Prepared on Notepad by Ian Smith, best on Netscape 800*600.
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Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
02 Jan 71 | S Shepherds Bush | 220 | Tooting - Harlesden / Park Royal | RM - DMS |
02 Jan 71 | BN Brixton | 95 | Tooting Broadway - Cannon Street Stn.(- Aldgate (Sun mkt)) | RM - DMS |
16 Jan 71 | HT Highgate | 271 | Highgate Village - Moorgate | RML - DMS |
30 Jan 71 | AL Merton | 189 | Clapham Common - Raynes Park | RT - DMS |
It was appropriate that three of the routes were in "Daimlerland", happy hunting ground of London Transport's previous Daimlers, while the other, the 271, was one of the routes used in the XF trials. The routes chosen also demonstrated the intention to replace RMs and RTs. The spread of garages also showed that LT had learned some lessons from the Merlin big-bang fiasco (of major reorganisation plus new buses on a large scale).
Conversions continued in March, when Cricklewood converted the 32, followed by route 5 in April at Poplar and West Ham. This used up the remainder of the first two batches (DMS1-117), apart from those allocated to Chiswick for experimenting.
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
13 Mar 71 | W Cricklewood | 32 | Kilburn Park Stn - Edgware Stn. | RM - DMS |
17 Apr 71 | PR Poplar WH West Ham |
5 | Bloomsbury - Blackwall Tunnel (N) (-East Ham). | RM - DMS RML - DMS |
Construction details, DMS118-367.
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
24 Jul 71 | BN Brixton | 50 | Stockwell Stn - Thornton Heath (- Croydon) | RT - DMS |
24 Jul 71 | WD Wandsworth | 170 | Wandsworth - Aldwych (pks-Euston Stn) | RT - DMS |
18 Sep 71 | FW Fulwell V Turnham Green |
267 | Hampton Court - Hammersmith | RM - DMS new DMS |
16 Oct 71 | WL Walworth | 184 | Brockley Stn - Elephant & Castle(Sun - Vic.Embankment) | RT/RM - DMS |
6 Nov 71 | BX Bexleyheath | 96 | Dartford - Woolwich | RT - DMS |
4 Dec 71 | TH Thornton Heath | 64 | Addington - Tooting Broadway | RM - DMS |
4 Dec 71 | SF Stamford Hill | 67 | Stamford Hill - London Docks (- Wapping Stn.) | RML - DMS |
8 Jan 72 | TL Catford | 124/A | Forest Hill - Welling (124) (124pks-Woolwich) - Bexley Hosp (Sun pm 124A) | RM - DMS |
8 Jan 72 | AW Abbey Wood NX New Cross |
177 | Abbey Wood - Elephant & Castle (early - Farringdon ) | RT/RM - DMS |
5 Feb 72 | AF Putney | 85 | Putney Br.Stn - Kingston Stn. | SMS - DMS |
5 Feb 72 | ON Alperton | 297 | Willesden - Perivale | MB - DMS |
13 May 72 | PM Peckham | 78 | Shoreditch - Dulwich | RT/RM - DMS |
13 May 72 | PM Peckham | N85 | Charing Cross - Grove Park Stn | RM - DMS |
13 May 72 | PM Peckham | N86 | Charing Cross - Brockley Rise | RM - DMS |
17 Jun 72 | CF Chalk Farm | 46 | Hampstead Heath - Kings Cross | RM - DMS |
17 Jun 72 | BK Barking | 179 | Barking - Chingford Stn | DMS on Sun |
17 Jun 72 | BK Barking | 199 | Barking - Thames View Estate | new DMS |
It had been intended to keep the MCW and Park Royal batches at separate garages,
but that idea did not last even as long as the first MCW allocation:
Bromley received a mixed contingent in July for the straggling, U-shaped route 61.
But the segregation idea was adopted to some extent:
also in July Finchley and Holloway (the old Highgate bus depot, originally Holloway tram depot)
gained Park Royal buses for the 263,
and when the 213/A was converted in August 1972
MCWs went to Sutton and Park Royals to Norbiton.
Tottenham and Hackney received MCWs in August for the 106,
Enfield had Park Royals in September for the 107.
Bow and Victoria received Park Royals for the 10 and 10A in October.
Leyton had Park Royals, also in October, for the 55 and 262,
while West Ham had some for the 262 and the 278.
These included four with experimental two-piece glider doors.
Clapton received some Park Royals for the 22A.
In November the far east took Park Royals to Romford North Street for the 247A and Sunday 175
and MCWs to Hornchurch for the 246.
