RT3254 at Watton

Hertford, Stevenage & Harlow Running Day

Sunday 10th June 2007

Prepared by Ian Smith, 18th June 2007.


Part Two: 390 Hertford to Stevenage, RT3254

After a leisuerely breakfast in the Salisbury Arms I wandered through Hertford to the Bircherley Green Bus Station. There were already some of the running day buses there, as well as some service buses. Steven Woods had RM1699 parked ready for local duties on the 395, with RF633 parked behind. My ride was to be the 0925 to Stevenage, provided by RT3254. Chris Wills had wanted to drive his own bus in service over the Stevenage routes that he used to work, and here was his chance. Peter Larkham was present in uniform to be the conductor.

RM1699 at Hertford. RT3254 at Hertford.

Next to the RT was one of Trustline's Dart SLFs on the 311 - another change from Arriva.

The RT was set up with a set of Stevenage garage blinds, hence the strange intermediate display. Apparently the 390 through route was worked from the Hertford end, while Stevenage only operated the short workings to Aston, deviating off the main route after Bragbury End.

Trustline Dart at Hertford. RT3254 at Hertford. RT3254 at Hertford.

I climbed aboard, and went upstairs. One of Arriva's immense Mercedes Citaros (3905) paid a fleeting visit on its way to Heathrow on the 724, providing a nice contrast in sixty years of Greenline evolution.

3905 on 724. 3905 on 724.

We were away. Round the tight turning circle - harder for RTs and RFs than the Citaro - and past RF633. We wriggled out towards the roundabout. GS62 arrived, carrying the chais and other gear for the Country Bus Rallies team at the stall. I'm sure that if the road through the centre of Hertford had not been closed for the day that we would have gone that way, but it was, so we went out to the roundabout and right along the by-pass, turning right again to pass through the west end of the town to Hertford North.

RF633. GS62 arrives.

We climbed out of Hertford and headed north up the valley of the River Beane, through Waterford. We ducked under the 15ft0in railway bridge at Stapleford (at least I did).

A119 south of Stapleford. Stapleford Bridge.

At Watton we turned left off the by-pass at the roundabout to reach he old road at the War Memorial, and turned up through the village to stop at The Bull.

Watton. RT3254 at Watton.

We reboarded, and continued on, passing the distinctive well and pump-house.

RT3254 at Watton. Watton Well.

We continued up the main road to Bragbury End, before turning into Broadwater Crescent and wriggling our way in towards Stevenage Bus Station. (At this stage I changed my film, but missed checking that it was winding on. So I lost a film. Fortunately Peter Larkham was taking pictures too, so with his permission I am borrowing some of his pictures for a while.)

Part Three: Stevenage Town Services

Photos by Ian Smith. Click on any of them for a larger picture.

Back to Ian's Bus-stop Part One Part Three: Stevenage Town Services