GS32 at Knockholt Pound

Knockholt Pound Running Day

Sunday July 10th 2005

Prepared by Ian Smith, 27th July 2005


Part 2: Orpington and back

431: Knockholt Pound to Orpington: RF679

RF679 had pulled up behind RT1702, and was about to do a proper 431 run to Orpington Station via Halstead and Chelsfied. So I climbed aboard, and Colin pulled round to the stop. There we waited as RT3148 came up past the parked cars with a full 431 from Orpington. (The 431, like many Country Area routes, was a mixed allocation route, with RTs and RFs both used according to the expected loadings during the day).

RT3148 on 431, Knockholt Pound RT3148 passes RF679 on 431, Knockholt Pound

We set off, down through the village, bearing right onto Knockholt Road and on into Halstead. At the village crossroads we met red RT3871, driven by Roger Wright of Blue Triangle, heading up to Knockholt Pound. We paused to let a young lady cross over into Otford Lane, and went on past the Cock Inn down to the London Road.

RT3871 in Halstead Horse & rider in Halstead

We jinked across the London Road to climb up the spur road to the roundabout, and crossed the traffic off the M25 to reach the seclusion of the lane to Maypole. This was winding and narrow, the trees closing overhead to form a green tunnel. We carefully progressed along, Colin sounding the RF's horn as we approached blind corners. We passed through scattered Maypole: some local kids waved to us as we passed. We emerged into Chelsfield village: plenty of Kent vernacular architecture in the village centre. We paused at the stop opposite the Five Bells.

Maypole Road RF679 at Chelsfield Village

It became increasingly suburban as we continued into Orpington, with plenty of buses around. As we came up to Orpington Station Approach we were treated to two generations of Orpington midi-buses: First's Dart/Marshall DMS 458 came out from the station on the R4 (an estate-penetration route for which the GS would have been ideal), while GS60 approached from the west side of the station bridge, having overshot the station approach (I suspect Terry subconsciously wanted to tick off the Kelvin Parade section of route!)

RF679 at Chelsfield Village DMS458 at Orpington

We turned up the Station Approach. One of the ex-Crystals Solos, now Metrobus 191, came down the ramp, heading for Bexleyheath. We continued up into the bus station, and I alighted to signal the RF back into the quite tight bay next to PVL364, which was awaiting departure to Woolwich.

Metrobus Solo 191 at Orpington Station PVL364 and RF679 at Orpington Station

471: Orpington to Knockholt Pound: GS15

I transferred onto GS15 for the return trip. This was GS15's first outing in service on a Country Bus Running Day. It stood next to GS60, the two buses demonstrating the two route blinds for the clockwise and anti-clockwise trips round the route. GS60 was also heading for Knockholt Pound, but via Cudham, whereas GS15 was booked via Pratts Bottom. We departed together, GS60 leading.

GS15 and GS60 at Orpington Station GS15 follows GS60

We passed a good variety of modern buses on our way through Orpington to Green Street Green: Metrobus mini-Dart 253 was one of the newest, running in on the next B14, but there was also a large OmniCity, also from Metrobus, going into service on the 358, as well as the unavoidable (in Orpington) Marshall-bodied Darts on Roundabout services. But as we approached the Queens Head at Green Street Green we saw the small green shape of another GS coming towards us past GS60. It was Cobham's GS34, working into Orpington on a 471 via Cudham.

Metrobus 253, Orpington GS34 at queens Head, GSG

GS60 disappeared up Cudham Lane, and Rt604 came round the roundabout, heading for the station. We turned left along the A21 to Pratts Bottom. I have a strange fondness for the bus stops along this stretch, as for many years they have been the first "proper" bus-stop flags seen when approaching London from Sevenoaks. We turned right at Pratts Bottom, and pulled up at one of the LT flags.

RT604 at Green Street Green GS15 at Pratts Bottom

We set off again and ground up Rushmore Hill. This time, as we approached Knockholt Pound, the red RT that came down was RT1702, heading for Bromley Garage on the 47. As we squeezed into the village centre we passed RF48, off the 704 from Sevenoaks, heading for the bus yard.

RT1702 descends Rushmore Hill RF48 at Knockholt Pound

I alighted from GS15, and looked in the programme to see what was happening when...

Part 3: Cudham Circular


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

Back to Ian's Bus-stop Part 1: Summer Sunday 47 Part 3: Cudham Circular