Trucking plays key role in Capitol Christmas tree’s 2,000-mile trip

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Updated Jul 1, 2015
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The U.S. Capitol Christmas tree is in the middle of its 2,000-mile trip from the Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota — where it was harvested last month — to its destination on Capitol Hill.

Immediately upon being harvest, it was loaded onto a Heil flatbed hooked on a Kenworth T880 — the company’s flagship heavy haul truck, it says. The truck is powered by a 500-hp Paccar MX-13 engine and an Eaton-Fuller 13-speed transmission.

The T880 is wrapped with specially designed Capitol Christmas tree-themed graphics.

Wille Transport owner-operator Elwood Higdem is piloting the rig, alongside Wille company driver Ken Lundgren, who’s driving a Kenworth T680 pulling a van loaded with 10,000 handmade ornaments for the tree, along with 70 other smaller trees that will be staged in front of federal buildings in D.C.

The Truckload Carriers Association is one of the sponsors of the tree’s trek, as are PeopleNet and ALK.

PeopleNet and ALK are providing real-time tracking of the tree while it’s in transit.

The track the tree on its 30-stop tour, visit capitolchristmastree.com.