By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
routeonerouteonerouteone
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Search
© 2024 routeone News. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Obituary: Derek Easton, Eastons Coaches
Share
Font ResizerAa
routeonerouteone
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd
- Advertisement -
-
routeone > People > Obituary: Derek Easton, Eastons Coaches
People

Obituary: Derek Easton, Eastons Coaches

Tim Deakin
Tim Deakin
Published: August 6, 2024
Share
Derek Easton of Eastons Coaches obituary
SHARE

Derek Easton, director of Norfolk operator Eastons Coaches and with a career of 48 years in the coach industry, died on 28 June. He was 72.

Derek was born in 1951 and joined the family business in 1976, having previously worked in the building trade and plant hire. As a skilled engineer, his first vehicle-related project was undertaken when in his early-20s. It involved a Ford Escort bare shell, spare parts, and an uprated engine and gearbox being combined to produce a unique car.

Derek married Lorna in 1979. Their children Ben and Claire both work for Eastons Coaches, Ben as an engineer, and Claire as Transport Manager as well as overseeing finance and marketing, in a round of succession that made Derek very proud. “He was always one to encourage Ben and I to aim high, and to never let challenges overcome us,” says Claire.

After Eastons started tours, Derek became one of the primary drivers on that work. “He loved going to Austria, Switzerland and Italy, often with his sister Christine as courier,” says his brother Robert, who is also a director of the business.

After the two men’s father and the founder of Eastons Coaches died in 1987, the operator moved and settled at its current Stratton Strawless home. Derek’s skill in driving diggers, acquired during his time in plant hire, came in useful for preparing the ground there.

Another of his engineering projects was the repower of Bedford coaches with Cummins engines and then with Volvo units. That was a first in the sector and covered by the trade press of the day, a report from which is kept by the Easton family. “If we needed something and it couldn’t be obtained, Derek would make it one of his lathes or milling machines,” says Robert.

Derek Easton of Eastons Coaches obituary
Derek Easton never wanted Eastons Coaches to be the biggest operator – but he did want it to be the best

In more recent decades, Derek became involved in steam-powered traction engines as a hobby. He bought a miniature example in 1993, which is still owned by the Easton family.

That was followed by a full restoration of a half-size showman’s engine purchased in a decrepit state during 2010. It was renamed The Masterpiece in honour of the craftsmanship and effort put into it by Derek and Lorna during its return to operation.

In 2018, a full-size traction engine named Sir Gordon was purchased. It carried Derek on his final journey to Salle Church in Norfolk on 25 July.

“The knowledge that dad had within both the coach industry and the steam engine scene was second to none,” says Claire. Derek enjoyed sharing that with others. Claire adds that he idolised his grandchildren, once digging up a piece of garden so they could play with toy diggers and dump trucks.

Derek long held the view that while he never wanted Eastons Coaches to be the biggest in its field, he always wanted it to be the best. The business was thus crowned Small Coach Operator of the Year at the 2017 routeone Awards and its well-known metallic purple livery continues to be one of the most instantly recognisable schemes in the industry

“Generations of children, who are now parents and grandparents themselves, would have been driven to school by Derek back in the days when he used to do a school run prior to spending the day in the workshop,” says Robert.

“We have received so many comments from those people to say that they remember him and to offer their condolences. Those few minutes, decades ago, were enough to spark a memory, showing how much people remember that big personality.”

Adds Claire of the funeral: “In dad fashion, we took him on the back of his full-size steam traction engine, with the half-size showman’s engine following.” The Easton family travelled in the operator’s heritage 1952 Albion Victor coach. “It was a true transport send-off.”

To recognise the assistance provided to Derek over many years by the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, the Easton family is staging a fundraiser for that good cause. Some coach industry colleagues have donated, with the total currently at nearly £4,000. The family note that further pledges are most welcome. They can be made via this link.

Share This Article
Facebook LinkedIn Threads Email Copy Link
ByTim Deakin
Tim is Editor of routeone and has worked in both the coach and bus and haulage industries.
Previous Article Irizar i6 integral for Woods Travel of Bognor Regis Irizar i6 integral coach joins Woods Travel of Bognor Regis fleet
Next Article routeone livery competition 2024 shortlisted finalists announced Revealed: routeone Livery Competition shortlisted finalists
- Advertisement -

Latest News

Temsa HD12 and HD13 delivered to Cresta Coaches under Asset Alliance rental deal
Temsa pair join Cresta Coaches on Asset Alliance rental agreement
Deliveries
Go-Ahead London – Managing Director
Careers Jobs
andy burnham tfgm £15.6 billion (1) The funding announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves today (4 June) has been allocated to several combined mayoral authorities to use on rail, tram, road and bus infrastructure. Transport for Greater Manchester revealed today that part of the £2.5 billion it will receive will go towards making the Bee Network fully battery-electric by 2030. An as-yet undecided portion of that will support a planned investment in 1,000 new zero-emission buses over that period, the mayoral authority said. That is part of plans to build the UK's "first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system", with trams and trains also set to benefit. Liverpool City Region's already announced BRT system is among the projects to which its £1.6 billion will be allocated. Under those plans - due for realisation by 2028 - a high-speed network will be served by articulated buses which are modelled on the 'Glider' in Belfast. It is due to link Liverpool city centre with John Lennon Airport, and Liverpool FC and Everton FC's respective stadia along three routes. Although the model of bus has not been confirmed, a Van Hool Exqui.City on loan from Belfast was last year used as a demonstrator. That 18m vehicle can accommodate around 30% more passengers than a typical bus and has three sets of double doors. The funding will also go towards buses elsewhere in the city as the region heads towards franchising services by 2027. Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram with a 'Glider' which was on loan from Belfast last year - an example of the sort of bus which could serve the new BRT Bus services in the East Midlands region will be boosted by the funding, thanks to the £2 billion handed to it today by the government. Some of that allocation will be used for a rapid transit network on the Trent Arc between Nottingham and Derby. Between the two cities, the Freeport, Infinity Park Investment Zone and Ratcliffe-on-Soar will also benefit from the improved bus services. South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority's newly announced commitment towards bus franchising has been boosted by £350 million in funding as part of that region's allocation. The funding for West Yorkshire will help build new bus stations in Bradford and Wakefield. Likewise, the Tees Valley Mayoral Authority will put its sum towards a new £15 million bus station in Middlesbrough. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says: "Today marks a watershed moment on our journey to improving transport across the North and Midlands – opening up access to jobs, growing the economy and driving up quality of life as we deliver our Plan for Change. "For too long, people in the North and Midlands have been locked out of the investment they deserve. With £15.6bn of government investment, we’re giving local leaders the means to drive cities, towns and communities forward, investing in Britain’s renewal so you and your family are better off."
TfGM’s all-electric bus plan boosted by new £15.6 billion package
News
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Bus
- Advertisement -
-

routeone magazine is the indispensable resource for professional UK coach, bus and minibus operators. The home of vehicle sales and the latest bus and coach job vacancies, routeone connects professional PCV operators with complete and unrivalled news coverage.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • GDPR Policy
  • Sustainability
  • Advertise
  • Latest Issue
  • Share Your News
routeonerouteone
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd