X55 and X81: Ensignbus Running DaySaturday 6th December 2014Prepared by Ian Smith, 19th December 2013.Part Five: Bluewater and GravesendX55: Gravesend to Bluewater (RTW335)RTW335 was waiting on the stand at the Ferry, so I transferred to it, greeting David Hunter, the conductor from Teesside, down for the weekend just for this.
We were quickly away, wending our way up to the traditional Gravesend terminus by the clock tower, then through the bus gate onto the main shopping street and through to Gravesend Station. We turned north to drive along the ridge road to Northfleet, stopping outside the garage. There we met another of the Sapphire Streetlites - 4267 - heading east on the 490. Behind it was RT3251 on the X55.
We went on, past Northfleet Church and down the dip to Ebbsfleet, then up to Horns Cross, before dropping down to make our way into Bluewater.
I alighted from the RTW there, in need of a personal break and something to eat. The information centre provided the former, and Marks & Spencer the latter. By now the dusk was settling fast, and photographs were getting difficult: no more moving targets! Ensign's hybrid electric -504 I think - came in on an X80, and headed back over the river. Arriva Kent Thameside's MPD 1557 was on a local service. There were red buses too, on the 428 and 96, and services to the Medway towns.
X55: Bluewater to Gravesend (RT8)But then RT8 turned up, which determined which way I was going on my final trip. I boarded for the ride back to Gravesend.
It was properly dark when I alighted at Gravesend Station. When the bus jam cleared I watched RT8 roar off into the dark, then headed for Gravesend Station for the train back to Lee. It had been an excellent day.
Thanks to Ensignbus, and to all the crews, some of whom came an appreciable distance to drive and conduct the buses. Happy Christmas!Photos by Ian Smith. Click on any of them for a larger picture.
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Ian's Bus-stop
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