Restoration of Lodge’s of High Easter’s rare Burlingham-bodied Bedford OB is now complete reports Nick Larkin
Lodge’s of High Easter has increased its operational Bedford OB heritage fleet to four – believed to be the highest number in the country – following the restoration of a rare example.
FFS867 was new to SMT (Scottish Motor Traction) in 1947. In 1953 it received a full-front Burlingham ‘Baby Seagull’ body, later operating for Highland Omnibuses.
Lodge acquired the coach from preservationists.
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The OB, which made its first public post-restoration appearance on the Ipswich to Felixstowe run on 6 May, is now resplendent in Lodge’s fine blue and cream livery. All the work was carried out in-house, and the vehicle is part of its owner’s museum of historic vehicles, officially known as ‘The Toy Box.’
Company Director Andrew Lodge did admit that the vehicle differed from Lodge’s normal collection policy of having classic coaches similar to those that ran with the company, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary next year. “We never operated anything like this, but it’s such an interesting vehicle I couldn’t resist it,’’ he said. “It’s an extremely rare coach too.”
‘The Toy Box’ fleet includes, among other vehicles, three other Bedford OBs. LTA752, an ex-Western National coach dating from 1951, was later sold to Lincolnshire Road Car and converted to semi ‘toast rack’ specification for use on Skegness tours.
Then there’s two with Duple coachwork. TMY700 was new to Essex County Coaches of Stratford, and was bought by preservationists in the Rye area, and CFV851 started working for Wood of Blackpool in 1948. FFS867 will, like its stable mates, be available for private hire, film work etc.
Most OBs were bodied by Duple, and to a lesser degree, Plaxton. H V Burlingham was a Blackpool-based concern which was set up in 1928 and taken over by Duple in 1960.
A Bedford Coach Day celebrating the OB is planned at Lodge Coaches’ High Easter premises on Sunday 8 September. Details on 01245 231262 or visit www.lodgecoaches.co.uk
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