Volvo Trucks has donated two cab cutaways and an operating highway tractor to the museum. (Photo courtesy of Volvo Trucks)

Volvo Trucks has donated two cab cutaways and an operating highway tractor to the museum. (Photo courtesy of Volvo Trucks)

The Virginia Museum of Transportation formally took possession of donated items for its collection from Volvo Trucks’ New River Valley Plant, based in Dublin, Va., as part of the budding relationship between the two organizations.

Volvo Trucks has donated two cab cutaways and an operating highway tractor to the museum.

“This is a partnership I have nurtured since I first started my tenure as Executive Director,” Museum Executive Director Bev Fitzpatrick said. “I am thrilled to see it coming to life before I retire at the end of the year in the form of donations to the museum’s collection and offers of support from Volvo.”

The highway tractor, a Volvo VT 800 daycab, was introduced in the 2006 lineup and was manufactured for about three years at the Dublin plant before production ceased on that model. It will be on static display at the museum but will also be available for the museum’s use as a tractor.

The first cab cutaway is the Volvo VNL 780 and the second is a Volvo VNL 670. Both cutaways were on display at the Dublin plant and served as visual proof of product to clients and employees at the facility. Now, the cutaways will serve as more visual examples of transportation in Virginia. As an exhibit, museum visitors will be able to climb into the cab to experience just what it’s like in a big rig.

“Our 42-year history of building premier trucks in the Commonwealth of Virginia has led to where we are today including investments in the plant, hiring of more employees and a ramp-up of production,” Volvo Group Trucks Operations Vice President and General Manager Franky Marchand said. “We think there is no better time than now to honor our employees’ dedication and the rich tradition we’ve built here by partnering with the Virginia Museum of Transportation.”

The fully functioning truck will arrive Thursday morning, the cab cutaways will arrive the first of the year. Media wishing to attend should plan to arrive at 9:30 a.m. Once the cab cutaways arrive, they will be placed in the museum.

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