GS1 at Knockholt (Crown)

Knockholt Roundabout

Sunday July 11th 2004

Prepared by Ian Smith, 21st July 2004


Part 6: RF679 and RF633 on the 431 and 471

But it seemed like I was going to get my ride on the 431 via Chelsfield after all. RF633 was in the bus park at Orpington Station, ready to depart on a 431. I climbed aboard, and found a seat just behind the driver (Alan Charman) that gave me a view forward. We set off, and sure enough the RF headed for Chelsfield. This was territory totally new to me: I never used this road in my cycling days. So for a while I didn't know at all where I was.

RF633 at Orpington Stn on 431 Over the driver's shoulder on the 431

But beyond Maypole I recognised the A21 roundabout giving access to the M25. Not that we went that way. We dived down the opposite side of the roundabout, for Halstead, crossing over the old route of the A21 into Knockholt Road, and up through the straggly village of Halstead again to reach Knockholt Pound. Alan drove right round the triangle, prior to taking the RF back down to Bowen's Yard.

GS34 was parked on the east side of the triangle off a 471 trip, behind RF679 and RP21 came in on a 704 turn.

RF633 at Knockholt Pound on 431 GS34 and RP21 at Knockholt Pound

I crossed the road to RF679, which was just about to do a trip to Orpington Station, conveying homeward-bound folk. I went along for the ride.

GS34 at Knockholt Pound on 471 RF679 at Knockholt Pound

But although billed as a 431, this was a 471 trip, down Rushmore Hill to Pratts Bottom, and through Green Street Green to Orpington Station. There the bus almost emptied. Steve Baker tickled down past the station entrance for a photo, and I climbed aboard quickly so as not to get in the way of the midibus coming out behind.

RF679 at Orpington Station RF679 at Orpington Station

We travelled the 471 route back up to Knockholt Pound, where the buses were gathering before final departures.

I sat on GS1 for a few minutes, chatting, then made the rounds of the assembled buses as they passed through. GS62 parked next to the triangle. RT3148 stopped on the pub forecourt. RP21 came up and parked behind GS62, ready for a trip back to New Cross on the 704.

RT3148 and GS62, Knockholt RP21, Knockholt

The two Leyland Nationals came through, SNB257 and SNB312, the latter offering a through journey to points to the north-east of London. Not Kings Cross, though!

SNB257, Knockholt (with GS1, RF633, RF679) SNB312, Knockholt

RT604 loaded well for its return trip to West Croydon. It dawned on me that it was time for me to depart as well, if I was to get home at a reasonable hour. RF633 was heading back to Tunbridge Wells as a 704, so I boarded that for the ride back to Sevenoaks Station, leaving Knockholt Pound at 1715.

RT604 leaves for West Croydon RF633, Sevenoaks Station

The rest of my journey ran very smoothly. I was straight onto a London train at Sevenoaks, changing at London Bridge onto Thameslink to Kings Cross. There I was just in nice time for the 1900 train to Darlington, where there was a timely connection to my train to Thornaby. Arrival there was at 2205 - under five hours from Knockholt!

My thanks to the organising team, the bus owners, the drivers, the conductors, the program-sellers, the marshalls, to the staff at The Three Horseshoes, Bowens, the folk of Knockholt, and the passengers who enjoyed themselves and were good company.

Buses:

Next Event: Dorking

Sunday 29th August 2004.


All photos by Ian Smith. Click on most of them for a larger picture.

Back to Ian's Bus-stop Part 1 Part 5