Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986 Contents
Maidstone Corporation Transport Fleet 1904-1986 History Page 3 Maidstone Corporation Transport Tram Fleet 1904-1930 List Page 7 Maidstone Corporation Transport Trolleybus Fleet 1928-1967 List Page 10 Maidstone Corporation Transport Fleet Bus 1924-1986 List Page 18
CoverIllustration: Preserved1963Leyland PD2A/30 ‘Titan’ No. 26(26YKO) with Massey 61-seat bodywork at Kent (Brian in Showground 2014. Pask).
First Published the 2020 TransportLocal History Library.by
With to David thanks Lang, John Boylett John (courtesy Kaye), JohnKaye, Jeremy Chapter, RichardSimons, Brian Paskand John Law forillustrations.
© The Local Transport History Library 2020. ( www.lthlibrary.org.uk ) For personaluse only. No partof this publication may bereproduced, storedina retrievalsystem, transmittedor distributed inany form or by any means, electronic, mechanicalor otherwise for commercialgain withouttheexpress writtenpermissionof the publisher. Inall cases this notice remainmust All intact. rights reserved.
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Page 2 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
The Maidstone Corporation Light Railways Order of 1903 authorised the building of Maidstone's first tramway system. The first route from the High Street ran along Tonbridge Road to the Fountain Inn in the village of Barming (where the depot was situated), a distance of around 2 miles and opened on the 14 July 1904. The initial fleet consisted of 6 double-deck open-top cars (Nos. 1-6), built by the Electric Railway and Tramway Carriage Works of Preston and liveried in golden ochre and white. A single identical double-deck car from the same manufacturer was added in 1905. On 16 October 1907 a second route opened running from the High Street along Loose Road for 2 miles to the village of Loose. Finally on 9 January 1908 a third route opened running from the Loose line just after High Street to Tovil Paper Mill, which completed the mainly single-track system. Ten more cars (Nos. 8-17) were purchased from the United Electric Car Company to work the extra routes. The final addition to the tram fleet was a single-deck demi car (No. 18) purchased in 1909.
On 7 April 1924 Maidstone Corporation commenced operating motor buses when the first service, to Penenden Heath from London Road, was introduced. This was quickly followed by other routes.
In 1928, with the tramway system and rolling stock in need of replacement, the Council turned its attention to the trolleybus, which could be substituted for less cost. On 1 May 1928 the Barming trams were replaced
Page 3 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986 by trolleybuses, followed on 1 August 1929 by those on the Torvil line. Finally on 11 February 1930 the Loose route was converted to trolleybus operation and the tramway era was over. The Loose route was extended at the same time to Sutton Road, replacing buses that had been operating since 20 July 1928 between High Street and Mangravet Avenue, Sutton Road. The displaced buses were used to inaugurate a new route between Park Avenue to Foster Clark Estate, which commenced on the same day. In 1934 a route to Mote Park Estate commenced.
With the onset of World War II in 1939 the ubiquitous Guy Arab made an appearance with 9 of the type being delivered during the war years. On 15 July 1946 the first new postwar service commenced between London Road and Ringlestone. Shortly afterwards on 22 May 1947 the trolleybus route to Barming was extended from the Fountain Inn to the Bull Inn as was the Sutton Road section on the Loose route, which from 21 June 1956 served Nottingham Road.
By 1963 the Transport Committee had decided to dispense with the trolleybuses, replacing them with high capacity double-deck buses. The new buses brought with them a change of livery from the previous brown and white to a light blue and cream. The final trolleybus ran on 15 April 1967.
Page 4 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
A new depot was opened in Armstrong Road on 5 January 1969, replacing the original depot in Tonbridge Road, Barming.
On 1 April 1974, under local government re-organisation, Maidstone became Maidstone Borough Council and absorbed rural district councils in the surrounding area. Previously Maidstone Corporation had served its own area within the town and interurban and rural services had been left to Maidstone & District Motor Services. Now the new authority had plans to serve the expanded area. On 9 August 1981 a major co-ordination scheme was introduced, also involving East Kent Road Car Company, and resulted in joint workings on all routes within the Borough Council area.
