V3 at South Mimms

St Albans Running Days

Saturday & Sunday January 12th-13th 2008

Prepared by Ian Smith, 29th January 2008.


Evening

Back in St.Albans it was SNB449's turn to wear the 343 blinds, while SNB312 was ready for the 361 shuttle down to St.Albans Station.

SNB449 in St Peters St on 343. SNB312 in St Peters St on 361.

803 Express

RT3254 was prepared for a short working to Chiswell Green on the 321, and stood patiently in St.Peters Street awaiting its crew.

The National set off for the Abbey Station just as RF308 bustled up with a 355A from How Wood, heading for the erstwhile garage.

RT3254 in St Peters St on 321. RF308 in St Peters St on 355A.

I boarded the RT, which set off into heavy traffic as dusk fell suddenly over St.Albans. I began to wonder whether we would make it out of St.Peters Street before we were due at Chiswell Green. But eventually we escaped, and rolled down the hill to St.Albans Abbey and up the other side to St.Stephens. Chiswell Green was now just along the road. In the darkness we were not required to alight and cross the road while the bus turned at the roundabout.

The bus drew up at the stop and the blinds were wound round for the return as a 803 Express to Welwyn Garden City: blue blinds!

RT3254 at Chiswell Green on 803. RT3254 at Chiswell Green on 803. RT3254 at Chiswell Green on 803.

We sped back to St.Albans in the darkness, arriving just on 5 o'clock, with the crew of RFF429 wondering where I had got to. I grabbed last pictures of RT3254 as I crossed over.

RT3254 at St.Albans on 803. RT3254 at St.Albans on 803.

Red Greenline 712

RF429 was waiting for me, with Peter Aves and Colin Rivers as crew for the drive back into Central London. RF28 was following behind. As soon as I was aboard we were away, back down the hill past Abbey Station, and up to St.Stephens, then south through Park Street, Radlett and Borehamwood. We passed a couple of Time Bus Routemasters in Hendon, and carefully made our way down through St.Johns Wood and Swiss Cottage to Oxford Street and Marble Arch. We paused occasionally on the way to ensure that we didn't lose RF28. The yellow Greenline blind is a great aid to identification in the dark! We made various drop-offs down to Victoria Station. I stayed with RF429 for the drive on to New Cross Gate, where they dropped me off before their long drive on into Kent.

RF429 at St.Albans on 712. RF429 at Victoria on 712. RF429 at New Cross Gate off 712.

Many thanks to all those who contributed to the organisation and delivery of a superb weekend, especially Eddie Knorn and the Country Bus Rallies team.

system map.

Buses that I saw (not all taking part, and not including rail replacements):
RT3183, RT3254
RF28, RF308, RF429*
GS17
RM1403*, RMC1513*, RML2419, RML2428
BL49*, SNB312, SNB449, V3*

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

Ian's Bus-stop One Two Three Four Five Six Seven