GS32 at Knockholt Pound

Knockholt Pound Running Day

Sunday July 10th 2005

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


Part 7: Return to Bromley

479: Knockholt to Biggin Hill, GS2 (and GS1)

Down at Bowen's Yard there were now five GSs lined up in a row: GS1, GS2, GS15, GS60 and GS62. I had gone down to talk to Peter Aves about the journey home. I thought perhaps he could drop me off at any station he was passing, after his final trip to Biggin Hill on the 479. That was fine, so we followed GS62 back up to Knockholt Pound.

GS1,2,15,60 and 62

Other buses arrived too, preparing to go home in various directions: RT604 came up to load for its return journey to Croydon, followed by RF486 heading for Dorking.

RT604 at Knockholt Pound RF486 at Knockholt Pound

After a quick visit to the pub I joined GS2, which already had 479 blinds displayed. We were missing out Orpington Station. We set off down Rushmore Hill, with GS1 close behind on the same journey. We passed GS62 somewhere, on its way back from delivering a last contingent of folk to Orpington Station on the 471, and ourselves headed down to Green Street Green. There I suggested to Peter that we took Sevenoaks Road along past the Queens Head to the old foot of Farnborough Hill, rather than use the by-pass. We did, turning up past the Metrobus garage to cross the by-pass and reach Shire Lane. Again this was a delight in the late afternoon sunlight, with GS1 keeping us close company behind.

Rushmore Hill from GS2 GS1 on Shire Lane

We kept company through the junction at Keston Church, and turned left to climb up through Leaves Green and past Biggin Hill Airfield.

GS1 at Keston Church GS1 at Keston Church

Passing through Leaves Green we met two modern equivalents of the erstwhile 410 route. Metrobus' Dart 213 was working the hourly service from Westerham (and Chartwell), while their Scania Omnidekka 487 was working the 320 from Biggin Hill Valley, a more useful version of the old 410 short-workings to Biggin Hill, which did not venture down into the valley until later years. But it would have been nicer to meet an RLH! (or even a green RML - but we'll have to wait until October for the Godstone RML day!)

Metrobus Dart 213 at Leaves Green Metrobus Omnidekka 487 at Leaves Green

We crossed the end of the airfield and continued past the old bikers' caff into Biggin Hill, where the two buses pulled up at the Post Office. It had for a while been apparent to me that I was too tired to go gallivanting around across Surrey, so I made my apologies to Peter and alighted, to await the connecting RP.

GS1 and GS2 at Biggin Hill P.O. GS1 and GS2 at Biggin Hill P.O.

705: Biggin Hill to Bromley, RP21

I did not have long to wait for Paul Brophy in RP21. The NBC dual-purpose green/white vehicle pulled up for me at the Post Office stop, and I boarded. We glided down through Biggin Hill and Leaves Green, and roared round the bends past the Wilberforce Scout Camping Ground to Keston Ponds. We passed down Oakley Road to Bromley Common, and entered the traffic maelstrom of Bromley. Paul did not bother with the High Street, but dropped me off at the back-door to the Glades.

RP21 at Biggin Hill P.O. Inside RP21 at Bromley South

There used to be a nice park here, but only a remnant remains: the rest, plus the quiet footpath connecting Bromley North and Bromley South, have disappeared under tarmac and traffic. I went to find somewhere to eat, and found it in a French brasserie on the corner of the Market Square.

RP21 at Bromley Brasserie-and Omnidekka- in Bromley

Many thanks to all those who organised and took part in the event, especially Alan Charman, Paul Bowen, the vehicle owners, drivers and conductors, and the people of Knockholt Pound. It was splendid!

system map Buses included:


Next Event: DORKING, 4th September 2005

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