THE FIRST MIDLAND RED DESIGN

This is one of the historically most important buses in the country. Midland Red had standardised on Tilling-Stevens buses but faced competition from small buses with much livelier performance. After trying small buses itself, Midland Red asked manufacturers for larger buses with the nimbleness of the competition. When manufacturers could not supply, the company designed and built its own.

The result in 1923 was this lightweight but strong design powered by a lively, high revving engine, with pneumatic tyres as standard. Midland Red built over 350 of this initial design before developing it further. Many were supplied new to sister companies but HA 3501 was one of five sold to Peterborough Electric Traction after around a year working for Midland Red itself.

The Peterborough fleet passed to Eastern Counties in 1931. HA 3501 was sold in 1937 and, by 1946, was a static caravan with all its running units removed. At some time it moved to a village near Maidstone from where it was bought in 1974 by the Museum's predecessor society.

Preservation

A 1930 SOS chassis provided engine, gearbox, rear axle and steering column. Another battered chassis provided the precious set of spoked wheels. After some early work, the bus was stored elsewhere and finally arrived at Wythall in 2005. This is a major restoration job which will require considerable finance.