touch of sadness to read of old friends and others who have passed on.

Stuck in the drawer are lots of old photos and some Super 8 needing to be digitized before its irrecoverable.
Here’s just a few pics that I do have on the PC, mid 70s






Great pic’s Whisperingsmith, thanks for posting them, I’m sure I’m not alone in looking forward to some more from you, & welcome to the ‘board’!!

Ross.