History Channel's Ice Road Truckers

[BobPalma]

Given the composition of this group, surely many have been enjoying The History Channel's Ice Road Trucker Series. [^] 'Nothing much old enough to be Studebaker-related [V] in the original series, although I did note a 1961-1963 Cadillac under the snow in Yellowknife.

Ice Road Truckers was reportedly the The History Channel's biggest hit ever, with 3.4 million viewers for the initial episode!

Hence, they continued with a follow-up of Then & Now on The Ice Road Sunday evening, Aug 26, showing some old-time footage of when the road was first conceived. The originator said he bought a WWII surplus Marmon-Herrington 4X4 truck for the initial runs. Studebaker likewise used Marmon-Herrington four-wheel-drive units, with M-H history traced right back here to Indianapolis. (Did M-H actually make [u]whole trucks </u>for WWII, or just the 4X4 chassis components, installed under various makes-including Studebaker?)

Did anyone see any Studebaker trucks in the early "Then & Now" Ice Road episode? I did not, but the old trucks were coming across the screen pretty fast, and it would have been easy to miss a Stude. I'll bet some WWII-surplus 4X4 Studes made the early Ice Road trips before the road got high-tech.

I'd be interested in reading posts from Gordon and others with their impressions of The Ice Road and related Canadian adventures. It was a great series on The History Channel, and it will be interesting to watch their continued follow-ups. BP

[gordr]

Bob, I don't know if that program is shown on the Canadian version of the History Channel. I'm just not a TV watcher; it could be on and I'd miss it, 9 times out of 10.

I will check out the History Channel on the satellite TV here, and maybe go to their website and see if it is offered.

Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands

[gordr]

Bob, I don't know if that program is shown on the Canadian version of the History Channel. I'm just not a TV watcher; it could be on and I'd miss it, 9 times out of 10.

I will check out the History Channel on the satellite TV here, and maybe go to their website and see if it is offered.

Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands

[DEEPNHOCK]

My cousin from Regina did that run for one winter, and then promptly moved from Saskatchewan to Vancouver, BC.
He said it was no fun at all. Worst thing he saw was a flatbed hauling well drill pipe that stuffed it into a ditch on a portage.
Frozen drill pipe doesn't tie down real well and when the guy hit the ditch the pipe all slid forward. After they uprighted the truck, they towed it back to town (Yellowknife?) and unhooked the cab from the trailer. They then took the truck inside to thaw it out and get the guy out of the wrecked cab.
And they shoved a rod through some of the drill pipe to get the rest of him out.
TV makes it seem too easy.
Jeff[8D]

quote:Originally posted by BobPalma

&lt;snip&gt;
I'd be interested in reading posts from Gordon and others with their impressions of The Ice Road and related Canadian adventures. It was a great series on The History Channel, and it will be interesting to watch their continued follow-ups. BP

Deep-N-Hock Acres
Brooklet, Georgia
DEEPNHOCK at Gmail.com
'37 Coupe Express
'37 Coupe Express Trailer (project)
'61 Hawk (project: Ist Gen Owner - project)
Mysterious Project Z
http://community.webshots.com/user/deepnhock

[DEEPNHOCK]

My cousin from Regina did that run for one winter, and then promptly moved from Saskatchewan to Vancouver, BC.
He said it was no fun at all. Worst thing he saw was a flatbed hauling well drill pipe that stuffed it into a ditch on a portage.
Frozen drill pipe doesn't tie down real well and when the guy hit the ditch the pipe all slid forward. After they uprighted the truck, they towed it back to town (Yellowknife?) and unhooked the cab from the trailer. They then took the truck inside to thaw it out and get the guy out of the wrecked cab.
And they shoved a rod through some of the drill pipe to get the rest of him out.
TV makes it seem too easy.
Jeff[8D]

quote:Originally posted by BobPalma

&lt;snip&gt;
I'd be interested in reading posts from Gordon and others with their impressions of The Ice Road and related Canadian adventures. It was a great series on The History Channel, and it will be interesting to watch their continued follow-ups. BP

Deep-N-Hock Acres
Brooklet, Georgia
DEEPNHOCK at Gmail.com
'37 Coupe Express
'37 Coupe Express Trailer (project)
'61 Hawk (project: Ist Gen Owner - project)
Mysterious Project Z
http://community.webshots.com/user/deepnhock

[Chris Pile]

I haven't been watching the series (my dad loves it), but did watch the 2 hour program that has been shown several times through the years.
Only burly men need apply.

