On arrival at the Eastbourne Miniature Railway we turned RT3148 ready for departure. There was a line-up of buses already present. Star for me was East Kent Regent V MFN946F, which brought back memories of holidays in Herne Bay. Stagecoach now own it, and had brought it along for the day to help out on the shuttle service.
Next to it stood RML2620, nicely turned out in Metroline livery.
RM349, dressed for the 159, and wearing the short-lived open bullsye, was next in line. Maidstone and District Reliance S6 was also present, and later would also be operating on the shuttles.
The final pair were strangers to me. Jones of Aberbeeg operated this 1958 Leyland Tiger Cub, No98, with Weymann bodywork. Useful in the narrow lanes near Kingsbridge no doubt was the tiny Albion Nimbus with Willowbrook body, SN839.
It was time to go. Two dings on the bell and we were off, back along the track to the main road. Coming in as we left was Eastern National open-topper 2102, a Leyland Titan new to the City Coach Company in 1946. It was subsequently with Westcliff, and then Eastern National.
We fought our way back to the Tesco roundabout, then had an easier time heading into town. On the way we passed RF679 heading out.
As we approached Eastbourne Station we swept past Eastbourne No12, a prewar Leyland Lion. It was just about to join in the day's activity, and followed us into the Railway Station. There we found Southdown Leyland Titan RUF186, ready for duty on route 15 to Polegate and back.
We parked the RT. Then I was told that I had the next turn free. I had a couple of hours to play with. Where was a bus to ride on?...
All photos by Ian Smith. Click on most of them for a larger picture.
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