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'''Maidstone Corporation Transport''' was the operator of [[trams]], [[trolleybuses]] and [[motor bus|motorbuses]] in [[Maidstone]], [[Kent]] from 1904 to 1974.<ref name= southbusmctprofile>{{cite web|url=http://www.southbus.co.uk/profiles/oldoperators/mct.htm |title=Southbus.co.uk |publisher=Southbus.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2013-10-30}}</ref> The operations of Maidstone Corporation passed to [[Maidstone Borough Council Transport]] in reorganisation of local government in 1974, expanding the Borough boundaries.
'''Maidstone Corporation Transport''' was the operator of [[trams]], [[trolleybuses]] and [[motor bus|motorbuses]] in [[Maidstone]], [[Kent]] from 1904 to 1974.<ref name=southbusmctprofile>{{cite web|url=http://www.southbus.co.uk/profiles/oldoperators/mct.htm |title=Southbus.co.uk |publisher=Southbus.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2013-10-30 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106230505/http://www.southbus.co.uk/profiles/oldoperators/mct.htm |archivedate=2015-11-06 |df= }}</ref> The operations of Maidstone Corporation passed to [[Maidstone Borough Council Transport]] in reorganisation of local government in 1974, expanding the Borough boundaries.


==History==
==History==
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==Fleet==
==Fleet==
Maidstone operated a fleet of Sunbeam trolleybuses. In 1959, following closure of the nearby [[Trolleybuses in Hastings|''Hastings Tramways'' trolleybus system]] owned by [[Maidstone & District Motor Services|Maidstone & District]], Maidstone Corporation acquired five of their trolleybuses. Also purchased were two vehicles from the closing [[Brighton]] system, including now-preserved '''52'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southbus.co.uk/maidstone/maidstonetrolleys.htm |title=Southbus.co.uk |publisher=Southbus.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2013-10-30}}</ref>
Maidstone operated a fleet of Sunbeam trolleybuses. In 1959, following closure of the nearby [[Trolleybuses in Hastings|''Hastings Tramways'' trolleybus system]] owned by [[Maidstone & District Motor Services|Maidstone & District]], Maidstone Corporation acquired five of their trolleybuses. Also purchased were two vehicles from the closing [[Brighton]] system, including now-preserved '''52'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southbus.co.uk/maidstone/maidstonetrolleys.htm |title=Southbus.co.uk |publisher=Southbus.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2013-10-30 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106230506/http://www.southbus.co.uk/maidstone/maidstonetrolleys.htm |archivedate=2015-11-06 |df= }}</ref>


Maidstone operated a universally double-deck fleet of motorbuses. Vehicles showed only destinations with no route numbers. The latter batches of motorbuses were standardised on the [[Leyland Titan (front engined double-decker)|Leyland Titan]]:
Maidstone operated a universally double-deck fleet of motorbuses. Vehicles showed only destinations with no route numbers. The latter batches of motorbuses were standardised on the [[Leyland Titan (front engined double-decker)|Leyland Titan]]:
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* '''26'''<ref>[http://kensbuspics.fotopic.net/p2243519.html ]{{dead link|date=October 2013}}</ref> (26 YKO), a 1963 [[Leyland Titan (front engined double-decker)|Leyland Titan]] PD2A/30 bodied by [[Massey Brothers]]
* '''26'''<ref>[http://kensbuspics.fotopic.net/p2243519.html ]{{dead link|date=October 2013}}</ref> (26 YKO), a 1963 [[Leyland Titan (front engined double-decker)|Leyland Titan]] PD2A/30 bodied by [[Massey Brothers]]
* '''52'''<ref>[http://paulmichael.fotopic.net/p41858517.html ]{{dead link|date=October 2013}}</ref> (LCD 52), a 1953 [[British United Traction]] trolleybus bodied by [[Weymann Motor Bodies|Weymann]]. Purchased secondhand by Maidstone
* '''52'''<ref>[http://paulmichael.fotopic.net/p41858517.html ]{{dead link|date=October 2013}}</ref> (LCD 52), a 1953 [[British United Traction]] trolleybus bodied by [[Weymann Motor Bodies|Weymann]]. Purchased secondhand by Maidstone
* '''56'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sandtoft.org.uk/picviewer.shtml?56.jpg |title=The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft |publisher=Sandtoft.org.uk |date= |accessdate=2012-04-18}}</ref> (GKP 511), a 1944 Sunbeam W4 trolleybus, rebodied by Roe in 1960
* '''56'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sandtoft.org.uk/picviewer.shtml?56.jpg |title=The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft |publisher=Sandtoft.org.uk |date= |accessdate=2012-04-18 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209131009/http://www.sandtoft.org.uk/picviewer.shtml?56.jpg |archivedate=2012-02-09 |df= }}</ref> (GKP 511), a 1944 Sunbeam W4 trolleybus, rebodied by Roe in 1960
* '''72'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sandtoft.org.uk/picviewer.shtml?maidstone72.jpg |title=The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft |publisher=Sandtoft.org.uk |date= |accessdate=2012-04-18}}</ref> (HKR 11), a 1947 Sunbeam W4 trolleybus bodied by [[Northern Coach Builders]]
* '''72'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sandtoft.org.uk/picviewer.shtml?maidstone72.jpg |title=The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft |publisher=Sandtoft.org.uk |date= |accessdate=2012-04-18 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209131013/http://www.sandtoft.org.uk/picviewer.shtml?maidstone72.jpg |archivedate=2012-02-09 |df= }}</ref> (HKR 11), a 1947 Sunbeam W4 trolleybus bodied by [[Northern Coach Builders]]
* '''86''' (BDY 809), a 1947 [[Sunbeam Motor Car Company#Commercial vehicles Wolverhampton|Sunbeam]] trolleybus bodied by [[Weymann Motor Bodies|Weymann]]. Purchased secondhand by Maidstone
* '''86''' (BDY 809), a 1947 [[Sunbeam Motor Car Company#Commercial vehicles Wolverhampton|Sunbeam]] trolleybus bodied by [[Weymann Motor Bodies|Weymann]]. Purchased secondhand by Maidstone


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==Maidstone centenary of transport==
==Maidstone centenary of transport==
2004 saw the centenary anniversary of transport in Maidstone. In commemoration there was a rally, cavalcade and running day featuring preserved vehicles from Maidstone Corporation and other local operators, together with present-day operators. Local bus operators [[Arriva Southern Counties]] and [[Nu-Venture]] painted buses in liveries reminiscent of the ochre and fiesta blue Corporation liveries, with Arriva [[Dennis Dart]] 3176 and Nu-Venture [[Leyland Olympian]] 100 in ochre and Nu-Venture [[Leyland Titan (B15)|Leyland Titan]] T857 in fiesta blue.
2004 saw the centenary anniversary of transport in Maidstone. In commemoration there was a rally, cavalcade and running day featuring preserved vehicles from Maidstone Corporation and other local operators, together with present-day operators. Local bus operators [[Arriva Southern Counties]] and [[Nu-Venture]] painted buses in liveries reminiscent of the ochre and fiesta blue Corporation liveries, with Arriva [[Dennis Dart]] 3176 and Nu-Venture [[Leyland Olympian]] 100 in ochre and Nu-Venture [[Leyland Titan (B15)|Leyland Titan]] T857 in fiesta blue.
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southbus.co.uk/events/maidstone100-1.htm |title=Southbus.co.uk |publisher=Southbus.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2013-10-30}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southbus.co.uk/events/maidstone100-1.htm |title=Southbus.co.uk |publisher=Southbus.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2013-10-30 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106230506/http://www.southbus.co.uk/events/maidstone100-1.htm |archivedate=2015-11-06 |df= }}</ref>


<gallery>
<gallery>
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* [http://www.trolleybus.net/m1.htm Maidstone Corporation Trolleybus Historical site] including route map
* [http://www.trolleybus.net/m1.htm Maidstone Corporation Trolleybus Historical site] including route map
* [http://borolinebuses.fotopic.net/c1166507.html Fotopic collection with some Maidstone Corporation preserved vehicles]{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* [http://borolinebuses.fotopic.net/c1166507.html Fotopic collection with some Maidstone Corporation preserved vehicles]{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050309054440/http://terrysblackmanbuses.fotopic.net:80/c246942.html Fotopic collection of Maidstone centenary running day]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050309054440/http://terrysblackmanbuses.fotopic.net/c246942.html Fotopic collection of Maidstone centenary running day]
* [http://www.trolleybus.co.uk/presrved.htm List of preserved trolleybuses]
* [http://www.trolleybus.co.uk/presrved.htm List of preserved trolleybuses]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080512073415/http://www.southbus.co.uk/events/maidstone100-index.htm Southbus web page] Centenary celebrations
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080512073415/http://www.southbus.co.uk/events/maidstone100-index.htm Southbus web page] Centenary celebrations

Revision as of 15:18, 30 May 2017

Maidstone Corporation Transport was the operator of trams, trolleybuses and motorbuses in Maidstone, Kent from 1904 to 1974.[1] The operations of Maidstone Corporation passed to Maidstone Borough Council Transport in reorganisation of local government in 1974, expanding the Borough boundaries.

