RF679 and RT3148 meet at West Kingsdown

Swanley Running Day

Sunday March 20th 2005

Prepared by Ian Smith, 4th April 2005


Part 3: Red Interlude with RT1702

Farningham to Sidcup Station, back to Swanley Garage

No sooner had I alighted from GS60 at Farningham Bridge than my wonders about onward travel were answered: RT1702 came round the corner and roared towards me over the Darent. I scurried after it, hoping that it would stay long enough at its southern terminus for me to catch it. I caught up with at the next stop, where Sunday car traffic was endeavouring to jam its way past it.

RT1702 crosses Farningham Bridge RT1702 in Farningham

The blinds were reset for Swanley Garage. I was mildly disappointed: I had hoped that it would be heading for Sidcup Station. Anyway, I boarded, and the bus was away, up to the south junction onto the A21, and back along the A20 to Swanley. I alighted at the garage, and crossed over to buy a timetable and programme.

RT1702 at Farningham RT1702 at Swanley Garage RT1702 at Swanley Garage

It transpired that RT1702 WAS going on to Sidcup Station, after a short break. GS1 arrived from a trip on the 478, and I crossed the road to reboard RT1702 for the northbound journey. I travelled upstairs, which was quite full, limiting opportunities for photographs on this trip. The windows quickly steamed up too.

GS1 at Swanley Upstairs in RT1702, Swanley

We went down into Swanley proper, then up round the town centre-bypass and on along the old A20. We rubbed shoulders with the modern A20 briefly on the way to Ruxley Corner, where we started to meet other red buses as we dived into Sidcup. We crossed the River Cray, and passed the site of the old Sidcup Garage, then climbed the hill into Sidcup proper. A right turn at the traffic lights took us towards Sidcup Station. Another series of right turns took us into a terminal loop, allowing the bus to stand for a while in a back street not far from the station.

RT1702 in Sidcup RT1702 in Sidcup

With blinds reset for Swanley Garage once more The RT swung back round to Sidcup Station, to pass the station West entrance before rejoining the main road up to the Lights and the old A20. We headed south again. This time I was "inside", sitting on the longitudinal offide seat. An odd encounter on the way was preserved RML2603: still in Metroline livery, and sporting 390 blinds, it sped past northwards as we headed south. Very soon we were back at Swanley Garage, and I alighted to have a look around the bookstalls.

RT1702 reversed into the alley between the elegant but sadly-neglected thirties-style London Transport amenities block and the old LGOC-East Surrey garage, ready for another trip north.

RML2603 passes RT1702 at SJ RT1702 at SJ

Part Four: More GS wanderings: GS2 on the 452

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

Back to Ian's Bus-stop Part 2 Part Four: More GS wanderings: GS2 on the 452