GS1 at Bircherley Green

Hertford & Stevenage Running Day

Sunday June 2nd 2002

Prepared by Ian Smith, 17th June 2002


Part 6: 388: Hertford - Welwyn (GS2)

As I was leaving the bus station, so was John Hinson in RF208, heading for Great Munden on the 384A. SNB312 came in round the corner with another 390 from Stevenage.

RF280 on 384A SNB312 on 390

Round in the bus-park I found RT604 resting between turns, and RT3148 revving up for another stint on the 341.. SNB312 very quickly arrived, to lend aid and succour to RF257, which was suffering injector problems. GS2 was waiting down the end, set up for a 388 trip all the way to Welwyn Church, and I joined for the ride back to the bus station.

RT3148 SNB257

There we loaded up - another full load, and I alighted while Peter turned GS2 past GS1. He paused to pick me up and we were off. We wiggled through Hertford, passing Dart 3481 on the 395, and out to the west. Before the road narrowed down we passed RF489 coming the other way. Peter explained how the route had always been timetabled so that buses would not meet on the narrow bits, despite the frequency of the service.

GS2 and GS1 Arriva 3481 on 395 RF489 on the 388

We were quickly into the back lanes straggling over the countryside towards Tewin. Trees arched overhead, forming a deep green tunnel. We emerged into pretty Tewin, and stopped at the bus shelter. A group of local lads asked to see on the bus.

GS62 in the green tunnel GS62 at Tewin

After more narrow lanes, and sharp twists and turns we reached Welwyn North Station. The GS managed fine, but how Leyland Nationals got down those lanes I don't know! Down the hill and along under Digswell Viaduct and we were into Welwyn. Prospect Place was no longer viable, so we terminated at Welwyn Church.

Then we wiggled our way up to a roundabout, in order to thread our tortuous route back through Welwyn and back to the east. We howled up the narrow lane to Welwyn North Station, and dropped off several passengers. Then it was back along the twists to Tewin, back through the green tunnel and down into Hertford. At Hertford North Station we paused to let off another passenger, and passed DT4 on Rail Replacement duties.

Inside GS62 at Welwyn DT4 at Hertford North

We pulled into Hertford Bus Station, and I was relieved to see RF4 still there.

Part 7: Departures: 384, Hertford - Stevenage (RF4)


Part 1. Part 2. Part 3. Part 4. Part 5. Part 6. Part 7.

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