RF368, RF429, RF486 in South Croydon Garage

234 Routes Revisited

Sunday 17th March 2013

Prepared by Ian Smith, 28th March 2013.


234B: Selsdon to South Croydon Garage: RF429

Rain, with some flakes of wet snow, was pelting down as we left Selsdon and descended to Sanderstead, Riddlesdown and Purley. But inside RF429 we were snug enough, even if the windows were well steamed up.

We turned round the Purley Fountain and headed up the Brighton Road to South Croydon Garage, where again we were able to turn and stand just in the doorway. RF395 arrived too, off a 234A. It was going to take the next 234B run.

The Usual Suspects, inside RF429 RF395 on 234A, Croydon Garage

Abellio's 8526 passed by on a 407, and RF395 crossed the traffic and pulled onto the forecourt, to back in alongside RF429.

Abellio 8526 passes TC RF429, RF395, Croydon Garage

234A: South Croydon Garage to Hackbridge: RF429

It was RF429's turn on a 234A through to Hackbridge again. We left the garage and headed south to Purley, before climbing Foxley Lane again up onto the western ridge.

RF395 cab from RF429 RF429, Croydon Garage

We turned right for the wet run along to Woodcote Green and Wallington, passing one of Quality Line's Optare Solos on the 463 to Coulsdon South. Someone asked why I was interested in such buses, and was quite surprised when I pointed out that Solos had been around for fifteen years or more. We rolled on along to Hackbridge.

234A: Hackbridge to South Croydon Garage: RF429

RF429, Hackbridge RF429, Hackbridge

It was still wet on the way back to the garage. We met RF486 in Wallington, as it was about to terminate. Descending Foxley Lane we met RT3251 pounding uphill in the rain-storm, also heading for Wallington.

RF486, Wallington RT3251, Foxley Lane

South Croydon Garage

At the garage we pulled up at the terminal stop while RF395, which had arrived before us on a 234B working, manouevred across to the garage entrance before reversing in. RF429 followed, reversing in beside RM1395.

RF395, South Croydon Garage RF429, RM1395, South Croydon Garage

The garage was filling up with its own run-in, so we couldn't wait until all had returned. RF486 arrived too. I departed with RF429, just as far as Purley Station where I alighted, watching the red RF pull away under the station bridge onto Godstone Road.

RF486, South Croydon Garage RF429, Purley Station

Many thanks to Alan Charman and Peter Osborn for organising the day, and to the other drivers, conductors, owners and operators who made it possible. Particular thanks to Arriva at South Croydon Garage for all their hospitality, and to TfL for permitting the operation in their territory.

Buses: RF368, RF395, RF429, RF486, RT3251, RM1395.

A photo-gallery of the event is on the red-rf pages.

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

Red-RF Ian's Bus-stop 1 2 3 4 5