 
MARCH, 2005 UPDATE CRT MEMBERS AREA at MSN GROUPS Last month I began some minor changes to the CRT Toys/Models photo gallery at MSN Groups, which has now been renamed the "Members Area". Originally, I had set this up to host pictures of refuse truck toys, and thus avoid tying up valuable server space here on the main site. The MSN site is still the same, and all the toy photos are there, but I am no longer recommending that the albums be restricted to toys only. I am now encouraging members to post pictures of anything refuse truck related, including contemporary refuse vehicles. Since 3MB of photo hosting is provided free to each individual by MSN, I can see no reason to limit the space to toys only. Some new members from the UK and Sweden have already posted some great photos, and I've added some more pictures of my own Lego creations as well. There is no charge or membership requirement to view either site. However, those wishing to post to the MSN site will have to register and obtain a NET Passport (a password). Those who seek privacy need not post their name, e-mail address or other personal information. If you already have a Hotmail account, you may use your Hotmail address to log in to the MSN site. To join, go to the Members Area and click on the "Join Now" link at the upper right of your screen. This is not an age-restricted group, all are welcome, and we already have one young fan of refuse trucks registered in the group!  Also new in the Members Area are some great photos of the famous Child Guidance #2500 Loadmaster refuse truck. I have received several requests for information about this classic replica, so I have posted images of some trucks from my own collection. To view, see the Toys-Loadmaster album album in the Members Area.
And finally, beginning this month I will no longer post the CRT Truck of the Month at the MSN site. That feature will remain here at the main site, and past selections (as well as past news updates) will remain on file in the CRT Archives. All of these areas may be accessed from the navigation bar which appears in the left hand column of most pages within this site. INDUSTRY NEWS I have modified the Industry Links page, and removed Nu-Life Environmental from the list. I had erroneously listed them as the current builder of the E-Z Pack Goliath rear loader. While Nu-Life does build some light refuse equipment, they are actually only an E-Z Pack dealer. In July, 2003, McClain Industries had announced the sale of their E-Z Pack division to Clean Earth Environmental L.L.C. The Galion, Ohio, factory was to remain open until production could be transferred to Cynthiana, Kentucky. McClain has recently sold it's remaining stationary packer/container line to Wastequip. Clean Earth still has the press release posted, but has yet to advertise any refuse bodies on their website. As of this writing, the fate of E-Z Pack would seem to be in doubt. Leach Company, has apparently completed transfer of production from Oshkosh, Wisconsin to the Wittke plant in Alberta. Their web site has recently been updated, and it was noted that the Wittke front loaders have now been re-badged as Leach product. Last summer, parent company Federal Signal Corporation had announced plans to cease production at Oshkosh, after an unprecedented seventy years of refuse truck production. This has resulted in the layoffs of more than 200 employees. For the original story, see the October, 2004 CRT update. Attempts to access the old Wittke.com URL now re-direct to the Leach website. COLLECTING TOY & REPLICA REFUSE TRUCKS Many enthusiasts enjoy collecting toy and replica refuse trucks. I received a nice note from one such collector, Ronnie Keshishian of Arizona, who has a collection of 450 pieces! Not only has Ronnie been featured in his local paper, but has been the subject of an article in Waste Age magazine. Friends, it just doesn't get any better than that! (well, maybe making the cover would be better...) But seriously, that is some fantastic collection, in league with the 750 model collection of Jaap Mikkers from The Netherlands. While I can't come close to matching what Ronnie and Jaap have, I'll get the ball rolling by posting pictures of my own fleet. Anyone may post pictures of their collection in the CRT Members Area. By the way, Ronnie's Waste Age article is available online at the Waste Age website. BEMARS FRONT LOADER 
Bemars Front Loader circa 1960 (courtesy Zachary Geroux) ALL THINGS SD After a temporary period of technical difficulty, Brian Carpenter's Unofficial Shelvoke & Drewry Site. has returned to the web, and the Spring 2005 Enthusiasts Club Magazine is now online at that site. All links throughout CRT have been updated to the new URL. Congratulations are in order as this marks the third year of publication for the magazine, of which many of us are so fond. Speaking of SD, I also heard from Shaun Taylor who runs the The SD Fan Group at MSN. This is undoubtedly the finest collection of high-quality SD photos, arranged in easy to access albums, and even includes some factory literature. Be sure to check it out if you haven't already. Can't get enough of those Revopaks!!! FILMS, BOOKS Along with lots of photos of Dutch RCV's, Jaap Mikkers also submitted a title for the films list. Garbo is a comedy from Australia released in 1992. This looks to be a great one, but I must caution those purchasing any DVD to check the region code carefully, as I understand that there are different standards used throughout the world. Jaap also sent in a book title, An Illustrated History of Dustcarts which I've added to the Books section. I've actually been trying to obtain a copy of this British book for review, but it has been difficult to obtain a reasonably priced copy. From what Jaap has shown me I would say that this is a title well worth seeking out, particularly those who are interested in British/European makes. The month of March marks CRT's Sixth Month on the World Wide Web, so I would like to again thank Bill Wood for providing a home for CRT on the TAU.com servers, and thanks to all of you who have supported and contributed to this site, your home for classic refuse trucks. Eric Voytko, March 5, 2005 Click here to return to the CRT Archives All Rights Reserved Logos shown are the trademarks of respective manufacturers Photos from factory brochures/trade advertisements except as noted |