CLASSIC CHIEFTAIN RESTORED

On very slight positive of the 2020 and 2021 Covid lockdowns was that they gave many owners an opportunity to get their restoration projects completed. One such is Anthony Barton – known universally as Bill – whose 1951 Albion Chieftain FT37N made its post-restoration debut at the Cromford Steam Rally back in July, and certainly got a lot of attention.

Bill’s Albion’s, registration number JTM 402 and chassis number 73053D was new on May 16 1951 to London Brick, and ran out of the firm’s famous Stewartby works in the Marston Vale, just south of Bedford. The Albion was with the London Brick company until 1964 when it was bought by Edward Pattinson of Station Garage at Leigh, Stoke-on-Trent. “He ran lorries with his younger son, Barry,” Bill said. “They used to haul for Universal Abrasives.” Edward and Barry also ran a coal business in the area, with the Albion being employed on that side of the business from the start.

And there it remained until the mid-1970s, although how much time it spent on the road by then is not known. What is for sure though, is that one day it