Dont know if you have seen this pic Paul.
Atkinson Mk II 4X2 tractor unit Reg No WTB 660H Fleet No 41 was a brand new addition to the Riding fleet on the 1st of March 1970 at a cost of £4,708.22p.
Assigned to the bulk haulage fleet WTB 660H was Mark II tractor unit powered by a Gardner 6LXB 180 engine in line with a six speed David Brown gearbox and Kirkstall BDR axle.
It was driven from new by Ron Rich who eventually went on to start his own successful powder tank business.
After eight years service WTB 660H was sold on to a W.R.Taylor of Melling Liverpool on the 8th of March 1978 for £2,500 plus vat.
moomooland:
It was driven from new by Ron Rich who eventually went on to start his own successful powder tank business.
I often see them about, and always looking tidy: richltd.co.uk/
DEANB:
Paul, found this bit about Ridings
Thanks Dean here’s a colour version.
The vehicle in the picture is Seddon Atkinson 401 Series 4x2 tractor unit Reg No D100 XHG Fleet No 69 ‘Hotspur II’ which was powered by a Gardner 6LXDT 290 engine and registered new to Riding’s on the 1st of March 1987.
moomooland:
DEANB:
Paul, found this bit about RidingsThanks Dean here’s a colour version.
0The vehicle in the picture is Seddon Atkinson 401 Series 4x2 tractor unit Reg No D100 XHG Fleet No 69 ‘Hotspur II’ which was powered by a Gardner 6LXDT 290 engine and registered new to Riding’s on the 1st of March 1987.
Looks better in colour ! 
Probably been posted before.
How Tom Riding turned this…
Seddon Atkinson 400 Series 4X2 tractor unit Reg No NGD 648V Fleet No 18 ‘Apollo’ was originally registered new on the 14th of January 1980 to C.R.S. Transport Ltd.
Powered by a ■■■■■■■ E290 engine in line with a Fuller 9509 gearbox and group axle it looks quite resplendent in the picture above, but all is not what it seems as Tom Riding explains below…
"I had a phone call off Ken Howard from Translitre at Burton on Trent, from whom i had bought several damaged vehicles off in the past, who went on to explain that he had a Seddon Atkinso 400 Series in their yard that had been in his words ‘knocked about a bit’. 
I travelled down to Burton on Trent and on closer inspection decided that, amazingly, there was nothing mechanically wrong with it.
After paying Translitre £4,000 plus vat for the heap on the 1st of December 1982 we loaded it up and brought it home to Longridge for my mechanics to set about the challenge of turning it into a workhorse once again.
Costing a total of £5.354 in parts to sort it out and get it back on the road again to earn it’s keep we ran it in our fleet for six years, until the end of 1988, after which time i sold it on to D.G. McWalters of Balmullo St Andrews for £3,000 plus vat."
moomooland:
**How Tom Riding turned this…**Into this…Seddon Atkinson 400 Series 4X2 tractor unit Reg No NGD 648V Fleet No 18 ‘Apollo’ was originally registered new on the 14th of January 1980 to C.R.S. Transport Ltd.
Powered by a ■■■■■■■ E290 engine in line with a Fuller 9509 gearbox and group axle it looks quite resplendent in the picture above, but all is not what it seems as Tom Riding explains below…
"I had a phone call off Ken Howard from Translitre at Burton on Trent, from whom i had bought several damaged vehicles off in the past, who went on to explain that he had a Seddon Atkinso 400 Series in their yard that had been in his words ‘knocked about a bit’.
I travelled down to Burton on Trent and on closer inspection decided that, amazingly, there was nothing mechanically wrong with it.
After paying Translitre £4,000 plus vat for the heap on the 1st of December 1982 we loaded it up and brought it home to Longridge for my mechanics to set about the challenge of turning it into a workhorse once again.
Costing a total of £5.354 in parts to sort it out and get it back on the road again to earn it’s keep we ran it in our fleet for six years, until the end of 1988, after which time i sold it on to D.G. McWalters of Balmullo St Andrews for £3,000 plus vat."
