RCL2260 at Cobham

Cobham Hibernation Day

Sunday October 26th 2008

Prepared by Ian Smith, 7th November 2008.



Croydon to Cobham (RF600)

414: Croydon to Dorking

Cobham Bus Museum were holding a "Green Day", featuring Country Area and Green Line vehicles, as their annual pre-hibernation event to finish to running season. What attracted me particularly was the prospect of long "feeder" rides in each directon. RF600 was advertised as one from West Croydon, via Dorking and Leatherhead, so despite the prospect of dismal autumn weather I made my way along to the X26 stance near West Croydon bus station. It was already raining so I went by tram to West Croydon Station, and was pleased to find the RF already on the stop. Neither the crew nor I had got the clock-change wrong!. I noted that the RF had special blinds for the day, in proper LT style.

RF600 on 414 at West Croydon. RF600 on 414 at West Croydon.

The Scania OmniCity, Metrobus' 544 pulled away to take up a working on the X26 to Heathrow, allowing those of us with cameras to see the front of the RF.

544 on X26 at West Croydon. RF600 on 414 at West Croydon.

Outside the bus was cold and wet as we set off south to Purley, Merstham and Redhill, and the windows promptly steamed up to prevent anything sensible by way of views out of any windows except the driver's. We picked up one or two of the Preservation Society members as we went, and were soon pulling round the roundabout into the re-fashioned Redhill Bus Station, where we were allowed a minute to take photos while the mirrors were dried!

RF600 on 414 at Redhill Bus Stn. RF600 on 414 at Redhill Bus Stn.

We went through the rain through a sodden Reigate. Even the view over the driver's shoulder was through a wiper-smeared windscreen. Autumn colours enlivened the scenery as we ran along the A25 below the North Downs to Dorking, where we turned right to visit Dorking (North) Station. There we had company with one of Arriva's newish Enviro200 Darts, that they use on the 465. As this dips a toe into TfL territory it is a RED bus.

RF600 on 414 at Redhill Bus Stn. RF600 on 414 at Redhill Bus Stn.

470: Dorking to Leatherhead

There was a general alighting to stretch legs, ease numbing posterior parts and take photos, during which the blinds on the RF were rolled round to the 470 set for the trip up through the Mole Gap to Leatherhead.

RF600 on 470 at Dorking North Stn. RF600 on 470 at Dorking North Stn.

We headed north up through the valley, the wet autumn trees close on both sides. We kept to the winding main road rather than follow the narrow lane close under Box Hill to Mickleham. But we turned off the main road where it became the Leatherhead by-pass and followed the old road north into the town. Leatherhead provided its usual zig-zag routings, but soon we turned down to the station, passed under the railway and turned up into the station forecourt to turn.

462A (432): Leatherhead to Cobham

The blinds were changed again. We were to follow the rare 462A routing through to Cobham, rather than the longer 462 route through Fetcham, although today the short route was to be the 432.

RF600 on 432 at Leatherhead Stn. RF600 on 432 at Leatherhead Stn.

We set off again, soon passing Leatherhead Court (short-working terminus of the 462A), then on along Woodlands Road to reach the old 462 route from Fetcham. We turned north, under the railway, and turned in to Stoke d'Abernon Station. The yard was being used to display those of the Cobham collection not needed at the Museum today. We turned and headed off again, back to the main road and left towards Cobham village. We passed through the twisting village street and crossed the busy roundabout over the A3. GS34 rattled past towards Stoke d'Abernon as we headed along Byfleet Road. We turned into Redhill Road and pulled up outside the Museum gate.

RF600 on 432 at Redhill Road.

I alighted, and went in to see what the Museum had to offer...

Part Two: Cobham and Byfleet


Photos by Ian Smith. Click on any of them for a larger picture.


Back to Ian's Bus-stop Part Two: Cobham and Byfleet