To celebrate 100 years since the first Maidstone Corporation tram ran from the High Street to Barming, a cavalcade of Kent buses followed the same route on Wednesday 14th July 2004.
The following are a personal selection of photographs taken at the Queens Monument.
 |
The undoubted star vehicle for Maidstone's Transport centenary is trolleybus number 72 (HKR11), Maidstone's last trolleybus in 1967. The bus is seen here at the Queens Monument shortly before being towed to Barming and back. |
 |
An offside view of number 72, seen by the Queens Monument. The morning saw some rain showers which fortunately abated by the time the cavalcade began. |
 |
Is this the closest 72 has been to the Queens Monument since 1967? Certainly it was not present at the 75th anniversary. Perhaps 2004 marks its last visit to the town. |
 |
Maidstone 26 (26YKO), a Leyland PD2 with Massey bodywork now preserved by A.J. & N.M. Carr of Pluckley. The Queens Monument can be seen in the background. |
 |
The cavalcade prepares to leave the High Street. Maidstone Corporation 26 heads a row of vehicles including M&D's Knightrider Commer L10 (NKN650), an East Kent Tilling Stevens B10 saloon (JG669) and M&D DH159, a Bristol K6A with Weymann bodywork. Several contemporary vehicles followed on including Nu Ventures Maidstone Corporation liveried Olympians, Arriva's ochre/cream liveried Dart 3176 and a Park & Ride DAF/Wright. |
 |
Maidstone 26 pauses opposite the Queens Monument after returning from Barming, flanked by two Police escorts on bicycles. |
 |
Ex Maidstone & District DH159 (HKE867), a Bristol K6A with Weymann bodywork now preserved by the M&D & East Kent Bus Club. The bus is seen at Coleman Parade, King Street after returning from Barming. |
 |
A rear view of DH159. |
Maidstone Transport History Maidstone Trolleybuses
