P238 MKN IN PRESERVATION - 2017 | p238mkn-preservation

P238 MKN in Preservation - 2017

Early 2017 for 3238 started with some routine jobs and an enhancement. Following it's last rally at the end of 2016 it was time for a good internal and external clean up in January. This was followed in February when a good friend of ours offered to fit a replacement cab window and frame, as ours was somewhat tatty and rattled when in motion.

Above - Darren gets to work on an external clean up Above - new cab window and frame being fitted

Above - new cab window and frame being fitted Above - Graham mopping the floor

With the South East Bus Festival taking place in early April, more work continued on 3238 during March. The wheel arches were given a thorough clean out and the wheels were re-sprayed silver to get rid of some of the stone chips picked up in the previous year. We also vacuumed all the seat fabrics.

Above - Richard cleaning out the wheel arches Above - 3238 on a fueling trip at Westerham

Next up was the South East Bus Festival at Detling on 1 April, where 3238 operated for most of the day on the internal road circuit, providing free rides to visitors. The following weekend and 3238 was at the London Bus Museum Spring Bus Gathering on a very warm 9 April, this time as a static exhibit.

Above - 3238 at the South East Bus Festival, 1 April 2017 Above - 3238 on static display, Brooklands 9 April 2017

Above, Concorde G-BBDG and 3238, London Bus Museum Spring Gathering, 9 April 2017

There was a further event in April, when 3238 attended the HCT Group/TfL Ash Grove Garage Open Day on Saturday 22 April 2017.

Above, 3238 at Ash Grove with RM6 and HV64 Above, 3238, part of a colourful line up at Ash Grove

Saturday 13 May saw 3238 operating at the Travel Through Time Event in Faversham. Operating the following journeys this was our first time at this event, and we enjoyed our day very much.

Route 358 - two trips

Faversham Court Street 1130 1330

Doddington Chequers arr 1200 1400

Doddington Chequers dep 1205 1405

Faversham Court Street 1235 1435

Route 103 - one trip

Faversham Crescent Road 1254

Oare Three Mariners arr 1304

Oare Three Mariners dep 1308

Faversham Crescent Road 1316

Route 26 - one trip

Faversham Court Street 1600

Teynham Station Road arr 1618

Teynham Station Road dep 1621

Faversham Court Street 1638

A couple of pictures from the Faversham event, one from Oare whilst working the route 103 trip, plus one taken in Faversham prior to working the afternoon route 26 journey.

Moving onto 18 May and 3238 was submitted for the annual MOT, which we were very pleased when it passed. We had submitted the vehicle exactly one month before the previous certificate expired, so we now have thirteen months before the vehicle needs to be presented for test again

Above - some final checks and a clean up prior to the MOT

The following Sunday, 21 May, 3238 attended the Hastings Trolleybus Group 25th Annual Show. Although 3238 was intended to be a static exhibit, we did perform one circular trip around the town for the visitors. This event was blessed with excellent weather, so the opportunity was also taken to arrange a photographic line up with two of our friends vehicles T916 KKM and X425 FGP.

Above - alongside Hastings Trolleybus DY4965, 21 May 2017 Above P238 MKN, T916 KKM and X425 FGP, Hastings, 21 May 2017

Above - 3238, 3916 and 5916 seen through the windscreen of a Bond Bug. Hastings 21 May 2017

The busy year continued for 3238 on 11 June, by attending the Lewes Motor Show at the Malling Recreation Ground. The event attracted around 25 buses/coaches but was very poorly patronised by visitors. 3238 did however perform a lightly loaded lunchtime trip to Uckfield Bus Station via Isfield and return. Once back at the 'showground' it was apparent that some vehicles were leaving, and so we decided to take 3238 down to Seaford and Beachy Head for the afternoon.

Above - 3238 at the Lewes Motor Show, 11 June 2017 Above - 3238 on Seaford seafront , 11 June 2017

The Eastbourne Classic Bus Running Day took place on 2 July, which saw 3238 operating five trips from Eastbourne Station; route 197 at 1000 via Beachy Head and Birling Gap, route 94 at 1125 and 1535 to Polegate, and route 97 at 1245 and 1430 to Beachy Head.

Above - 3238 at Beachy Head, 2 July 2017 Above - 3238 returning from Polegate, 2 July 2017

15 July and 3238 had its annual roof clean. Richard is pictured below undertaking the task. The following day 3238 attended the Alton Bus Rally working on route 54A to Medstead & Four Marks via Beech, then route 206 to Blacknest Cross Roads, and finally route 14A to Medstead & Four Marks via the main A31. 3238 is pictured below taking a breather at Medstead & Four Marks whilst on route 14A

The Metroline Potters Bar Garage Open Day took place on 22 July and 3238 made its first appearance at the event, operating one round trip on route 313 to London Colney, and two return trips to Essendon on route 342. Pictured Below at Potters Bar and on route 342 at Essendon.

On the journey back to base from Potters Bar, there was just time to 'shadow' the last ever route 402 from Bromley North, as far as Polhill. A photoshoot was arranged for enthusiasts at Knockholt Pound. All in all a very enjoyable day.

Sunday 6 August and it was the first visit to the Tinkers Park Bus Rally for 3238. The vehicle operated two return trips on route 79 between Tinkers Park and Uckfield Bus Station, via Buxted Station. The two round trips departed from Tinkers Park at 1230 and 1520, returning from Uckfield at 1300 and 1550. The two pictures below show the vehicle in the display area, and at Uckfield Bus Station.

Saturday 19 August and 3238 once again ventured into London, this time attending the Metroline Willesden Bus Garage (AC) Open Day. A number of journeys were operated as route 52A between the Garage and Kingsbury Station, with departures from AC at 1100, 1300 and 1515, before a 'short' journey at 1550 to Willesden Green Station.

Above : 3238 at Kingsbury Station operating on route 52A (19/08/17) Above : dark clouds in Dudden Hill Lane, route 52A (19/08/17)

Bank Holiday Monday 28 August was the Seaford & District Route 123/124 Charity Vintage Bus Running Day. 3238 performed two round trips on route 123 from Lewes Bus Station to Seaford at 1215 and 1515, returning at 1300 and 1600. It was good to hear that £2,722.76 was raised for Macmillan Cancer Support by the end of the day.

Above : Newhaven Road, Bishopsgate , route 123 (28/08/17) Above : Seaford War Memorial , route 123 , (28/08/17)