Trucking leads the way in Capitol Christmas tree’s trek to D.C.

The U.S. Capitol Christmas tree began its annual trip to Washington, D.C., Oct. 30, when a 75-foot white spruce from the Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota was harvested and loaded onto the back of a Heil heavy duty trailer, as reported by Overdrive last month.

A Kenworth T880 — complete with a special graphics package — is hauling the tree from Minnesota to its staging place in D.C.

Kenworth says the T880 is its flagship heavy-haul vocational truck. The truck hauling the tree is powered by a 500-hp Paccar MX-13 and an Eaton Fuller 13-speed transmission.

Kenworth also decked the truck with special Capitol Christmas Tree graphics, complete with a lit and decorated Christmas tree, the 2014 Capitol Christmas tree seal and a logo of Wille Transport — the company hauling the tree.

An owner-operator for Wille and a company driver are responsible for piloting the rig.

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.