RF395, RF433 at Golders Green

Route 210: Sixty years from first RFs

Tuesday 11th September 2012

Prepared by Ian Smith, 14th September 2012.


210: The Spaniards to Golders Green and back: RF433, RF395

RF395 pulled away, and was quickly followed by RF433. I climbed aboard. At Jack Straws Castle we almost caught up with RF395, as it turned the corner past TE1086. We followed behind down to Golders Green, where I crossed the road in time to catch RF395 making its immediate return.

RF395 on 210, Jack Straws Castle RF395 on 210, Golders Green

I alighted at the stop on the approach to the Toll House from the west. TD95 was already resting there. EnviroTrident TE1091 pulled past on a service bus, followed shortly afterwards by RF395.

TE1091 on 210, TD95 RF395 on 210, TD95

210: The Spaniards to Golders Green: RF491

By now the afternoon traffic through the Toll Gate was building up, with bad temper and displays of stupidity by many car drivers. I watched RF433 squeeze through, heading for Finsbury Park, then went to join RF491, which had rolled up in the queue from the east.

RF433 on 210, Toll Gate RF491 on 210, Toll Gate

RF491, the Timebus RF, took me westwards to Jack Straws Castle, and down the hill to Golders Green, where I alighted to wait for the following (last) RF.

RF491 on 210, Golders Green

I crossed the road, and watched RF491 make a circuit of the roundabout and return past the taxi rank to load up for its last journey of the day, to Archway Station. Cadet 3721 went the other way on the 168.

RF491 on 210, Golders Green 3721 on 268, Golders Green

210: Golders Green to Archway: RF486

RF486 on 210, Golders Green

It was not long before RF486 arrived on the last westbound RF. I went to say hello, and went round the turn with them back to the eastbound stop, where we loaded up for the short working back to Archway. We headed out up the hill and across Hampstead Heath. WE trundled through Highgate Village, and down the Hill, passing TE911 toiling upwards on a 271.

RF486 on 210, Golders Green TE911 on 271, Highgate Hill

The service terminated at Archway Station. I had a train to catch northwards. I said my farewells and watched the RF head off round the traffic system, still looking just as at home as it did sixty years ago.

RF486 on 210, Archway RF486 on 210, Archway RF486 on 210, Archway

Many thanks to Peter Osborn for organising this event, and to TfL for permitting it. Thanks to to all the owners, drivers and conductors who made it such a great day for not just bus enthusiasts but the general travelling public too, who all seemed to enjoy the experience.

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

A gallery of other peoples pictures can be found on the red-RF site.

RFs in service: RF368, RF395, RF433, RF486, RF491, RF600.

Mini-quiz: Which RF(s) had:
(a) no doors
(b) no conductor safety bar
(c) two spotlights
(d) a non-standard rear numberplate and lights?

Ian's Bus-stop 1 2 3 4