RMC1476 in St.Peters Street

St Albans Running Days

Saturday & Sunday January 14th-15th 2006

Prepared by Ian Smith, 25th January 2006


Sunday

RT3254 on route 321

RT3254 came up round Church Green to stop behind RF308 at the Harpenden terminus. People poured off it. This had been advertised as a connection in the programme, and for once it looked as though folk were taking full advantage. Somehow it worked out right. The RF was not overloaded, and neither was the RT. I climbed aboard the latter, onto the longitudinal seat in front of the door, and chatted to the conductor, Vic Chivers. Inside, the Greenline RT is just an RT: no extra refinements. Unlike the later RMCs and RCLs, which had deeper cushions, the Greenline RTs had ordinary bus seats. They were introduced to replace the austerity Daimlers on the busy Romford - Aldgate routes, and later as peak hour and Sunday Reliefs on other routes. They also worked north from London through St.Albans on the summer-only 726 to Whipsnade.

RT3254 at Harpenden Church Green. RT3254 at Harpenden Church Green.

RF308 departed on the 355, and a minute or so later we went too, soon forking left off the main road to pass under the Midland Main Line to reach Bowling Alley. There we turned abruptly right, back under the railway to regain the main road south. Now the Greenline RT's high speed differential paid dividends, and we rocketed south through the countryside.

RF308 leaves Harpenden Church Green. Bowling Alley Bridge.

We passed northbound RT3183 (alias RT1617) at speed in the open countryside near Childwick Green. I looked out for somewhere to stop the RT for a countryside picture, but this route seems to lack lay-bys at bus stops. Eventually I spotted one, just beyond the fire-station on the outskirts of St.Albans, and dinged the bell. The bus pulled to a halt, and I got my picture.

RT3183 passes on the A1081. RT3254 near St.Albans Fire Station.

We went on into St.Albans. RMC1513 was turning by the bus garage as we passed. The red Metrobus was back in St.Peters Square after its foray on the 84, and The London's Transport Museum's BN61 was waiting to head north on another 355.

RMC1513 turns at the garage. MCW801 and BN61, St.Peters St. (composite picture)

But we were continuing. RMC1476 came round the corner and pulled up behind us, but we were away, passing modernised RF28 as we went. We went over the crossroads at the end of the street, and enoyed the rush down into the valley. But the traffic queues were still horrific going south, so our journey came to a halt at Abbey Station instead of Chiswell Green. I watched as the blinds were altered back to read "St.Albans Garage". "Luton" and "Maple Cross" came up on the roll as it was wound. Now wouldn't that be something!

RF28. RT3254 at Abbey Station

The bus made its turn and headed back up into the city. The traffic lights stopped it on the hill, and I took the opportunity to alight and watch its progress. Local people seemed to be enjoying the presence of the big green bus too.

RT3254 on Abbey Hill RT3254 on Abbey Hill

I headed for the Arena, and passed RT3871, which looked as though it was on the City Station shuttle. Later in the day it would have an outing on the 84. I found the public toilets near the Arena: open on a Sunday! I then went to Marks & Spencers to acquire some rather nice sandwiches and a bottle of fruit juice, to keep the wolf from the door, and returned onto St Peter's Street. RMC1513 came along the street, presumably again on a local working while RMC1476 was taking a break.

RT3871, St.Peters St. RMC1513, St.Peters St

Speaking of RMC1476, that was preparing for a 330 run to Hemel Hempstead..

Part Six: RMC1476 on route 330

Photos by Ian Smith. Click on any of them for a larger picture.

Back to Ian's Bus-stop Part One Part Four Part Six: RMC1476 on route 330