LAND OF PAINT & LORRIES

So, it's time to leave Preston behind, heading west to Lower Penwortham, where Preston Bus No. 2 was found - a unique vehicle in the fleet.

In Penwortham itself, the excellent Fleece Inn.

Just to the south of Preston is Walton-le-Dale, where the Shawes Arms was located. A pretty decent boozer, it has since shut.

Bamber Bridge Motor Services once served Walton-le-Dale and that company's No. 6 was photographed there when newish.

Also, in 2004, a bus rally was held at Walton-le-Dale. Here are a couple of entrants.

We move on southwards, to Leyland, once home to Leyland Paints and Leyland Motors. First, though, the railway station, seen here in LNWR times.

A DMU calls at Leyland in June 1986.

Northern serves the station these days.

Pendolinos and freight pass through without stopping.

The town clock, one of the few reminders of the former lorry and bus manufacturer.

Right in the middle of Leyland is a micropub, the Market Ale House.

The town's Wetherspoons is a reminder of the buses made in the town.

 Another micropub in Leyland, the Golden Tap.

In the 1998s, a regular vintage vehicle rally was held in Leyland. Here are three very appropriate entrants.

A local bus operator, Fishwick's, was based in Leyland. The company used to built their own bodywork.

Some more conventional buses in the Fishwick's fleet.

Fishwick's also used to operate demonstration buses on behalf of the neighbours.

Back north again, to the Preston - Blackburn railway line, to find Bamber Bridge station in 1963 (Ben Brooksbank).

The signal box, re-roofed, was downgraded to just a level crossing frame.

Further along the line was Hoghton level crossing, with a L&YR signal box.

At nearby Feniscowles was Three Bs Brewery, since relocated to Darwen.

Also in Feniscowles, the Feildens Arms.

That seems like a good place to conclude this post. The next one will see us in Blackburn. Meanwhile, you can find the route here.

PRESTON CITY CENTRE

Yes, I believe Preston is now a city and has been for twenty years. It used to have trams and these could be seen on the main thoroughfare, Fishersgate. This postcard view is from 1904 or thereabouts - without a tram in sight.

Two views of Fishersgate, this time with trams.

Another postcard showing Fishersgate, in the town centre, just after WW2.

 Ribble buses could be seen operating along Fishersgate and occasionally broke down, bringing out the towing vehicle, an old Leyland Tiger. It's seen here in 1978.

Proceeding down Fishersgate towards the railway station is Ribble 1524, an ex Blackburn Leyland Atlantean. It's passing a long closed Boddington's pub, the Theatre Tavern, in 1986.

Of course, Preston Buses (now part of the Rotala Group) can be seen in the city centre. Here's Olympian 106 there in 1996.

Comfybus, a small operator from the Southport area, run infrequent services into Preston.

Until 1969, when the new bus station opened, buses in Preston terminated at various points. This is Starch House Square around 1935, with a Viking Motors vehicle.

Preston Buses are to be seen in the new bus station. They once had a fleet of ancient Leylands, some of which were rebuilt with front entrances.

They also had some Leyland Panthers.

In 1979, this Dennis Dominator from Burton-on-Trent, was on loan as a demonstrator.

Now that Rotala have taken over, only the west side of the iconic bus station is in use.

Other operators used the east side and included Fishwick's of Leyland, Fylde Buses, Mercer's of Longridge and Phoenix Buses.

The main operator on the east side of Preston bus station was Ribble Motor Services.

Stagecoach took over most of the Ribble operations. This Atlantean had been new to Barrow.

Beer time now! First stop, the Preston Brewery. It's no longer in existance, this photo being from 1992.

The Windsor Castle pub is also now no more.

Gaston's was once a real ale have. It's still in existence, but has no cask beer and is called 'Baker Street'.

Another casualty, the Lamb & Packet.

Thankfully, the Black Horse, owned by Robinson's, is still going strong.

Always a good bet for a decent pint, the Market Tavern.

Around the corner is a newish micropub, the Guild Ale House.

Finally, no visit to Preston is complete with a few pints in the Old Black Bull.

That's it for Preston, we'll leave the city behind in the next post.

PRESTON STATION/FISHERSGATE HILL

 So, we've arrived in Preston, but there's so much to do, that, in this post, I'll concentrate on the railway station and the road outside. Here's a pre-grouping view inside Preston railway station.

Into LMS days, with an ex L&YR 4-4-0 seen in 1927.

Another former L&YR loco, an 0-8-0 this time.

Moving forward into the early 1980s and we have a class 86 on an express working.

86226 "Charles Rennie Mackintosh" has received Virgin colours and is seen at Preston in 2000.

Northern Rail operates most of the local services around Preston.

Some long distance routes are in the hands of TransPennine Express.

There's usually plenty of freight passing through Preston.

At the top of the station approach is Fishersgate Hill, where once trams ran - and some interesting buses.

Climbing Fishersgate Hill in 1982 is an old Leyland PD3 of Ribble.

Fishwick's of Leyland once passed Preston station.

Coastal Coaches run occasionally past the station.

Stagecoach also can be seen in this area.

Handily placed opposite the station is an excellent down-to-earth boozer, the Old Vic.

That's it for now. The next post will see us right in the heart of Preston.