RF679 at Letty Green

Hertford Running Day

Sunday June 5th 2005

Prepared by Ian Smith, 21st June 2005


Part 7: RT to Braughing

331A: Ware to Braughing, RT 3148

RT3148 came cantering down the road from Hertford. I waved my bus stop flag at Peter Aves, and the RT drew to a smooth stop in the bus lay-by. (I wanted to write that it screeched to a shuddering halt, but it didn't). Several of us enthusiasts from the RMC trip boarded there, and a few more round the corner at the station stop. Then we went on up into Ware, and I asked if we could have a quick stop in the town, at the Ware Abbey stop.

RT3148 approaches Ware Crossing RT3148 at Ware Abbey

We continued on through Ware. The RT was well-loaded, and Peter had to be careful on roundabouts: today's passengers are heavier on average than the 1948 variety, and the RTs only just passed the tilt test then!! That is why we never let the top deck get fully loaded on these trips. We went on up the old A10, and over the flyover onto today's trunk road, still on the line of the Roman Ermine Street. The RT ran well on the long straight road, down into the valley of the River Rib through Thundridge, and up the other side past Wades Mill to High Cross. The road undulated on, in the way of Roman Roads, through Colliers End and on towards Puckridge. But at the roundabout before the village we turned right, along to the old Standon Station, where we turned the sharp corner to pull up on the old station stand. Not that there is any sign of the old station: it is an estate of modern houses now.

Inside RT3148 RT3148 at Standon Station

We went on up into Puckridge, where we turned right onto the old narrow main street with its overhanging buildings. It is hard to believe that this was one of the main roads from London to the north not long ago. Anyway, we squeezed through Puckridge, and at the north end turned right, to stay on the old road. But we did not go far. We had been invited to use the old Braughing Station, now a private residence, as our turning point. We turned in through the gates and negotiated our way down to the old station entrance.

RT3148 at Braughing Station RT3148 at Braughing Station

331A: Braughing to Ware, RT 3148

The folks at the station kindly allowed the passengers to alight and look round the old station, which retains its platform, signal box, and a railway carriage. But after a while it was time to go. To assist in manoeuvring the RT we asked everyone to meet us up near the gate. Peter eased the big bus round the corners and the adverse camber, and up the slope to the gate, and everyone got back on.

Then it was back through the intricacies of Puckridge and Standon Station, and back down Ermine Street. Someone mentioned that the White Horse at High Cross was a very photogenic location, and we duly stopped there for a minute or two on our way south.

RT3148 at Braughing Station RT3148 at High Cross

I had originally intended to ride the Rt all the way back to Hertford, and there catch the 351 to Braughing, but a glance at the watch and the timetable showed that this was no longer feasible. I would have to change at Ware again. So at Ware Crossing I alighted and crossed the road again, watching the RT disappear towards Hertford.

A few minutes later DAF3448 passed by westwards on a Heathrow-bound 724.

RT3148 departs from Ware Crossing DAF 3448 on 724, Ware

Arriva Trident 5451 came along on the 311. This was a recently imported Trident from Arriva Southend, which Arriva seems to be stripping of its newer buses.

Trident 5451 on 311, Ware Trident 5451 on 311, Ware

Any minute now that RF should appear...

Part 8: RF to Braughing


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

Back to Ian's Bus-stop Part 8: RF to Braughing