Irene's fondest pieces are the Model Double Decker Sunbeam Trolleybus and the Model Atlandean Omnibus. Childhood nostalgia… These buses bring back treasured memories of days out with her Grandmother, so wonderfully sentimental yet so uncomplicated. It was a real treat to board the trolleybus to the Loose Terminus and back. Check out the Ronald White’s cameras and projectors advertisement on the Model Atlandean Omnibus, the company is still there!
These model buses are the double-decker Sunbeam trolleybus (shown as on the road in 1959) and the Atlantean omnibus. The Sunbeam trolleybuses were first delivered in 1946/47 and the Atlantean in 1960. The Atlantean remained on the road until 1971, when the colours and logos were changed.
In 1908, Maidstone and District Motor Services Ltd (known as M&D) started, with four second-hand buses. Maidstone to Chatham took 45 minutes and cost eight pence. By 1922 M&D were building the first planned bus station in the country, on Palace Avenue. 1923 saw their first London service. In 1924, Maidstone Corporation began running a bus service, purchasing three made by Tilling-Stevens of Maidstone.
In 1949 the buses and trolleybuses carried over 17 million passengers a year. By 1999 only 6 million passengers were carried. Arriva had taken over M&D and all buses were privatised.
The Maidstone to Loose tram service opened on 16th October 1907.
Accession Number: MNEMG 1992.28 & MNEMG 1992.29
