There wasn't anybody waiting there. The RF seemed quite tiny compared with the enormous beasts employed on rail replacement duties. We set off, and quite soon left the developing - and spreading - town of Ashford behind, as we headed south-west through the sunshine.
Near Kingsnorth we met the Transweald service 297 coming the other way on the 297, with dedicated Arriva Dart P211 LKJ. We turned right to Stubbs Cross, then left towards Shadoxhurst.
We rumbled on along narrowing lanes towards Woodchurch. The mill appeared ahead of us, then vanished behind the hedge as we approached the village. We made a circuit of the village green, then dropped down to the B2067 for the run west to Tenterden. We threaded our way into the town, and pulled up at the bus-stop outside the old half-timbered Maidstone & District office and garage.
It was then just a short drive along the main street and down the lane to Tenterden Town station on the Kent & East Sussex Railway. The crossing gates were closed. Colin tucked RF679 away on the station forecourt. We listened as Austerity 060ST "Rolvenden" came up the bank, and watched the tank engine enter the station to get the day's trains on the move.
I watched the tank fussing about in the station, chuffing gently away to gather a set of coaches.
GS62 was parked on the station forecourt. The Guy Special, with Eastern Coachworks body was built for London Transport in 1953. Just three years older, and also bodied by ECW, was Maidstone and District Bristol LS SO43, standing by the railway shed on the north side of the crossing.
Parked in the shadow of the Nissen huts was GS2, while enjoying the sunshine just beyond was Maidstone & District Reliance S6.
We had hoped that Stagecoach East Kent would send their Regent V, but it was unavailable. Instead their East Kent-liveried Olympian, L246SDY turned up. Also arriving now were RT3148 and RF633, which all threaded their way across the level crossing and into the bus park.
Most of the buses had arrived, and it was time for a few departures.
All photos by Ian Smith. Click on most of them for a larger picture.
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Part 2: Comings and Goings