Life After Preston

Revised: 01 September, 1999

Over the years, former Preston buses have tended to prove very popular with other operators once their Preston career has drawn to a close. There are a number of reasons for this, but probably the main reason is the excellent standards of maintenance for which Preston Bus is renowned.

In the early 60's, the gradual replacement of the large fleet of Leyland Titan PD1s saw many of these taking up further residence with Barton and, in particular, with Samuel Ledgards. As the 60's drew to a close, however, very few Preston buses escaped from the one-way trip to Barnsley and oblivion in the bus graveyards. Preston buses weren't fashionable anymore and until 1976 the only escapees went for preservation. This can largely be put down to the age of the vehicles being withdrawn (usually after 20 years) and the fact that PD2s with rear open platforms were becoming passé when Lodekkas, PD3s and early Atlanteans were available offering greater capacity for the same sort of price.

However, as Preston's own PD3s started to leave the fleet, so they began to appear on the market again and the reputation of ex-Preston buses began to grow. In the early 80's, this trend expanded and by the time that the final Panthers went most of them went direct to other operators and not passing to dealers

The later Panther disposals went direct to Isle of Man Road Services and they spent several years on the Island before returning in one big batch to the mainland and further service with Citibus in Manchester. The Bristol LHS6Ls went direct to Tyne&Wear PTE.

This trend for direct disposals became the norm and as Atlanteans began to be displaced they went direct to other operators. The Alexander bodied examples (101-110) went to North Western and Hyndburn, the latter vehicles being converted by Preston to single door before sale. Then when the East Lancs bodied examples came off they went to Warrington and Sheffield Omnibus who took no fewer than 26 examples to commence their operations, even retaining Preston livery which seemed highly appropriate in Sheffield.

Next to go were the Leyland Nationals which had come from Merseyside PTE. Appropriately they went back to Merseyside, this time with North Western

Since then more Atlanteans have gone, amongst other to Lincolnshire Road Car and Abbots of Leeming whilst many of the Dodge/Renault minis have also departed and are now scattered far and wide.

Indeed, since the Panthers went, only one bus has not gone on for further service - this being an accident victim; a remarkable record by any standards

The photographs in the following section illustrate this variety of further duties.

(Please click on the thumbnail for the full size image)