Knockholt Pound Running Day

Sunday July 10th 2005

Prepared by Ian Smith, 2nd-5th August 2005

Part 6: Fort Halstead and back

Knockholt

We were followed into Knockholt Pound by RT2043 with a 47 working from Bromley Garage. The red RT with its early post-war livery was followed onto the stand by RT1702 wearing the later livery. RT1702 was ready to work the 1530 departure to Bromley Garage.

Next in was RP21, back from Biggin Hill via Bromley Common. Now it was working through to Sevenoaks on the 704. I was thirsty, so I crossed the road to the pub and had a pint. Very nice it was too.

Perhaps it was the effect of the beer, or perhaps I was just tired, but I have no clear recollection of how I got from The Three Horseshoes to Bowens Yard. I THINK that I climbed aboard RT3148 for the short journey, after its return from Orpington on the 471. Anyway, both I and RT3148 reached the yard.

GS1 was there, next to GS60, receiving a polish to remove road dust. Red RT3871 and NBC green RT604 were taking a rest, as was SNC168, which had been the first back of the four from Biggin Hill, having flown down Westerham Hill, motored along to Sevenoaks and then climbed Star Hill, all in less than fifty-five minutes.

431B, Knockholt Pound to Fort Halstead, RF679

But what I had gone to the yard for was RF679. I was to go with Colin Rivers on the 431B, a special short service between Knockholt Pound and Fort Halstead, that ran just to suit the requirements of the two communities. Colin had the blinds already up, back and front, and very soon we were off, back up to the Three Horseshoes. Yes, we passed GS34 on the 471, on the way! We pulled round to stop in front of the pub. GS62 was there, wearing blinds for a 471 garage journey to Dunton Green. Whether it had been there, or was going, I don't know.

We loaded up at the Three Horseshoes, and set off on the short journey. We were immediately held up by a traffic jam as cars squeezed into gaps left by parked cars to allow a convoy of three GSs up to the Pound: GS60 was leading GS15 and then GS1. They passed, and we went on our way, easing right into Halstead village. I was telling our passengers about the photographic restrictions on our visit to the gate of Fort Halstead, and was caught by surprise when we were met by RF48 coming the other way through Halstead on a 704 working.

We turned right at Halstead Cross into Otford Lane, and gently made our way along the narrow tree-lined lane towards the top of Poll Hill and the entrance to Fort Halstead. We turned in to the access road, and drove up through the small community outside the gates, then turned round the circle in front of the gates, and left. We stopped back down near the main road, to await the arrival of RT3148.

431B, Fort Halstead to Knockholt Pound, RF679

RT3148 soon came zooming up, having worked the 431 works special from Sevenoaks via Dunton Green. I disaapeared up to the fort gate, then came back a few minutes later, scooting round the bend at the foot of the approach road to pull up behind RF679.

They departed first too, heading off on a 431C working via Knockholt Station and Halstead back to Knockholt Pound.

We set off after a minute or two, turning left back up Otford Lane. All was well until we had almost reached Halstead, when we met a Peugeot sports car coming the other way. It was not a big car, but it was a tight squeeze getting the RF past!

Going back up into Knockholt Pound we met GS62 on the move, albeit only going as far as Bowens Yard. We pulled up outside the Three Horseshoes. It was homegoing time, and GS34 was just preparing to depart, with Tring destination blinds proudly displayed! I stayed on the RF down to Bowens Yard, where I wanted to arrange my journey home.

Part 7: Return to Bromley

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

Ian's Bus-stop Part 5: Biggin Hill and back Part 7: Return to Bromley