Corgi OM42413 Bedford VAL, West Riding

West Riding started operations in April 1905, following the acquisition of the Wakefield and District Light Railway Company, making it one of the country’s second largest independent bus and coach companies. Motorbuses first appeared in 1922, and a subsidiary, the West Riding Automobile Company Limited operated them. In 1950, a large independent operator, J Bullock and Sons Ltd was merged with the company. During the early 1960’s, the company modernised the fleet, and a number of Bedford VAM and VAL types, the latter being Plaxton-bodied, replaced the half-cab coach fleet. Privatisation came in the mid-1980’s and eventually West Riding became part of the Arriva group of companies.