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
17 Jun 72 | WD Wandsworth | 44 | Mitcham - London Br Stn (Sun mkt - Aldgate) | RT - DMS |
17 Jun 72 | WD Wandsworth | 168B | Putney Heath - Vauxhall (pks - Farringdon St.) | DMS on Sats |
17 Jun 72 | WD Wandsworth | 295 | East Acton - Wandsworth Bridge | RM - DMS |
15 Jul 72 | TB Bromley | 61 | (Eltham - not Sat)- Chislehurst - Bromley North | RT - DMS |
15 Jul 72 | B Battersea | 19A | Battersea - Tooting Bec (Sundays) | new DMS |
15 Jul 72 | B Battersea | 39 | Southfields Stn - Oxford Circus | RT - DMS |
15 Jul 72 | B Battersea | 39A | Southfields Stn - South Kensington Stn. | RT - DMS |
15 Jul 72 | FY Finchley HT Holloway |
263 | Barnet - Highgate (- Kings Cross) | RM - DMS |
5 Aug 72 | NB Norbiton A Sutton |
213/A | Kingston Stn - Sutton Garage | RT - DMS |
12 Aug 72 | AR Tottenham H Hackney |
106 | Finsbury Pk Stn - Becontree | RM - DMS |
9 Sep 72 | E Enfield | 107 | Queensbury Stn - Ponders End | SM - DMS |
28 Oct 72 | BW Bow | 10 | London Br Stn - South Woodford Stn. | RT/RM - DMS |
28 Oct 72 | GM Victoria | 10A | Victoria Stn - Aldgate (M-F) | new DMS |
28 Oct 72 | CT Clapton | 22A | Liverpool St.Stn - Homerton | new DMS |
28 Oct 72 | T Leyton | 55 | Walthamstow - Bloomsbury (- Marylebone) | RT/RM - DMS |
28 Oct 72 | T Leyton WH West Ham |
262 | Sundays V&A Docks - Walthamstow | RML - DMS RM - DMS |
28 Oct 72 | WH West Ham | 278 | Walthamstow - V&A Docks | RM - DMS |
18 Nov 72 | NS North Street | 175 | (Sundays) Ongar - Dagenham | RT - DMS |
18 Nov 72 | NS North Street | 247A | Harold Hill - Gants Hill Stn | RT - DMS |
18 Nov 72 | RD Hornchurch | 246 | Hornchurch - Noak Hill (pks - Gidea Park Stn) | RT - DMS |
The start of 1973 saw a major influx of DMSs to the south side of London, with Elmers End and Croydon receiving substantial allocations. In early January they replaced SMS Swifts on the 166/A, 194, 197B, 233/A. The FRM was displaced from its reign on the 234A later in January, and RFs were lost from the 234B. (Meanwhile, Fulwell had displaced RMs from the 90B, Uxbridge had lost SMS Swifts from the 222, and Cricklewood replaced SM Swifts on the 245). The displaced Swifts were used for further opo conversion on more lightly-used routes.
Then began a rolling programme during February and March to replace the Atlantean XAs from Croydon's Addington services C1-4 (the old 130 group). The Atlanteans had all been sold to China Motor Bus Co of Hong Kong.
In March DMSs returned to displacement of RMs and RTs: Putney converted from RMs on the 85A,
Barking changed from RTs on the 156 and RFs from the 291.
Tottenham and Edmonton both lost RMs from the 259,
and gained new shared DMS route 279A.
In April Alperton used spare DMSs on Sundays to convert the 83 from MB operation,
but as there were not enough used SMSs as well:
a most unusual mixed double/single-decker operation for Central Area.
This lasted until December, when additional DMSs at Alperton allowed the 83 to become completely DMS.
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Changes |
---|---|---|---|---|
6 Jan 73 | TC Croydon | 166 | Chipstead Valley - Shirley (- Beckenham Junc) | SMS - DMS |
6 Jan 73 | TC Croydon | 166A | Chipstead Valley - Thornton Heath (Suns) | SMS - DMS |
6 Jan 73 | TC Croydon | 197 | Caterham Valley - Norwood Junction | SMS - DMS |
6 Jan 73 | TC Croydon | 233/A | West Croydon Stn - Roundshaw | SMS - DMS |
6 Jan 73 | ED Elmers End | 194 | Forest Hill - Croydon Airport | SMS - DMS |
6 Jan 73 | UX Uxbridge | 222 | Hounslow - Uxbridge Stn. | SMS - DMS |
6 Jan 73 | FW Fulwell | 90B | Kew Gdns Stn - Yeading (- Northolt Stn.) | RM - DMS |
20 Jan 73 | TC Croydon | 234 | Selsdon - Hackbridge (M-F) | FRM, XA - DMS |
20 Jan 73 | TC Croydon | 234B | South Croydon Garage - Selsdon (S&Su) | RF - DMS |
20 Jan 73 | W Cricklewood | 245 | Golders Green Stn - Sudbury Town Stn. (M-S) | SM - DMS |
17 Feb 73 - 29 Mar |
TC Croydon | C1-5 | West Croydon - New Addington | XA - DMS |
10 Mar 73 | AF Putney | 85A | Putney Bridge Stn - Alton West Estate (M-S) | RM - DMS |
10 Mar 73 | BK Barking | 156 | Becontree - Creekmouth (M-S) | RT - DMS |
10 Mar 73 | BK Barking | 291 | Ilford - London Road (M-S) | RF - DMS |
10 Mar 73 | AR Tottenham EM Edmonton |
259 | Holborn Circus - Lower Edmonton Stn. | RM - DMS |
10 Mar 73 | AR Tottenham EM Edmonton |
279A | Liverpool St Stn - Lower Edmonton Stn | new DMS |
20 Apr 73 | ON Alperton | 83 | Golders Green Stn - Alperton | Sun: MB - DMS/SMS |
The first yellow doored buses went to Finchley in March 1973 for the 221.
They were followed by a number for the Round-London Sightseeing Tour, based at Stockwell.
These were part of a regular rolling programme,
with new buses going to SW every six months for the Tour,
with the "old" ones going to bus duties then in order to qualify for the Bus Grant.
May saw a round of RT replacements in south London,
with a number of longer routes each involving two garages:
Merton, Sutton, Norbiton, Thornton Heath, Catford and Walworth were all involved.
There was a break then until mid-June, when it was east London's turn,
with RMLs displaced from Hornchurch
and a chop-up of route 175 to create new shorter routes including the 173 from Upton Park.
DMSs also took over part of the 241, the rest being carved off to continue with RMs as the 230.
In mid-July Edgware completed its conversion from RT to DMS with the 292.
During August new DMSs continued to go into store, or out as temporary replacements for failures,
in either case being called for their allocated RT replacement duties in September,
when Barking's 169/C were converted and extended.