History

Preserved tramlines pictured in 2009.

Maidstone Corporation Tramways began operation on 14 July 1904 with the introduction of a service to Barming, supplemented by routes to Loose and Tovil by 1907.[2] The Barming trams were replaced by trolleybuses in 1928,[2] and the Loose trams replaced in 1930.[2] The Tovil tram was replaced by buses in 1929.[3] The Maidstone trolleybus system was expanded with development of new housing until 1963, when the decision was made to convert to buses. The last trolleybuses ran on 15 April 1967.[3]

The tramway's main depot with its offices and sheds were located on the north side of Tonbridge Road, about 50 metres east of its junction with Queens Road.[2] These premises were subsequently used by trolleybuses.[2] As of 2009 the site had become a residential development named the Coach Yard, but some of the original tramway tracks and cobbles have been left visible in a preserved central section of its accessway and car park. A smaller tramshed (capacity 4 trams) was located in Pickering Street, Loose, and was also later used by the trolleybuses.[2]

In 1974, under local government reorganisation and expansion of the borough boundary, Maidstone Corporation Transport became Maidstone Borough Council Transport.

In the film The Lincoln Lawyer, Mickey Haller's (Matthew McConaughey) Los Angeles apartment is decorated with route signs from Maidstone Corporation Transport buses. The termini Senacre and Park Wood are clearly visible as police officers search the room.

Liveries

Maidstone Corporation started out with an ochre and cream colour scheme, with gold Maidstone Corporation lettering and the council crest.[4] A Fiesta blue and cream livery was introduced for the buses that replaced the trolleybuses.

Fleet

Maidstone operated a fleet of Sunbeam trolleybuses. In 1959, following closure of the nearby Hastings Tramways trolleybus system owned by Maidstone & District, Maidstone Corporation acquired five of their trolleybuses. Also purchased were two vehicles from the closing Brighton system, including now-preserved 52.[5]

Maidstone operated a universally double-deck fleet of motorbuses. Vehicles showed only destinations with no route numbers. The latter batches of motorbuses were standardised on the Leyland Titan:

  • Daimler CVG6's Brush 1949[6]
  • Leyland Titan PD2/20 Massey 1956[7]
  • Leyland Titan PD2/30 Massey 1957-59[8]
  • Leyland Titan PD2A/30 Massey 1961-63[9]
  • Leyland Atlantean PDR1/1 Massey 1965-68[10]
  • Leyland Atlantean PDR1A/1 Northern Counties 1971[11]
  • Leyland Atlantean AN68/1R Northern Counties1972[12]

Preserved vehicles

52 is at the East Anglia Transport Museum, 56 and 72 at The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft, Lincolnshire,

Maidstone centenary of transport

2004 saw the centenary anniversary of transport in Maidstone. In commemoration there was a rally, cavalcade and running day featuring preserved vehicles from Maidstone Corporation and other local operators, together with present-day operators. Local bus operators Arriva Southern Counties and Nu-Venture painted buses in liveries reminiscent of the ochre and fiesta blue Corporation liveries, with Arriva Dennis Dart 3176 and Nu-Venture Leyland Olympian 100 in ochre and Nu-Venture Leyland Titan T857 in fiesta blue. [17]

References

  1. ^ "Southbus.co.uk". Southbus.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2015-11-06. Retrieved 2013-10-30. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b c d e f Harley, Robert J. (1994). Maidstone and Chatham Tramways. Middleton Press. ISBN 1-873793-40-5.
  3. ^ a b "southbus.co.uk". southbus.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2004-09-04. Retrieved 2013-10-30. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Nigel, Boxley (2010-02-22). "Flickr image of the Maidstone Corporation crest". Flickr.com. Retrieved 2012-04-18.
  5. ^ "Southbus.co.uk". Southbus.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2015-11-06. Retrieved 2013-10-30. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ [http.sct61://http://www.sct61.org.uk/ms80 http.sct61://http://www.sct61.org.uk/ms80]. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ^ "SCT '61 - 1960s Bus Photo Archive - Photo of the Week". Sct61.org.uk. 1965-10-23. Retrieved 2012-04-18.
  8. ^ [1][dead link]
  9. ^ [2][dead link]
  10. ^ [3][dead link]
  11. ^ [4][dead link]
  12. ^ [5][dead link]
  13. ^ [6][dead link]
  14. ^ [7][dead link]
  15. ^ "The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft". Sandtoft.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2012-02-09. Retrieved 2012-04-18. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ "The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft". Sandtoft.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2012-02-09. Retrieved 2012-04-18. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "Southbus.co.uk". Southbus.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2015-11-06. Retrieved 2013-10-30. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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