SKR 556R

Chassis Number:

Registration:

Type:

Seating:

New:

Original Operator and Fleet Number:

Further Information:

SKR 556R was delivered new to East Kent Road Car, a subsidiary of the National Bus Company (NBC), in May 1977. However it spent very little time with East Kent as it was one of nine new bus seated Leyland Nationals exchanged with neighbouring NBC subsidiary Maidstone & District (M&D) for nine dual-purpose seated Nationals (NFN 81-89R).

During its short spell with East Kent the bus was registered SKR 561R, but upon being moved across Kent to M&D it was re-registered to SKR 556R. It was part of a fleet of four SKR-R Nationals with M&D. The remaining five unlicensed Nationals moved north to sister NBC subsidiary United Automobile Services, where they were given the registrations XGR 725-729R.

The bus entered service with M&D in July 1977 painted in Maidstone & District NBC leaf green livery and received the fleet number 3556. It was allocated to Tunbridge Wells depot, where it remained for most of its life with M&D. As part of the privatisation of the NBC, the company was sold to a management team on the 6th November 1986, through Einkorn Ltd, an off-the-shelf company. This lead to a new image being adopted with an italic style Maidstone & District fleetname and a new M&D logo. The new look owed much to the previous NBC livery, but the white band was changed to cream and a darker shade of green was applied. Most vehicles received the new livery including SKR. However in September 1989, SKR was overhauled and repainted with cream window surrounds, instead of the cream waist band, although it kept its green wheels and bumpers.

In summer 1993 the bus was transferred to Maidstone (Armstrong Road) depot where it worked until it was withdrawn from service by M&D in May 1994.

In June 1994 the bus was acquired by Harmer of Bexhill-on-Sea (Renown Coaches) trading as Bexhill Bus Company and was used to operate local bus services in the Bexhill and Hastings area. It was repainted in a white and red livery, which included a very bold stripe on each side. A family death caused the company to cease trading in October 1995 and the bus was then advertised for sale. However the coach operations of this business continued under the name of Renown Coaches.

The bus was purchased for preservation by Andrew Hamilton of Tunbridge Wells and Mike Bellinger of Penge in February 1996. The bus will therefore be celebrating its tenth year in preservation in 2006. Following the preservation of this bus, Andrew and Mike then went on to launch the Leyland National Group in 1997. During 1996 and 1997 the exterior of the bus was prepared for repainting and during 1997 it was repainted in undercoat. In March 1998 it was towed to Hampshire Body & Paint at Eastleigh for an overhaul and repaint. The bus was repainted back into Maidstone & District NBC leaf green livery in 1998.

The bus has attended many events since its rally debut in 1999 and although it has not been out since September 2003, it is due to make a welcome return to the rally scene in 2007. The bus requires some minor mechanical and bodywork repairs, but otherwise it has just been taking a well-earned rest. It is planned to repaint the bus into post deregulation Maidstone & District green and cream livery for 2007. Remember to check back in the future for more details…

SKR 556R

10 YEARS

IN PRESERVATION

1996 - 2006

The Webmaster would like to thank Andrew Hamilton for providing the vehicle history and photos.

5 Maidstone & District 3556 - SKR 556R

Maidstone & District 3556 – SKR 556R is pictured outside Armstrong Road depot in Maidstone (the former Boro’line depot) in August 1992. The bus carries post deregulation Maidstone & District green and cream livery. SKR should receive a repaint into this livery for 2007.

© Photograph by Andrew Hamilton.

5 Preserved SKR 556R

SKR 556R is pictured outside St. Leonards Railway Depot in 1996. It was acquired for preservation from Bexhill Bus Company (part of Renown Coaches) in February 1996 and is in as acquired Bexhill Bus livery. In this view work has already started on preparing the exterior for an undercoat.

© Photograph by Andrew Hamilton.

5 Preserved SKR 556R

SKR 556R is pictured outside St. Leonards Railway Depot in 1997 after being repainted in undercoat. It is being prepared for the move to Solent Blue Line / Hampshire Body & Paint at Eastleigh for overhaul and repaint.

© Photograph by Andrew Hamilton.

5 Preserved SKR 556R

SKR 556R is pictured ready to leave St. Leonards Railway Depot in March 1998 on a suspended tow.

© Photograph by Andrew Hamilton.

5 Preserved SKR 556R

After many months of mechanical, electrical and body repair work plus cosmetic work, SKR 556R was returned to original condition in 1998 painted in Maidstone & District NBC leaf green livery. The bus is pictured leaving its old home depot of Tunbridge Wells, the place it had spent most of its working life, during 1999.

© Photograph by Andrew Hamilton.

5 Preserved SKR 556R

Pictured at the Alton Running Day & Bus Rally on the 20th July 2003 is preserved former Maidstone & District 3556, SKR 556R. The bus is painted in Maidstone & District NBC leaf green livery.

© Photograph by Paul Barrett.

5 Preserved SKR 556R

An offside view of preserved former Maidstone & District 3556, SKR 556R pictured at the Alton Running Day & Bus Rally on the 20th July 2003. It is painted in Maidstone & District NBC leaf green livery.

© Photograph by Paul Barrett.