Hello Jim, yes I remember Terry Ellener, and also the Kerry work. Even though I left Turners in 2005 I still work closely with them. they trunk two 'fridges of frozen groupage from Newmarket to Bolton every night for us to tip each day in the north west.
It is good to connect Gingerfold. Terry is a gentleman. We ran (Fridged Freight) from Canal Steet, Liexlip. Kildare Chilling and Lyons of Longford to all the bases in Germany, Belgium, and Italy. Times were good, but I must admit, I never saw Lowes on the runs we did. My last trip was in a Scania Vabis LB 76 to rescue the beef that had been deposited in a cold-store in Auxerre after Alec Drysedale had rolled over and spilled the lot onto the motorway. The year was 1973. Jim.
I remember Lowe’s of their presence at BNFW (Belgian New Fruit Warf) in both Zeebrugge and Antwerp
since the banana-war between those ports and in Gutersloh Germany. Remarkable was the maintenance
of the fleet and clean chassis…a frequent sight on the A67…those were the days!
Just found this superb picture whilst browsing the internet.Apologies if it has breached any copyright but it deserves to be here!
Anyone have any knowledge of this one and where it was going??
A great find! Robert
This one is copyrighted to Len Hobbs.I purchased a copy and hoping he is ok with me posting just for the purpose of this thread.
Here is one of a batch of three E Series purchased by Lowe,they were the last three vehicles purchased by the company.
I guess by this time the NAFFI contract was winding down and thoughts were turning to selling the transport side of the firm…
Purely from a visual perspective I could never understand why they did not paint the bumper and steps in the traditional white.Possibly because it would not stay put and ultimately peel.
Anyway a fine sight enter the Eastern Docks…
Ringrose:
Just found this superb picture whilst browsing the internet.Apologies if it has breached any copyright but it deserves to be here!
Anyone have any knowledge of this one and where it was going??
Hi Ringrose - This picture appears in the recent book about ERF’s, and mentions the fact that these vehicles were doing continental work without sleeper cabs. Unfortunately it doesn’t say where it was headed. From my sketchy records of Lowe, XKP693J appears to be the last ERF as Lowe’s went for Atkinsons from 1971 - 75. They returned to ERF with the B Series in 1977.
A new driver for Fridged Freight had turned up on a Monday morning and my dad who was TM asked him to take a fairly new F88 to Ireland to tip in Belfast, then re-load beef in Dublin for multi-drops in Germany. This was a one-off whilst the regular driver was ill.
I was ordered to go with him and make sure he was what he claimed to be.
Now it didn’t take long to realise he was a Volvo fan and had come off a LV cabbed ERF. So I fed him the line that Wyatts were buying out Lowes and that “Newbies” would be on their old wagons and trailers - also - by allocation they would be expected to earn their slot by hand- painting the whole outfit in Yellow and green.
Lowes outlasted Wyatts by quite some margin. About 20 yrs . Brian never trusted me again. Jim.
tyreman:
Ringrose:
Just found this superb picture whilst browsing the internet.Apologies if it has breached any copyright but it deserves to be here!
Anyone have any knowledge of this one and where it was going??Hi Ringrose - This picture appears in the recent book about ERF’s, and mentions the fact that these vehicles were doing continental work without sleeper cabs. Unfortunately it doesn’t say where it was headed. From my sketchy records of Lowe, XKP693J appears to be the last ERF as Lowe’s went for Atkinsons from 1971 - 75. They returned to ERF with the B Series in 1977.
Thank you Tyreman.Always interesting to find out about days gone by with Lowe
Very nice ‘find’, DEANB! Looking at the registration number, this appears to be a sister ship to the one now on the preservation circuit. Robert
Hi all,
Im doing a project on Lowes at the moment.
If anyone can help me with any history , stories or photos please dont hesitate to get in touch.
Thanks
Chris
Just found a couple more:
I always thought those 6x4 C40s were impressive.
EDIT to add: Rowe’s 6x4 C-series units boasted Gardner 6LYT 6-cyl 15.5-litre turbocharged engines. Presumably the standard RTX 11609 'box was used - perhaps someone can verify.
Thanks for sharing the photos
My pleasure. I hasten to add that none of them are mine 