Chislehurst and Sidcup Running Day

Sunday 23rd June 2002

Prepared by Ian Smith, 15th July 2002

Part 3: Bromley to Sidcup

RF679 crossed Chislehurst Common, passed the site of the erstwhile massive water-tower, and descended into the valley past Chislehurst Station. A steep climb up the other side into Bickley, and we were into the outskirts of Bromley. Progress was slow but steady into town, and we turned right at the Market Square into West Street. We progressed round to Bromley North Station, which was oddly deserted for a moment. On the way an Arriva Dart SLF (3292) from Northfleet slipped past on a 126, a route once considered for Central Area omo RF operation. We said goodbye to the Mayor (whose car had followed us), and dressed RF679 as a 227 for the return to Chislehurst.

We rolled back to Chislehurst, passing LS98 and SMS369 as we left Bromley, and stopped one stop back from the Gordon Arms for the crew to change blinds for their next duty: a 228 to Eltham. I alighted at the Gordon Arms.

RTL139 and RM8 rolled up behind, swapping over duties on the 161 to Sidcup Garage. I went to find out where I was expected next, and missed an opportunity to ride on the RTL to Sidcup.

Never mind, this was supposed to be an RF celebration day, so I hopped on the next 228 to Sidcup, RF453 with John and Gill Hinson. This RF has never had doors, being sold out of service quite early. This was useful when we stopped in a traffic stream at the traffic lights at Chislehurst War Memorial, as I could nip off, grab a quick picture and jump hurriedly back on as the lights changed.

We wiggled back along Perry Street, and through Sidcup to the Station stop, where I alighted.

Coming up behind was RF368 - another doorless RF - on a 241 to Welling. Green RT227 was just coming under the railway bridge to turn right into the yard on a terminating 467. By the time I had crossed the busy traffic, with the aid of the crossing lights, and climbed the approach to the yard, RT227 had turned and parked, RT2083 was waiting between 467 turns. Also ready to venture out was green RF633 on the 228, recalling the days from December 1956 when green RF533-538 were allocated to Sidcup for the 228 and 241.

Also resting, but set up for a turn on the 241 was Q83, looking much younger than its seventy years, with relative youngster RF429 (only fifty), behind.

I decided that it was time that I had some lunch. I walked up the yard towards the chuck-wagon, passing Greenline RF269 ready for a 725 turn, RM1699 resting between 161 journeys, and DM1052 turning round.

RTs and Routemasters were also represented: RT2043 in early livery was already parked, while RT1702 came in to turn while I ate. Visiting RML2452 was also parked, looking freshly repainted in Arriva London livery (complete with Corgi whizz-wheels).

I found out what I was supposed to do next - it was the procession from Chislehurst to Eltham with the Q, an RF, an RT, an RM and a DM, showing the 228 through the ages. I walked back down the yard. RML3 was coming in.

RT227 drew forward and loaded well for a short trip on the 467, then departed. RML2452 came forward in turn, and offered a trip to Plumstead Garage. Nobody wanted to go, it seemed. RT2043, behind, attracted some custom for its positioning run to Sidcup Garage as a (very short) 51.

Not realising that RT2043 would have filled my purpose admirably, I looked round for a bus to Chislehurst to join the cavalcade.

Part 4: Cavalcade on the 228

Part 1. Part 2. Part 3. Part 4. Part 5.