Big Western Star and bigger Kenworth

J.D.Irving Ltd's Equipment Division is better known for its construction cranes - which can get pretty big. It stands to reason then that they would have some big trucks. This Western Star is spec'd for float trailer work and was in town from New Brunswick headquarters to load a crane.

But they have bigger - this Kenworth has some years on it, and probably a lot more hours then miles. It's really a ballast wagon/prime mover:

It's all wheel drive and has that extra large rad you usually only see on logging trucks. It has an unusual job these days. When a ship is launched at Halifax Shipyard, it is used as a counterweight to slow the ship's movement as it slides down the slipway. Mind you these are not huge ships, they are patrol boats for the Coast Guard, but the truck - connected with a very long cable through a large sheave - provides effective braking as it starts and stops while the ship moves along. Unfortunately it is hidden behind buildings and fences while it does this - so no photo, except this one (sorry):