RF368, RF429, RF486 in South Croydon Garage

234 Routes Revisited

Sunday 17th March 2013

Prepared by Ian Smith, 18th March 2013.



234A: Woodcote Green to Hackbridge: RF429

Part of my reasoning in waiting for RF429 was apparent when it rolled up to the stop at Woodcote Green: it was going through to the Hackbridge terminus.

I climbed aboard and we rolled down into Wallington, picking up and setting down local passengers, some of whom were only going a stop or two. All showed a fascination for the old bus, the conductor, and what we were doing. Some appreciated that we were going beyond Wallington to Hackbridge, unlike the 127.

RF429 on 234A, Woodcote Green RF429 on 234A, Hackbridge

At Hackbridge we passed the station, then turned left, then left again into Elm Road - a quiet back-street with a bus stance.

RF429 on 234A, Hackbridge RF429 on 234A, Hackbridge

234A: Hackbridge to Wallington : RF429

Our next trip was a short one, just along the road to Wallington, where we would be taking a meal break. Nevertheless, we had some passengers along to Wallington station, where we dipped down to duck under the railway before turning right to reach Shotfield.

There we found RF395 already on the stand. We pulled past, then backed onto the front of the stance that TfL had asked us to use, leaving space for the other RF to pull out.

RF395 on 234A, Wallington RF395, RF429 on 234A, Wallington

A few minutes later it did, heading for Old Lodge Lane again. We sat and ate lunch. RF486 sneaked up behind as we ate, and took the rear position on the grid.

RF395, RF429 on 234A, Wallington RF486 on 234A, Wallington

234A: Wallington to South Croydon Garage: RF429

Lunch-break over, we set off again, heading this time for South Croydon Garage via Purley. We pulled out into Wallington, and headed south along Woodcote Road, soon meeting Scania 924 on the 127.

RF429, RF486 on 234A, Wallington 924 on 127, Woodcote Road

We turned down Foxley Lane, and met RF368 coming up on its way to Hackbridge. We continued down the hill to Purley Cross.

RF368 on 234A, Foxley Lane Purley Cross

Due to the vagaries of the gyratory system we would not be able to turn directly north into Brighton Road. Instead we crossed Purley Way at traffic lights into Pampisford Road, then turned right down Christchurch Road to reach Brighton Road. We didn't know whether we would be able to use the garage this time, but the obliging supervisor waved us in and we parked again inside the front door, looking out. A line of DWs stood facing us, including DW1 with an ex-Routemaster registration.

RF429 in TC DW14, DW1, DW28 in TC

234B: South Croydon Garage to Selsdon : RF429

RF429 was prepared for the trip on the Sundays-only 234B to Selsdon, involving changing the blinds, the fare chart and the running plates. During the other turns the bus had worn TC5 plates, but the 234B, a one-bus only route, only used TC1.

RF429 in TC TC1

We set off south on the 234B, down the Brighton Road to Purley, meeting other buses as we went. At Purley we turned left under the railway, and began the long climb up to Selsdon. The outside temperature dropped. Would the rain turn to snow? The windows misted up as we climbed. A DW on the 412 came down Rectory Park and passed us at the top of Mitchley Avenue.

DLA235 goes south for 412 DW on 412, Mitchley Avenue

RM1397 pulled away from the Selsdon stop as we approached. We rounded the triangle (if you see what I mean) and pulled up in front of Sainsbury's as the skies opened once more.

RF429 at Selsdon

Part Five: RF429 on 234B, 234A


Photos by Ian Smith. Click on any of them for a larger picture.


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