Back at Parrock Street I watched the petrol-engined Jersey Titan purr out of the carpark. With the crowds still not abating, it was decided to run an extra on the 487 circuit, using RT3148. The bus was driven out to the stand - with me aboard - before the crew had returned from their PNBs. The crew arrived, and with a full bus we set off for Northfleet.
GS62 followed us out of Parrock Street carpark. Alan Charman was operating a magical mystery tour extra, and as he followed us down towards the Clocktower he treated us to a splendid display of various Northfleet and Swanley-area blinds. As we approached the station RM8 swept round from Parrock Street. We went on past Gravesend Station, where we went round Arriva 3113, one of Arriva Kent Thameside's Darts with Northern Counties bodywork, which was operating on the 308.
We continued along to Northfleet garage, and pulled in. Although the restrictions on alighting still applied, the platform of the RT made a reasonable -if moving - viewpoint for observing the Sunday line-up. A bunch of six-year old MetroRiders, including 1809 and 1810, were on the left at the foot of the entrance ramp. Gravesham Borough Council's Community Bus, once LT's LS352, stood outside the garage doorway. Plaxton-bodied Darts were lined up inside, but the RT did not enter, just pirouetting in the yard.
Wright-bodied Scanias 3256 and 3255 represented the 480 contingent (others being out on service). 3914, 3913, 3916 and 3921 were more than half of the fleet of Plaxton Prestige bodied DAF SB220s, apparently used on 470, 480 and 490. Lynx 3051 was still in the line-up, as was 7616, last of Northfleet's Volvo Citybuses with East Lancs body. Two more of the Northern Counties-bodied Darts lurked in the corner, together with one of the East Lancs-bodied Darts acquired from Guildford & West Surrey.
GS62 reversed to pose in the garage doorway, and RP21 also came in to turn. One of Northfleet's MetroRiders came in and nosed into the melee, looking for a place to park. We left.
We continued west to the end of the high ridge at Northfleet Plough Inn, where the 487 used to terminate. Today, for safety and convenience, the RT went on down to the hill and left at the new roundabout leading towards the new interchange at Ebbsfleet Station. We didn't reach the new CTRL station, but turned round the second roundabout and pulled up next to the new railway bridge. There the blinds were changed for the Singlewell destination.
We headed back along the ridge road towards Northfleet Garage and Gravesend, passing the stop where we had overtaken 3113 again on our way out to the Plough. At the garage stop we pulled in to pick up some photographers, and long Dart 3187 came past on a dead-run back to the garage, after a 498 trip to the shopping pit.
In Gravesend we made a circuit of the one-way system to arrive on the northern rim of the carpark, where we paused to set down. Nearly all the passengers alighted, leaving a small band of enthusiasts aboard for the run up to Singlewell. Maidstone & District SO224 came round past us, on its way to Meopham Green on the 116.
From Gravesend Station we headed south on the Meopham road, before turning left to wiggle through to reach the Singlewell road. We passed the service bus (RT2043 I think), and headed south, climbing up away from the Thames. Eventually we reached the southerly limit of Gravesend: the A2. We headed along the edge of Singlewell estate, parallel to the dual carriageway, to reach the 487 terminus. This involved a conductor-signalled reverse round a corner, so we all had to alight and cross to the pick-up stop. Or walk along to observe the turn, of course!
On the way back into Gravesend I had the pick of the upstairs seats. The people-induced condensation had cleared, although rain-drops still spattered the front windows. We passed DH159 roaring up the hill towards Singlewell on route 23 to Cobham, carrying a full load. We wriggled our way back to the station and the one-way system. One of Arriva's Scanias was unloading from a journey along the 480. Ron drove the RT round to Parrock Street from the clocktower, and the sun finally caught up with us after a dreary day (weatherwise!).
Part 6: SC 390 to Meopham Green
All photos by Ian Smith. Click on most of them for a larger picture.
Back to Ian's Bus-stop
Part 4: RM8 to Greenhithe
Part 6: SC390 to Meopham