Dunton Green Running Day

Sunday May 19th 2019

Prepared by Ian Smith, 2nd June 2019.

Part 2: Tonbridge and back

Sevenoaks Bus Station

Actually, before I retired to the café for breakfast I went to look at the buses already arrived. In pride of place were two Country Area RTs: 2083 and 3148, now both owned by John Huxford. RT2083, just bought, is in immaculate condition. Today would see how she performed on River Hill. RT3148, parked just behind, is gradually being repainted; the roof and back have been tackled, but some of the side panels still need a spruce-up. But she goes well.

RT2083 and RT3148 await their first turns on the 403 in Sevenoaks Bus Station.

Already set up for its part in maintaining Maidstone and District's route 9 to Borough Green during the day was AEC Regent V DL39 with 1956 Park Royal lowbridge bodywork.

Just arriving was a 1955 product: London Transport's RM2, restored to early country area green livery, but not, I suspect, with the original paltry engine. Today it arrived with a team from the Friends of London Transport Museum

After breakfast I emerged to see Go-Coach's RML2472, normally the bus for the round-Sevenoaks tour. Behind it was Arriva Dart SLF 3414, presumably on the 401 to or from Westerham. It went off to park, just in front of the other M&D double-decker - highbridge Regent V DH478.

403: Sevenoaks to Tonbridge Station and back: RT2083

RT2083 came round to the stand to load up. There was a scrum getting on, but most went upstairs, so I was able to find a downstairs seat at the front.

We set off, passing buses parked after arrival on feeder services: RF308 was off the 403, in London Country green and canary yellow, with RT604, also off the 403 in NBC green and white.

Then came RF600 and RM1397. We turned left at the traffic lights and threaded our way south along Sevenoaks' narrow High Street and out into the country.

We trundled across Sevenoaks Weal, then rolled down River Hill, through a green tunnel of trees. Would our speed ned to be checked as we took the spur road to by-pass the roundabout? No. We continued down the old A21, the long straight road to Hildenborough. We met Arriva Southern Counties Solo 1503 heading north on a 401.

By now, despite travelling at a good speed for an RT, we had accumulated a tail of cars, and John pulled in to a bus-stop to let them pass. I hopped off for a photo, and tripped headfirst into the hedge. Fortunately it was soft, and I did not hurt myself. I emerged bearing fronds of greenery, a bit like The Green Man. I got my photo.

We went on, passing Hildenborough Church, the limit of London Transport's special area (and of Green Rover Ticket validity) and turned down at the infamous traffic lights, scene of frequent summer traffic jams in the days of yore. We went down Tonbridge High Street, and over the Medway and up towards the station. Not to the old Tonbridge Station stop, but round the corner to a new one. Here was our terminus, and a further opportunity for photos.

Departure was from the same stop: the bus stop at the entrance to the railway station no longer functions. The way out was by residential St.Stephens Street. It would seem that tha council forgot to strengthen this road to take the additional traffic, as it is now a corrugated strip of potholes. At its end is an awkward right turn onto Pembury road. I wonder who got a large consultancy fee for dreaming up this mess. We reached the roundabout, and turned back past the station. No stop. The station no longer directly connects with buses. Joined-up thinking?

Anyway, we headed back over the Medway and up the High Street, and forked left for Hildenborough. From the roundabout at the foot of River Hill we laboured up the hill. I was quite fascinated watching how the preselector gear choice was made - after each change, ready for the next. Knowledge of the route and forward planning is required to make it work smoothly, especially when the change-down into second snatches a bit, as it does on this bus. With a full load on the bus did not find the hill easy, but we got up, and rolled along into Sevenoaks, forking right to the High Sttreet and turning in to the bus station.

RM2 had pulled in ahead of us, off a 403 working, and went to park.

I bumped into Nigel, who wondered if I might go with him and Steve on a 421 to Heaverham, as an extra navigator...

Part Three: 421 to Heaverham and back