A photograph I purchased from RHG Simpson was that of Foden coach ORB 952. I remember this vehicle because it operated near to where I grew up. It belonged to Swain's Garage of Somercotes, Derbyshire and the registration dates it to 1951. It had full fronted bodywork which had a look of Beccols about it. What I'd like to know is; who built the body, was it purchased new by Swain's and did it have a Gardner or Foden engine?
I hope someone will be able to post a picture of it because it was quite a magnificent beast of a coach!
Chris Barker
08/09/12 - 07:34
Body is Bellhouse Hartwell, new to Swain, Somercoates in 1950.
Philip Lamb
08/09/12 - 07:35
Chris, the easiest way to tell whether it is a Gardner of Foden is to look at the cranking handle hole. If it is offset it is Foden. If central it's a Gardner.
Eric Bawden
08/09/12 - 07:36
ORB 952 had a Bellhouse Hartwell FC39C body built July 1950 chassis number 30612
Les Dickinson
09/09/12 - 07:39
Thanks to all. I believe Swains were a one coach operator whose main business was a motor garage and petrol station. I think they had an excursions licence which was seldom used. Unfortunately, it's not possible to determine the position of the crank handle hole because the standard Foden grille is not fitted. Unusually for a full front, front engined coach, there appears to be a double seat alongside the driver, perhaps the body was built high to minimise engine intrusion.
Chris Barker
10/09/12 - 07:33
According to the PSV Circle's Foden chassis list this was a PVFE6, with the Foden two-stroke engine.
Neville Mercer
11/09/12 - 07:30
Thanks Neville, I suspected that. When I was a lad, I knew precisely nothing about engines but I loved to listen to the different sounds. I remember to this day the very distinct booming sound made by this coach as it climbed some of the hills in the area. Certainly nothing else in the locality sounded anything like it!
Chris Barker
Comments regarding the above are more than welcome please get in touch via the 'Contact Page' or by email at obp-admin@nwframpton.com
All rights to the design and layout of this website are reserved
Old Bus Photos from Saturday 25th April 2009 to Wednesday 3rd January 2024