Rolling Stock Listing

Most of the information and photographs contained within this Enthusiasts Section has been compiled by David Prescott, an avid enthusiast of the British Motor Bus Industry and a regular visitor to John Fishwick & Sons over many years.

In 1997 David produced a book of considerable research, to celebrate John Fishwick & Sons 90 year history, as well as additional information on other British Independent Bus and Coach Operators - once again we thank him for this tremendous achievement.

Leyland built vehicles were popular with local operators. The small Fishwick's Whippets were based on the Leyland 'Chester' body.

In 1907 John Fishwick moved from Wales to Leyland looking for work. He bought a steam propelled wagon from a local company, The Lancashire Steam Motor Co., which later became Leyland Motors Ltd. The wagon was used on road building contracts and for hauling goods from the local factories.

The passenger side of the John Fishwick's business followed some 3 years later, when the second vehicle, a petrol engine wagon, was converted at weekends to carry passengers on shopping trips to the neighbouring town of Preston.

After the 1st World War, the fleet rapidly expanded to some 33 vehicles ( 8 wagons and 25 buses) by the early 1930's. The haulage side slowly began to decline until final disposal in 1953 with the passenger fleet continuing to increase to over 30 vehicles.

The coach side of the business began in 1963, being the final part of a takeover which began in 1935, with the acquisition of the J Singleton Ltd coach business of Leyland. By the end of the 1960’s the fleet strength had risen to 46 vehicles, of which 11 were coaches.

The 3 Duple-bodied coaches: Leopard on the right and 2 Albion Victors on the left, bought by Fishwick's to operate the coach business purchased from Singleton's in 1963.

Today, John Fishwick & Sons is still a family run, independent operator, with a fleet of 39 buses, 1 mini bus and 7 coaches and is proud of its tradition. The Fishwick's family apply the same principles today of providing a good, quality service where buses never fail to operate and to the timetable, as did John Fishwick himself back in 1907.

John Fishwick & Sons continue to operate bus services in the Leyland, Chorley and Preston areas, in the long-standing two-tone green livery which represents the stability of continued history. The Holiday Tours operation continues to expand, with 7 coaches providing the transport for Classic Gold Holiday Tours throughout the British Isles, Eire and the Continent, together with Sea and River Cruises and Air Holidays.

Fishwick's continue to improve their fleet with the addition of 3 DAF/Wright SB120 buses in 2001 and 2 DAF/Wright SB200 buses in 2002. For the summer of 2003, the Classic Gold Holiday Tours operation will have 2 new Van Hool Coaches with superb new livery.

The deeper radiator also improved the appearance of the new passenger models. Lion number 25 now looks decidedly old-fashioned alongside the 1937 batch of Burlingham bodied deckers, but will still give another 10 year's service.

The vehicle on the right, purchased in 1916 , is seen with Leyland built passenger bodywork standing alongside a similar vehicle from Pickburn's Mayflower fleet. Note the Preston Licence number on the latter vehicle

The second 'X' type with its platform body.

The author of John Fishwick & Sons 1907 - 1997 David Prescott pictured with one of Maypole's Vintage Tigers.

John Fishwick stands by his first bus, a canvas topped Leyland 'X' type which doubled as a lorry during the week.

The Leyland RAF type found a place in many operators' fleets. This platform lorry was purchased by Fishwick's in 1919.

Local operator Singletons ran this handsome Leyland built saloon; the telephone number, numerically the next one to Fishwick's.

The Lion represented a tremendous advance in bus design, as can easily be seen when comparing this photograph to the Fishwick's Whippet, yet only 5 or 6 years separated the models.


John Fishwick, seated in the centre of the 2nd row, with his workforce and brand new Leyland Titan in 1931. John Fishwick & Sons head office in Leyland is still run from the same premises today.