RT3148 at Swanley Garage

Hertford Running Day

Sunday June 6th 2004

Prepared by Ian Smith, 22nd June 2004


Part 2: 390 to Watton Station and back

In the bus park I left GS2 and had a look around. RT604 was waiting for a turn on the Hertford-Ware 395, and RF679 was sporting a well out-of-place 304 blind. RF539, fresh from overhaul in new paint, was set up for a foray to Welwyn on the 388, while red RF366 and GreenLine RF269 both looked set for turns on the local 333 up into Bengeo.

RF679, GS2 at Hertford RF366, RF539, RF269, GS32, Hertford

Eastbourne Corporation Regent V No.69 had been fitted with makeshift blinds for a turn on the 341, on which I had gone out on it for a tree-checking trip the previous day. T792 wore its usual "Private" blinds, but would be coming out to play later in the day.

RT604 at Hertford GS32, E69, Hertford T792, Hertford

I walked back across to Bircherley Green Bus Station. RF600 came in on a 390 from Stevenage, and Private Hire RF4 came out round the corner on a tour that had started from Hertford Castle. I realised that this was a good day for green RFs at Hertford.

RF4 on tour RF600 on 390

Actually, a good day for RFs of any colour. RF366 and RF457 were in the bus station, RF366 on the 333 and RF457 just arrived. A modern day equivalent to the RF, in the shape of Arriva The Shires'Dart SLF 3828, completed a line of three red single-deckers. It was there for the Sunday 311 service, which gets modern single-deckers in place of the secondhand ex-London Olympians that serve during the week.

RF457 heads to park, GS62 awaits a 308A turn 3828 on 311

Now it was time for the 390 to Watton Station, an RT turn on the 390 primarily for enthusiasts, although there were some local folk indulging in their own nostalgia trip. I made sure that the crew knew that I was coming, and that I would board on the exit side of the bus station, and watched as the RT pulled away and made its turn past GS62.

RT3148 ready for the 390 RT3148 leaves on the 390

Safely aboard, I enjoyed the ride out of Hertford, past Hertford North Station and up the hill on the Stevenage road. We made a stop at Stapleford for the benefit of photographers, then continued up the main road to Watton.

RT3148 at Stapleford Inside RT3148

At Watton we turned off into the town, passing along the old main road into the centre of town, where we turned left up the hill to Watton Station. At this intermediate turning point, shown for many years on Country Area maps as Watton Station (disused) (although it is now open again), Peter Aves reversed RT3148 into a side-road, and many photos were taken.

RT3148 at Watton Station RT3148 at Watton Station

We retraced our route to Hertford, once again stopping on the way - at Waterford I think. Back in Hertford I needed some refreshment, but paused to take a shot of the day's other RT - NBC liveried RT604 - coming into the stand on a 395 local working.

RT3148 at Waterford (I think) RT604 at Hertford

Part 3: GS1 to Hitchin and back


All photos by Ian Smith. Click on most of them for a larger picture.

Back to Ian's Bus-stop Part 1: GS2 on 329/A Part 3: GS1 on 329/A