A T for Tom

Brian & Jayne Rowland wanted something extra-special to commemorate their son Tom, tragically killed aged just 20 at the wheel of a Brian Rowland Transport truck. A V8-engined T560 Topline/Longline fits the bill perfectly

- Bob Beech

As the years go by it is almost inevitable that the older generation view youngsters with scepticism, something along the lines of ‘they think they know everything’ or ‘they don’t know what hard work is and expect everything to come to them without any effort’. The truth is more simple and straightforward: the current generation are no different to previous generations. Time and circumstances may well have changed but most are just as enthusiastic and raring to get out and prove themselves.

This was reaffirmed by the story behind this beautiful and virtually unique T-cab Longline Scania, bought as a testament to the memory of one of the new generation of truck drivers/ transport operators. Tom Rowland was tragically killed in a road accident back in 2013, at just 20 years old. He was madly keen on trucks and universally liked by all who met him in his heartbreakingly brief two decades.

Huge Turn-out

We ventured to rural Gloucestershire to meet Tom’s family and friends and hear the sad but uplifting tale behind this jaw-dropping Scania.

Parents Brian and Jayne, along with daughter Leane, are well known and much respected in West Country transport circles. At the time of Tom’s death they were overwhelmed by the messages of condolence and support they received from far and wide. The transport industry did itself proud on the day of Tom’s funeral – the small village church overflowed with 700-plus people and local hauliers formed a convoy of trucks as a mark of respect.

Tom worked full-time alongside Brian with their small specialist fleet, a pair of high-spec R-cab Scania 6x2 rigids with hydraulic tilting/sliding platform bodies, used for the transport of construction plant, forklifts, farm equipment and other cargo.