This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.

Back to Affiliate List

Friends of Chatham Traction

31 Usher Park Road Haxby York

YO32 3RX

Tel: 01904 766375

Email: richard@thebournes.me.uk

Visit website

What we do

The Friends are restoring a 1939 bus originally operated until 1955 by the Chatham & District Traction Company. GKE 68 is a Bristol K5G with 54-seat double-deck bodywork by Weymann's. The restored bus will become the Medway Heritage Bus, supporting local and social history studies in the Medway area.

Historical Significance

GKE 68 is the second oldest surviving Bristol K type bus with original bodywork. The majority of K types were bodied by Eastern Coachworks but GKE 68 is a unique survivor with distinctive Weyman bodywork, a combination strongly associated with Chatham and District's parent Maidstone & District . NARTM ‘s scoring system applied to heritage vehicles places the vehicle in the top 10% for importance. The bus served exclusively on routes in the Medway area operated by Chatham and District. It remains a visible symbol of the area’s heritage and the distinctive livery is a link to everyday life during the 1940s and 50s.
Disclaimer note: This entry is being maintained by the affiliate who should be contacted direct in the event of any query.
National Transport Trust, Old Bank House, 26 Station Approach, Hinchley Wood, Esher, Surrey KT10 0SR