With a change of management of the Transport Department came a change of policy with an immediate move to single-deckers rather than double-deckers and indeed the fleet, which had been 100% double-deck in 1974, was 100% single-deck by 1979!
The enactment of the 1985 Transport Act on 26 October 1986 meant that the Borough Council were required to register an 'arms-length' limited company, which they did under the name Maidstone Borough Council (Holdings) Ltd, trading as Boro'line, Maidstone, effectively ending municipal involvement after 82 years.
Page 5 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
Sadly in 1992 the company went into receivership and the remaining buses along with the depot were sold to Maidstone & District Motor Services, who took over operation of all services from 29 May 1992.
Page 6 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986 Tram Fleet List 1904-1930
This listing is in the format - Year into stock; Fleet No; Type; Trucks; Body; Seating.
1904
1-6 Double-deck open-top 4-wheel Brill 21E ERTCW 26/22
Withdrawn 1929 (3, 5), 1930 (1, 2, 4, 6).
1905
7 Double-deck open-top 4-wheel Brill 21E ERTCW 26/22
Withdrawn 1929 (7).
Page 7 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1907
8-17 Double-deck open-top 4-wheel Brill 21E UEC 22/18
Withdrawn 1929 (14 + three others), 1930 (Remainder).
1909
18 Single-deck demi-car 4-wheel Mountain & Gibson 21E UEC 19
Withdrawn 1919 (18).
Page 8 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
No. 11 was one of ten 1907 United Electric Car-built open-top 4-wheel cars seating 40, similar to the 1904 and 1905 cars, but with smaller seating capacity. (LTHL collection). Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986 Trolleybus Fleet List 1928-1967
This listing is in the format - Year into stock; Fleet No; Reg. No; Chassis; Chassis No; Body; Seating.
1928
11 KO8891 Ransomes D6 1858 Ransomes H32/21R 12-13 KO8543-8544 Ransomes D6 1859-60 Ransomes H32/21R 14-18 KO8892-8896 Ransomes D6 1861-63/66/65 Ransomes H32/21R
Withdrawn 1946-47 (11-18).
1930
23-26 KR351-54 English Electric 114/16/15/17 English Electric H30/26R 27-29 KR355-57 English Electric 119-20/18 English Electric H30/26R
No. 29 rebuilt by Beadle in 1939 after accident damage. Withdrawn 1946 (23), 1947 (29), 1948 (24-28).
Page 10 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
No. 17 (KO8895) was a six-wheeled Ransomes D6 with Ransomes 53-seat bodywork, one of the original eight trolleybuses delivered in 1928. (LTHL collection). Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1943
54-55 GKN379-80 Sunbeam W4 50021-22 Park Royal H30/26R
Nos. 54-55 re-bodied by Roe to H34/28R in 1960. Withdrawn 1967 (54-55).
1944
56-58 GKP511-13 Sunbeam W 50069/71/70 Park Royal H30/26R
Nos. 56-58 re-bodied by Roe to H34/28R in 1960. Withdrawn 1967 (56-58).
1946
62-67 HKR1-6 Sunbeam W 50326-31 Northern Coachbuilders H30/26R
Withdrawn 1965 (62-63, 67), 1967 (64-66).
Page 12 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
No. 56 (GKP511) was a 1944 Sunbeam W originally with Park Royal 56-seat bodywork but re-bodied by Roe, as seen here, in 1960. (David Lang). Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1947
68-73 HKR7-12 Sunbeam W 50332-35/93-94 Northern Coachbuilders H30/26R
Withdrawn 1965 (69-71, 73), 1967 (68, 72).
1952
83-84 CBX532-33 Karrier W4 50129-30 Roe H30/26R
Nos. 83-84 ex-South Wales Transport Company (Nos. 39-40 respectively; new 1945 to Llanelly District Traction Company). Withdrawn 1960 (83-84).
