Red RML2731 arrived back from Godstone on a 409. I walked over to have a word with John Huxford, who had thoroughly enjoyed driving the bus all day. PUF departed eastwards. SNB340 roared east along the street too.
It was about time for me to be making tracks. I had arranged to head for Victoria with RF48, so as to catch a train from Kings Cross. The RF was operating throuhout as a 708 to Baker Street. The crew had returned from their break, and were preparing to depart, so I walked up the street and climbed aboard.
I made myself comfortable, with a view out the front. RT604 emerged ahead, coming from King Street to load for its 409 return trip to West Croydon. It was followed by RF600, also gingerly nosing out onto the main street. Then RM1033 came up the street and past us. That reminded me that I had not been to the visiting buses park off King Street. I had seen RF19 and the Alder Valley National in passing, but had not been to browse. Too late now!
We were off. We headed east along the main street to the roundabout, turned, and came back past the War Memorial. We headed down to the station, where we passed RT604, and headed north out of East Grinstead. We missed out the Lingfield diversion, and headed on towards Godstone. We followed the A22 up over the North Downs, through the narrow pass and down into the narrow chalk valley through Whyteleafe. Soon we reached Greater London, in the shape of Purley, and progress slowed a bit as we continued north along the A23, by-passing Croydon to Thornton Heath and Streatham. We passed busy Brixton garage and dived down into Brixton itself, before wending our way through to Vauxhall. I considered jumping ship there, for the Victoria line, but we were making reasonable progress again as we headed for Victoria.
Some folk alighted there, but Claire offered to take some of us on to Kings Cross - about ten minutes she said - so I climbed back aboard.
We continued north, up to Hyde Park Corner and up Park Lane to Marble Arch. I thought we were going to get stuck in Oxford Street, but no: our route turned off left to reach Baker Street and the Euston Road. RF48 dropped me off at Kings Cross at 1935 - just two hours from East Grinstead - which gave me ten minutes to catch my train to the north. It had been an interesting and fascinating ride to complete an excellent day.
Many thanks to the Country Bus Rallies team who organised the day, especially Alan Charman who pieced together a workable timetable despite several last-minute withdrawals. My thanks to all those who brought their buses, and/or drove them and conducted them. Also to controllers, programme compilers, printers, and permission seekers, and to the Police, town councils, bus companies and others who gave all the necessary permissions for the day to happen. It may have rained, but it was nevertheless an excellent day.
Buses included:
RT604, RT2043*, RT3148, RT3871*,
RF4, RF19, RF28, RF48,
RF366*, RF406*
RF600, RF626, RF679,
GS2, GS15, GS34, GS60, GS62, GS76
RM1033*, RML2278*, RML2301*, RML2317, RML2731*, FRM1*
XF3
SNB257, SNB312, SNB340,
Alder Valley 251
Southdown PUF647
M&D SO224, SC390, S6
(There were almost certainly others there,
which I missed sseing)
All photos by Ian Smith. Click on most of them for a larger picture.
Ian's Bus-stop
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6