RF679 at Letty Green

Hertford Running Day

Sunday June 5th 2005

Prepared by Ian Smith, 21st June 2005


Part 8: RF to Braughing

351: Ware to Braughing and back, RF679

The 351 was one of the early "permanent" railway replacement bus routes, replacing the Buntingford branch from November 1964. It operated between Buntingford and Much Hadham, via Braughing, Standon and Ware, on a limited stop service. Today CBR were recreating the Ware-Braughing section using RF679. It operated out in service from Hertford, and I flagged it down as it approached Ware Crossing.

Colin Rivers was driving his own bus (for a change!). We travelled up through Ware and north along the A10 to Standon, where we paused only briefly at the old station stop.

RF679 approaches Ware Crossing RF679 at Standon Stn

We continued through Puckridge to Braughing Station, where once again we were made welcome by the private owners of the old station house and yard.

RF679 at Braughing Stn RF679 at Braughing Stn

Eventually we got everyone back on board, said our thanks to the occupiers, and set off back for Ware, wearing the Much Hadham destination blinds. We had a quick trip south, as we needed not to be too late getting back to Hertford for outward connections. At Ware Station we paused while the blinds were changed, as in Country Area practice, for the lowest route number available along the "while working" route to Hertford - the 384. We then ran along the road into Hertford.

RF679 at Braughing Stn RF679 at Ware Stn

Home-goings

Back at Hertford we were too late for me to go up to Chapmore End on the 333, but at least that gave me an opportunity to visit the cafe while buses came and went. RB51 was seen after its travels on the 716A/724, set up now with 718 blinds. and RF633 came in with John Huxford to load up the CBR gear, before its careful journey home.

RB51 at Hertford Bus Stn RF633 at Hertford Bus Stn

The Eastbourne Regent returned from a run on the 395 to Ware and back, and RF486 came in, before heading home for Dorking. While I was in the cafe RF406 brought in the last 350 working of the afternoon from Essendon.

Eastbourne 69 at Hertford Bus Stn RF486 at Hertford Bus Stn RF406 at Hertford Bus Stn

RML 2775 came and went, and RP21 sat on its stand awaiting departure. Meanwhile the Arriva service bus squeezed through the gaps on its 395 journeys.

RML2775 leaves Hertford Bus Stn RP21 at Hertford Bus Stn

The GSs flitted through too: GS60 came back from the last short-working from Bulls Green, and GS2 came back with a 308A from Little Berkhamsted.

GS60 at Hertford Bus Stn GS2 at Hertford Bus Stn

GS62 came back from Chapmore End on the 333 that I had missed - and it was time for me to depart with Ken Eveleigh on RF627.

Ken and I set off for the long drive back to the Midlands, heading first to Hatfield and St.Albans, to get back onto the A5 with the minimum of fuss. We had an uneventful journey back home, but Ken DID get to overtake a Pendolino as we passed Milton Keynes!

System Map

Thanks to the Country Bus Rallies team for making me so welcome, and for organising the day. Thanks too to all the drivers, conductors, inspectors, and navigators who operated the buses, and to those who planned, co-ordinated and problem-solved. My especial thanks to Ken Eveleigh for the ride there and back, and for his hospitality before I headed back to the north.

Buses: (I may have missed some, including the Stevenage contingent; some did not operate in service)

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

Next event: Knockholt Pound, Sunday 10th July 2005

Back to Ian's Bus-stop Part 1: Getting There Country Bus Rallies