Page 14 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
En route to the Fountain Inn at Barming is No. 69 (HKR8), a 1947 Sunbeam W with Northern Coachbuilders 56-seat bodywork. (John Boylett courtesy John Kaye). Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1959
51-52 LCD51-52 BUT 9611T 9611T033/36 Weymann H30/26R 85 BDY807 Sunbeam W 50433 Weymann H30/26R 86-87 BDY809-10 Sunbeam W 50435-36 Weymann H30/26R 88-89 BDY817-18 Sunbeam W 50443-44 Weymann H30/26R
Nos. 51-52 ex-Brighton Corporation (Nos. 51-52; new 1948 [chassis] bodied in 1950). Nos. 85-89 ex-Maidstone & District Motor Services (Nos. 32, 34-35, 42-43 respectively; new 1947 or 1948 (42-43) to Hastings Tramways Company). Withdrawn 1965 (85), 1966 (51, 88), 1967 (52, 86-87, 89).
Page 16 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
No. 86 (BDY809) was new to Hastings Tramway Company in 1947 and was a Sunbeam W with Weymann 56-seat bodywork. (David Lang). Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986 Bus Fleet List 1924-1986
This listing is in the format - Year into stock; Fleet No; Reg. No; Chassis; Chassis No; Body; Seating.
1924
1-3 KK9418-20 Tilling-Stevens TS5 3202/00/01 Tilling-Stevens B25F 4-5 KL1650-51 Tilling-Stevens TS6 3339-40 Tilling-Stevens B36D
Withdrawn 1932 (1, 2), 1933 (3-5).
1926
6-8 KM3937-39 Tilling-Stevens LL 5501/07/03 Tilling-Stevens B36C
Nos. 6-8 also quoted as bodied by Beadle. Withdrawn 1934 (6), 1936 (7-8).
Page 18 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
No. 8 (KM3939) was a 1926 Tilling-Stevens LL with Tilling-Stevens (or Beadle?) 36-seat centre-entrance bodywork. (LTHL collection). Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1928
9-10 KP319-20 Tilling-Stevens B10A 5186/88 Vickers B32R
Withdrawn 1940 (9-10).
1929
19-22 KP8371-74 Leyland LT1 50352-33/35/34 Ransomes B31R
Withdrawn 1940 (19-22).
1932
30-31 KJ6881-82 TSM C60A7 9032-33 Beadle B32R
Withdrawn 1943 (30-31).
Page 20 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1933
32-33 AKJ49-50 TSM C60A7 9037-38 Beadle B32R
Withdrawn 1943 (32-33).
1934
34-35 AKO390-91 Crossley Condor 91405-06 Crossley H24/24R 36-37 BKK899-900 Crossley Mancunian 91792-93 Beadle H24/24R
Withdrawn 1945 (34-35), 1949 (36-37).
1936
38-39 CKO70-71 Crossley Mancunian 92216-17 Park Royal H24/24R
Withdrawn 1949 (38-39).
Page 21 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
No. 39 (CKO71), a 1936 Crossley Mancunian with Park Royal 48-seat bodywork. (LTHL collection). Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1937
40-41 EKM394-95 Crossley Mancunian 92608-09 Crossley H24/24R
Nos. 40-41 re-seated to H28/24R in 1951. Withdrawn 1954 (40), 1955 (41).
1938
42-43 FKL901-02 Crossley Mancunian 92670-71 Crossley H24/24R
Nos. 42-43 re-seated to H28/24R in 1951. Withdrawn 1956 (42-43).
1940
44-47 GKK983-86 Crossley Mancunian 92813-16 Crossley H24/24R
Nos. 44-47 re-seated to H28/24R in 1951. Withdrawn 1956 (44-47).
Page 23 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
No. 45 (GKK984), a 1940 Crossley Mancunian with Crossley 48-seat bodywork. It was withdrawn in 1956. (LTHL collection). Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1942
48-49 GKT164-65 Guy Arab I FD25593/626 Duple H30/26R
Wooden seating replaced by upholstered seats in 1947. Withdrawn 1958 (49), 1959 (48).
