Out at the Miniature Railway there were now a few more buses. The Eastern National Titan was in the line-up now, flanked by Eastbourne No72, a 1966 Leyland PD2 with East Lancs bodywork. Also lined up were RM2116, the erstwhile Forest Ranger bus, restored to its 1933-style showbus livery, and RF495, one which I had not seen before.
The East Kent Regent V, MFN946F, was going to follow us into Eastbourne, where it would take up some of the duties of No67, which had retired with a suspected oil leak.
Ron and I set off again, with the Regent V in hot pursuit. We made the compulsory left turn on leaving the Eastbourne Miniature Railway grounds, but instead of whirling round the roundabout and heading back for Tesco traffic hell Ron took a left exit for an alternative, quieter way back into Eastbourne. MFN946F followed.
Ron's knowledge of Eastbourne led us surefootedly back towards the station, where we unloaded and put the RT away for a while.
The big red bus was still at the station, about to set off for the Foot of Beachy Head. I had time to do a return trip before my next turn. So I hopped aboard, and off we went. It was only a few minutes on the direct route to the south-west extremity of town, and soon we were swinging right to round the terminal triangle, to pull up behind Eastbourne No42.
Just to remind us that there are still buses in Eastbourne today, even on Sundays, Eastbourne Buses No54 rolled up to the stop too, with its second and third class seating areas clearly marked.
I rejoined the big Regent V. No42 pulled away towards the station and The Redoubt, but we had a request for another trip round the turning triangle. This was easier said than done, but the driver did coax the big bus round the acute angle at the foot of the triangle to go round for another set of pictures.
Then we set off for the station. I admired the simple interior. I pondered on why the old upholstered double seats are more comfortable than today's Procrustean individual offerings. Is it that whatever the size of you and your companion you could find a place to suit you, whereas now you are consigned to misery if you are not the willowy sylph figures that seat designers assume?
We were soon back at the station, and I walked down to the east end to join RT3148 for another trip out to the Miniature Railway.
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 6