Watching & Admiring Finesse & Skill

A full moon highlighted surrounding clouds, illuminating fields and the ribbon of freeway. Head and taillights streamed the highway in sporadic intervals. I sat in the dark of my car, parked at the south end of the overpass ramp, waiting.

About a dozen pick up trucks with flashing bars on their cabs darted back and forth across the overpass, setting up orange road closed signs. My camera, on tripod, perched in front of my right headlight, aimed at the overpass. Still, I waited.

Another car pulled in front of me, partially blocking my view of the overpass. Fortunately, the young couple were cognizant enough of their position and moved voluntarily. We spoke a little, checked camera and video settings and waited.

Another vehicle pulled in and two guys in safety vests got out and walked up the road closed ramp. As they returned, one of the workers yelled at him to get off the road and couldn't he read?

I heard the rumbling before I saw the bright headlights, my heart skipping a beat as I leaped out of the car to position myself behind my camera. Focussing on the peak of the overpass, the massive load came into view, taking up the entire width of the two lanes.

A bright red truck and attached red low-bed gleamed in the daylight like glow of the numerous pilot trucks surrounding this epic load. Molson Brewery's new plant was ready for the delivery of their massive brewing tanks. Having watched it being barged up the river last Saturday, Monday I was waiting for the last leg to be trucked from the dock to the plant, two of the largest tanks 'dressed' in Molson's trademark brands. One looked like a giant beer can of Molson's Canadian, and the other a giant beer can of Coors Light.

With transportation as our photo assignment for this month, I really wanted the brewing tanks as I didn't think too many would submit a photo of them. One, because very few knew about it, and two, I didn't think anyone from our club would wait until midnight to take photos, other than me.

Although I got numerous photos with great results, a photo just doesn't do justice to the actual size of these tanks. Due to the size, hydro crews were in the intersection to keep the truck clear of the wires, along with all the pilot cars in front and behind this very long and very tall load.

Stopping on the downward slope of the overpass ramp, waiting for crews to ensure clear passage through the intersection, it was obvious the tank was taller than the traffic lights and the back end of the low-bed had flexibility in moving separate from the truck. It was absolutely amazing to watch the skill and manipulation of the truck driver, eking that load in and around traffic lights, street light standards, hydro wires as well as barriers. What would have been a simple left hand turn for anyone, was a complex and complicated procedure that took the better part of an hour.

Once safely through that intersection, the tanks headed for a second overpass, crossing back over the highway before heading towards the plant. Due to the length of time it took to finesse the load, I had plenty of time to find a new location and set up my camera. Finally, the trucks appeared, gears shifting noisily as they chugged into the night on the other side.

Racing to the final intersection, more crews were already set up, waiting for the immense load to make it's debut. Setting my camera up again, one man in a safety vest with a camera was behind me. I asked him if he'd been hired by Molson's to take photos, which he affirmed. As he looked familiar, I asked him if he'd been on the fishing boat that was following the tug and barge up the river, and if he'd waved at me when I was on shore. He affirmed that yes, that had been him.

Many, many photos later and watching the tail lights of the trucks disappear at the plant, I headed home at 3am. The last photo of the truck/tank in motion, with the photographer standing taking a photo is my submission for Monday.