1943
50-51 GKT166-67 Guy Arab I FD25627/34 Duple H30/26R 52-53 GKN155-56 Guy Arab I FD25681/792 Weymann H30/26R
Wooden seating replaced by upholstered seats in 1947. Withdrawn 1957 (50, 52), 1958 (51, 53).
1945
59-60 HKE661-62 Guy Arab II FD27394/460 Park Royal H30/26R 61 HKJ480 Guy Arab II FD27644 Park Royal H30/26R
Withdrawn 1959 (61), 1960 (59-60).
Page 25 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1947
74-76 JKO638-40 Daimler CVG6 13721-73 Northern Coachbuilders H30/26R
Withdrawn 1961 (74, 76), 1968 (75).
1949
77-82 LKJ777-82 Daimler CVG6 14866-71 Brush H30/26R
Withdrawn 1963 (78, 80-82), 1968 (77, 79).
1956
1-6 WKP71-76 Leyland PD2/20 556426/560032-33/337-39 Massey H33/28R
Withdrawn 1971 (1-3, 5), 1972 (4, 6).
Page 26 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
Seen here in Maidstone High Street in 1960 is No. 75 (JKO639), a 1947 Daimler CVG6 with Northern Coachbuilders 56-seat bodywork. (John Kaye). Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1957
7-9 997-99AKT Leyland PD2/30 571436-38 Massey H33/28R
Withdrawn 1972 (7, 9), 1975 (8).
1958
10-12 410-12DKM Leyland PD2/30 581369-70/87 Massey H33/28R
Withdrawn 1975 (10-11), 1977 (12).
1959
13-15 413-15GKT Leyland PD2/30 590744-46 Massey H33/28R
Withdrawn 1975 (13), 1976 (14), 1977 (15).
Page 28 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1961
16-18 516-18RKR Leyland PD2A/30 611702-04 Massey H33/28R
Withdrawn 1976 (17), 1977 (18), 1978 (16).
1962
19-22 19-22UKK Leyland PD2A/30 621274-75/303-04 Massey H33/28R
Withdrawn 1975 (19), 1976 (20, 22), 1977 (21).
1963
23-26 23-26YKO Leyland PD2A/30 L01576-79 Massey H33/28R
No. 26 re-numbered 430 in 2/80; re-numbered again to 226 in 4/83 but in practice always retained its original fleet number; to Maidstone Borough Council (Holdings) Ltd (t/a Boro'line) 10/86 as preserved vehicle. Withdrawn 1976 (23, 25), 1978 (24).
Page 29 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
No. 17 (517RKR), a 1961 Leyland PD2A/30 ‘Titan’ with Massey 61-seat rear-entrance bodywork. (Jeremy Chapter). Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1965
27-34 EKP227-34C Leyland PDR1/1 L42129-30/42-44/267-69 Massey H43/31F
Withdrawn 1977 (33-34), 1978 (27-32).
1967
35-38 JKE335-38E Leyland PDR1/1 L63783/927/64009-10 Massey H43/31F 39-42 JKE339-42E Leyland PDR1/1 L64192-93/234-35 Massey H43/31F
Withdrawn 1977 (36, 40-42), 1978 (37-38), 1979 (35, 39).
1968
43 NKK243F Leyland PDR1/1 800365 Massey H43/31F 44 OKJ844F Leyland PDR1/1 802087 Massey H43/31F 45-46 OKM145-46G Leyland PDR1/1 802088/1821 Massey H43/31F
Withdrawn 1978 (44), 1979 (43, 45-46).
Page 31 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
No. 35 (JKE335E) en route to Oxford Road was a 1967 74-seat Massey-bodied Leyland PDR1/1 ‘Atlantean’. (LTHL collection). Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1971
47-48 AKE147-48K Leyland PDR1A/1 7100155/878 Northern Counties H43/31F 49-50 AKE149-50K Leyland PDR1A/1 711188/403 Northern Counties H43/31F
Withdrawn 1977 (47-50).
