Since the advent of the Euro-6 emission standard for trucks in 2014, Chester-le-Street based Beamish Transport has increased the number of Volvo Trucks in its 50-strong fleet of car, van and caravan transporters.
Managing director, Darrin Pickering reports a strong connection with Volvo products that goes back to Beamish Transport’s formative years in the late 1990s. “We bought two high mileage FH tractor units, one of which had two million kilometres on the clock. Both trucks delivered sterling service over six years here and I believe one is still working in Cyprus!”
This rugged longevity has ensured that Volvo products have been present in this distinctively liveried North East of England operation for almost twenty years. All the company’s Volvos were supplied by Volvo Truck and Bus Centre North & Scotland at Washington.
Beamish Transport turned to Volvo for a solution after it encountered challenges thrown up by the latest exhaust emission standards. “Euro-6 hit us hard with available chassis heights, as all of our transport fleet must conform to a maximum 16 feet (4.8 metres) overall height when loaded. Volvo had the solution with its medium height chassis,” noted Darrin.
Currently Beamish Transport operates eleven Volvo FM tractor units and six Volvo FH rigids, which work across the UK. The FM 6×2 prime movers operate at 44 tonnes and are fitted with Belle Rolfo transporter bodywork that can accommodate a maximum of eleven cars.
Beamish Transport finds the six cylinder D13K engine ideal and the firm’s standard specification also includes Volvo’s I-Shift automated gearbox with I-See. The FM’s optional low sleeper cab gives plenty of room for a car to be transported above the driver, whilst an air suspended, middle axle saves nearly a tonne on the combination’s unladen weight.
Six Volvo FH 4×2 rigid chassis also play a key role in Beamish Transport’s nationwide caravan, motorhome and van distribution networks. Used in combination with drawbar trailers, the FH’s Rolfo Venus bodywork on the 5600mm chassis can also be altered to carry six cars on a return trip.
Darrin Pickering opted for the 460hp variant of Volvo’s D13K engine, in addition to Globetrotter XL cabs and I-See with the gearboxes. “Most of our Volvo Trucks work seven days a week, via two drivers on a four days on, four days off, rota,” Darrin advised. “We always include a fridge and the Drive trim option in our Volvo specifications. The in-service performance levels of both the FM and FH trucks have been superb, whilst driver feedback is also good,” he added.
Beamish Transport’s latest Volvo fleet additions represent an investment of almost £200,000 each, so Darrin Pickering plans an eight-year retention period for the trucks. He also specifies individual fleet names that complement the high specification paintwork, applied by local experts, R Harold Cars and Commercials.
Those fleet monikers carry the Beamish prefix and a suffix beginning with the letter B. A look around the yard at Chester-le-Street reveals Beamish Boomerang alongside Beamish Black Magic and Beamish Balmoral. Two of the most recent Volvo FM tractor units to enter service are adorned with scripts noting Beamish Bowie and Beamish Beatles. These new Volvos pay tribute to the famous English born music artist and the Fab Four’s record producer Sir George Martin, who both died recently.
