RF633 on 413, Brasted

Sevenoaks Running Day

Sunday May 18th 2014

Prepared by Ian Smith, 29th May 2014.



Homeward Bound

Buses were loading up at the bus station for their various journeys home. RT3183 was heading south via Tonbridge, and Maidstone & District Leopard 2816 was also heading south (I think).

RT3183 at Sevenoaks 2816 at Sevenoaks

RF429 was waiting patiently beside the cafe with the 431D to Orpington Station. This would be one of the last to leave, after it was clear everyone had got their buses.

Speaking of which, what had happened to the Go-Bus RML? That was answered with the arrival of Go-bus Cadet GX02WXW (ex-Eastbourne). The RML had suffered a problem, so Go-Bus had sent out this recent acquisition to ferry any passengers and crew back here.

RF429 at Sevenoaks GX02WXW at Sevenoaks

In the bus station bay was Metrobus LynxII 101, another bus that I had only glimpsed during the day. It was loading for the latterday 410 road along under the North Downs to Godstone.

Another of the day's "modern" contingent was Olympian 5928, heading for Tunbridge Wells with a late 402.

Met101 at Sevenoaks 5928 on 402 at Sevenoaks

In the now almost deserted bus station, the arrival of Go-bus Dart SLF V303MDP gave a picture of a normal Sunday afternoon here. The 401 is the only normal scheduled service, linking Westerham with Tonbridge Station. It buzzed in, and buzzed out again quickly, as is its wont.

A previous generation on the Westerham road was shown by Metrobus Olympian 395, now heading west for home.

V303MDP on 401, Sevenoaks 395, Sevenoaks

403: Sevenoaks to Croydon (RT3148, DW109, RT604)

It was time for the three remaining RTs to depart. I climbed aboard RT3148 for a ride to Chelsham. Ahead of us was RT1798, heading south, and RT604 on a 410 to Godstone. We went round to the traffic lights in convoy, but RT1798 there turned left, while we fopllowed RT604 right. We descended St.Botolph's Road to the station, where RT604 paused to let people off while we sailed past.

RT1798, RT604 seen from RT3148 RT604, St.Botolphs Rd

We motored along at an almost steady thirty mph, over the bump and down to Riverhead, then up through Bessels Green and west through Sundridge and Brasted. We climbed the steep little rise into Westerham. Rather than catch the 246 to Bromley I stayed with the RT, that took the 403 road up Croydon Road, heading for the North Downs, that rose like a green wall ahead of us.

RT3148 just romped up the hill, almost reaching the top in third gear, with a change to second needed only for the last twenty yards of the steep section. We cruised along the crest, with great views over the Chart to the south, even for me in a downstairs seat.

Croydon Road seen from RT3148 view from Botley Hill

We met the road from Oxted, and turned north over the bare landscape of the North Downs ridge, then zipped down the gentle gradient to Warlingham Sainsbury's, once Chelsham Garage.

Botley Hill seen from RT3148 RT3148 at Chelsham

The RT emptied, then went off to to Warlingham Green for some late shopping.

There was a 403 for Croydon due. Indeed, DW109 was already on the terminal stop outside Sainsburys. Quite a few minutes later it started up, and came round to pick us up. We climbed aboard, taking seats up at the front upstairs. We pottered along to Warlingham Green, where we glimpsed RT3148, then on northwards to Hamsey Green. RF600 came past us, heading for Purley.

RT3148 at Chelsham RF600 passes

We descended towards South Croydon, weaving a complicated path between the railway lines and under the right bridges, to reach the Red Deer in South Croydon. There the driver terminated the service, as water was poring from the engine compartment. (Transfer tickets WERE offered).

But as we waited for the next northbound bus we saw a 60 coming, so moved up to the next stop for it. But what came round the stricken DW109 was RT604! We flagged it down and squeezed aboard for the short journey into Croydon. The journey terminated at the Fairfield Halls. We alighted, and watched the RT pull away, then turn left to loop back to Purley. Thanks for the ride, fellas.

RT604 and DW109 RT604 at Fairfield Halls

I turned back to the bus stop, and found that my 119 to Bromley was imminent. Service!


Many thanks to all involved in this wonderful running day, in particular Peter Aves the organiser, but not forgetting the rest of the CBR team: Alan, John, Colin, Ron and other associated drivers, Viv and Les on the sales and information stand, Nigel with the programme. Also to all the other owners and drivers who turned out for the day, and on previous days in preparation. Also to the cafe for being open, to the local police, the local authority and local bus companies who gave the required permissions for the day, and to all those who worked behind the scenes to make it happen. Thank you!

Buses:
RT604, RT1798*, RT3148, RT3183
RF28, RF146, RF226, RF308, RF429*, RF600, RF633, RF679
RM1397*, RML2699*, AN53, SNB340
M&D SC390, OR1, 2816, 5928
Metrobus 101, 395, 806
Camden Coaches 900SAF
East Kent WFN513

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


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