The T680, assembled at the Chillicothe plant, stopped in on November 16 so employees could look over “The People’s Tree” before it wrapped up its trip to Washington, D.C. The truck was driven by Michael Porter, a Swift Transportation driver based out of the Phoenix terminal. He has been hauling the tree from town to town as part of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour.

This year’s tree is a red fir nicknamed “Silver Belle.” It came out of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada and has made community stops across the country. The tour theme for 2025 highlights the Spirit of the Silver State.

Kenworth employees take extra pride in seeing their work roll in with a haul like this. Plant manager Doug VanZuiden said, “Our employees take great pride in assembling The World’s Best Trucks and welcoming back the T680, built right here in Chillicothe, has become a special way for our employees and their families to kick off the holiday season.”

Knight Swift was chosen as this year’s tour carrier and selected Porter to handle the run. Kenworth provided a specially wrapped T680 featuring Nevada forest artwork along with a seventy-six-inch sleeper and the full PACCAR Powertrain, including the PACCAR MX 13 engine, PACCAR TX 12 automated transmission, and PACCAR DX 40 tandem rear axles.

The tour also featured real-time GPS tracking using Kenworth’s TruckTech Plus connected technology. Anyone following the journey could check the tree’s location through the Kenworth Tree Tracker map.

This is the twelfth straight year a Kenworth will deliver the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. Silver Belle is scheduled to arrive on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on November 21. The annual lighting ceremony will take place in early December.

More details about the tour can be found on the official 2025 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree website.

Source: Kenworth, The Trucker

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The tour theme, “Where Nature, People, and Tradition Come Together,” is highlighted by the special design on the T680, featuring Alaska’s Tongass and Chugach National Forests. This year, thanks to Kenworth’s TruckTech+ technology, the real-time GPS location of the tree can be tracked via an interactive map.

Lynden, an Alaskan company, has been chosen as the official carrier for this year’s tour. Veteran drivers Fred Austin and John Schank, both of whom joined Lynden in 1975, have been selected to transport the tree. With over 10 million accident-free miles driven collectively, they bring extensive expertise to the task. This marks Schank’s second time transporting the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, having previously done so in 2015.

The Kenworth T680, equipped with a 76-inch sleeper, boasts the PACCAR Powertrain, including a PACCAR MX-13 engine with 455 horsepower, a PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission, and PACCAR DX-40 tandem rear axles. Inside, the truck features a Diamond VIT interior with slate gray and madrona accents, offering amenities like GT703 leather seats that are heated and cooled.

The sleeper area includes conveniences such as a microwave, TV, factory-installed fridge, and rotating work table, along with advanced driver assistance systems like Kenworth’s Digital Mirrors and Bendix Fusion Adaptive Cruise Control.

“Kenworth is proud to again provide the truck that will transport the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree for the 11th consecutive year,” said Kevin Haygood, Kenworth assistant general manager for sales and marketing. “Our continuing participation in this celebration that spreads holiday cheer in local communities from coast-to-coast is a program we look forward to every year.”

In early December, the tree will be lit in a ceremony hosted by the Architect of the Capitol in coordination with the U.S. Speaker of the House. For further details, visit the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree website.

Source: Truckers News

Image: Kenworth

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Continuing a treasured U.S. Forest Service tradition that spans decades, Lynden Transport has been chosen to handle this prestigious delivery. Established in 1923, the National Park Service has been overseeing the display of the National Christmas Tree near the White House for nearly a century.

Expressing the company’s pride, Lynden Transport President Paul Grimaldi shared on their website, “We are proud that we are again being entrusted with the delivery of the tree and supporting the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour.”

This year’s Capitol Christmas Tree, an impressive 80-foot Sitka spruce sourced from Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, promises to be a sight to behold. Once it’s cut, it will be transported by barge to Seattle, courtesy of Lynden Transport’s affiliate, Alaska Marine Lines, as noted by Grimaldi.