1972
51-54 EKR151-54L Leyland AN68/1R 7201976-79 Northern Counties H43/31F
Withdrawn 1977 (51-54).
Page 33 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
Following a change of policy double-deck vehicles were phased out in favour of single-deckers. No. 47 (AKE147K), a Northern Counties 74-seat Leyland PDR1A/1 lasted just 6 years before being withdrawn from service and sold. (LTHL collection). Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1975
55-58 HKJ255-58N Bedford YRQ EW450663/50770/64/451232 Willowbrook B45F 59-61 JKN59-61N Bedford YRQ EW454178/98/210 Willowbrook B45F 62-64 JKO62-64N Bedford YRT EW453296/302/04 Duple B53F
Nos. 55, 57-64 re-numbered 155, 157-64 in 2/80. Withdrawn 1980 (56, 55[155], 57[157], 58[158], 59-61[159-61]), 1981 (62-64[162-64]).
Page 35 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
No. 61 (JKN61N) a 1975 Bedford YRQ with Willowbrook 45-seat bodywork, seen here when new. (LTHL collection). Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1976
1-2 NKE301-02P Bedford YRT EW452012/5508 Duple C51F 3 NKE303P Bedford YLQ FW450023 Duple B45F 4-7 NKE304-07P Bedford YRT EW455280/4849/42/3145 Duple B53F 13-15 GRC883-85N Leyland PSU3B/4R 7405036/35/505514 Duple C53F 16 HNU126N Leyland PSU3B/4R 7405513 Duple C53F 17-20 HNU117-20N Leyland PSU3B/4R 7500625/498/500/628 Duple C51F 21-24 HNU121-24N Leyland PSU3B/4R 7500626/791/90/94 Duple C51F 25 HNU125N Leyland PSU3B/1R 7500793 Duple DP53F 28 JCH398N Leyland PSU3B/1R 7500795 Duple C49F 331-32 HOR334-35L Ford Transit BC05MG58016/7821 Strachans B16F
Nos. 1-7 re-numbered 101-07 in 2/80; No. 102 re-seated to C53F 7/81. Nos. 13-25, 28 ex-Nottingham City Transport (Nos. 13-25, 28 respectively; all new 1975). Nos. 13-16 re-seated to C51F before entry into service; No. 14 named 'Maidstone Monarch' 4/79. Nos. 17-22 re-seated to C49F before entry into service. Nos. 23-24 re-seated to DP49F before entry into service; re-seated to DP53F 3/77. No. 28 re-seated to DP53F 11/77.
Page 37 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1976 (continued)
Nos. 13-25, 28 re-numbered 213-225, 228 in 2/80. Nos. 331-32 ex-Denis Hire Cars, Maidstone (new 1972); un-numbered until 2/80 when numbered as shown. Withdrawn 1980 (332), 1981 (17-18[217-18], 20-21[220-21], 331), 1982 (1-7[101-107], 13-15[213-15], 19[219], 23[223], 28[228]), 1983 (16[216], 24-25[224-25]), 1984 (22[222]).
1977
11 SKN491R Bedford YRT FW456938 Willowbrook B53F
No.11 re-numbered 111 in 2/80. Withdrawn 1981 (11[111]).
Page 38 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
No. 219 (HNU119N) was a 1975 Leyland PSU3B/4R with Duple 51-seat coachwork that was acquired from Nottingham City Transport in 1976. (Jeremy Chapter). Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1978
65-69 WKE65-69S Bedford YMT GW53617/21/25/27/6069 Duple B61F 70 WKM70S Bedford YLQ FW54629 Duple B45F 71-76 AKK171-76T Bedford YMT FW455491/96/502/614/83/95 Duple B61F
Nos. 65-76 re-numbered 165-176 in 2/80; Nos. 165-176 re-numbered again to 265-276 in 4/83. No. 68[268] re-registered 4066KO in 8/84. Nos. 66-69[266-269], 72-76[272-276]) to Maidstone Borough Council (Holdings) Ltd (t/a as Boro'line) 10/86 retaining fleet numbers. Withdrawn 1984 (65, 70[265, 270]), 1986 (71[271]).
