Kothamangalam: The Mack, which used to traverse the city roads with a pilot vehicle travelling in front, is now on display at Kothamangalam, rekindling memories of bygone days.
The Mack on display at a hotel in the city centre is the same truck that was used to carry huge equipment for several hydro projects in Idukki, Idamalayar and the entire eastern zone.
There was a time when people used to line the roadside for the royal entry of Mack once the pilot vehicles passes by. The truck always had the right of the way since the pilot vehicle had cleared the road. It used to have a horn that sounds similar to that of a train.
The Mack was the king of commercial vehicles with a 26-wheeler trailer. Mainly used for carrying heavy equipment, the truck was always slow moving and generated awe among people.
The Mack was dumped by the electricity board after the onslaught of new-gen commercial vehicles. Founded in 1900, the American company Mack Trucks built this truck in 1957.
The electricity board auctioned the truck once it reached the end of its life. The vehicle, which was kept at the electricity board's Brahmapuram project area, went to EVM Group managing partner and Kothamangalam Maria International Hotel managing director Jose Mathew in the auction.
Though he took part in the auction out of curiosity, Mathew had to spend lakhs of rupees on the vehicle to make it ready for display at the hotel.
Now, the Mack is the cynosure of all eyes in Kothamangalam and the hotel are the halting point for both domestic and foreign tourists visiting the high range. Due to space constraints, the trailer of the truck has been avoided and only the 10-wheel front part, the tractor unit, is on display.
