I am the proud owner of the 1972 Leyland Leopard, fleet number 3456.
3456 entered service in July 1972 for Maidstone & District, the last bus painted in the traditional green and cream livery.
Based in Bexhill from 1972 to 1979, Hastings from ’79 to ’82, Hawkhurst from ’82 to ’84 when it moved to Tunbridge Wells where it remained in active service until 1994 as one of nine of these buses retained principally for the Tunbridge Wells to Edenbridge route. I’m told that 3456 was usually parked at Edenbridge overnight because there were no maintenance facilities there and it could be relied on to always start whatever the weather.
In 1994 it was selected for official preservation due to historical significance and was fully refurbished in house. This was a massive rebuild involving total overhaul of the mechanical side – brakes, springs, steering joints, swivel pins and a complete body and frame refurbished followed by a full repaint in traditional livery. In this form it went back into frontline service from March until September 1995 when, following closure of Edenbridge depot (EKL456K was the last bus to leave) it officially retired and joined the company’s small preserved fleet. During this period it also carried dignitaries through the Medway Tunnel during the official opening ceremony.
3456 was bought directly from M&D by Peter Simpson in 1998 who looked after its every need for over 20 years.
I took ownership in November 2019 looking forward to a number of rallies and events which, due to Covid, were all cancelled.
Hopefully this year you will see us out and about.
Please click on the Calendar of Events page to see current plan or click 'Contact Me' to ask any questions.
Thanks
Adrian