The off-peak SMS-operated 92 was converted in October, using buses from Alperton and Southall,
and Turnham Green's 91 also lost its SMSs in November.
Elmers End converted its Sunday operations on the 54 to go with its weekday operations on 194B,
receiving new DMSs for these in December.
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
24 Mar 73 | FY Finchley WN Wood Green |
221 | Farringdon St. - North Finchley (- Edgware Stn.) | RM - DMS |
12 May 73 | AL Merton NB Norbiton |
131 | Wimbledon - Walton-on-Thames | RM - DMS |
12 May 73 | A Sutton TH Thornton Heath |
154 | Crystal Palace - Morden Stn. | RT - DMS |
12 May 73 | A Sutton AL Merton TH Thornton Heath |
157 | Crystal Palace - Morden Stn (- Raynes Park). | RT - DMS RT - DMS new DMS |
12 May 73 | TL Catford Walworth |
185 | Victoria - Lewishan (- Greenwich Church/Blackwall Tunnel) | RT - DMS |
12 May 73 | TH Thornton Heath Walworth |
197A | Norwood Junction - Thornton Heath Garage (pks - High Street) | RT - DMS |
16 Jun 73 | RD Hornchurch | 165 | Havering Park - Rainham | RML - DMS |
16 Jun 73 | U Upton Park | 173 | Becontree Heath - Canning Town (pks-Blackwall Tunnel) | new DMS |
16 Jun 73 | WH West Ham | 241 | Victoria & Albert Docks - Stratford Bus Stn | RM/SMS(Sun) - DMS |
30 Jun 73 | WD Wandsworth | 295A | new DMS | |
14 Jul 73 | EW Edgware | 292 | Borehamwood - Edgware | RT - DMS |
1 Sep 73 | BK Barking | 169 | Gascoigne Estate (Sun) - Barking - The Glade | RT - DMS |
1 Sep 73 | BK Barking | 169C | (Sun:)Gascoigne Estate - Claybury Broadway | RT - DMS |
27 Oct 73 | HW Southall ON Alperton |
92 | (off pk) Southall - Wembley Empire Pool | SMS - DMS |
10 Nov 73 | V Turnham Green | 91 | (M-S) Wandsworth Bridge - Hounslow West | SMS - DMS |
17 Nov 73 | AW Abbey Wood | 198 | Woolwich - Thamesmead Eastern Industrial Estate. | new DMS |
1 Dec 73 | ED Elmers End | 54 | Woolwich - West Croydon | Sun: RM-DMS |
1 Dec 73 | ED Elmers End | 194B | Shrublands Estate - Thornton Heath Garage (M-S) | RT-DMS |
Policy changes during 1973 recognised that there was a continuing role for the open-platform bus in Central London for the foreseeable future. Routemasters would have to be retained. They would have to be overhauled properly, again. The overhaul programme would clash with the planned overhauls for MBS Merlins. The decision was taken to dispose of the Merlins.
Meanwhile there was a rethink about trunk-route one-person operation. RTs still needed replacing, so routes 16 from Cricklewood and 134 from Potters Bar and Muswell Hill (both RM operated) were converted to CREW operation with DMSs as a temporary measure, during December 1973. These had empty afc cabinets and lacked "Pay as you enter" markings. Only five standing passengers were allowed, to allow space for the conductor to operate.
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
15 Dec 73 | W Cricklewood | 16 | Neasden - Victoria Stn. | RM - crew DMS |
15 Dec 73 | MH Muswell Hill PB Potters Bar |
134 | Potters Bar Stn - Warren St.Stn. | RM - crew DMS |
The 149 (Edmonton and Stamford Hill) received crewed DMSs in February, while from the beginning of March Cricklewood used some on the N94. Barking saw off their last single deckers when they completed the conversion of the 179 on Mondays to Saturdays, (it was already DMS on Sundays) in February.
In March SMSs were replaced by DMSs on early Sunday morning on route 109 (Thornton Heath). Enfield received DMSs for Monday to Saturday route 191, with spare buses used on route 135 on Sundays only.
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
5 Jan 74 | TC Croydon | 130A | Sunday: New Addington - West Croydon | Sun:RML - DMS |
5 Jan 74 | TC Croydon | 197 | Norwood Junction - Caterham Valley | RT - DMS |
5 Jan 74 | BX Bexleyheath | 132 | Eltham Well Hall - Slade Green Stn | SM - DMS |
5 Jan 74 | WN Wood Green WW Walthamstow |
144 | Ilford Stn - Turnpike Lane Stn. | RT - DMS |
5 Jan 74 | CT Clapton PR Poplar |
277 | Poplar - Islington | RT - DMS |
5 Jan 74 | PR Poplar | N84 | Trafalgar Square - Becontree Heath | RM - DMS |
5 Jan 74 | A Sutton | 280 | Tooting Bdy - Belmont Stn (M-S) | RT - DMS |
2 Feb 74 | EM Edmonton SF Stamford Hill |
149 | Waltham Cross - Liverpool St. Stn (- Victoria) | RM - crew DMS |
23 Feb 74 | BK Barking | 179 | Thames View Estate - Chingford Stn. | SMS - DMS |
1 Mar 74 | W Cricklewood | N94 | Liverpool St.Stn - Cricklewood Garage | RM - crew DMS |
23 Mar 74 | TH Thornton Heath | 109 | early Sunday mornings journeys: Purley - Victoria Embankment | SMS-DMS |
23 Mar 74 | E Enfield | 135 | Forty Hill - Brimsdown Stn | Sun RT-DMS |
23 Mar 74 | E Enfield | 191 | Chingford Stn - Enfield Town | RT-DMS |
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
23 Mar 74 | EM Edmonton | W8 | Lower Edmonton Stn - Chase Farm Hospital | MBS-flat-fare DMS |
Seasonal Route 137A was reintroduced for the summer to serve Battersea Park from the 12th of April.
