Irish trucks hit the road

Search Impex has just announced that a brand new 1/50 scale DAF XF105 Space cab (6x2) tractor unit with 3 axle, curtain trailer will be available soon in the anniversary livery of Northern Ireland-based haulier R Barkley & Sons Ltd. Commissioned to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary, the models will be produced exclusively for Search Impex by WSI Collectibles and will be a certificated limited edition.
Established in Ballymoney, County Antrim, in August 1962 by Richard Barkley, the last half a century has witnessed substantial growth and successful development of this business. Now headed up by the second generation of the Barkley family (sons Kenneth & Brian), today’s business operates a fleet comprising 45 trucks (predominantly DAF) and more than 100 trailers (mainly curtain and flatbed but also a number of box van and fridge trailers as well as low loaders).
More than 60 people are employed across three sites (Ballymoney, Heywood & Stoke), providing a strong UK/Ireland distribution service. The business undertakes general haulage as well as the movement of machinery and plant, including tractors, and it also offers warehousing and storage facilities to its customers.
Any collectors wishing to reserve a model should register their interest with Search Impex as soon as possible and provide their contact details. The models are expected to be priced around £134 each (including UK delivery & VAT). We do not have any pre-production models to photograph at present but below is the 'real' vehicle on which the model will be accurately based.

Trucks currently available from Search Impex with Irish connections include Allingham Transport’s 1/43 scale Mercedes Actros Megaspace (6x2) tractor unit with a 3 axle, curtain trailer, customised in Northern Ireland-based operator Allingham Transport’s livery. Haling from Cookstown, County Tyrone, Allingham Transport was established in the mid 1960s by present day MD, John Allingham. The company has remained a family owned and run operation but has now grown to a fleet of around 40 trucks (predominantly Mercedes) and about 80 trailers – mostly curtain. This model is available now, priced £112.

A 1/50 scale Iveco Stralis (4x2) tractor unit and 3 axle, refrigerated (carrier) trailer, customised in the well-known livery of European refrigerated transport and cold storage specialist McCulla (Ireland) Ltd is also available to collectors.
With its HQ in Lisburn, County Antrim, McCulla (Ireland) was established in 1969 and now has over 40 years’ experience in the haulage and logistics industry. The company operates 90,000 tonnes of refrigerated storage space as well as specialist blast freezing facilities and offers temperature controlled haulage services throughout Ireland, the UK and Europe.
With over 90 vehicles on the road, including refrigerated vans and rigid trucks as well as articulated lorries, 15,000 tonnes of refrigerated produce are moved over 200,000 miles daily. Indeed, McCulla trucks will be a familiar sight to many collectors and the limited edition (105 pieces) model is yours for £138.

The 1/50 scale Volvo FH Globetrotter XL (4x2) and 3 axle, refrigerated trailer customised in the classy livery of Irish seafood products specialist Rockabill Shellfish Ltd is also available.
Rockabill Shellfish was established in 1984 by Bill Price, present day MD. Located at Balbriggan on the east coast of Ireland, the company has more than 25 years’ experience in the fishing industry and currently operates a fleet of nine trawlers as well as having its own processing facility, cold store and refrigerated transport. The company specializes in ‘Fresh Frozen’ seafood products and the limted edition (102 pieces) truck is available now, priced £135.

A limited edition DAF XF Space cab (6x4) with 4 axle Nooteboom extending low loader trailer, customised in the livery of Northern Ireland-based heavy haulage specialist Rice Continental, represents this family owned business specialising in the haulage of heavy and abnormal loads. The company is based in Dungannon and with over 40 years’ experience and a comprehensive fleet of units and trailers, Rice Continental has built up the expertise to haul abnormal loads throughout Ireland, mainland UK and Europe, including as far afield as Russia and other east European destinations. The model is priced at £143.

A Volvo FH12 Globetrotter 6x2 with 3 axle, curtain trailer, customised in the distinctive livery of another Northern Ireland-based operator RS Carmichael has also been produced by WSI Collectibles exclusively for Search Impex.
Established in 1988 and based in Ballyclare, RS Carmichael is a family-run business specialising in general haulage and container work. The company runs a mix of Volvo and Scania trucks and operates a fleet of around 30 trailers, including curtainside, flats and skeletal trailers, and undertakes work throughout the UK and Ireland. This limited edition (175 pieces) model comes with an RRP of £134 whilst its sister model, coming complete with trailer decals, retails at £139.

Full details of all these trucks and many others can be found at www.search-impex.co.uk