Page 40 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1978 Bedford YMT No. 165 (WKE65S) was originally numbered 65 and carried a Duple 61-seat bus body. It was re-numbered again to 265 in 1983 and withdrawn the following year. (Richard Simons). Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1979
29 STD119L Leyland PSU4B/2R 720733 Seddon B47F 77-78 JKJ277-78V Bedford YMT JW457706/8073 Duple C53F
No. 29 ex-Lancaster City Transport (No. 119; new 1972); re-numbered 229 in 2/80. Nos. 77-78 named 'Maidstone Minstrel' and 'Maidstone Monarch' respectively; re-numbered 177-78 in 2/80; re-numbered again to 277-78 in 4/83; to Maidstone Borough Council (Holdings) Ltd (t/a Boro'line) 10/86 retaining fleet numbers. Withdrawn 1982 (29[229]).
1980
212 STD121L Leyland PSU4B/2R 7202735 Seddon B47F 333 HKN333V Ford Transit BDVYWJ472930 Reeve Burgess C17F 336 MKP336W Ford Transit BDVYWJ472910 Reeve Burgess C17F
No. 212 ex-Lancaster City Transport (No. 121; new 1972) Withdrawn 1982 (212), 1983 (333, 336).
Page 42 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
No. 77 (JKJ277V), a 1979 Bedford YMT named ‘Maidstone Minstrel’. It carried a Duple 53-seat coach body and passed to Boro’line in 1986 by which time it had been re-numbered 277. (Jeremy Chapter). Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
No. 333 (HKN333V) was a Reeve Burgess 17-seat bodied Ford Transit, dating from 1980, that spent just 3 years in the Maidstone fleet. (Jeremy Chapter). Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1981
179-80 MKP179-80W Bedford YMT LW451173/898 Wadham Stringer B16F 181-83 MKP181-83W Bedford YMT LW452048/57/571 Wadham Stringer B61F 184-85 PKE184-85W Bedford YMT KW450809/97 Duple C53F 334 AVS903T Bedford JJL JL9009 Marshall B27F 335 UKK335X Bedford JJL JL9008 Marshall B27F
Nos. 179-85 re-numbered 279-85 in 4/83; No. 185[285] named 'Maidstone Musician' in 11/85; Nos. 179-180[279-280], 182-185[282-285] to Maidstone Borough Council (Holdings) Ltd (t/a Boro'line) 10/86 retaining fleet numbers. Nos. 334-335 ex-Marshalls, Cambridge (new 1978); re-seated to B24F in 11/83. Withdrawn 1985 (334, 335), 1986 (181[281]).
Page 45 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1982
108-09 TKM108-09X Bedford YMT KW451254/374 Wadham Stringer B61F 110-11 TKM110-11X Bedford YMT KW451288/922 Wadham Stringer B16F 137-39 CKM137-39Y Bedford YMT KW454978/5202/2180 Wright B61F 140-41 CKM140-41Y Bedford YMT KW455309/04 Wright B61F 142-43 CKM142-43Y Bedford YMT KW453199/4986 Wright DP53F 160 ABH760X Bedford YNQ LW453351 Wright B45F 331 EKX648T Bedford JJL JL9010 Marshall B24F 332 CKN332Y Bedford YMQ LW453969 Lex B37F 453 HKX553V Bedford JJL JL9011 Marshall B24F
Nos. 108-11, 137-43, 160, 332 re-numbered 208-11, 237-43, 260, 232 respectively in 4/83; to Maidstone Borough Council (Holdings) Ltd (t/a Boro'line) 10/86 retaining fleet numbers. Nos. 331, 453 ex-Marshalls, Cambridge (new 1978, 1979 respectively); No.331 re-numbered 231 in 4/83 - it was previously on loan from Marshalls 2/81 until 6/82 carrying temporary fleet number 448; No. 453 also carried HW800101 as chassis number - on loan from Marshalls in 5/81 carrying temporary fleet number 483. Withdrawn 1982 (453), 1985 (331[231]).
