RF633 at Brasted

Sevenoaks Running Day

Sunday May 18th 2008

Prepared by Ian Smith, 10th June 2008.



Part Six: 413A: Sevenoaks to Chipstead and back (RF429)

Back at Sevenoaks I consulted my programme and the cancellations/extras board to work out a plan for the rest of the day. I had not been on the 413/413A route between Sevenoaks, Bat & Ball & Riverhead. One was due shortly. Meanwhile I wandered round to see RM8, a visitor for the day. RF495 (alias RF592) was just departing. Red RF489 came into the bus stands with a 413, but it was going the other way, to Ide Hill.

RM8 at Sevenoaks. RF495 at Sevenoaks RF489 on 413 at Sevenoaks

RML2699 was standing at the bottom of the bus station, and for a few minutes was not blocked from view by other buses, so I went down for a look. Then it was back up to the stands as RT3148 arrived with a 403 from Westerham

RML2699 at Sevenoaks. RT3148 on 403 at Sevenoaks

RF429 arrived into the bus station on a 413A from Four Elms, heading for Chipstead. RML2699, having been round the block, pulled in behind to take a 401 to Farningham.

I joined RF429. We travelled down through St.John's to Bat & Ball, and this time turned left, passing over the Darenth Valley railway line and continuing along to pass under the main line from Charing Cross. We reached the roundabout at Riverhead, scene of so many tradffic jams in the sixties, There we met RP21 on a 704 from Green Street Green to Sevenoaks, and Paul Brophy kindly let us across first to the second roundabout, where we turned right on the Westerham Road while he continued behind us towards Tubs Hill.

RF429 on 431A at Sevenoaks. RP21 on 704 at Riverhead

We continued out along the A25 to the far turn into Chipstead. Alan Charman explained to me some of the intricacies of the 413/454 workings through the village, before the traffic circulation was restricted. We worked back through the charming village, turning right to pass the Witches Lane stop and return to the A25. We retraced our journey through Riverhead to Bat & Ball, and back up through St.Johns to the bus station.

I alighted there, noting that Arriva 3282 was back from Tunbridge Wells on its next trip to Chartwell.

Chipstead. 3282 on 401

Part Seven: 106 to Fawke Common


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


Back to Ian's Bus-stop Part Five Part Seven: 106 to Fawke Common