VLA 57 & LDP 285 Preservation Updates

25/02/2026

Save the date!

Low-ish Floor Running Day

01/01/2026

Bus number 4! (Well sort of)
Another piece of South London low floor history, even if it is considered too modern for some.
This one is co-owned with a few close friends, so updates will be on the Metropolitan OmniBus Society and Preserved Bus Bunch pages

27/12/2025

26/11/2025

Well, it's taken a lot longer than expected, but following my wallet being constantly emptied for various mechanical work over the last 3 years, VLA57 is finally out on the road! It was collected earlier today from Southern Transit Engineering, after scoring a fresh MOT a few days ago.

Now wouldn't a lick of paint look nice ;)

12/10/2025

LDP285 waiting time at Wootton Station on the 1A, halfway through today's duty at Isle of Wight Bus Museum Wightrider 2025

12/10/2025

27/04/2025

First trip completed. Now time for some breakfast before our next departure, the 1241 route 485 from East Grinstead Station to Westerham!

25/04/2025

Pleased to say that our duty for this Sunday's Country Bus Rallies - Kent & Sussex East Grinstead Bus Rally for LDP285 has now been confirmed. We'll be running a mix of trips on routes 235, 424, 485 and 494. Duty attached below

24/04/2025

LDP285 will be attending the East Grinstead Bus Rally this Sunday, running trips on the 424, 485 and 494. Schedule tbc

13/04/2025

Following yesterday's MOT pass, we've taken LDP285 down to the London Bus Museum for the day. Hope to see you all there!

12/04/2025

Been pretty quiet on this page recently, however that's not to say there's not been any progress.

LDP285 has made the journey down to Mick Gould Commercials Ltd today and got a clean sheet for the year with 0 advisories! (Thanks to S.K.Engineering for MOT prep).

VLA57 had some issues with the fuel system and would not start, however a visit from one of our electricians has put the fault right, and it now starts up with no issues, however has an issue with a Door ECU which is being looked at.

PVL69 also had issues and wouldn't start, however this was traced back to an ECU which had water ingress, which was promptly replaced. Bus now starts up fine, however has various issues that need looking at and is very work in progress.