Back in the 70's this is what we had to drive.. Think the new Guys and Gals today could handle it ?
Red Star Express ( The origional Company ) Single Unit


Thru way doubles


Last but not least Burgmeyer brothers

I think I could drive it but would definitely have a terrible time.

Kudo's to the older drivers that drove those beasts!
Did you need a ladder to climb the Cabovers?
Did it have power steering?
What was the tranny like?

You had to use the three step approach in order to get in and reverse it getting out.I learned to step on the axle hub cap and step and then grab a hold of the rail behind the door and reach in and grab the steering wheel as you pulled yourself up..It was an art form..The trannys varied between 7,9, and 10 speeds... No power steering unless you were lucky enough to get one of the canadian drivers trucks when ya met at the customs house at the border.. You had to carry wrenches so you could adjust breaks because they always seemed to back off some on long trips.. Actually those Cab overs were great in the snow.I can remember coming South on Rt 15 ( in Pa) in the snow ,pushing snow with the bumper..These things ran liked raped apes.They just didn't know when to quit.I can honestly say I never had a road break down with one of them.I ran out of fuel a few times and had my share of flat tires but the trucks just never seemed to let ya sit. When TNT and USF bought Red Star we became numbers and the new owners seemed to enjoy buying used trucks.I think that was the main reason we wound up being shut down.. I only ever made two trips with Burgmeyer brothers.I just had to get away from that company...

Dirtball; thanks for the pictures & the memories.
I remember my 1st day as a casual at Red Star in North Bergen. Driving that city MB Mack was a tough one. I didn't have a clue as to what that 2nd stick was for......
I spent my 2nd winter at Red Star in linehaul. North Bergen/Philly/Auburns & an occasional North Bergen/ Pittsburgh when the senior men would bookoff due to bad weather. You are right I don't remember ever breaking down, but as a rookie road driver I did do a lot of praying.

nemf still uses these tractors for p&d they just buy and paint

All I can say is this... my dad and I worked for Red Star until they ceased operations in 2004. He was a peddle guy , and I was line haul. He worked with his dad at Burgmeyer in Dayville, Ct. until it closed, I was 13 when that happened. Good job on the old photos, anyone got any of old MFX trucks?