STL2377 in Wallington

Carshalton Running Day

Sunday April 15th 2007

Prepared by Ian Smith, 5th May 2007.


Part Three: 80A: Sutton to Walton-on-the-Hill and Belmont

88: Sutton to Sutton Green

I wanted to pick up my ride on the 80A at Sutton Green, close to Sutton Garage, but that depended on catching an 88 for the five minute trip. Was I in time? I was actually just late when I reached the stop at Sutton (Post Office), but I was assured that the 88 had not already gone. Then it came round the corner, in the shape of RML2394.

RML2394 at Sutton Post Office. RML2394 at Sutton Green.

I climbed aboard, and travelled north the short distance to Sutton Green.

DM2646 pulled up behind us at Sutton Green, on the 154, on its way to St.Helier. Restored by Ensignbus to its Shilibeer livery, it looked magnificent. I was tempted, but I had ridden it a fortnight before at Chobham, so stuck to the plan and crossed the road to the opposite stop.

DM2646 at Sutton Green. DM2646 at Sutton Green.

80A: Sutton to Walton-on-the-Hill

I knew that the 80A was being operated by RFs and a BL, but was still pleasantly surprised when it was BL49 that came round the corner from Sutton Garage to pull up at the Sutton Green stop (just as the EVL1 went the other way). I climbed aboard and we headed south in the sunshine. RF486, driven by BL49 owner Claire Green, came the other way on a 213 heading for Sutton Garage.

BL49 and EVL1 at Sutton Green. RF486 on 213 at Sutton Green.

We quickly covered the mile and a quarter to Belmont Station. Just before we got there we passed an RML on the 88 and RF444 heading north for Sutton Garage on the 80A. We passed the "California" terminal point and headed on south-west over Banstead Downs.

RML on 88, Belmont. RF444 on 80A, Belmont. Inside BL49, Tadworth.

We turned right, through an estate with multiple speed bumps, to reach Tadworth Station, where we paused for a photo stop. Only when I had alighted did I realise that (a) I had reached the end of the film, and (b) my other films were still on the bus. We couldn't stay there, so I climbed back aboard, and changed my film, ready for our arrival at the far end of Walton-on-the-Hill, at a tiny turning point at the edge of a housing estate overlooking the fields. Odd to think that we were only a couple of miles from Box Hill.

BL49, Walton-on-the-Hill. BL49, Walton-on-the-Hill.

We were allowed eight minutes for the terminal stand - long enough for some of the residents to come and enquire whether this was a renewed Sunday service.

BL49, Walton-on-the-Hill. BL49, Walton-on-the-Hill.

80A: Walton-on-the-Hill to Belmont

Then we were away again, back through pretty Walton, and round past Tadworth Station. Pulling out onto the Brighton Road we met Sunray Travel's new Enviro200, GX56 AEB, on the 318 to Epsom.

We rolled down across Banstead Downs to Belmont, where I alighted to look for an RF on the 213.

Sunray Travel Enviro200 GX56 AEB. BL49, Belmont.

Part Four: 213: Belmont to Carshalton Garage

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

Back to Ian's Bus-stop Part One Part Two Part Four: 213 to Carshalton Garage