GS62 in East Grinstead

East Grinstead Running Day

Sunday April 22nd 2007

Prepared by Ian Smith, 15th May 2007.


Godstone Green and back

708: East Grinstead to Godstone Green (RF269)

I boarded RF269 at the War Memorial, and took the front, forward-facing front seat that is a feature of proper Greenline RFs. We rolled down to the Station, where we paused for just a moment or two before heading north. We climbed the ramp up from the station, and turned north to cross over the railway line and then the old link-line railway cutting. We took the Lingfield Road. On the way we passed another of Metrobus' Omnidekkas, and met RF48 hurrying southwards with another 708.

RF269 and RML2317 at East Grinstead Stn. RF48 on 708.

From Lingfield we turned north-west to Blindley Heath, and joined the main road there to motor north to Godstone Green. The RF exuded its classic feel of comfortable solidity as we made good speed along the good road. I alighted at the Hare & Hounds at Godstone Green, enjoying the sunshine on the magnificent trees next to the stop.

RF269 at Godstone Green. RF269 at Godstone Green.

494: Godstone Green to Lingfield (RF633)

The connection turned out to be RF633, with Ron at the wheel. It came round the triangle to pull up behind the Greenline coach.

RF633 at Godstone Green. RF633 at Godstone Green.

I joined the bus for the short trip east to join the 494 route at the Tandridge Road. There we turned south, down from the Greensand ridge and across St.Goeorge's flag country to the railway bridge at Crowhurst North. The traffic lights there are properly responsive to the small amount of traffic, so there is seldom an opportunity to get off at a red and dash through the arch to get a picture of the bus emerging. For the second time today the lights changed to green as we approached.

We made the loop eastwards through Crowhurst Place, and up through the suburbs into Lingfield, where I alighted at the Post Office.

Crowhurst North Railway Bridge. RF633 at Lingfield Post Office.

RF633 at Lingfield Post Office. RF633 at Lingfield Post Office.

409: Lingfield to East Grinstead (RML2317)

I intended to go out to Dormansland on a 409, but when I consulted my timetable I found that I had twenty minutes to wait, and would only just get back to East Grinstead by five o'clock. While I pondered RF406 arrived, heading north on the 494. I declined their invitation to board.

RF406 at Lingfield Post Office. RF406 at Lingfield Post Office.

Instead I crossed the road again to the southbound stop, where I was soon able to hail green RML2317 heading for East Grinstead. I settled into a seat behind the bonnet. We had not gone far before RT604 dashed the other way, taking me unawares. Another Metrobus Omnidekka (442) also headed north. We came into East Grinstead behind RF48, which had just dashed up to South Godstone and back.

RML2317 at Lingfield Post Office. Metrobus 442. Metrobus 442.

Now I had time for another coffee before my bus left at 1730...

Part Five: BL to Bromley

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

Back to Ian's Bus-stop Part One Part Two Part Three Part Five: to Bromley