My girlfriend is a shipping supervisor at major manufacturing plant. It's the only job she has ever had so she's been there a while. She knows all of the truckers & they all know her. Most of them also know that I'm into model railroading. The other day the CFF driver brought her in a 1:43 diecast set of doubles. Thought that was extremely nice of him.
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Spence, nice is an understatement. This double is just beautiful. Should go nicely on your layout.
Spence - That is a very nice looking truck. Normally a 1/43 semi is huge and doesn't look right next to our other vehicles. When you get a chance to compare it will be interesting.
Who makes it?
Art
Very cool! I work for International Paper and travel to mill sites around the United States frequently and have seen these "appreciation gifts" in the shipping offices before. I always eyeball them closely due to me being into model railroading. Some of the bigger shippers like ABF, CF, etc... will do a minimum order amount to get their company name on a little truck, or even a locomotive or railcar or tiny ship in the case of MAERSK. I saw a two foot model of one of MAERSK LINES ships that was pretty awesome!
Those little models are pretty expensive! It's all about giving the customer something they will like and keeping your name in front of them! A little truck is something that will get displayed and not lost under the stacks of free calanders, magnets, and other swag given out.
That is fantastic truck, Spence. I tried to read the labels on the box but can't make them out. Who made it? It is gorgeous.
That's cool. Nice truck. Thanks for sharing!
Lee; That box was just used for the photo. Tonkin made the TT.
Art:Tonkin, Ill compare it later & post a photo.
Tackindy;The sales reps for these trucking companies never come out in the plant to actually see the people that load the trucks. They just go to the office & those people confiscate all the gifts. The truck drivers on the other hand deal with the people in the plant & when they get extra items usually bring them in. (Hats, pens, etc.)
Spence,
You have a promotional set. Years ago I collected such sets. My most prized was the, CF set pulled by a Freightliner Cabover. The UPS gray van set pulled by a brown Peterbilt Cabover is extremely rare. My ex-wife still has my entire collection after all these years.(it's a long story)
"Pappy"
Since it's Tonkin, maybe it's 1/53?
Art
Great looking, Spence. I was under the impression that CF was out of business? I've got Weaver's 35' trailer but your pups look a lot nicer!
I just looked up Tonkin's website and 1/53 is their largest size.
I'm going to contact them and see what it would cost to produce a bunch of them for "O" railroaders.
Since it's Tonkin, maybe it's 1/53?
Art
Art; Here's a comparison from the 1:43 TT to the 1:43 cars.
It looks really good to me.
Looks good to me too.
Art
that looks great. who made the school bus?
Great looking, Spence. I was under the impression that CF was out of business? I've got Weaver's 35' trailer but your pups look a lot nicer!
I just looked up Tonkin's website and 1/53 is their largest size.
I'm going to contact them and see what it would cost to produce a bunch of them for "O" railroaders.
Consolidated Freightway Industries operated Consolidated Freightways, The regional Con-Way Express companies. They also owned the truck builder Freightliner and in 1981 sold it to Daimler-Benz. 1989 purchased Emery Air Freight and later sold it to UPS.
In 1996 they spun of their unionized Consolidated Freightways long haul trucking to form two separate companies. They combined their non-union Con-Way regional companies and changed their corporate name to Con-Way.
Consolidated Freightways Trucking declared bankruptcy in 2002 and ceased operation.
Great score SPENCE!!!! Maybe your girlfriend is holding off more stuff for you on Dec.25th? Enjoy!
that looks great. who made the school bus?
That's awesome!
Hi Spence, those are terrific looking models
. I use 1/43 scale diecast vehicles exclusively to go with with my predominantly scale size 3 rail equipment. Enjoy!
Stack
Super!
Very nice trucks and that's another good deed coming your way. You must be livin' a good clean life (at least that's what I tell people when something goes right for me for a change). 
Congratulations, Spence! I love nice stories like this. Reaffirms my trust in the human race.
ILikeBigTrucksTooBear
Great looking truck. You are very lucky. Good effort!
Very cool Model Railroad Story, sounds like it is a good idea that your friends know you are into model railroading. Cool trucks.
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