RT1705 at Potters Bar

Potters Bar Running Day

Sunday 20th May 2007

Prepared by Ian Smith, 12th June 2007.


Potters Bar and Hatfield

Potters Bar

After alighting from T792 I made a further circuit of the bus operating area, where things had changed a bit. There was Timebus' RF491, ready for duty on the 242, and Blue Triangle's open-topper RT3435.

RF491 at Potters Bar. RT3435 at Potters Bar.

There was also a collection of RTs from south of the River. RT604 had arrived from Purley, and was having its blinds set up for duty on the 303, while RT1702 from Catford stood behind. RT3148 had made it all the way from beyond Tunbridge Wells, and was set up for the 313.

RT604 at Potters Bar. RT3148 at Potters Bar.

Modernised Greenline RF48 and Bristol LH BL49were also parked up awaiting their turns.

RF48 at Potters Bar. BL49 at Potters Bar.

Also awaiting turns were RF457 and Sullivan Buses' Leyland Tiger, which would go out on the Tours.

RF457 at Potters Bar. Tiger at Potters Bar.

716, Potters Bar to Hatfield Station and back: RT3254

I was just in time to scramble aboard Greenline RT3254, which was just setting off on a 716 trip to Hatfield Station. Quickly we were away, onto Darkes Lane to load, then Church Road and the leafy route north through Brookman's Park to Hatfield Station. There the blinds were quickly changed for the 716 return to Potters Bar (with Golders Green destination blind)

RT3254 at Potters Bar. RT3254 at Hatfield Station (Peter Larkham).

But there were other things to see at Hatfield. An Arriva Dart (3239) had broken down on the 301 and was suffering the indignity of being lifted then towed away in reverse by the Sovereign tow-truck (N7SOV). Fascinating!

Sovereign Tow truck. Dart 3239 on tow.

Sullivan Buses' Dart SLF LDP31 (ex London General) was also there on Rail Replacement duties, presumably for the stopping services, along with other big coaches.

LDP31 at Hatfield Stn. RT3254 at Hatfield Stn. Hatfield Palace gates.

The twenty minutes allowed to change the blinds at Hatfield were soon up, and we pulled round to set off south again. We were very quickly back into the green tunnel. Before we reached Potters Bar I spotted a bus layby coming up, and dinged the bell. Time for a photo stop. While we were busy we saw RF308 coming along behind on the 342 from Essendon. So that received the photo treatment too.

The green tunnel. RT3254 near Brookmans Park.

RF308, RT3254 at Brookmans Park. RF308 at Brookmans Park.

We were soon back into Potters Bar, turning down leafy Church Road to reach Darkes Lane. There we met RF281 heading north with the next 716 to Hatfield.

I alighted and went to see the static display, on the way meeting RT3148 setting off for London Colney with a 313.

RF281 at Darkes Lane. RT3148 at Darkes Lane.

Part Five: Static Display

Photos by Ian Smith (or Peter Larkham where indicated). Click on any of them for a larger picture.

Back to Ian's Bus-stop Part One Part Two Part Three Part Five: Static Display