It was operated by Victoria on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays until the 22nd of September.
Also in April Sunday operations on the 23 (Upton Park and Barking)
were converted to DMS,
and Barking's route 145 went from RT to DMS.
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
12 Apr 74 | GM Victoria | 137A | Sloane Square - Battersea Park | seasonal |
20 Apr 74 | BK Barking U Upton Park |
23 | Becontree Heath - Aldgate | Sun: RT-DMS Sun: RML-DMS |
20 Apr 74 | BK Barking | 145 | Dagenham - Ilford Broadway | RT-DMS |
Merton lost all its Merlins in May: routes 152 and 293 went over on the 18th; flat fare route M1 was delayed until the following day to allow the transfer of the fare boxes from the Merlins to the DMSs.
On the 1st of June Alperton lost its Merlins in favour of DMSs when routes 79, 79A and 182 were converted, although the 182 retained SMS operation on Sunday. The next route to lose Merlins was the 282 at Southall on the 27th of July.
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
18 May 74 | AL Merton | 152 | Mitcham - Hampton Court Stn | MB-DMS |
18 May 74 | AL Merton | 293 | MB-DMS | |
19 May 74 | AL Merton | M1 | Raynes Park Stn - Hackbridge | MB- flat-fare DMS |
1 Jun 74 | ON Alperton | 79/A | (Perivale)- Alperton Stn - Colindale Stn / Edgware Stn | MB-DMS |
1 Jun 74 | ON Alperton | 182 | M-S:MB-DMS | |
27 Jul 74 | HW Southall | 282 | Greenford - Northwood Stn | MB-DMS |
Construction details, DM.
They began to replace the crew-operated DMSs on the 16 at Cricklewood,
a process that lasted from 14 September to 3rd October.
The displaced DMSs went off to Aldenham to receive afc equipment and appropriate transfers.
Most of them would be used for the replacement of MBS Merlins from the Wood Green
flat-fare network, so received appropriate fareboxes and flat-fare afc equipment.
The first of them back into operation took over the W3 towards the end of September,
whilst more were used for the W1, W2 and W4 early in October.
Meanwhile Victoria took off the seasonal 137A as expected in September, and Battersea lost the 19A.
With Cricklewood's conversion over, the DMs started to go to Muswell Hill and Potters Bar for the 134, and to Edmonton and Stamford Hill for the 149, in both cases replacing crewed DMSs. These in turn went off to Aldenham, and were then used to continue the replacement of RTs and MBs: In South-east London Plumstead used them to replace MBs on the 99 and 122A, while Abbey Wood started the new 272. On the western side Southall replaced RTs from the 232A at the end of November, and Hendon kicked off 1975 with the conversion of RT-operated route 183.
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
14 Sep 74 | W Cricklewood | 16 | Sudbury Town Stn - Victoria Stn | crew DMS - DM |
22 Sep 74 | WN Wood Green | W3 | Finsbury Park Stn - Northumberland Park Stn | MB-flat-fare DMS |
22 Sep 74 | GM Victoria | 137A | seasonal: Sloane Square - Battersea Bridge | withdrawn |
5 Oct 74 | B Battersea | 19A | Battersea - Tooting Bec | withdrawn |
6 Oct 74 | WN Wood Green | W1 | Turnpike Lane Stn - Edmonton | MB-flat-fare DMS |
6 Oct 74 | WN Wood Green | W2 | Turnpike Lane Stn - Finsbury Park | MB-flat-fare DMS |
6 Oct 74 | WN Wood Green | W4 | Turnpike Lane Stn - Winchmore Hill | MB-flat-fare DMS |
7 Oct 74 | MH Muswell Hill PB Potters Bar |
134 | Potters Bar Stn - Pimlico | crew DMS - DM |
31 Oct 74 | EM Edmonton SF Stamford Hill |
149 | Ponders End - Liverpool St Stn | crew DMS - DM |
10 Nov 74 | AM Plumstead | 99 | Woolwich - Erith | MB-DMS |
10 Nov 74 | AM Plumstead | 122A | Erith - Plumstead - Woolwich | MB-DMS |
30 Nov 74 | AW Abbey Wood | 272 | Woolwich - Thamesmead | new DMS |
30 Nov 74 | HW Southall | 232A | RT-DMS | |
4 Jan 75 | AE Hendon | 183 | Golders Grn Stn - Northwood Stn | RT-DMS |
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
25 Jan 75 | WD Wandsworth | 296 | Alton East Estate - Wandsworth | new DMS |
25 Jan 75 | HT Holloway | 4 | Sat: RM/RT-DM | |
25 Jan 75 | HT Holloway | 104 | North Finchley - Moorgate | Sat/Sun: RML-DM |
25 Jan 75 | HT Holloway | 172 | Highgate - West Norwood | Sat/Sun: RML-DM |
25 Jan 75 | HT Holloway SF Stamford Hill |
253 | Aldgate - Warren St. | Sat/Sun: RM-DM (+1RML) |
26 Jan 75 | HT Holloway | 17 | Highgate - Camberwell Grn | RM-DM |
26 Jan 75 | HT Holloway | 168A | Clapham Junction - Finsbury Park | RT-DM |
26 Jan 75 | HT Holloway | 214 | Parliament Hill Fields - Moorgate | RM-DM |
26 Jan 75 | HT Holloway | N92 | Trafalgar Sq - Highgate | RML-DM |
26 Jan 75 | HT Holloway | N93 | Trafalgar Sq - Hampstead Heath | RML-DM |
25 Jan 75 | MH Muswell Hill | 102 | Golders Grn Stn - Chingford Stn | Sat/Sun:RML-DM |
26 Jan 75 | MH Muswell Hill | 43 | London Bridge Stn - Friern Barnet | RML-DM |
26 Jan 75 | MH Muswell Hill | W7 | Muswell Hill Bdy - Finsbury Park Stn | MBS - flat-fare DMS |
16 Feb 75 | W Cricklewood | 245A | Golders Grn Stn - Sudbury Town Stn | SMS - DMS |
22 Feb 75 | MH Muswell Hill | 102 | Golders Grn Stn - Chingford Stn | DM-RML |
The main February emphasis was south of the river, at Walworth and Camberwell. At Walworth DMs took over from RMs on the 45 (and Sunday 12), while at Camberwell MBs were replaced by DMSs on the 42.
