The Trust membership scheme currently has almost 300 members who share an interest in Ribble Motor Services and the work we do to preserve the company’s history. The annual subscription is £25 and members receive a full colour magazine four times a year as well as access to our members Facebook page and the chance to participate in our work.
You can apply for membership by completing the application form via the Contact Page
As well as supporting our overall aims members also have the chance to work directly with the Trust. A whole range of opportunities awaits – some members work regularly at our depot on vehicle preparation, regular maintenance and vehicle restoration. We have plenty of tasks for those with specific skills and those who help in a more general way. Others help out at events by conducting on the bus service, carrying out marshalling, talking to visitors. There’s plenty of enjoyment as well as hard work and a lot of satisfaction in helping a restoration project to completion or successfully delivering a major event.
If you would like to know more and possibly take a look around do get in touch.
452 Saro Tiger Cub
Reg: FCK 884
Chassis: Leyland Tiger Cub PSUC1/1T
Body: Saunders-Roe (Saro) B44F
Built: 1954
Ribble bought 50 of these vehicles in 1954 (the first 408 was delivered in 1953 and exhibited at the Motor Show). They were allocated mainly to depots that operated rural routes. 452 was converted to OMO (One Man Operation) in the mid 1960’s which meant that as well as fitting a ticket machine for the driver the rear emergency door had a glass window inserted to aid reversing.
452 seems to have spent virtually all its career at Kendal Depot (like several other vehicles in our collection). It then passed in 1968 to Lockey’s of West Auckland and was repainted into their distinctive black and white livery, being kept in immaculate condition both externally and internally.
When Lockey’s withdrew it in 1979 it was purchased by a RVPT member. Restoration work began in 1995/6 and involved the vehicle having major structural work on the floor, many panels renewed, total rewiring throughout, new floor coverings, new rexine, and an engine rebuild. It was first rallied in April 1997 .
It has been a workhorse for the Trust since then, receiving a full external repaint in 2013.