A CENTURY OF LOCAL TRANSPORT IN MAIDSTONE
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A CENTURY OF LOCAL TRANSPORT IN MAIDSTONE |
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Celebrating Centenary Week 100 Years 1904 ~ 2004 |
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One Hundred years to the day since the first tram, there was a commemorative CAVALCADE on WEDNESDAY 14 JULY, passing the Queens Monument at midday then travelling along the Tonbridge Road to Barming. |
Then on SUNDAY 18 JULY, the crowds flocked to LOCKMEADOW, between 1000 and 1600 to see the HISTORIC BUSES AND COACHES at the Bus Rally and Running Day - with rides and Mystery Tours available on vehicles old and new! |
The pictures below cover mainly the 3 Nu-Venture vehicles that took part in the event
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Transbus Dart MPD 719 (GN53 YUF) complete with appropriate destination display programmed in for the day, parked in the display area. One of Nu-Venture's latest arrivals representing one of the modern vehicle types operating in the County Town today. |
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Closely behind 719 arrived Leyland Titan T857 (A857 SUL) and ex Dublin Bus Leyland Olympian 100 (H838 PTW) both painted in special Maidstone Corporation livery, shortly before taking up their scheduled workings for the day. Olympian (H838 PTW) has also been re-numbered '100' for the year, and also features a full Nu-Venture white on black destination blind. During this year 100 can be seen operating on route 82 Monday to Friday, and T857 on peak 78's and off peak 79's Monday to Friday. (Subject to change and availability) |
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100 (H838 PTW) painted in the Golden Ocre and Craem variation of the Maidstone Coporation colour scheme is seen here at Lockmeadow loaded and ready to depart for its next tour to Barming Bull Inn terminus. Note the period style adverts also carried by this vehicle. That on the offside is for Ronald White's camera shop, whereas that on the nearside is for Maidstone Signs. |
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Not far behind is T857 (A857 SUL) recently painted a couple of months ago into the later Fiesta Blue and Cream version of the Maidstone Corporation colour scheme getting ready to leave Lockmeadow on the next tour to Barming Bull Inn Terminus on the Tonbridge Road. |
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T857 (A857 SUL) is seen on its return journey crossing the river in Maidstone Town Centre heading back to Lockmeadow. |
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Here we see the rally bus terminus with Trolleybus 72 just in view with 100 and T857 and a London Transport RT, the later 3 queuing on the stop. Part of the advert for Ronald White can be seen in this view. |
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Carrs of Pluckley brought along their ex Maidstone Corporation Leyland PD2 26 (26 YKO) painted in Maidstone Coporation colours as it was in its early years. It is seen loading for a special tour at Lockmeadow. |
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Towards the end of the event the Maidstone Coporation liveried vehicles were all lined up for photo shoots. Here we see... Trolleybus 72 (HKR 11) |
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Same location change of vehicle, the same vehicles except that Nu-Venture's Titan has been replaced by... The contrast between early and modern vehicles can also be seen in this view, of three vehicles from different eras all in variations of the same livery. |
Events organised by
THE NORTH KENT VEHICLE PRESERVATION GROUP,
in association with local bus operators.