X81: Ensignbus Running DaySaturday 1st December 2012Prepared by Ian Smith, 6th December 2012.X81: Lakeside to Greenhithe: M1I boarded M1 for the trip over the river. The windows very rapidly steamed up, making photography through them impossible. Nevertheless, we climbed up out of Lakeside, and soared up over the Thames, then wound our way along to Greenhithe Station. There I alighted.
X81: Greenhithe to Lakeside: RT4421I had timed this right: I had to wait just four minutes before RT4421 turned the corner at the roundabout and climbed the station approach to Greenhithe. I joined for the ride back through the tunnel. Am I turning into an OAP spending all day travelling on buses to keep warm?
Back at Lakeside the day was fading fast. RT4421 went off to Shenfield. Lancashire United Guy Arab 167, just arrived at Ensignbus, was pressed into service on the X55, taking over from RTW467 (which I missed photographing).
Arriva's red Trident 6621 departed for Romford on the 370. In the background Ensign's blue and silver Trident 194 had joined 192 and other resting Ensign buses, presumably waiting afor a late homeward rush.
X81: Lakeside to Greenhithe: RT191Now RT191 rolled up for the next southbound journey, and I hopped aboard. We climbed up towards the QE2 Bridge. Every head in the bus turned as a small green shape passed, heading for Lakeside: it was Leyland Cub C4, just back from restoration.We climbed over the bridge. I noted that where one tanker had been unloading at the oil terminal, now there were two.
We were pursued up to Greenhithe Station by Arriva's Fastrack 3817, which went past at the station stop.
RT191 left me there, and I waited for the return bus to Lakeside... Photos by Ian Smith. Click on any of them for a larger picture.
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Part Six: Something Special
Ian's Bus-stop
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