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
23 Feb 75 | WL Walworth | 12 | South Croydon - Shepherds Bush | Sun: RM-DM |
23 Feb 75 | WL Walworth | 45 | South Kensington - Hampstead Heath | RM-DM |
23 Feb 75 | Q Camberwell | 42 | Aldgate - Camberwell Green | MB-DMS |
The beginning of March was typical for 1975: Hornchurch swapped Swifts for DMSs on the 252, and Croydon exchanged its second-hand RMLs for crew DMs for the haul over the Shirley Ridge to and from New Addington on the 130 group.
Later in the month Brixton exchanged RTs for crew DMs on the 57A, the 133 and the N87. West Ham exchanged its MBSs on the S1 for DMSs, and Stamford Hill was supposed to convert the N83 (although it continued to find RMLs for the duties.)
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 Mar 75 | RD Hornchurch | 252 | South Hornchurch - Collier Row | SMS-DMS |
2 Mar 75 | TC Croydon | 130/A/B | Thornton Heath / Streatham - New Addington | RML-DM |
23 Mar 75 | BN Brixton | 57A | South Croydon Garage - Stockwell (Suns) | RT-DM |
23 Mar 75 | BN Brixton | 133 | Liverpool St - Thornton Heath (- Sth Croydon) | RT-DM |
23 Mar 75 | BN Brixton | N87 | Charing Cross - Streatham (circular) | RT-DM |
23 Mar 75 | WH West Ham | S1 | Stratford Broadway - East Ham (circular) | MBS-DMS |
23 Mar 75 | SF Stamford Hill | N83 | Trafalgar Square - Tottenham Garage | RML-DM |
April was a single-decker to Fleetline conversion month. Fulwell unusually converted its shortened Sunday version of the281 from SM to DMS operation. Merlin replacement was now going full-blast, and Bromley received DMS Fleetlines to replace them from the 126 and 138. Likewise Holloway lots its MBs from the 143.
Just over a month later Walthamstow replaced its MBSs on flat-fate W21 with DMSs.
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
20 Apr 75 | FW Fulwell | 281 | Twickenham - Tolworth | SM-DMS (Suns) |
27 Apr 75 | TB Bromley | 126 | Eltham - Beckenham Junction | MB-DMS |
27 Apr 75 | TB Bromley | 138 | Coney Hall - Bromley North | MB-DMS |
27 Apr 75 | HT Holloway | 143 | Hendon Central Stn - Highgate | MB-DMS |
1 Jun 75 | WW Walthamstow | W21 | Walthamstow Central - Chingford circular | MBS-DMS |
Over the summer the pattern was continued, with RTs or RMs replaced by crew-operated DMs and Swifts and Merlins by omo DMSs. Towards the end of June Holloway completed its conversion of route 4 (Saturday operation had been converted in January).
In mid-July Brixton converted the 109 from RTs on Saturdays, and Fulwell and Norbiton converted the Saturday 285 from SMSs. Walthamstow had another go, this time converting the 276 from MB to DMS.
In August Camberwell turned over the 40 from Routemaster to DM and with Holloway the 172 from RT to DM, while Romford North Street converted the 66B and 103 from SMS to DMS.
At the end of the month Norbiton switched the 84 from MB to DMS, and Stockwell and Wandsworth said good-bye to their RTs on the 172.
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
23 Jun 75 | HT Holloway | 4 | RT-DM | |
19 Jul 75 | BN Brixton | 109 | Purley - Embankment | RT-DM (Sat) |
19 Jul 75 | FW Fulwell NB Norbiton |
285 | Heathrow Airport Central - New Malden | SMS-DMS (Sat) |
20 Jul 75 | WW Walthamstow | 276 | Walthamstow Central Stn - Yardley Lane Estate | MB-DMS |
3 Aug 75 | Q Camberwell | 40 | East Ham - Poplar - Camberwell Green | RM-DM |
3 Aug 75 | Q Camberwell HT Holloway |
172 | Highgate - West Norwood | RT-DM |
3 Aug 75 | NS North Street | 66B | Leytonstone - Hornchurch Stn | SMS-DMS |
3 Aug 75 | NS North Street | 103 | North Romford - Rainham | SMS-DMS |
31 Aug 75 | NB Norbiton | 84 | MB-DMS | |
31 Aug 75 | SW Stockwell WD Wandsworth |
168 | Putney Heath - Vauxhall - Farringdon St. | RT-DM |
In September the DMS-operated 296 was withdrawn.
More night routes were converted during the autumn, including the N97 (Turnham Green),
N68 and N88 (Wandsworth), N81 and N87 (Streatham).