Chris Pile
The Studebaker Special
Midway Chapter SDC

[Chris Pile]

I haven't been watching the series (my dad loves it), but did watch the 2 hour program that has been shown several times through the years.
Only burly men need apply.

Chris Pile
The Studebaker Special
Midway Chapter SDC

[glen]

Excellent programing.....sure beats regular TV any nite of the
week. Missed last nights "Then and Now" but have the DVR set
for 11pm AST Tuesday night...


Sue Ellen 1964 Daytona
glen Brose
Tumbleweed Flats, AZ

[glen]

Excellent programing.....sure beats regular TV any nite of the
week. Missed last nights "Then and Now" but have the DVR set
for 11pm AST Tuesday night...


Sue Ellen 1964 Daytona
glen Brose
Tumbleweed Flats, AZ

[Transtar56]

I spent some time working for the Govt. of the N.W.T back in the eighties and have many memories of Yellowknife,Resolute Bay,Cambridge Bay,they were flying me all over the high artic checking steam plants(very important up there were -70 isn't uncommon).Ive driven on a few ice roads,and if you have good winter driving skills thier no big deal.

Interestingly enough,I got a call from a guy that needs a steam plant operator in Fort Nelson B.C.,which is just below the Yukon border.
I told him Im on my way to Fort McMurray tommorrow,but Id still like to check out Fort Nelson. Sounds like beautiful country.
Bring long underwear.

[Transtar56]

I spent some time working for the Govt. of the N.W.T back in the eighties and have many memories of Yellowknife,Resolute Bay,Cambridge Bay,they were flying me all over the high artic checking steam plants(very important up there were -70 isn't uncommon).Ive driven on a few ice roads,and if you have good winter driving skills thier no big deal.

Interestingly enough,I got a call from a guy that needs a steam plant operator in Fort Nelson B.C.,which is just below the Yukon border.
I told him Im on my way to Fort McMurray tommorrow,but Id still like to check out Fort Nelson. Sounds like beautiful country.
Bring long underwear.

[monomaniac]

I haven't seen this, Mr. Palma, but just remember 40 below zero or colder and ice is NOT slippery. Even studded tires do no good at those temperatures but you don't need them. No problem driving on it.

[monomaniac]

I haven't seen this, Mr. Palma, but just remember 40 below zero or colder and ice is NOT slippery. Even studded tires do no good at those temperatures but you don't need them. No problem driving on it.

[rockne10]

quote:40 below zero or colder and ice is NOT slippery. Even studded tires do no good at those temperatures but you don't need them. No problem driving on it.

Many years ago, when my '53 Coupe was my daily driver, I lived half-way up a mountain. The last mile was unpaved and tree covered, so it never got enough sun to thaw. Once it was packed hard and frozen, I had better traction with my 7.60-15 bias summer treads than I did with chains.

Every morning I would drive to the bottom of the mountain, put on the chains and drive to work. After work I would drive back, stop and take off the chains for the last mile.

Would I drive the Ice Road? NO CHANCE!

Brad Johnson
Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
'33 Rockne 10, '51 Commander Starlight, '53 Commander Starlight

[rockne10]

quote:40 below zero or colder and ice is NOT slippery. Even studded tires do no good at those temperatures but you don't need them. No problem driving on it.

Many years ago, when my '53 Coupe was my daily driver, I lived half-way up a mountain. The last mile was unpaved and tree covered, so it never got enough sun to thaw. Once it was packed hard and frozen, I had better traction with my 7.60-15 bias summer treads than I did with chains.

Every morning I would drive to the bottom of the mountain, put on the chains and drive to work. After work I would drive back, stop and take off the chains for the last mile.

Would I drive the Ice Road? NO CHANCE!

Brad Johnson
Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
'33 Rockne 10, '51 Commander Starlight, '53 Commander Starlight