THE M & D AND EAST KENT BUS CLUB

The Man of Kent 7th August 1999

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Tour report by Ron Bristow (first published in Club News Sheet 569 Oct '99)

Photographs by Ken Lansdowne

Heavy rain had eased off by the time Arriva London North RV1 (GJG 750D) arrived at London Bridge Station. After an hour and a half wait in Bermondsey following gear problems, RV1 was abandoned in favour of Metrobus M1379 (VLT 88). Delayed by roadworks at Kidbroke, the Metrobus batted along the A2 and arrived at Chatham Interchange 1 hour and 20 minutes late.

Then on to Gillingham depot, where numerous ex-"London & Country" Volvo B10M/Northern Counties double-deckers were seen, together with low-floor Darts, MetroRiders and the latest Beaver 2 midibuses. As we left Gillingham sunshine arrived and remained with us for the day.

The second port of call was Canterbury Bus Station where East Kent Titans, Metrobuses, Olympians, Volvo/Alexander double-deck and Dennis Dart/Alexander "Dash" single-deck buses and several Mercedes-Benz/Alexander minibuses were in evidence as well as a couple of Poynter's Leyland-Nationals, a Regent Coaches Pullman Kent Karrier and Dennis Lance/Berkhofs on Park & Ride service.

On the way into Ramsgate the old tramways depot and Hornby works were passed. Vehicles at Westwood depot included a Scania/Plaxton Express Shuttle coach, an Iveco/Carlyle and two Dodge/Wadham Stringer training buses, 8243 and 8410 both in East Kent Coach livery, former London Buses DWL18 (NDZ 3018) now numbered 418, preserved open-top Guy Arab III FFN 382 and a Kent Police Bristol VR, MFN 41R.

Dover Transport Museum houses a fascinating treasure trove including the two oldest-known East Kent bus bodies. Outside exhibits include fire engines, colliery tubs, an electric milk float and AEC Regent V AFN 780B. Inside there is a display of bus models, old radios, railway ephemera, model train and tram layouts, a marine room and the handsome AEC/Park Royal coach WDN 513 and Leyland-Beadle coach GFN 273, both in East Kent livery.

The journey from the museum to Dover depot was accomplished in open-top AEC REgent V GJG 751D, painted as an allover advertisement for Radio Kent. At Dover it was posed for photography against the background of the castle. We have to thank David Cobb for arranging this at very short notice as recompense for the demise of RV1.

Folkestone Bus Station had the ubiquitous minibuses and Volvos. The last visit of the day was to Ashford depot to see more Titans, minibuses, Leyland-Nationals, Volvo B10M single-deckers, Bristol VR 7652 over the pits and Dennis Dart/Wright NDZ 3023 in the paintshop.

Our thanks to Scott for driving us safely and to David for organising such an interesting and extensive tour of Kent.

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