ERNIE LUCAS AND THE LION

I was pleased to see the picture in the October issue of OG October (368) of 1932 Fowler B6 No. 19782 The Lion, a showman’s engine that I have known for decades. It was while I was in Salisbury many years ago I visited Stan Bevis, who was a good friend of mine, that I had the pleasure of being introduced to his friend, Ernie Lucas.

I still recall Stan mentioning at the time that Ernie was the current owner of ex-Anderton & Rowland 1932 Fowler 10hp B6 No. 19782 The Lion, the first of the four Fowler Super Lion class showman’s engines ever made and always said to be the best of them all.

From a very young age I had been extremely interested in all manner of travelling amusement caterer’s transport, somewhat more than the rides. However I must admit at the time Stan’s comment did not initially register with me, although I must have appeared interested enough for Ernie to comment “You might have noticed her when she was laid up all those years at Coombe Bissett.

After some thought I replied ‘Yes’, in fact I could remember seeing a showman’s engine a number of times there when