Tom certainly knew how to do a good deal. That motor cost £ 9354.00,sold for £ 3,000 = £ 6354.00 Divide
that by 6 = £ 1059.00. Thats cheap a vehicle costing you £ 88.25 per month,or roughly £ 22.06 per week !
Thats the way to run profitable trucks !
This pic was on a video on You Tube.
Thanks for that Dean.
The L.A.D. cabbed Leyland Beaver 4x2 tractor unit above, Reg No MTJ 440C Fleet No 5, was right on the cusp of the change from L.A.D. cabbed to Ergomatic tilt cabbed ranges in 1965.
It’s pictured coupled to one of Riding’s four in line Crane Fruehauf 25 foot trailers, capable of carrying a 16 ton payload and ran between ICI Wilton and ICI Kilroot Northern Ireland.
It was later involved in an accident and after being rebuilt by Riding’s it was repainted in this experimental livery below which, after much deliberation, Riding’s decided not to adopt.
Have to say that Beaver suits the experimental livery, wonder what the reasons were not to adopt it, a simpler design than they had so maybe it didn’t catch the eye so much, as you could spot a Riding motor coming way off. Franky.
DEANB:
Have you got this one Paul ?
Thanks for that one Dean not seen that particular picture before.
We covered the story earlier in this thread regarding the late registered Atkinson Borderer JTB 888P HERE
Thanks for that one Robert.ERF-NGC-European:
Just noticed this one on a French site. Robert
Ergomatic cabbed Leyland Beaver 4x2 tractor unit Reg No TTC 900D Fleet No 48 was registered new to Riding’s in 1966.
Driven from new by Bill Coolican this was one of the batch of Leyland’s introduced into the ever-growing fleet that year.
Pictured above it’s loaded and ready for the off while coupled to a well sheeted and roped 33 foot Crane Fruehauf tandem axle trailer.
It wasn’t surprising that family firms like Brady’s and Ridings kicked Leyland Motors into touch in the 60’s and changed to Gardner engine Atkis and in Brady’s case Scania 110’s as well. Leyland were well established in fleets such as the two I’ve mentioned but they just “blew it” but expected to still sell their sub standard products into these fleets ! Unfortunately a private haulier in those days didn’t enjoy the financial “patronage” that Leyland had i.e. Labour Government “subsidies” courtesy of the good 'ole British tax payer! 
So they voted with their feet ! Cheers Bewick.
Sadly Jack Moon, who was one of W. J Riding’s long serving drivers, passed away on Tuesday November 14th 2017 aged 81 after a long battle with cancer.
Jack is pictured below in 1969 at the age of 33 along side his brand new Atkinson Mk II 4x2 tractor unit Reg No UTB 370H Fleet No 32 ‘Illustrious’ which was registered new to Riding’s on the 1st of October 1969
RIP Jack Moon.
How long did he drive for Tom then Paul ■■
I bet he could tell some good stories about the old days pounding that Atki up and down the road.
Hiya,
I only spent a short spell as a W & J Riding’s, it was a distance from
my home and I spent a large part of my day travelling to and from
the yard But I did on a couple of occasions have a chat with Jack a
real nice person and the same age as me RIP mate and condolences
to your family.
thanks harry, long retired.
Bewick:
It wasn’t surprising that family firms like Brady’s and Ridings kicked Leyland Motors into touch in the 60’s and changed to Gardner engine Atkis and in Brady’s case Scania 110’s as well. Leyland were well established in fleets such as the two I’ve mentioned but they just “blew it” but expected to still sell their sub standard products into these fleets ! Unfortunately a private haulier in those days didn’t enjoy the financial “patronage” that Leyland had i.e. Labour Government “subsidies” courtesy of the good 'ole British tax payer!
Ridings reluctantly dropped support of Leyland Motors due to nothing more than having to wait for chassis. After their first Ergomatic Beaver was delivered in 1965, such was their happiness with the vehicle they ordered 40 to be delivered in phases, but after the first 5 they were told that the oil companies had priority due to sheer numbers they’d ordered and that Ridings would have to wait. It was at that point the allegiance was broken, orders were cancelled and Atkinson got their business. There was no political sideline - it was purely down to Leyland Motors not being able (or willing) to delivered chassis when they wanted them - and it was Tom Riding who told me.