Page 46 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
No. 160 (ABH760X) was a 1982 Bedford YNQ with Wright 45-seat bus body. It was re-numbered 260 in 1983 and passed to Boro’line in 1986. (LTHL collection). Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
No. 232 (CKN332Y) was a 1982 Bedford YMQ with Lex 37-seat bodywork. (LTHL collection). Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1983
229 YKT429V Ford A0609 BCLWWJ40388 Wadham Stringer B23F 244 SGS505W Bedford YMT KW458668 Duple C53F 245 TER5S Bedford YMT HW450932 Duple C53F 299 LNR85P Bedford YMT FW453512 Plaxton C53F 331 4066KO Ford Minster 3000 BAGFRC39535 4-seater car
No. 229 on loan from East Kent Road Car Company (No. 1429; new 1979) 11/83 to 7/84; it received temporary fleet number as shown. No. 244 ex-Stephenson's Coaches, Hullbridge (new 1981); named 'Maidstone Monarch'; to Maidstone Borough Council (Holdings) Ltd (t/a Boro'line) 10/86 retaining fleet number. No. 245 ex-Harwich & Dovercourt Coaches, Dovercourt (new 1978 to Kenzie's Coaches, Shepreth); named 'Maidstone Mountaineer'; to Maidstone Borough Council (Holdings) Ltd (t/a Boro'line) 10/86 retaining fleet number. No. 299 on loan from Leicester Corporation (No. 83) 5/83; it received temporary fleet number as shown. No. 331 registered as PSV 4/83 (former Mayoral car registered MKP1); re-registered KKJ711N 8/84 (registration 4066KO to No. 68[268] of 1978). Withdrawn 1985 (331).
Page 49 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1984
201 A201OKN Bedford YNT DT105470 Wright C49F
No. 201 re-registered HKR11 (ex-trolleybus No. 72) in 5/84; named 'Maidstone Marksman'; re-seated to C53F 5/85; to Maidstone Borough Council (Holdings) Ltd (t/a Boro'line) 10/86 retaining fleet number.
1985
202 B202XKM Bedford YNT 701000 Duple C53F 206 JKX726N Bedford YMT DW55146 Duple B53F
No. 202 to Maidstone Borough Council (Holdings) Ltd (t/a Boro'line) 10/86 retaining fleet number. No. 206 ex-Vauxhall Motors (new 1974); to Maidstone Borough Council (Holdings) Ltd (t/a Boro'line) 10/86 retaining fleet number.
Page 50 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
1986
203 C203GKR Bedford YMT ET105462 Wright DP53F 205 C92DTM Scania K92 1808036 Plaxton C54F 214 BNO701T Bedford YMT JW451513 Duple C53F 215 XPL889T Bedford YMT HW454465 Duple B61F 288 Q288JKO Bedford YMT ET105627 Wright DP53F
No. 203 to Maidstone Borough Council (Holdings) Ltd (t/a Boro'line) 10/86 retaining fleet number. No. 205 ex-Scania Ltd (new 1985); to Maidstone Borough Council (Holdings) Ltd (t/a Boro'line) 10/86 retaining fleet number. Nos. 214, 215 ex-Metrobus, Orpington (new 1979, 1978 respectively); No. 214 originally on loan from 8/86 with temporary fleet number 291; to Maidstone Borough Council (Holdings) Ltd (t/a Boro'line) 10/86 retaining fleet numbers. No. 288 originally registered C204GKR with fleet number 204, but was re-registered and re-numbered as shown before entry into service; to Maidstone Borough Council (Holdings) Ltd (t/a Boro'line) 10/86 retaining fleet number.
Page 51 Maidstone Corporation Transport 1904-1986
Purchased in 1986 from Metrobus was No. 215 (XPL889T) a 61-seat Duple-bodied Bedford YMT that had been new in 1978. (John Law). © Local Transport History Library 2020
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