But behind the Citaro was something rather older: Saunders-roofbox-bodied RT3062 was coming along on a terminating 36, and after pausing to set down it came across the traffic streams and pulled up the ramp into the garage.
The new order on the 36 was shown by Volvo President VPL396, which also turned into the garage at the end of its journey from town. Blue Volvo Olympian NV132 came past from the east, to turn in at the other entrance. This is another generation of buses that was outlived by the RMs in service: they have nearly all been sold or relegated to training duties now. The blue coloration is presumably due to Londoners' insistence on trying to climb aboard anything large and red, irrespective of what it says on the front. A modern equivalent of the RF slipped past too, in the shape of Travel London's DP15 on the P13.
RT 1702 made an appearance again. We had been promised "something special" when we got to New Cross, and this was it: the only public appearance of route 36C. It seems that this route had been proposed for rush-hour extras at one time, taking in Deptford between New Cross and Lewisham. But the route had never seen the light of day: until now. RT 1702 came out of the east entrance for a quick nip along the road and back into the west entrance. (Passing PVL193 on the 172 shows that information on bus blinds has not improved over the last fifty years!)
The procession of buses went on, old and new. RML2578 came back from a test run, still wearing its orange NOT in Service plates, and was soon followed by celebrity visitor RM9, looking smart without adverts and with cream band and London Transport fleetnames.
At last, as if a bung had been pulled, Route 36 Routemasters started to appear. RM2151 arrived from town, terminating on a routine 36, followed by Stagecoach National-liveried RML2665, heading for Grove Park again on the 36B. RM687 pulled out from the garage, going round the block on another test run.
Then green-liveried RML2317, belonging to Metrobus, came trundling along from Peckham, and brown-liveried RM25 squeezed through the traffic on its way back from Hither Green Station on the 36, heading for the traditional terminus at Victoria.
Also having to find a way through the traffic maelstrom were learner-drivers. Both of the Metrobus Darts that had been in Camberwell earlier (Marshall bodied 7762 and 7763) eased their way through in quick succession, and the blue Olympians were also much in evidence. New Cross RM478, looking quite tired on the offside, pulled out in front of Plumstead-bound Trident 17116 to perform its right-hand turn into the garage.
Camberwell's RM1097 rolled up to turn in to the garage. RM2022 came in next. This, like RM478, was another route 36 stalwart, still carrying route-branding on the front and blue "route-boards" along the sides. The flurry of arrivals from ten minutes earlier now began to scurry off back to town: RM2151 drew wide into the traffic to make its getaway, followed shortly by RM478.
RM436 and RM782 pulled in in quick succession. Then RTW75 rolled up, looking majestic. Even though it arrived empty, everyone began wondering whether this was an RTW's first venture on the 36?
Then came something else a little different. Not that it looked much different from the 36's normal RMs, apart from being longer and more recently painted. No, Blue Triangle's RML900 sounded different. It pulled across the junction into the garage ramp, and choggled up the slope. Instant nostalgia.
Camberwell's RM1097 pulled out, followed by RTW75, which was blinded for West Kilburn. It turned left, and headed off to the stop to load up. Another moment of history.
By this time I was waiting for RT1702 to emerge, and shortly noticed it being given final preparations on the ramp.
Part Four: 36A to Brockley Rise
Bus Stop
Part Two: 36B to Grove Park
Part Four: 36A to Brockley Rise