British Commercial Vehicle Museum

[Spitfire]

Noel, The ERF & Foden gathering on Sunday is always one of the most popular shows. There will be many examples of the two marques on display outside and of course, inside the museum we have the very first and very last Fodens`s to be built.

[Alan Marsden]

Jim/Noel - Pictures would be appreciated if you attend !

[Spitfire]

Alan, No problem. I may accidentally get the odd shot (or two) of some of the brilliant model trucks on display there (mine [:p][][]).

[Alan Marsden]

Sounds great- thanks ! Do you recall such makes of truck as Sentinel- Guy,Mawdsley -Seddon AEC etc.?
I didn't realise that Fodens were not making trucks today . I've long been interested in trucks, I learned to drive on my fathers Bedford truck (double clutching) on country roads . Holmes (of Homalloy truck bodies) always had an array of chassis awaiting bodies at ther Blackpool Rd plant, I've spent hours examining them (after newpaper delivery) ! Seems that Dennis are now a big name in busses.
Interestingly ,my wifes uncle left Leyland Motors and was instumental in the development of Dennis Motors over the years .

[anacortesdamp]

Alan:

Both Foden and Leyland are part of the PACCAR group, which also includes DAF as well as its bigger US trucks under the Peterbilt and Kenworth names. About two years ago, PACCAR announced the closure of the Foden plant in Cheshire and said they would combine production at Leyland. I don't know if they ever did. Leyland always seemed to be the outsider in the group. Whenever you saw a collage of all the brand names, Foden and DAF were there, but not leyland. Never could find out why.

The central R&D facility for the PACCAR group is about 14 miles from where we live.

Don't forget the other local truck maker, Atkinson, based in Walton-le-Dale, just on the Walton side of the river. Are they still in business?

Since none of the US bus makers do double-deckers, Dennis is definitley the double-decker of choice in the North American market. BC Transit in Victoria has quite a large fleet of them, and Community transit in Everett will be getting a batch of 24 over the next 18 months or so.

Incidentally, PACCAR is an acronym for the original name of the company - Pacific Car and Foundry. Originally, they made iron castings and rail cars. It's officially pronounced Pack-Car.


Frank

[shuffy]

Atkinsons at Bamber Bridge is now Glovers Bakery

[noel]

When my father used to drive for Leyland Paints back in the late fifties, Scammell cabs, 3 wheelers were used a lot. Presumably that name has disappeared from production?

[Spitfire]

Frank, Foden did transfer the production to Leyland and indeed that is where the final one to roll off the assembly line came from. It has only made one journey - from the works to the museum.

Atkinson, alas, are no more. They were one of my favourite trucks.

[Spitfire]

Simple question (from todays Foden/ERF rally). What is my load? (100 guesses each are allowed).


I`ll be amazed if anyone got it right. It`s a mobile home.


A grand Entrance.

Ancient & Modern


We have recently welcomed Peter, a set designer at St. Ambrose players, to our volanteer membership at the museum. My models in the entrance hall have been transformed, due to his skill and exellent back-drop that he has provided

[LDunlop76]

Lovely pics, Jim!