Friends of the East Kent (FotEK)

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KFN239

CHASSIS: AEC RELIANCE

BODYWORK: WEYMANN B41F

REGISTRATION: KFN239

BUILT: 1955

Delivered as coaches these vehicles were eventually downgraded to bus work to be some of the first OMO (One Man Operated) vehicles in the East Kent fleet at the time. They became regulars of the Rye to Hastings services and gave East Kent good service, most being withdrawn around the mid 1970s. KFN239 was based at Rye then later moved to Folkestone. After withdrawl from East Kent she became a 'berry bus' - used as staff transport on a fruit picking farm- before entering preservation. She was re-rescued by Barrie Burlingham and is currently undergoing a long term rebuild.
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MFN888

CHASSIS: GUY ARAB IV

BODYWORK: PARK ROYAL H58RD

REGISTRATION: MFN888

BUILT: 1957

From one of the last batches of Guy's ordered by the company these also featured sliding opening windows as opposed to the half drops of the earlier batches. This made them look modern over their earlier cousins. Like all of the Arab IV's operated by the company, platform doors were fitted. Powered by the Gardner 6LW these were a big improvement over the Guy Arab III's delivered. Owned by John Lines and is on the road.
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MFN898

CHASSIS: GUY ARAB IV

BODYWORK: PARK ROYAL H58RD

REGISTRATION: MFN898

BUILT: 1957



From the same batch as MFN888 and latterly used by a farm at Faversham. Owned by John Lines and currently undergoing long term restoration.

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CHASSIS: AEC REGENT V

BODYWORK: PARK ROYAL H70F

REGISTRATION: PFN867

BUILT: 1959


From the first batch of AEC Regents delivered, 867 was new at Thanet garage and featured the attractive Park Royal full front bodywork. Part owned by Andy Fagg and currently on the road.

 

 

CHASSIS: AEC REGENT V

BODYWORK: PARK ROYAL H72F

REGISTRATION: 6801FN

BUILT 1962

The 3rd batch of Regent V's to be delivered differed from the earlier PFN's by being half cabs and were fitted with two leaf jack knife doors. After use with East Kent 6801 was used as a mobile church and driver training vehicle- part of the last owners livery was used to create the side advertisments. Having been painted into traditional East Kent livery for many years now, 6801 is long over due a freshen up and repaint. We hope to get her sorted out over the year or so. She is owned by Barrie Burlingham and Andy Fagg and is currently on the road.

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NFN84R being rescued for preservation (Carl Underwood)

CHASSIS: LEYLAND NATIONAL 11351A/1R

BODYWORK: LEYLAND NATIONAL DP48F

REGISTRATION: NFN84R

BUILT 1977

Delivered on July 11th 1977 as part of a batch of 10 duel purpose seated buses (1081-1089) she was the only one allocated to Thanet (Westwood) garage. Originally destined for M & D but was diverted to East Kent for a interurban cross country route that never happened. As a result she remained unique in a fleet of bus seated Nationals working at Thanet. Remaining there until October 1st 1987, 1084 became a spare vehicle and was sent to Russel Street depot in Dover. After 4 years service in the Port of Dover she then moved around the Kent coast to Herne Bay in October 1991. 12 months later a new Sainsbury's store was built on the Thanet Way at Chestfield and 1084 was chosen to promote the store in an all over livery, running dedicated services to and from the store daily.

She was withdrawn by East Kent (by now part of Stagecoach) in December 1994 and transferred to Stagecoach Hants & Dorset at Aldershot on January 18th 1995 to continue working on a Sainsbury's contract. 18 months later she suffered a major engine failure and was passed to Farlington depot for disposal and cannibalisation. During December 1996 1084 received an overhaul and passed via British Bus Sales of Cobham to Classic Coaches of high Wycombe who used her on school work and rail replacement.

Passing back to British Bus Sales in late 2000 1084 was acquired by Carl Underwood and M bellinger in February 2001 for preservation.

1084 is currently off the road undergoing extensive restoration by Carl at Sandwich.





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CHASSIS: BRISTOL VRT/SL3/6LXB

BODYWORK: WILLOWBROOK O43/31F

REGISTRATION: RVB977S

BUILT: 1978


New as a standard closed top bus numbered 7977 she was de-droofed at Chestfield railway bridge in 1980. Instead of being repared she was converted to open top for the 1981 season, thus being (at the time) unique as a Willowbrook open top VR. Renumbered 0977 she served at Thanet on seasonal service 69 between Pegwell Bay International Hoverport and Minnis Bay. Here she served alongside two former M&D Leyland Atlanteans also converted to open top, which replaced the PFN Regents from this role. Later they were all named, 0977 became 'Pride of Thanet' (the Altlanteans were 'Viking Glory' (0572) and 'Spirit of Kent' (0620)) and settled down to give good service on this route. Out of the three open toppers she was the most popular amongst the drivers being the newest.

Withdrawn by East Kent May 1992 after a batch of convertable Bristol VR's had been acquired from Southdown 0977 passed on to Wall of Fallowfield, then PVS, Carlton (dealer) before joining many other ex East Kent VR's at Chepstow Classic Buses in 2001.

She was acquired by Mr Paul Houselander for preservation in June 2008 and is currently on the road. For more pictures of 0977 PLEASE CLICK HERE.



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CHASSIS: BRISTOL VRT/SL3/6LXB

BODYWORK: EASTERN COACH WORKS H43/31F

REGISTRATION: SKL681X

BUILT: 1981

Part of a large batch (36) of standard National Bus Company Bristol VRT's which finally saw the last of the AEC Regents from normal passenger service (although many continued on contract work) 7681 was delivered in September 1981 and was part of the last batch SKL680-5X. These vehicles were originally ordered by M&D but due to many factors at the time ended up coming to East Kent. Based at Thanet (Westwood) depot all her working life she was finally withdrawn in October 2000.

Purchased by Jake Bamford (at that time a Thanet based driver) she has been restored to her 1985 NBC livery.

7681 has her own webpage with more information and pictures on. CLICK HERE to pay it a visit.

Click HERE to see some of the non East Kent vehicles owned by our members.

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