A Western Star 5700XE and Kenworth T680 Advantage completed long delivery journeys this week in bringing Christmas trees to the Michigan and U.S. Capitol buildings, respectively.
The Western Star truck was driven from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Lansing by Denny Olson, a long-time logger and champion of Western Star trucks. Olson, whose usual vehicle is a 1990 Western Star 4964, enjoyed the trip in Western Star’s newest model.
“That is some beautiful truck,” he said. “It’s not a logging truck, but I can’t think of a more impressive vehicle to make the delivery in. The tree always draws attention, but this year the truck is also drawing the spotlight.”
Daimler Trucks North America said it was only fitting that a Western Star deliver the Michigan state tree. The engine, transmission and axles were built in-state by Detroit Diesel in Redford, Mich.
Additionally, Kenworth’s T680 rolled into Washington, D.C. with Montana owner-operator Larry Spiekermeier behind the wheel on Monday. After a two-plus week journey with Spiekermeier and the Kenworth T680, the Architect of the Capitol and staff have now taken over care of the tree and will prepare it for its big debut next Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017, at the tree-lighting ceremony.
Spiekermeier transported the “People’s Tree” in a T680 featuring the Paccar MX-13 engine, Paccar 12-speed automated transmission with column-mounted shifter, and Paccar 40,000-lb. tandem rear axle.
