Other Marques
This particular section of the website contains a selection of photographs and information giving details relating to some of the lesser known types of vehicles that W & J Riding operated in their large fleet over the years apart from Atkinson, Seddon Atkinson, ERF and Foden,
‘S’ Type Bedford four wheeler Reg No VTB 954 was the vehicle used by Leyland for the original fitment of a Leyland Comet 90 engine into a Bedford.
After they had done all the testing of the conversion Riding’s bought it off Leyland Motors in 1955.
The late Tom Riding recalled…
“Jim Lomas (Snr) drove this vehicle delivering small loads around the Lancashire and Cheshire areas, with the engine, when running right, being the best part of the lorry, it would go like the clappers “.
Unfortunately it later became unreliable with the engine having real problems and after repairing it one final time we decided to sell it on”
A rare shot of 1962 registered Bedford TK four wheeler Reg No 5899 TB which was driven from new by Jack Robinson who then passed it on to the late Jimmy Lomas.
Used mainly on local work around the Lancashire area it was driven in it’s later days by long time serving Joe Masterson.
Joe retired in 2009 by which time the original W & J Riding had become part of the Transport Development Group (TDG).
Photograph courtesy of David Lomas.
Leyland Boxer 4×2 tractor unit Reg No LEM 288M Fleet No 94 ‘ Samson’ was first registered on the 7th of February 1972 to another TDG group company by the name of Wilson Duke Ltd of Bootle.
Purchased by Riding’s when six years old on the 22nd of May 1978, at a cost of £400 plus vat, it was fitted with a hydraulic lifting fifth wheel and was only ever used internally within the depot at Longridge.
Tom Riding thought it would be a useful tool for bringing in empty trailers to the servicing bay, which it was, except for a problem which arose when a mechanic tried to get into the garage when coupled to a tall curtainsider.
Unfortunately he had the lifting plate in the fully raised position resulting in the trailer hitting the rsj holding the roof up.
On the 30th of September 1980 LEM 288M was finally sold to local dealer Syd Hartley for £75 plus vat.
Photograph courtesy of Geoff Milne.
Leyland Clydesdale four wheeler Reg No WTB 250M Fleet No 3 ‘Daring’ was the first of the three brand new Leyland Bathgate built super Clydesdale’s that Riding’s operated between May 1974 and February 1981.
Purchased new by Riding’s from Leyland agents Gilbraith Commercials of Chorley on the 20th of May 1974, at a cost of £4,733 plus vat, it was first registered on the 14th of June 1974.
The late Tom Riding recalled….
“These were lighter than the previous Albion tilt cab model but I never liked them as much.
Driven from new by the late Harold Cushing it was used for quite a while on the phosgene job from Burn Naze carrying gas cylinders on a specially built frame.
It was eventually taken off this job which became much larger and needed an articulated outfit to cater for the increased business.
After six years service i sold the vehicle to a Mr Graham Harrison of Much Hoole Nr Preston on the 17th of June 1980 for £2,400 plus vat.
Notice the original bumper bar has been replaced by a chrome plated one from one of our Atkinson’s.”
Photograph courtesy of Geoff Milne.
The second Leyland Clydesdale four wheeler to join the fleet was Reg No JCK 160N Fleet No 57 ‘Swift’.
Purchased new from Leyland agents Gilbraiths Commercials of Chorley on the 20th of January 1975 it was registered new by Riding’s on the 1st of February 1975 at a cost of £5,233 plus vat.
Driven from new by Nigel Double it was fitted with a 401 engine in line with a six speed gearbox and Albion hub reduction axle.
After just over five years service with the company it was sold on the 27th of August 1980 to local dealer Mr Syd Hartley for £1,600 plus vat.
Photograph courtesy of Geoff Milne.
Leyland Clydesdale type 2 CD 40 AL four wheeler Reg No PHG 280P Fleet No 23 ‘Vivacious’ (Chassis No 91619F) the third and final Leyland Clydesdale to join the fleet, was fitted with a 401 engine in line with a six speed gearbox and Albion hub reduction axle.
Ford Transit Mk I pick up Reg No XFM 517R ‘Samson’ was originally registered new on the 5th of July 1977.
Purchased second hand from Riding’s tyre supplier, ATS in Darwen at a cost of £675 plus vat, it was used extensively until March 1986 when it was finally withdrawn and scrapped.
Before being broken up the body was removed, refurbished and then refitted to a new Ford Transit Mk III chassis Reg No C480 LFV pictured below.
Photograph courtesy of Geoff Milne.
Ford Transit Mk III pick up Reg No C480 LFV Fleet No 28 ‘Samson’ was registered new on the 18th of April 1986.
Seen here in the depot at Longridge on the 13th of February 1993, according to the DVLA, this vehicle now has a Statuary Off Road Notice but was still on the road in 2017 at 31 years old.
Photograph courtesy of Chris Richards.
Registered new on the 1st of July 1986 Leyland Roadrunner four wheeler drop-side flat Reg No C413 FBU Fleet No 108, aptly named ‘Roadrunner’, was a handy little machine for dodging around with up to 4 tons payload.
Another yard shot of Leyland Roadrunner four wheeler drop-side flat Reg No C413 FBU Fleet No 108.
Named ‘Roadrunner’ it was registered new on the 1st of July 1986 and is seen here in the depot at Longridge in 1995 after being in service for nine years.
Photograph courtesy Chris Richards.
An on the road shot of Leyland Roadrunner four wheeler Reg No C413 FBU Fleet No 108 ‘Roadrunner’.
It is pictured here on the A6 heading towards Preston.
Photograph courtesy Chris Richards.
M.A.N. 15.170 four wheeler box van Reg No E50 UNA Fleet No 98 ‘Western Isle’ was originally registered new to Harris Road Services on the 17th of August 1987.
Purchased second hand by Riding’s on the 22nd of February 1988, at a cost of £25,177 + vat when only six months old, it was out-based at Falkirk at the Timax distribution depot and used on the Timax Bainbridge exhaust contract delivering exhaust systems to retailers across Scotland.
Driven by Sonny O’ Rourke and Benny Ward after six years service E50 UNA was withdrawn and sold on the 10th of February 1994 to J.C. Commercials of Bank Hall Lane Bootle for the sum of £3,250 +vat.
