Norfolk operator Towlers Coaches is reporting such strong bookings for the heritage Bedford coach in its fleet that buying a second preserved vehicle is on the cards [wlm_nonmember][…]
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Towlers, based in the village of Emneth near Wisbech, put its 1952 Bedford SB with Duple bodywork, EJD510, on the road three years ago after more than 40 years in storage. Ashley Shepherd, whose wife Wendy is a Director of Towlers, is a welder and fabricator by trade and carried out the restoration.
Ashley explained that Towlers had originally bought the coach from Jennings Coaches of Ashen for £100 in 1968. It was operated on the firm’s Wisbech – King’s Lynn service until 1973 when engine problems developed.
“The idea was to put a diesel engine in it, but this never happened and the Bedford ended up as a store shed in the depot,” he explained. “I always wanted to see it back on the road. The restoration included major work on the vehicle’s frame and an engine rebuild. Since the coach was completed there has been so much interest. The first year we picked up a few bookings, but last year it seemed to go mad and the Bedford was out virtually every weekend. A lot of business was created by word of mouth. Now we are considering a second vehicle if we can find something suitable.”
Towlers currently has a fleet of 15 buses and coaches operated on school contracts and private hire. The firm was started by Charles James Towler, grandfather of the present proprietors, in 1932. He continued for 33 years, but when he retired, Lawson Fox took over the business.
However, in 1969 the operation was bought back by Charles’ son, Alan, and EJD510 was his first coach. On 1 May 2003, Towlers Coaches Ltd was incorporated by his children, Mark, Wendy, Anton and Joanne who run the company as equal directors.
- Towlers can be contacted on 01945 583645 or visit www.towlerscoaches.co.uk
