After my spell in the City near St Paul's Underground Station I thought I might head east to Bow on Route 8. I was lucky in that the next 8 along was another Bow RML, with empty seats at the front upstairs. I boarded RML2641, and settled down for the ride east. We passed round the one-way system and along Cheapside into Poultry. Coming towards us from Bank was yet another RT, this time Ensignbus' blue and silver RT3232. Then at the crossing outside the Bank of England privately-owned RMC1456, in red bus livery, headed westwards.
We threaded our way past the Bank, and turned left up Bishopsgate past Liverpool Street Station. RML2488 passed us in Shoreditch, then we turned east again onto Bethnal Green Road. RML900 passed by. Then as we made our way along through the traditional East End scenery of Bethnal Green Road another RTW came towards us. None for 38 years, then two come along together! Behind RTW467 was Trident 18217 maintaining the normal service.
We went under the railway at Bethnal Green. As we crossed the junction into Roman Road we passed Blue Triangle's T2 waiting at the lights. A little further on there was London's Transport Museum's RM1, with attendant crowd of photographers.
A third RMC, Greenline liveried RMC1469 was met at the East end of Roman Road, and we also met Trident 17554 in Old Ford.
We squeezed our way past an accident involving motor-bikes and crept down to join the stationary treaffic on the A102(M),
which was suffering its usual rush-hour tribulations.
RT3871 dashed past on the west side of the motorway, heading for Victoria again.
Before too long we eased off the congested road and round the roundabout to Bow Church.
I missed the conductor's shout, and was inadvertently carried round the corner into Bow Garage,
where I was very politely escorted off the premises.
I walked back up Fairfield Road past the garage exit, where there were lots of photographers and people in high visibility jackets. RML2665, wearing its new Stagecoach livery, was standing in the exit awaiting a turn of duty.
I walked on up to Bow Road, and headed for the stop by Bow Church. I thought I saw another RT arriving, then realised it was an RTL. I hurried back to the corner to take a picture of Cobham's RTL139 as it paused to make its turn towards the garage.
I returned to the stop, and after a few minutes green RML2456 arrived, following a DML on route S2. I was not so fortunate with seating on the return trip to London, which restricted my photography a bit. Nevertheless I grabbed a shot, out of the side window, of yet another RT - Ensignbus' red RT4421 - as we passed at speed on the motorway.
We caught up with Stagecoach-liveried RML2665, and I "shot" it out of the front window. At Bethnal Green the offset corner allowed me to grab most of a picture of RML2495 out of the side opener.
Other opportunities included RM5 passing on Bishopsgate, and RML2760 at Holborn. There were plenty of other buses around too, but this is a route 8 report!
We continued along through Oxford Street, where we saw plenty of buses, but not the RTWs. They must have passed by as we filered down through the one-way back-streets to reach Piccadilly, for they had gone by the time we approached Victoria. RM1 was just leaving as we crossed the lights towards the bus station. I alighted, and paused to photograph my ride. Then it pulled away, to go round the block.
My thanks go to all those who made this a wonderful afternoon to remember: Stagecoach London, Bow staff, especially drivers and conductors, controllers and organisers, and to those who allowed their special vehicles to be used: Blue Triangle, Ensignbus, Cobham Museum, London's Transport Museum, Arriva London, First London and private owners. One to remember!
Buses included:
Bus Stop
Part One: In the City