RMC1476 in St.Peters Street

St Albans Running Days

Saturday & Sunday January 14th-15th 2006

Prepared by Ian Smith, 22nd January 2006



Sunday

RF308 on route 355

RF308 purred away southwards, over the crossroads at the top of the city, and south down the old A5 past Abbey Station. Traffic was already piled up at the roundabout just beyond, but our 355 route slipped away east, then wound up through the St.Julian's estate before re-emerging on the old Watling Street. We rumbled on southwards. I slipped into reminiscence mode: the last time that I came down here was in 1967 on my motorbike and sidecar - in the pouring rain. The bike conked out due to the wet, and I caught a bus down nearly to Aldenham Works to seek help from a very surprised Dad. I suppose that was a 355. Anyway, back to the present - sort of. The roads were quite clear here. We passed the occasional car, a group of horse-riders, and a Universitybus Dart (119) on today's equivalent route, the 656.

Watling Street, in RF308. uno 119 on 656, Watling St.

We passed through Park Street and Colney Street, and came to a stop at a layby in Radlett. We took some photos there, then continued round the corner to Radlett Station, where we stopped next to the modern station building to change the blinds.

RF308 in Radlett. RF308 at Radlett Station.

We rolled north again, towards St.Albans and Harpenden. We paused at the bus-stop in Park Street, opposite the massive mill, then continued under the railway bridge and on northwards. We turned into the St.Julians estate, and met RF28 just breasting the hill.

RF308 at Park Street. RF28, St.Julians.

We worked down through the estate, round to St.albans Abbey Station and up the hill towards the Abbey. RT3254 came sweeping down the hill as we crawled up. We crossed the lights and met Metrobus M801 (Blue Triangle's MCW801) on the 84 to South Mimms.

RT3254 comes down the hill. M801, St.Albans.

The Metrobus was not the only red bus on St.Peter's Street. Blue Triangle had brought RT3871 as well. We pulled up behind it, and watched while the blinds were being adjusted to something more appropriate.

RT3871 on St Peter's Street. RT3871.

Peter Gomm came to check that RF308 was displaying the correct 355 to Harpenden blind (it seems that there are two?). We were, apparently. But the blind had to be moved up an inch. Nothing escapes The Controller.

Behind us on St Peters Street was Greenline RB51, on its 724 service between Hatfield Station and St Albans Abbey Station.

But we were not due to stay long on the St.Peter's Street stand, and we set off again for Harpenden. RT3183 came past the roundabout as we set off.

RF308 on St Peter's Street. RB51. RT3183 on 321.

We tootled along through St.Albans suburbia on the old Roman Road through Sandridge, then headed north with the swing of the B651 to Nomansland. Apparently this was one of the places used by London Transport for "Country" photos. We passed over the heathland of the Common and paused at the bus-stop just short of the pub. It was still an old LT octagonal concrete post, even with a Hertfordshire flag on it.

Nomansland Common. RF308 at Nomansland.

We squeezed through narrow Wheathampstead, crossed the River Lea and climbed up to the site of the old railway station. We turned left alongside the river to head for Harpenden. The river had long been a source of industry, with mills dotted along its length. At Batford we turned off the valley road into the estate, opposite the factories, and paused again.

RF308 at Batford. RF308 at Batford.

We made a circuit through the estate, then recrossed the river and wiggled our way into Harpenden. We passed under the railway bridge (no double deckers!) and turned up through the centre of Harpenden to Church Green. The traditional terminus was already occupied by Universitybus Dart 121 on the 357. We tucked in behind, and waited for it to depart before completing the turn and occupying the stand.

Universitybus 121 at Church Green. RF308 at Harpenden Church Green.

RF308 at Harpenden Church Green. RF308 at Harpenden Church Green.

Then along came RT3254 on the 321...

Part Five: RT3254 on route 321


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


Back to Ian's Bus-stop Part One Part Three Part Five: RT3254 on route 321