RFs galore

This is, after all, a site about RFs. And we were proud to be able to run no less than 7 red RFs plus two Green Lines on the day.

Just seven of the nine are shown before the run out.

Photo © Peter Osborn

RF433, one of the buses in service on the last day of crew operation of the 236 exactly 35 years ago, was sold out of service thereafter and was never fitted with doors. The 236 also serves Leyton Orient football ground and county cricket at Leyton, as the slipboards on the Wealdstone vehicles informed us. After lunch, the bus showed a barely-discernable list to starboard.

Photo © John Lidstone

The other Wealdstone RF, RF453, served at Leyton only briefly, in 1961. Here, back after only 45 years, she loads for the journey to Mildmay Park.

Photo © Ian Smith

RF457 sets off from Clapton Pond on a garage working of the 208. In the old days, such journeys were rarely passenger-carrying in practice, even if the workings were on the fare chart.

One of those rare garage journeys on the 208

Photo © John Lidstone

Buses ran along Cadogan Terrace for the first time in 36 years; parked cars and traffic calming meant the ride was perhaps a little too exciting for some.

Photo © Steve Way

RF491 has been upgraded to modern PSV status, but this is not obvious from the front.

Photo © Martin Ruthe

Bromley-by-Bow Seven Stars, as advertised on the 208, forms the backdrop to RF28 on the 720 and RF486 awaiting the run back to Clapton Pond. This junction has been the connection between the 108 from south of the river and the 208 since before the second world war.

Photo © Ian Smith

Since Dalston Garage was demolished and the Havelock Arms closed, Shrubland Road and Albion Drive have seen little bus traffic - until now...

Photo © Geoff Ragg

Meanwhile, two RF drivers were writing the review of the Leyton Garage canteen.

Modernised Green Lines RF48 (shown here) and RF28 ran special Green Line services for the day. Had the 715 ever had a B variant, it might not have reached Hackney, but it did today.

RFs still look modern to many people, even though only about 5 years newer than TDs.

RF319 covered a wide range of roads during the day. It is seen here about to meet up with the RTL at Clapton Pond.