RF679 was parked at Swanley Garage, wearing blinds for the other part of the 423 (Longfield-Swanley via Dartford and Wilmington), and GS1 was also taking a rest after its 478 trip.
GS2 came in from a 478 turn and parked outside the garage doors. Then GS62 arrived from the 479 and parked in a niche between GS2 and RT1702. It was just like old times! Then GS60 rolled up at the stop too!
We continued eastwards up the long climb to West Kingsdown, where we turned left onto the 452 route proper. We drifted down the false valley between the wood and the motorway embankment, and turned right to dive under the latter and descend the Fawkham valley. We passed through Fawkham Green, and presently reached the railway bridge at the entrance to Longfield. Peter turned right at the Cross Roads, and drove round the station loop to reach Longfield Station, where the blinds were changed for the return to West Kingsdown. The schedule for this trip was tight (to put it mildly), so we were quickly away again for the return up the Fawkham valley.
We had a request for a photo-stop at Fawkham Church, anfd Peter found a safe place to pause at the foot of Castle Hill, with the church in the background. Then we went on to Fawkham Green for more photos.
Then Peter's foot went down for the climb up to the motorway underpass, and the drive on up to West Kingsdown, where he pulled round onto the Portobello Inn stop. We were going back down the valley again, so the blinds were changed again, and we completed the circle using the old main road to dive back into the valley.
I hopped off the bus again at Longfield Station, and crossed the road for the offside shot, taken on the last frame on the roll. Then another bus came round the corner. O.K, so it was red, and almost modern, being one of RedRoute Buses' MetroRiders, but it was still a country bus. A hand into the pocket pulled out the spare camera, but not in time for a front shot!
We headed back south along the valley, softening now into the quiet of a late-winter Sunday evening, with the soft evening light carrying a hint of spring to the pastoral landscape. At West Kingsdown we picked up a passenger who had hoped for a connection that didn't operate, and carried him back westwards towards Swanley, with GS2 now bearing 478 blinds. On the way, as we toiled uphill, we met RF679, with Mike Dawes at the wheel, scurrying eastwards for home.
We pulled in at Swanley Garage, where packing up was in progress. RT1702 had already departed, but I hoped to travel on the advertised 401 service to Sevenoaks, on RT3148. But it was not going to happen. I just had time to scramble aboard RF633, which was going past Sevenoaks Station, but travelling via the M25 motorway rather than the old 401 route. As the dusk deepened Ron dropped me - and some other passengers - off by the station to catch our trains home.
Many thanks to those who organised this day,
especially Colin Rivers and Alan Charman.
Thanks too to the drivers and vehicle owners, without whom the day could not have happened, and to the timetable compilers, programme makers, site arrangers, permission seekers and others whose work is invisible but vital. Thanks to to those who gave permissions, including the police and local authorities. Thanks too for the passengers, especially for staying patient when the timetable gave at the seams due to the shortage of a driver.
Buses were:
All photos by Ian Smith. Click on most of them for a larger picture.
Back to Ian's Bus-stop
Part 1: Longfield to Wrotham
Part 3: Red Interlude with RT1702