It is with the utmost sadness that we report that Lew English, Sr, co-founder of Bowser Manufacturing Company passed away on Feb 3, 2012. He was 93 years old. Lew is survived by his wife Shirlee, four children , Susan, Nancy, Lew Jr., and Lee, ten grandchildren, fourteen great great grand children and 3 great great great grandchildren. Lew was the inspiration for what is now the Bowser Manufacturing Company of Montoursville, PA. He was one of the pioneers in the model train business and was entered into the Model Railroading Hall of Fame just a few years ago. In 1961, Lew and Shirlee began the business in their basement in their home in Muncy, Pennsylvania, when they purchased not only the name but several steam engine kits from Bill Bowser in Redlands, California. Lew will not only be missed by his family but by all of the industry contacts that he made throughout his career. Bowser Manufacturing will continue under the direction of Lee K. English, current Bowser CEO.
I am saddened to hear that, but I am much sadder to hear that Bowser will no longer manufacture any steam locomotive kits and that they put that division up for sale about a year ago. Just about all of my Frisco steam engines are highly modified Bowser kits; I cannot afford brass which in my opinion may look pretty but does not run or pull wirth a damn( have owned brass in the past, now all sold off).
