RT604 at Northfleet

Gravesend Classic Bus Running Day

Sunday 2nd July 2006

Prepared by Ian Smith, 25th July 2006


Part Five: 480A, Gravesend to Rosherville, RT3148

After my stint on RTW75 I loooked round for a short trip. There were buses around that I would have liked to go out on, but perhaps inevtably they were not going out now. They included the Maidstone & District Ailsa (5385) and the East Kent Regent V.

M&D Ailsa 5385 East Kent Regent V

But RT3148 bustled up, ready for yet another 480A short trip round working between Denton and Rosherville. I climbed aboard, and claimed the front nearside seat behind the bonnet.

RT3148 at Gravesend RT3148 at Gravesend

We headed east up the hill into Denton, to turn at the roundabout. Then it was back into town, and round past a curiously deserted Railway Station to get onto the Overcliffe. The 480A was a works service that only operated at certain times of day: clocking on time, clocking off time, and curiuosly, each way at lunch-time, when a clutch of RTs gathered outside the Rosherville works to collect the workers, whisk them home for their dinners, then bring them back for the afternoon shift. So just short of Northfleet Garage we turned right, and descended to the side of the Thames, where it still possible to turn the bus and back it up against the wall as used to happen.

Gravesend Rly Stn Descent to Rosherville

RT3148 at Rosherville RT3148 at Rosherville

Peter Larkham had been conducting all day, and wanted some photos of "his" bus coming up the hill from the Rosherville terminus. So I did the conductor bit as we reversed, waited and then headed back up the hill to collect him. I include two of his pictures here:

Me on RT3148 at Rosherville (Peter Larkham) RT3148 climbs the Rosherville bank (Peter Larkham)

We made the short journey back to Gravesend. Back at Milton Road there was a distinct winding-down feeling. Some buses had already headed home, and others were preparing to depart. RF406, recovered from a puncture earlier in the day, came in off a 489 run from Ash, while RM1397 was departing. RF679 was loading for a quick trip to Northfleet Garage, which I didn't think I had time for.

Rf406 on 489 RM1397 departs

The feeder services started to depart to all points west: RF600 went out on a 725 to West Croydon; BN61 on a 701 to London, on its way to Acton; RF486 was making its long way home to Dorking via Dartford and Sevenoaks.

RF600 departs on 725 BN61 prepares for 701 RF486 leaves on 401

701: Gravesend to Bromley-by-Bow, RF48

Heading south were the Southdown Guy Arab and the M&D Reliance S6. I was waiting for Claire Green and her crew to return to RF48, on which I was going to head towards London.

PUF and S6 depart RF48 ready for 701

The crew arrived and we set off. I had a Greenline RF front seat, just behind the door, so had an excellent view forwards as we passed Gravesend Clocktower, eased through Gravesend and headed north along the Overcliffe. In the still-bright sunshine we headed along to Dartford. I lost track of or route after that, as Claire threaded a way through the homing Sunday evening traffic.

Gravesend Clock Northfleet Overcliffe

We were on the A2 for a while - I recognised the Falconwood cutting - and then suddenly we were at the roundabout for Blackheath, at the south end of Blackwall Tunnel. Actually, no-one alighted, so we promptly returned to the Tunnel Approach and dived under the Thames. We surfaced on the north side and rumbled along to Bromley-by-Bow Station, where most of us got off to change onto the District line.

RF48 at Bromley by Bow RF48 at Bromley by Bow

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

system map

Thanks to all those who had any part in organising the event, especially Bernard and Pauline Gardiner. Thanks to the CBR team, to drivers, conductors, and inspectors, to those who changed tyres and those who provided patient assistance throughout the day. Thanks to those who prepared and sold programmes, to those who negotiated with the Councils, Police and Bus Companies for all the necessary permits. Thanks to all those who look after the buses. Thanks to those who lugged heavy safety barriers around the carpark to the accompaniment of some glorious oaths. Thanks to all those who came and made it such an enjoyable day.

Back to Ian's Bus-stop Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5