Veteran drivers Fred Austin and John Schank will undertake the significant cross-country trek, delivering the majestic tree to the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Originating in 1964, the Capitol Christmas Tree tradition was adopted by the Forest Service in 1970, designating it “the People’s Tree.”

John Schank, having previously delivered a 74-foot Lutz spruce from Alaska’s Chugach National Forest in 2015, is no stranger to this honorable task.

Founded in 1906 as Lynden Transfer by 23-year-old Ed Austin, who initially used a horse-drawn wagon to transport goods from a railway depot to local businesses, the company has grown substantially. By 1921, Austin had acquired a truck, expanding services to include delivering eggs and milk to Seattle.

Today, Lynden Transport boasts a network of a dozen companies, efficiently transporting freight via land, sea, and air, with key offices in Anchorage and Seattle.

Source: Transport Topics

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Upon reaching its destination, the tree will be adorned with handmade ornaments crafted by West Virginians, serving as a heartfelt gift to the city. In addition, smaller Christmas trees will be distributed to service members at Joint Base Andrews and various offices in Washington.

“We are honored to be part of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative again this year,” said Kendra Tucker, chief executive officer at Truckstop. “Supporting our customer Werner Enterprises as they transport a seasonal symbol to our nation’s capital aligns with our mission to empower carriers with real-time data for informed decision-making to move freight efficiently in a high-trust marketplace.”

This initiative thrives on contributions, both in cash and in-kind, from companies of all sizes and the dedication of local and nationwide volunteers who generously offer their time and resources.

“The annual journey is only possible with the help of strong community partnerships throughout West Virginia and beyond state lines,” said Bruce Ward, president of Choose Outdoors. “We’re grateful for the time and resources Truckstop provides to help make this the best year yet.”

For further details on news, events, and tour information, please visit uscapitolchristmastree.com.

Source: Freightwaves

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To transport this festive symbol of the season, a special edition Kenworth T680 truck, celebrating Kenworth’s 100th anniversary, has been adorned with a custom graphics wrap. It will soon embark on a journey to bring the tree to its final destination on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building.

The highly-anticipated Capitol Christmas Tree Tour commenced on November 4 in Elkins, West Virginia, where the Monongahela National Forest is based. The journey will conclude on November 17, when the tree, named “wa’feem’tekwi” by the Shawnee Tribe, is delivered to its destination. This name, meaning “bright tree” in the Shawnee language, is pronounced as ‘wa thame tech we.”

Under the theme “Endlessly Wild & Wonderful,” this year’s tour promises awe-inspiring sights. The truck itself proudly displays the U.S. Capitol Building, a scenic sunset over the forest, and most importantly, the iconic U.S. Capitol Christmas tree. This magnificent display is sure to captivate and spread holiday cheer.

Werner Enterprises has been chosen as the exclusive carrier for the 2023 tour. With skilled drivers Jesus Davila and Tim Dean at the helm of the T680 Signature Edition truck, this tour promises to be a fantastic experience.

The full 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour is:

• Nov. 4: Elkins Depot Welcome Center, Elkins, West Virginia

• Nov. 5: Downtown Summersville, Summersville, West Virginia
• Nov. 6: Mitchell Chevrolet, Marlinton, West Virginia
• Nov. 7: Tamarack Marketplace, West Virginia
• Nov. 8: High Lawn Elementary School, Huntington, West Virginia
• Nov. 9: White Palace at Wheeling Park, Wheeling, West Virginia

• Nov. 10: 84 Lumber, Morgantown, West Virginia
• Nov. 11: Mylan Park (a.m. event) and West Virginia University (p.m. event), Morgantown, West Virginia
• Nov. 12: Swilled Dog/Raymond’s Gymnastic Center, Upper Tract, West Virginia
• Nov. 13: Davis Yard, Davis, West Virginia
• Nov. 14: WV Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, Romney, West Virginia

• Nov. 15: Harpers Ferry Job Corps Center, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
• Nov. 17: Delivery to West Lawn, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington D.C.

Source: CCJ Digital

Photos: Kenworth, Werner

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