Many more Swift and Merlin routes were converted to DMS operation, some at weekends only.
These included the 238 at West Ham, 242 at Potters Bar, 125 at Finchley, 231 at Enfield,
239 at Holloway, 299 at Potters Bar, 147 at Upton Park, 181 at Stockwell, E1 and E2 at Hanwell.
Two of the RM conversions were experimental, and later reversed. There was growing concern about the slowing-down of routes converted uing DM Fleetlines. It had been expected that crew operation would not have a time penalty compared with the buses replaced, but there was. High profile routes 24 and 29 were chosen for experimental conversion, with observations and measurements taken at various points along the routes. Chalk Farm's Sunday spares were put to use on the 3.
Apart from them, Croydon's 59 was converted in mid-November from RM to DM, and Wood Green's 123 and 141 in mid-December.
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
13 Sep 75 | WD Wandsworth | 296 | Alton East Estate - Wandsworth | withdrawn |
19 Sep 75 | V Turnham Green | N97 | Turnham Green - Liverpool St Stn | RM-DMS |
28 Sep 75 | WH West Ham | 238 | Stratford Broadway - Chadwell Heath | SMS-DMS (Sun) |
28 Sep 75 | PB Potters Bar | 242 | Chingford Stn - Potters Bar (- South Mimms) | MB-DMS |
19 Oct 75 | CF Chalk Farm | 3 | Crystal Palace - Camden Town | RM-DM (Sun) |
19 Oct 75 | CF Chalk Farm | 24 | Hampstead Heath - Pimlico | RML-DM |
24 Oct 75 | WD Wandsworth SW Stockwell |
N68 | RM-DM | |
24 Oct 75 | WD Wandsworth | N88 | Wandsworth - Farringdon St. | RM-DM |
24 Oct 75 | SW Stockwell | N81 | Streatham Garage - Kennington | RM-DM |
1 Nov 75 | SW Stockwell | N87 | Charing Cross - Streatham - Charing Cross | RML-DM |
1 Nov 75 | FY Finchley | 125 | Winchmore Hill - North Finchley | SMS-DMS (Sun) |
1 Nov 75 | E Enfield | 231 | Turnpike Lane Stn - Forty Hill | SMS-DMS (Sun) |
1 Nov 75 | HT Holloway | 239 | SMS-DMS (Sat) | |
1 Nov 75 | PB Potters Bar | 299 | Southgate Stn - South Mimms | SMS-DMS (Sat, Sun) |
16 Nov 75 | U Upton Park | 147 | Redbridge Stn - East Ham (- Royal Albert Dk) | SMS-DMS |
16 Nov 75 | SW Stockwell | 181 | Streatham Garage - Victoria | SMS-DMS |
16 Nov 75 | TC Croydon | 59 | West Hampstead - Old Coulsdon | RM-DM |
7 Dec 75 | HL Hanwell | E1 | Greenford - Brentford | MBS-DMS |
7 Dec 75 | HL Hanwell | E2 | Greenford - Brentford | MBS-DMS |
7 Dec 75 | WN Wood Green HT Holloway |
29 | Victoria - Wood Green | RM-DM |
14 Dec 75 | WN Wood Green | 123 | Enfield Town - Ilford Stn | RM-DM |
14 Dec 75 | WN Wood Green | 141 | Wood Green - Grove Park | RM-DM (Sun) |
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
12 Jan 76 | W Cricklewood | 616 | Cricklewood - Oxford Circus | MBS - DMS |
31 Jan 76 | W Cricklewood | 16A | Brent Cross - Victoria | new DM |
Construction details, white-top DMS.
The end of February saw another Saturdays only substitution of DMSs for Swifts, on Merton's 57.
The same day saw the start of a switch on the 207, when Hanwell's share, in the shape of RMLs,
was swapped for crew DMs. (The RMLs of course were cascaded to Central duties,
pushing more RMs off to the suburbs to relieve tired RTs.)
The Monday to Friday workings of Holloway's 239 followed in late March, when DMSs took over from SMSs (They alrady worked it on Saturdays). A week later Uxbridge followed Hanwell on the 207.
Uxbridge also featured a fortnight later, when weekend - surplus DMs took over from RFs on the 223 and 224B on Saturday/Sunday..
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
28 Feb 76 | AL Merton | 57 | Kingston - Streatham | SMS-DMS (Sats) |
28 Feb 76 | HL Hanwell | 207 | Uxbridge - Shepherds Bush | RML-DM |
21 Mar 76 | HT Holloway | 239 | SMS-DMS (M-F) | |
28 Mar 76 | UX Uxbridge | 207 | Uxbridge - Shepherds Bush | RML-DM |
10 Apr 76 | UX Uxbridge | 223 | Ruislip Stn - Heathrow Airport Central | RF-DM (Sun) |
10 Apr 76 | UX Uxbridge | 224B | Ruislip Stn - Stockley Park Est. | RF-DM (Sat) |
In April Loughton saw its first DMS buses when route 20's Merlins were displaced. DMSs also went to North Street in May for route 66, in place of Swifts. SMS replacements were the order of the day all through the summer, with Stonebridge Park's 112 later in May; Fulwell's 285 (the rest of the week) in June; New Cross' route 70 in early July, with Camberwell's 188 at the same time. Catford's 108B followed in mid-August; Streatham and Merton converted their 249 at the end of the month; and Loughton swapped the 167 in September.
