RF486 at Buckhurst Hill

Loughton Classic Bus Running Day

Sunday 9th September 2007

Prepared by Ian Smith, 24th September 2007


Part Six: Chingford to Enfield

121: Chingford to Enfield: RF486

RF486 ran a non-LT route to get from Loughton Station to The Royal Forest Hotel at Chingford, the starting point for route 121. During the day Routemasters had left Loughton to follow the 38A south-west to Woodford Wells, turning there to follow the 179 north-west through Chingford to the hotel on the fringe of Epping Forest.

But RF486 took a short-cut through the forest (on roads!), to reach the hotel pointing in the correct direction. Just as we reached it RML899 pulled out to head back to Loughton by the longer route. Most of the buses that had been here during the day had gone, but RM642 was still sitting on the hotel forecourt in the traditional position.

RM642 at Royal Forest Hotel RF486 at Royal Forest Hotel

The photographers climbed back aboard RF486 and we headed into Chingford, pausing again at the other terminal at Chingford Station. A little further on, in Chingford itself, we met RM158 as it headed once more for the Hotel on the 179.

RF486 at Royal Forest Hotel RM158 in Chingford

We turned right at the lights, to head down into the Lea Valley, with its massive reservoirs. Great views from the heights, nothing at all to be seen from the valley bottom between the reservoir berms. We climbed up the other side, and continued west to Ponders End garage.

We pulled into the yard, and our crew domnned high-viz vests and went to see the yard manager about having a trip through the shed. Two lines of Merobuses lined the yard walls, including M1313, M1405, M1312 and M1130. Permission was forthcoming (provided of course that no-one other than crew got off the bus), and we carefully ventured inside, past the fuelling point, the washer, and the parked buses. DAF Presidents included DLP77 off the 307, and DLP90 which was more usual fare on the 121.

M1313, M1405, M1312, M1130, E DLP77, DLP90 in E

There was a pause for photos once we were back outside. (Thanks to Peter Osborn and Steve Whitelegg for their pictures). Then we continued west for the Enfield terminus near Sydney Street.

RF486 in E (Peter Osborn) RF486 emerging from E (Peter Osborn)

RF486 at E (Steve Whitelegg) RF486 at Enfield

269/141: Enfield to Manor House to London Bridge Station: RF486

From Enfield we turned south towards London, following a couple of Routemaster routes into the Great Wen. Firstly the 269 route took us towards Palmers Green and the old drove road that arrows down towards Smithfield. Green Lanes took us on from Palmers Green through Wood Green to Turnpike Lane and Manor House. There the 269 had turned aside towards Camden Town, but the 141 route took us on into the City, We passed Moorgate and the Bank, and glided over London Bridge. Peter took us into London Bridge Bus Station, where I alighted to catch a train.

RF486 at London Bridge Station RF486 departs London Bridge Station

Many thanks to those who organised the events, especially to Colin Rivers (for Loughton), Jim Blake (for RFH), and Peter Osborn and Steve Whitelegg for the long rides on RF486. Many thanks too to those who drove, conducted, or lent their buses, to those who manned the stall at Loughton to sell programmes, and to all those behind the scenes who made it all possible.

System map

Buses (there may have been more that I didn't see. Some were at the RFH event).

RT624*, RT1206*, RT1702*, RT3871*,
RF28, RF48, RF281, RF406*, RF433*, RF486*, RF489*, RF503*
RM158*, RM642*, RML899*, RM1699*, RML2419
BN61


All photos by Ian Smith unless otherwise indicated. Click on any of them for a larger picture.

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