Duncan MacKenzie BEG 438T and Steve MacKenzie BSS 438T - 27 Dec 1992

Sunday 27 December 1992 – Brothers Steve and Duncan MacKenzie based in West Row near Mildenhall, Suffolk each operated their own coach. Steve set up his own owner-driver business in the late 1980s normally operating just one coach. In the early 1990s Duncan, who I believe had at the time recently left the armed forces, also obtained a coach. (Possibly the two coaches were on the same operator’s licence in Steve’s name so I am treading carefully here in respect of true history!).

Left is Duncan’s BEG 438T, a Duple Dominant bodied Bedford YMT. It had been new in August 1978 to Fox of Hayes registered BUR 432T.

Right is Steve’s BSS 438T, a Plaxton Supreme bodied Volvo B58 that had been new to Simpson’s Coaches of Rosehearty on the northern coast of Aberdeenshire in January 1979. According to a note I read on the internet, it was acquired to work between Scotland and Plymouth carrying mackerel fishermen. It was later sold to Trathen’s of Plymouth. It came from and remained in the livery of Skill’s Coaches of Nottingham. Rather a coincidence that both registrations were 438T!