Although I have seen RT3435 around plenty of times, I had not travelled on it. So when I saw it ready to depart from the Station when I arrived back aboard Southdown 277, I could not resist. The bus was already well full on top, but the seat two behind the bonnet was still free, so that is where I went.
We were quickly away, through the town to the pier. Just before we reached it, a brand new Scania OmniCity, 730 with Brighton & Hove, came the other way on the Coaster Express service. We turned left at the pier and motored along to the Sovereign Centre, pulling up just short of the roundabout for a photo.
Running back towards the town, we met the other red RF of the day, RF429, heading for the Miniature Railway on route 14. Further towards the pier we met Eastbourne 42, still working route 6.
Then it was Southdown 424, as we approached the pier. We continued west climbing up towards the Foot, and met the 1939 Leyland Lion, Eastbourne 12, just before we reached it.
We ground up the zigzags onto Beachy Head, and motored over the Downland top to reach the summit and the bus turning circle.
Then it was back down the hill into the town, back to the bus station.
Now, I must have a ride on an Eastbourne bus..
All photos by Ian Smith. Click on most of them for a larger picture.
Ian's Bus-stop Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4: Fresh Leather