Ashton No. 39 typifies the Lancashire municipal bus of the late 1950’s and early 60’s. The smart but traditional styling of it’s Charles H. Roe bodywork mounted on the rugged Leyland Titan chassis is a real collaboration of Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Built in 1964, No. 39 carried the blue and cream livery of Ashton-under-Lyne until absorbed into the SELNEC PTE fleet in 1969. Moving over to Greater Manchester PTE fleet in 1974 it continued in passenger service until being relegated to driver training duties.

On withdrawal from Greater Manchester PTE as No. 5439 it was acquired for preservation. Her working days were not quite over however as she continued with driver training duties for her new owner.

Changes in the law regarding driver training buses meant that 39 was no longer suitable. She was moved to open air storage at Westhoughton where she remained until purchased by David Wilson in December 2001.

Now 39 is part of the LTT collection and represents the smaller Lancashire municipal operators that have long since disappeared. 39 also contrasts well with the Fylde Coast vehicles in the collection as she did all those years ago when her regular passengers escaped from Ashton to Blackpool for their annual fortnight’s holiday.