RF486 at Buckhurst Hill

Loughton Classic Bus Running Day

Sunday 9th September 2007

Prepared by Ian Smith, 21st September 2007


Part Four: Epping & Toothill

720: Loughton to Epping: BN61

BN61 had blinds which could be set to show Epping - Express blinds with blue backgrounds - and of course the roller number blinds could be set to 720. BN61 was an extra to the advertised timetable. I had spotted the journey on the white-board at the bus station. The crew was busy with lunch when I arrived, but then that was cleared away and we headed for the bus station behind RT1206, which was heading for Waltham Cross.

BN61 on 720 RT1206 on 217A

As expected there was considerable interest among the enthusiasts, and we took on a good load. We DID twirl round the end in front of the underground station: BN61 has a very short wheelbase. We were soon heading north-east from the centre of Loughton. We passed the site of Loughton Garage, the building now converted for a domestic consumerware outlet. We continued out through the suburbs along the High Road, then north into Epping Forest to the Wake Arms. There we rolled round the big roundabout and continued north-east through the Forest past Ambresbury Banks, down into Epping. Tesco's supermarket, standing on the site of the old Epping Garage, was pointed out as we passed. We went right through the town, turning tightly at the north end round a little triangular green. We made a stop there to change the blinds.

Epping Forest BN61 at Epping

381: Epping to Toothill and back: BN61

Not surprisingly Toothill was not on the blinds. Not surprising because the 381 service to Toothill was lost to other operators before the BNs came on the scene. So our trip to Toothill was not a re-enactment, more of a first! But we could do the number, and use a blank.

Arriva Solo 2474 rolled past on its way to Harlow, minus yellow strapline or fleet name.

BN61 at Epping 2474 at Epping

We squeezed between the parked cars on the south side of the green, and rumbled back through Epping, turning left down the hill past the station, the current northern limit of the Central Line. We turned left, through Steward's Green and under the M11, into rolling countryside. We turned left again to climb through Mount End. Laurie told us about the war-time service for the prisoner of war camp. We turned right at the steep T-junction at the top of the hill, and followed the lane on through Colliers Hatch to Toothill.

Country Lane BN61 at Toothill BN61 at Toothill

We turned by the Green Man, and came back to park at the bus stop. The only Epping blind on the roller was the blue Express one, so that was put up for the return journey.

We rolled back the way that we had come, back through Colliers Hatch and back down The Mount. In Epping we turned left, and drew up at the stop opposite the old garage. Before they changed the blinds for the 720 return to Loughton I persuaded them to roll up the Harlow destination briefly, as this had been the destination for the 381s before they were taken off.

The Mount BN61 at Epping

I said goodbye to BN61 (it was time for me to find some lunch), and off they went to Loughton. RF48 came rolling in from Chingford with a 718 for Epping, and turned down towards Epping Station. I found a pub for a drink, and Tescos for something to eat (Does this count as visiting a garage?). RF48 came back as a 720 heading to Loughton.

BN61 at EP RF48 on 718 at Epping RF48 on 720 at Epping

I settled down to wait for a 20B...

Part 5: Epping Forest & Abridge


All photos by Ian Smith unless otherwise indicated. Click on any of them for a larger picture.

Back to Ian's Bus-stop Part 1 Part 3 Part 5: Epping Forest & Abridge