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
25 Apr 76 | L Loughton | 20 | Walthamstow - Epping | MB-DMS |
9 May 76 | NS North Street | 66 | Leytonsone - Harold Wood Stn | SMS-DMS |
23 May 76 | SE Stonebridge Park | 112 | Finchley - Ealing Broadway | SMS-DMS |
12 June 76 | FW Fulwell | 285 | Heathrow Airport Central - New Malden | SMS-DMS daily |
4 July 76 | NX New Cross | 70 | Greenwich CXhurch - Waterloo Stn | SMS-DMS |
4 July 76 | Q Camberwell | 188 | Greenwich Church - Euston | SMS-DMS |
15 Aug 76 | TL Catford | 108B | Crystal Palace - Surrey Docks Stn | SMS-DMS |
29 Aug 76 | AK Streatham AL Merton |
249 | SMS-DMS | |
8/9 Sept 76 | GM Victoria | 10A 10 |
Victoria - Aldgate Victoria - Woodford Wells |
withdrawn extended |
12 Sept 76 | L Loughton | 167 | Debden Broadway - Ilford | SMS-DMS |
"New" route 280A at Sutton was a part-replacement for other services that were altered, withdrawn or attenuated.
The Swift replacement programme was still continuing - with some omo RF routes thrown in. Enfield lost both types on 24th October, with the 121 converting from omo RF and the 231 losing Swifts on the days that it had still had them. November 7th saw North Street converting from SMSs on the 294. In December it was Sidcup's turn again, and Swifts went from the 21A and from the 228 on Sundays. Uxbridge finally disposed of the weekday RFs from the 223 and 224B.
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
9 Oct 76 | L Loughton | 20A | Leytonsone - Debden Broadway | RT-DMS |
9 Oct 76 | AP Seven Kings | 129 | Ilford Stn - Claybury Broadway | RT-DMS |
3 Oct 76 | BK Barking | 169C | Barking - Claybury Broadway | withdrawn |
23 Oct 76 | A Sutton | 280A | Tooting Broadway - Walton-on-the-Hill | new |
24 Oct 76 | E Enfield | 121 | Chingford Stn - Enfield Town | RF-DMS |
24 Oct 76 | E Enfield | 231 | Turnpike Lane Stn - Forty Hill | SMS-DMS daily |
7 Nov 76 | NS North Street | 294 | Lodge Lane Estate - Hornchurch Stn | SMS-DMS |
5 Dec 76 | SP Sidcup | 21A | Eltham - Swanley Garage | SMS-DMS |
5 Dec 76 | SP Sidcup | 228 | Chislehurst - Eltham | SMS-DMS (Sun) |
12 Dec 76 | UX Uxbridge | 223 | Ruislip Stn - Heathrow Airport Central | RF-DMS daily |
12 Dec 76 | UX Uxbridge | 224B | Uxbridge Stn - Stockley Estate | RF-DMS daily |
It was not until the end of February that Fleetlines featured in route conversions, with the long-delayed change of Catford's route 75, that had been coping with a mix of RTs and RMs. Now it was omo, with DMSs.
March saw a revamp in north-east London,
scene of the big-bang conversion to omo single-deckers almost a decade earlier.
Now Walthamstow converted one of the remaining double-decker routes,
with the 123 converted from mixed RM/DM operation to omo DMS and shortened.
Wood Green's 29 changed back from DM to RM, as intended,
the timing spurred by a route extension.
The released DMs were swapped for Routemasters from route 141.
Wood Green also lost the W1, made redundant by service increases on the 144.
Leyton also converted the N96 from RML operation.
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
26 Feb 77 | TL Catford | 75 | RT/RM - DMS | |
19 Mar 77 | WW Walthamstow | 123 | RM/DM - DMS | |
19 Mar 77 | HT Holloway WN Wood Green |
29 | Victoria - Enfield Town | DM - RM |
19 Mar 77 | WN Wood Green | W1 | Turnpike Lane Stn - Edmonton | withdrawn |
19 Mar 77 | NX New Cross WN Wood Green |
141 | Wood Green - Grove Park | RM - DM |
19 Mar 77 | T Leyton | N96 | Highams Park Stn - Waterloo Stn | RML-DMS |
The Sidcup area saw a revision in May,
with the 51 (Sidcup) converted to opo DMS from Routemaster,
the 229 shortened, and a new 269 introduced, worked by DMSs from Bexleyheath.
Also in May Enfield started to receive B20s in place of older buses.
June saw Derby-day specials, for which Merton used new DMSs, including two B20s.
West Ham completed the conversion of the 238 when weekday operation switched from SMS to DMS in June,
with Upton Park similarly converting the 162.
Further RT routes were converted to opo DMS in July: the 139 from North Street and the 148 at Seven Kings and Barking. RTs were also the target at Enfield in August, where the 217 and 217B were converted, while the 107A and 191 were introduced. Meanwhile Shepherds Bush began to receive B20s. The onslaught on the RTs continued into the autumn, with the 34 (Seven Kings and Walthamstow)converted in September, and Southall's 274 in October. Along with these went Sunday ex-RT workings on the 150 (Seven Kings) and 120 (Southall), while Seven Kings' 212 was also converted, but from SMS operation.
The end of 1977 saw further SMS conversions, at Merton in November (routes 57 and 200),
and Finchley in December (route 125).
B20s went to Brixton from November, and Cricklewood in December.
All this required a great deal of shuffling to get the older buses for the conversions
to where they were needed, while inserting the new buses at their designated garages.
