We were quickly away, out through the back streets onto the main road, then turning left to head for Forest Row. RP21 roared past on its way into town, presumably on a 424 working from Stone Quarry towards Copthorne. We headed south into the country, with Peter busy handing out tickets from his Gibson machine.
We were soon into Forest Row, and the bus pulled up at the original terminal stop. I could tell that our conductor was toying with the idea of being authentic by turfing us all off at this point. But he relented, and we enjoyed the trip on down to the old Forest Row Station, originally not permitted to passengers. There the RT reverse turned, and I had to board quickly before we set off again up into the town to stop at Black Peter's Bar.
We set off north again, back out of Southdown territory into London Transport's Country Area. We passed through East Grinstead, and briefly stopped at the Station. While we were there RF600 passed by on its way home, wearing 453 blinds to Chelsham.
Then we headed north. We were booked only as far as the roundabout at Newchapel, but we were sufficiently early when we got there that Alan decided to press on. So we headed down into Lingfield, where we turned left and headed for Blindley Heath. There we did have to turn back for East Grinstead, but rather than head back through Lingfield Alan took the express route, down the main road to Newchapel, and onwards. In Felbridge we passed RT1702 heading for home, followed shortly by the East Kent Olympian. As we came into East Grinstead High Street we met red RT2043, returning from Forest Row and heading for the station.
King Street was remarkably empty as we pulled up. But to my surprise the bus in front was Greenline Reliance RP90, which I had not seen all day. RT3148 was taken away to clear the stand for the final homegoing departures.
All photos by Ian Smith. Click on most of them for a larger picture.
Back to Ian's Bus-stop
Part 5: More Routemasters
Part 7: Return by RF