Lunchtime at Sandown Park

Sandown Park Running Day, Sunday March 22nd 2009

Prepared by Ian Smith, 3rd April 2009

Part 3: RFs to/from Hersham Green

264: Kingston to Hersham Green (RF395)

Here was RF395, displaying blinds for the 264 to Hersham Green. A small group of us joined, most of us intending to change at Hersham Green onto the 219 to the Vickers Works at Weybridge.

The RF left Kingston via Kingston Bridge, and rumbled west along Hampton Court Road, then turned right before the bridge and station. We pulled up for a quick photo.

RF395 at Kingston on 264 RF395 at Hampton Court on 264

Then it was on, along beside the Thames until the turn-off to serve Hampton Station. Then it was back to Upper Sunbury Road, and past Kempton Park Race Course to Sunbury Cross. We turned left to Upper Halliford, and rumbled down to meet the Thames again at Walton Bridge. Yes, that Walton Bridge, with the old bridge still alongside the modern structure as a walk/cycleway.

We negotiated a way into the centre of Walton. Over the driver's shoulder I spotted TD95, wearing 218 to Walton blinds. It turned left, past another relic of the past: Woolworths!

TD95 at Walton on 218 TD95 at Walton on 218

To most people's surprise we turned right to follow it along to the stop in Hepworth Way. We pulled up behind, and we had the opportunity to swap onto the TD, which was returning as a 264 to Kingston. Had I realised what this exchange was doing to my schedule I would have swapped, but I returned to the RF.

TD95 at Walton on 218 TD95 at Walton on 264

I reboarded the RF and we made our way round the Walton town loop again, this time coming up behind a pair of RFs.

RF395 at Walton on 218 RFs at Walton on 264

We squeezed past and headed for Hersham, turning off the High Street into Bowes Road and then Rydens Road to reach Hersham Station. We continued past the Barley Mow, and turned the corner to the stop on Hersham Green. RF395 went off to turn.

Barley Mow RF395 at Hersham Green

Now I realised that we were well late for our comfortable connection onto the 219, and it soon became apparent that it had gone. RF395 came back, heading back for Kingston, but there was another 219 due half an hour after the first one- not long now!

RF491 duly arrived on the 219. It was full! It took on a few of the waiting queue, then departed for Weybridge.

RF395 at Hersham Green RF491 at Hersham Green

I watched the bus depart and crossed the road - just in time, as RF486 came round the corner on the return working to Esher!

219: Hersham Green to Esher (RF486)

RF486, fortunately, was almost empty, and I climbed aboard for the short trip back to Esher. Having missed taking a photo of it at Hersham Green, I persuaded the driver to stop at a bus stop with lay-by on Esher Road, for a quick picture. Then we were into Esher, and crawling along in the normal traffic queue on the Portsmouth Road towards Sandown Park. A succession of RFs came the other way. First was London Country green RF308, wearing Private blinds.

RF486 on Esher Road RF308 in Esher

As we queued for Sandown Park RF457 bustled up on a 206 for Esher, quickly followed by RF672.

RF457 on Portsmouth Road RF672 on Portsmouth Road

We alighted before the gate to Sandown Park, and the bus pulled in for the lunchtime gathering.

RF486 on Portsmouth Road RF486 enters Sandown Park

Hungry, I followed..

Part 4: lunchtime at Sandown Park


All photos by Ian Smith. Click on most of them for a larger picture.

Back to Ian's Bus-stop Part 1 Part 2 Part 4: Lunchtime at Sandown Park