Kenworth T680 Features Stunning Beautiful Design for U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour

A Kenworth T680 is now adorned with a stunning exterior graphics design and in Colorado to begin the 2020 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree tour.

                                                  All Photos by James Edward Mills

The 2020 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is a 55-foot tall Engelmann Spruce.

Apex Transportation in Henderson, Colo., is using the T680 to transport the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from the November 5th tree-harvesting ceremony in the Uncompahgre National Forest to Washington, D.C. The T680 with the beautiful design will transport the 55-foot Engelmann Spruce on a nearly 2,000-mile journey, which will include a series of outdoor community celebrations, primarily within the state of Colorado.

The graphics package features a decorated Christmas tree and the U.S. Capitol Building, 14,023-foot Wilson Peak in Colorado’s Uncompahgre National Forest, and “From Colorful Colorado to America’s Front Steps.” This year’s logo, placed on the T680 roof, incorporates the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree theme “Experience Your Nature,” names of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests in western Colorado, and Colorado state flag.

From left, representing Apex Transportation, are: Dennis Atencio, vice president of risk management; Walt Schattinger, president; William 'Butch' Hanna, U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree driver; Glenn McCormack, driver supervisor; and Theron Schmalzried, U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree driver.

The Kenworth T680 is being driven by Theron Schmalzried and William “Butch” Hanna of Apex Transportation, a Colorado leader in flatbed trucking and specialty transportation services. Schmalzried and Hanna have 42 years and 41 years, respectively, of truck driving experience. Schmalzried has spent 23 years with Apex Transportation, while Hanna has driven for the company for 17 years.

Theron Schmalzried of Apex Transportation

William “Butch” Hanna of Apex Transportation

The Kenworth T680 is equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the PACCAR Powertrain featuring the 455-hp PACCAR MX-13 engine, PACCAR 12-speed automated transmission, and PACCAR 40K tandem rear axles. The truck is also specified with Kenworth’s “Driver’s Studio” with 180-degree passenger swivel seat and 90-degree rotating table, Kenworth Diamond VIT interior, premium Kenworth GT703 seats, predictive cruise control, Kenworth Nav+HD system, liftable lower bunk and stowable upper bunk, and Kenworth TruckTech+® Remote Diagnostics.

Below is the 2020 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour schedule:

--Nov. 10: San Miguel County Fairgrounds (Norwood, Colo.) and Montrose Visitor Center (Montrose, Colo.)
--Nov. 11: Ouray County Courthouse (Ouray, Colo.) and Grand Junction Convention Center (Grand Junction, Colo.)
--Nov. 12: Downtown Paonia (Paonia, Colo.) and Gunnison Community School (Gunnison, Colo.)
--Nov. 13: Salida High School (Salida, Colo.)
--Nov. 14: Bass Pro Shops (Denver, Colo.)
--Nov. 15: Kit Carson County Fairgrounds (Burlington, Colo.)
--Nov. 17: Asheville Outlets (Asheville, N.C.)
--Nov. 20: Delivery to West Lawn, U.S. Capitol Building (Washington, D.C.)

This marks the seventh consecutive year that a Kenworth truck will deliver “The People’s Tree.”

For more information, visit the 2020 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree website (www.uscapitolchristmastree.com).

Kenworth is The Driver’s Truck™. See what drivers are saying at www.kenworth.com/drivers.

Kenworth Truck Company is the manufacturer of The World’s Best® heavy and medium duty trucks. Kenworth’s Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth is a PACCAR company.