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
21 May 77 | SP Sidcup | 51 | Woolwich - Green St. Grn | RM-DMS |
21 May 77 | BX Bexleyheath | 269 | Woolwich - Sidcup Garage | new DMS |
20 June 77 | WH West Ham | 238 | Stratford Broadway - Little Heath | SMS-DMS daily |
20 June 77 | U Upton Park | 162 | Wanstead - Mayesbrook Park | SMS-DMS |
23 July 77 | NS North Street | 139 | Gants Hill - Dagenham Dock | RT-DMS |
23 July 77 | AP Seven Kings BK Barking |
148 | Leytonstone - Dagenham | RT/RM-DMS RT-DMS |
20 Aug 77 | E Enfield | 107A | Enfield Lock - Oakwood | new DMS |
20 Aug 77 | EM Edmonton | 191 | Chingford Stn - Enfield Town | new DMS |
20 Aug 77 | E Enfield | 217 | Turnpike Lane Stn - Upshire | RT-DMS |
20 Aug 77 | E Enfield | 217B | RT-DMS | |
10 Sep 77 | AD Seven Kings WW Walthamstow |
34 | Barnet - Whipps Cross | RT/RM-DMS RT-DMS |
10 Sep 77 | AD Seven Kings | 212 | SMS-DMS | |
1 Oct 77 | HW Southall | 120 | Hounslow Heath - Greenford | RT-DMS (Suns) |
1 Oct 77 | HW Southall | 274 | Hayes - Ealing Broadway | RT-DMS |
15 Oct 77 | AP Seven Kings | 150 | Chigwell Row - Ilford Stn | RT/RM-DMS (Suns) |
13 Nov 77 | AL Merton | 57 | Kingston - Streatham | SMS - DMS |
13 Nov 77 | AL Merton | 200 | Raynes Park - Mitcham | SMS - DMS |
3 Dec 77 | FY Finchley | 125 | Golders Green Stn - Southgate Stn | SMS - DMS |
At the end of January Catford thankfully lost its SMDs - Swifts with blocked-off centre doors - but only received DMSs in return for routes 160, 160A. At the same time more RTs went from Southall's route 120, and RMs from Sidcup's 228, both routes which hitherto had seen DMSs only on Sundays.
The first of February saw the start of a long-drawn-out conversion of route 109 from Routemaster operation to crew DM. Brixton received DMs throughout February, and Thornton Heath had to wait until August for its share.
In yet another bid to speed boarding Multi-ride tickets were introduced on graduated fare routes in Havering. Discounted pre-purchased tickets could be used in singles or multiples on a coarsened fare scale. It didn't change boarding times much.
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
28 Jan 78 | TL Catford | 160 | Catford - Welling | SMD-DMS |
28 Jan 78 | TL Catford | 160A | Lower Sydenham Stn - Plumstead | SMD-DMS |
28 Jan 78 | HW Southall | 120 | Hounslow Heath - Southall | RT-DMS daily |
28 Jan 78 | SP Sidcup | 228 | Chislehurst - Eltham | RM-DMS daily |
Feb 78 | BN Brixton | 109 | Purley - Victoria Embankment | RM-DM |
On 22nd April Bus Plan 78 began to be enacted, another plan to reduce costs. Routes 54, 89, 151, 192 and 261 were converted to opo with DMSs, and West Ham's share of the 262 went to DM. Catford's Sunday route 160A was replaced by Sunday runnings on the 160. Upton Park lost the 173 to Poplar and Barking lost the 291. A week later Upton Park saw its famous route 101 converted from Routemasters to DM operation.
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
9 Apr 78 | FW Fulwell | 270 | BL-DMS | |
22 Apr 78 | TL Catford | 54 | Woolwich - East Croydon | RT/RM-DMS |
22 Apr 78 | TL Catford | 160A | Lower Sydenham Stn - Plumstead | withdrawn |
22 Apr 78 | BX Bexleyheath | 89 | Lewisham - Bexleyheath - Eltham | RT/RM-DMS |
22 Apr 78 | BX Bexleyheath | 151 | RM-DMS | |
22 Apr 78 | PR Poplar | 173 | reallocated from U | |
22 Apr 78 | NX New Cross | 192 | Lewisham - Plumstead | RM-DMS |
22 Apr 78 | AD Palmers Green | 261 | Barnet - Arnos Grove Stn | RT/RM-DMS |
22 Apr 78 | WH West Ham | 262 | Victoria & Albert Docks - Walthamstow Central Stn | RM-DM |
22 Apr 78 | BK Barking | 291 | Ilford - Barking | withdrawn |
30 Apr 78 | U Upton Park | 101 | Wanstead - North Woolwich | RM/RML-DM |
Late May saw the last two RT-operated night routes, Barking's N95 and N98 converted to crew-operated DMS.
June heralded the start of overhauls on the MCW-bodied buses, when DMS1449 went into Aldenham for a pilot overhaul.
The summer months saw changes on the 130 at Thornton Heath - as well as the continuing changeover of the 109, plus the conversion of Muswell Hill's 244 from SMS.
Date | Garages | No. | Routes | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
6 May 78 | TC Croydon | 233A | replaced by 233 | |
26 May 78 | BK Barking | N95 | Victoria Stn - Becontree Heath | RT-crew DMS |
26 May 78 | BK Barking | N98 | Victoria Stn - Romford Stn | RT-crew DMS |
18 Jun 78 | MH Muswell Hill | 244 | Winchmore Hill - Muswell Hill Broadway | SMS-DMS |
27 Aug 78 | TH Thornton Heath | 109 | Purley - Victoria Embankment | RM-DM |
27 Aug 78 | TH Thornton Heath | 130 | Streatham - New Addington | RM-DM (Suns) |
But 23rd August saw the delivery of the last of London's Fleetlines, DM2646. Until now it had been politically incorrect to withdraw any of the class, but now was able to dispose of a small number of the class that had been sitting around minus essential parts for some time. From now on it was all downhill for the DMS.
Bus Stop Part 1. Part 2. Part 3. Part 4. histories. photo refs.