GS67

GS: The Guy Special

Prepared by Ian Smith

This page created 13th November 2003, updated 17th April 2005.

478 SJ Swanley Junction Stn - Swanley Garage - Farningham - Brands Hatch - West Kingsdown - Wrotham

479 SJ Dartford Garage - Dartford - Darenth Road - Farningham Road Stn - Horton Kirby - Farningham

478, 479 map

Swanley's 478 was a wartime introduction, as a replacement for Greenline route B, withdrawn on the outbreak of war in September 1939. After the war Greenline 703 came back, but the 478 remained, now operated by STLs and a Leyland Cub and providing for local journeys along the main A21 road from Swanley to Wrotham . The STLs were replaced by RTs in March 1953, and GS20 and GS26 arrived in November 1953. The two GSs were needed for the morning peak operation, after which they moved onto the 479 for the rest of the day, leaving the 478 to the RTs. After the 479 was withdrawn Swanley lost one of its two GSs, the other peak working being taken by an RT from the 423 allocation. Eventually the RT-operated 423 was extended from Swanley Junction down the A21 to Wrotham and replaced the 478 altogether.

The 479 was Swanley's other Cub route, started in June 1949. It linked Farningham through Horton Kirby to Dartford, but its chief feature was its routing into Dartford along Darenth Road, which had some inviting hostelries. Evening services loaded well! It became GS operated in November 1953. But the rise of the motor car made this route an early casualty, and it was withdrawn in October 1958, one of the victims of the post-strike axe.

GS62 at Swanley Garage, 20th March 2005

GS62 shares the Swanley forecourt with RT1702 on the 21A and GS2, 20th March 2005.

GS60 at Wrotham, 20th March 2005 GS2 at West Kingsdown, 20th March 2005
GS60 noses a way through picturesque Wrotham during the Running Day on 20th March 2005. Later the same day GS2 pauses at West Kingsdown opposite the Portobello Inn on its way to Swanley Station.

GS60 at The Chequers Inn, Darenth, 20th March 2005 GS60 at Horton Kirby, 20th March 2005

GS60 also ventured as far as is now possible on the 479, to The Chequers Inn on the truncated Darenth Road. On its way back a pause was made for photos near Horton Kirby, with the LCDR viaduct in the background.

Allocation

Swanley's GSs included the following: 

GS13:  9/56 - 11/57, 12/57-11/58
GS20: 11/53 - 6/56
GS26: 11/53 - 9/56 
GS32: 11/57 - 12/57

473 479 (DG)

Bus Stop GS GS Routes bus histories photo refs