Events - 2011

A pictorial summary of where we've been this year

Cobham Spring Gathering, 10 April

South London event, Mid Norfolk Railway, 21-22 May

Uxbridge Running Day, 26 June

Worthing Bus Rally, 31 July

Coldharbour route 433 (private event, no photographers), 24 August

Holloway Open Day, 1 October

Amersham Running Day, 2 October

Christmas Lights Tour, 10 December

Bromley Running Day, 18 December

Bromley

Two short-working 227s on the stand at Penge.  RF486 acquired its second foglight while working as a Chiswick staff bus, RF401 acquires its after leaving LT.

On the way in to take up service at Crystal Palace, RF486 ran over the 234^A and is seen here leaving the stand at Hackbridge Elm Lane.

Photo © Peter Larkham

Christmas Lights

Oxford Street was pedestrianised this year until after 8pm, but when it reopened it was bus free (except for proper buses).

Amersham

RF486 was proud to provide the Mayor of Amersham, Cllr Mimi Harker OBE, a ride through the Buckinghamshire countryside (including the 394 via Swan Bottom).  A 397 to Cholesbury was the hors d'oeuvre.

Mid Norfolk Railway

The two buses in service at the event were RT3902 and RF626, seen at Dereham.

In the background is 3CIG 1497, formerly on the Brockenhurst - Lymington branch

line and very similar to the 4CIGs used on the Portsmouth line until a few years ago.

I was privileged to be asked to drive 3902's first passenger service since 1971.

The bus has been completely rebuilt and is seen gleaming at County School Station.

Apart from the rail replacement service, this was of course a railway event.

50019 is seen from the cab of 73210, which was hauling the 3CIG, at

Thuxton level crossing on the new passing loop.

Holloway

Pulling up Hampstead Lane just before The Spaniards.

Photo © John Parkin

As RF486 was delivered new to Muswell Hill and therefore will have worked the 210 (as well as the 212 and 251), we were delighted to be invited to operate on the 210 as part of Metroline's Holloway Garage Open Day.  Here seen on the traditional (but no longer used by the 210) stand at Golders Green.

And here at Finsbury Park Wells Terrace.  Both termini are much changed, and Clifton Terrace has a line of parked cars instead of RFs.

Worthing

Former Brighton Hove & District Bristol KSW 6447 (HAP985) dates from

the same year as RF486.  It provided some of the services at Worthing's

sunny seaside rally.

Uxbridge 

RF486 worked a feeder service on the 285 and is seen here on the former 285 stand

in the old part of the Heathrow Central bus station.

The 204 was converted to RF operation in 1971 at which time the route ran

through to Hayes Bourne Avenue on Sundays only.  RF486 is seen on the

little-changed terminal loop there.

Judge Heath Lane is one of the roads served only by the 204 (now the U4).

Cobham at Dunsfold

The RF park had thinned out to just 486, 226 and the Safeguard Reliance by the

time this shot was taken at the end of the day from the upper deck of RT4779.