Maidstone Centenary: Running Day

Sunday 18th July 2004

The last in a series events to celebrate Maidstone's Transport centenary was a running day on Sunday 18th July 2004 combined with a bus rally at Lockmeadow.

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MD-group.jpg (64616 bytes)M&D vehicles parked at Town Square, Lockmeadow.
MD-LKT991.jpg (47520 bytes)Maidstone & District SO43 (LKT991), a Bristol L6A with Eastern Coachworks bodywork. This bus is the sole survivor of 31 similar buses purchased by the company in 1949/50.
MD-DH159-front.jpg (20910 bytes)Maidstone & District DH159 (HKE867), a 1949 Bristol K6A with Weymann bodywork now preserved by the M&D and East Kent Bus Club. The bus appears to have sustained damage to its destination display since appearing in the cavalcade four days earlier.
MD-DH159-lower.jpg (36578 bytes)The lower deck of M&D DH159. This bus originally had a Duple utility body and was rebodied with a Weymann body in 1953.
MD-DH159-moquette.jpg (53932 bytes)The bench seat at the rear of DH159 shows the pattern of moquette used by M&D until the late 1950s.
MD-DH159-platform.jpg (21054 bytes)The platform of DH159, showing a 'Wait until the bus stops' notice - this sign continued to be applied to M&D buses (including those with doors) until the 1970s.
MD-390DKK.jpg (36513 bytes)Maidstone & District SC390 (390DKK), an AEC Reliance with Harrington Weyfarer bodywork. This vehicle was delivered to M&D in 1958 for express and touring work and was returned to Harrington's later in its career to have a bus front fitted. The coach operated a tour to West Malling during the day.
MD-SO277.jpg (55437 bytes)Maidstone & District SO277 (277DKT) always did have a bus front although this dual purpose vehicle was used on both bus and coach duties. The bus is a 1959 AEC Reliance with Park Royal bodywork and is showing blinds for service 61 (Maidstone and Bearsted).
MD-SO277-door.jpg (22959 bytes)A side view of M&D SO277 showing detail of the two piece door and illuminated 'pay as you enter' sign. The dual purpose seating can also be seen.
MD-SO277-rear.jpg (23224 bytes)A rear/offside view of SO277 showing the boot doors enabling luggage to be carried on express services and tours.
MD-Knightrider.jpg (47364 bytes)Maidstone & District's 'Knightrider' coach, a 1951 Commer Avenger 1 with Harrington bodywork. The coach was used by M&D for executive private hires and frequently used for directors' visits to company depots.
M&D-DH379.jpg (28109 bytes)Maidstone & District DH379 (NKT875), a 1951 all Leyland PD2/12. This bus operated some services during the day including a working via Queens Road to Banky Meadow.
M&D-DH379_2.jpg (41238 bytes)An offisde view of M&D DH379, shortly after arrival from a run up to Banky Meadow.
MD-DH379-rear.jpg (27791 bytes)A rear view of M&D DH379. Most M&D PD2s had rear platform doors and M&D DH379 was so fitted while used as a trainer. The bus now has its original open platform.
MD-DH379-upper.jpg (38378 bytes)The upper deck of M&D DH379 during its trip to Banky Meadow.
MD-DH379-lower.jpg (34270 bytes)The lower deck of M&D DH379. The opening window behind the driver was probably fitted when the bus was used as a trainer by M&D after withdrawal from stage carriage duties.
East-Kent-Tillings.jpg (32736 bytes)East Kent JG669, a 1930 Tilling Stevens 'Express' with Brush coachwork. The chassis of this bus was built at Victoria Works, St. Peter's Street, Maidstone. The bus served with East Kent until 1945. The bus was acquired by its present owner in 1967 in derelict condition from a scrapyard in Wantage, Berkshire.
East-Kent-MFN888-3.jpg (26828 bytes)East Kent MFN888, a 1957 Guy Arab Mark IV with Park Royal bodywork. The bus spent most of its life working from Folkestone garage.
East-Kent-MFN888-rear.jpg (12022 bytes)The rear of East Kent MFN888 showing platform doors and blinds for Herne Bay.
East-Kent-MFN888-offside.jpg (27681 bytes)An offside view of East Kent MFN888.
East-Kent-MFN888-detail.jpg (25319 bytes)Detail of the Guy badge on the front of East Kent MFN888.
East-Kent-group.jpg (38361 bytes)Stagecoach East Kent 246 (L246SDY) is a Leyland Olympian with Northern Counties bodywork. The bus is supposed to be painted in traditional East Kent livery - however MFN888 demonstrates that Stagecoach haven't got it quite right!
SEK-33021.jpg (31822 bytes)Stagecoach East Kent 33021, a Dennis Dart SLF new in 1998. The bus is showing blinds for a destination on the Isle of Thanet but carries vinyls for an Ashford local service.
LT-HGC225.jpg (26397 bytes)London Transport STL2692 (HGC225) is a 1945 AEC Regent II with Weymann bodywork. After ten years service from Watford High Street Garage, the bus passed to Grimsby Corporation and was withdrawn in 1968. The bus has been preserved in original 1945 condition.
LT-NLE672.jpg (37537 bytes)London Transport RF672 (NLE672) is a 1952 AEC Regal IV with Metro Cammell bodywork. The bus was new to London Transport's country area and was one of a new generation of underfloor-engined vehicles.
Autocar G456MGG, a 1990 Dennis Dart with Duple bodywork. Autocar are based in Five Oak Green near Tonbridge and operate services in the Weald of Kent. This bus is showing blinds for a market day Kilndown to Maidstone service.
Maidstone Corporation 26 (26YKO), a 1963 Leyland PD2A with Massey bodywork. This bus remained with Maidstone Corporation and Boro'line until its demise and is now owned by Alan Carr of Pluckley. The bus received a repaint for the centenary celebrations.
A rear view of Maidstone Corporation 26 and trolleybus 72, a 1947 Sunbeam W with Northern Coachbuilders bodywork.
Maidstone Corporation 26 at the Ringlestone terminus. This bus operated several journeys during the day, including runs to Penenden Heath and Ringlestone, where it was greeted by a group of boys enquiring as to whether it was really going to Penenden Heath.

Maidstone Centenary: June Rally Maidstone Centenary: Cavalcade Maidstone Centenary: Running Day

Maidstone Transport History

Maidstone Trolleybuses

Cobham 1991 Dorking Classic Bus Running Day Sunday in the Country Last bus from Hawkhurst London - Brighton 2005 Fifty Years of the RT Bus Maidstone Transport Centenary Northiam Southdown at 75 Showbus

Click here for details of Maidstone Centenary events

This page was updated on 08/05/2008