At Mangapps the water leaks were repaired and the sump let down for inspection. Everything inside the engine appeared in very good condition and the opportunity was taken to clean the inside of the crankcase and the felt oil filter in the sump. The fuel tank had rusted through to holes but with the autovac topped up with petrol, just a few turns of the handle coaxed the engine into life. The stay at Mangapps was from the outset only intended to be temporary and Brentwood Coaches again provided the means to move KD 5296 to Castle Point Transport Museum in March 1996.

KD 5296 arrived at C.P.T.M.S. in time for the April 1996 open day. By a remarkable chance a Scottish visitor remembered seeing her in Scotland and provided information about Earnside Coaches. She proved to be a major attraction and the engine was run up several times during the day, causing a mass of people to assemble in awe each time. Attention to a broken spring in the Autovac meant that she could now suck fuel from a can.

Inspection of KD 5296's coachwork has revealed that the war years took their toll. There is extremely heavy wear to the lino and foot rests. Presumably shortly after the war she was repainted. It was not a very good job and was perhaps only intended just to smarten her up. The paint is spread over the window rubbers and some of the chrome fittings. However the sign writing is extensive and professionally done. The paint was thickly applied in some areas. In the battery locker a silver 3d (dated 1896) was discovered firmly stuck in the paint. The folding canvas roof has completely rotted away but the interior decorative rexine lining to this survives intact enough to provide a pattern for replacement. Some of the interior plain rexine has been painted over, presumably at the same time the outside was done. The leather in the seats was very dry and a whole day was spent just cleaning the leather and dressing them with hide food.

So far the only work done has been to stop further deterioration and make the vehicle more easily mobile. During April 1997 she was put on the pit for attention with a grease gun. The brakes which were adjusted "right off" by Frank Elliot to prevent them sticking have now been re adjusted correctly, the rusted silencer has been replaced and the fuel tank removed with a view to making a new one. It is hoped that full restoration will eventually take place. This poses a dilema in many respects because although exceedingly scruffy, much of the interior is remarkably sound and original.

Very little work was done before June 1997  because that year represented 100 years since Harrington started coach building and I was determined to have the vehicle in one piece for a specialist rally at Amberley Chalk Pits. The photograph at the head of this article was taken at that event. Of course the only way that she was able to attend was to been taken by low loader and many thanks go to Steve Rowland Commercials for facilitating this.

In September 1999 KD 5296 was once again on the move. Problems with another vehicle's height (Foden PVRF6, VRF 372) meant that the high space at the museum had to be used for the Foden and KD was moved to private accomodation. Unfortunately then, this interesting vehicle is no longer on public view, and is once again exhibiting the reclusive tendencies it seems to have shown all its life.

Return to the Entrance Hall