Route 234A RF anniversary event

Sunday 17 March 2013

Page last updated 17 March 2013

Event page retained for reference

 
RF491 starts the long pull up Foxley Lane from the Purley traffic lights.  From OMO conversion in 1966 to 1970, many journeys went only as far as Wallington, and short-workings to Wallington will feature on 17 March.
Photo © JGS Smith
 
To mark the 60th anniversary of the arrival of new RFs on the 234A in early 1953, Country Bus Rallies and Red-RF jointly will operate a free service on the 234A (Hackbridge and Purley Old Lodge Lane) on Sunday 17 March 2013, using four RFs.  Three journeys will be operated on the 234B (South Croydon Garage and Selsdon).  A double-deck service will operate on the 234 between Wallington and Selsdon.
 
Route
The 234A ran between Hackbridge and Purley Old Lodge Lane.  The route is now covered by the 151 from Hackbridge to Wallington, the 127 from there to Purley and the 455 between Purley town centre and Old Lodge Lane.  Buses will stop at 151, 127 and 455 bus stops as appropriate.
 
The opportunity will also be taken to operate three journeys on route 234B, South Croydon Garage to Selsdon.  These will serve 407 and 412 bus stops as appropriate.
 
Route 234 will operate between Wallington Shotfield and Selsdon, serving 127 and 412 stops as appropriate.
 
Histories of the routes and route maps are here for the 234 and 234A and here for the 234B.
 
Programme
A programme has been produced, price £5, and (subject to availability) will be available for purchase on the day outside South Croydon Garage at about 10am, or from conductors at termini.  Purchase of a programme is not required for travel.

 

RF490 pulls out from Croydon Garage (TC) on the short-lived Sunday route 234B.
Photo Lloyd Rich collection
 
Times
Full timetables are included in the programme.  First and last buses are as follows:
 
Buses departing:  First bus Last bus
 South Croydon Garage (TC)  10.19  n/a
 Wallington Shotfield  10.40   16.10 
 Purley Old Lodge Lane                11.00   16.15 
 Selsdon Addington Road  11.00    16.00 
 Hackbridge Elm Road   11.40    16.00 
 
All buses enter service from Croydon Garage.
 
Photographers
Photographers may find the following locations suitable, depending on time of day:
234:
  • Woodcote Green
  • Mitchley Avenue
  • Selsdon
234A:
  • Old Lodge Lane
  • Woodcote Green
  • Manor Road North/London Road

234B:

  • Brighton Road at Croydon Garage
  • Mitchley Avenue
  • Selsdon

 

All journeys pass through Purley.

 

Please watch for traffic and stay safe.  We will be pleased to receive digital copies of photos of the event, for potential use on the gallery on this site.

 
Status of services

These services are provided free of charge. They are not part of the London Buses network and Transport for London has no responsibility for them.  Use of bus stops is by agreement with TfL on this basis. Drivers are required to comply with all instructions given by authorised officials of TfL and London Buses on the use of bus stops and bus stands. In the event of any difficulties affecting London bus services, be aware that drivers may be required immediately to vacate bus stops and stands. 

 

The buses are elderly, privately owned and operated and maintained at the owners' expense. Please respect this and do not bring food or drink onto the buses.  Rucksacks may not be worn on the buses, as they can damage seats.  All journeys run and carry passengers subject to vehicle availability and the discretion of crews; passengers travel at their own risk.  Please take care when entering and leaving vehicles. 

 

South Croydon Garage is private and not open to the public.  Passengers will not be carried into or out of the garage and photographers are not permitted to enter.  Pedestrians must remain aware of vehicle movements and must not obstruct entrances and exits.
 
Please come by public transport, but note that Tramlink has a rail replacement over a section between Wimbledon and Croydon.