RLH61, RLH23 at Merton Garage

Worcester Park Running Day

Sunday 10th August 2008

Prepared by Ian Smith, 1st September 2008.



On from New Malden

213: Malden to Worcester Park (RF366)

I alighted promptly from RLH61 at Malden, as I could see RF366 at the stop opposite, on the 213 southwards. I quickly crossed the road, pausing to take a picture (sadly unusable) before climbing aboard and greeting the driver (Jim Andress). My first journey of the day on an RF seemed like a homecoming as we purred south to Worcester Park. I would have gone further, but I saw STL441 pulling out onto the northbound stop for a trip on the 32 and 118, to Raynes Park and Morden.

32/118: Worcester Park to Raynes Park and Morden Station (STL441)

I actually managed to board STL441. Not a favoured seat of course, but a seat nevertheless. So no photos as we went along (not that they would have come out anyway, as it happens). I did take one when we reached Morden Station, but all that is usable of the picture is the radiator and cab. So here are two that I took earlier (as they say on Blue Peter), when STL441 was dressed for the 118 at the Cobham Open Day earlier in the year.

STL441 at Wisley (April 08). STL441 at Wisley (April 08).

32: Morden Station to St.Helier, Worcester Park and Sutton Garage (RTW75)

RLH48 at Morden Stn (Peter Larkham). Standing at Morden Station ready to depart for St.Helier was RTW75. I climbed aboard. I like this bus (I conducted it once, at Gravesend, and navigated it several times). The distinctive Leyland engine sound seems to have mellowed a little: presumably the crew at The London Bus Company have it tuned better than in the LT days, when it is alleged that the rough tuning of the Leylands was due to the incidence of burnt arms whilst doing it.

Around us at Morden went other buses: STL2377 on the other side of the road, on the 156, and green RLH48 on the 127 (photographed here earlier in the day by Peter Larkham).

We set off for St Helier, growling up the Avenue to the Middleton Road turn. Then it was back to Morden Station again, where this time extra interest was added by "D130" and RTW467 (Both photographed earlier by Peter Larkham).

'D130' at Morden (Peter Larkham). 'D130' at Morden (Peter Larkham). RTW467 at Epsom (Peter Larkham).

We left Morden and continued anticlockwise round the 32, through South Wimbledon, Raynes Park and Malden, with a zippy run alongside the A3 for a few moments. We passed RF486 at the Worcester Park Station stop, and pulled in, turning behind RM1397. This time it was "D130" that had the feet sticking out from underneath. (a fitter, not a victim), and Q83 was sitting behind.

RTW75 had now finished its booked runs, and was to run back light to Sutton Garage. I cadged a lift, and we set off under the once-notorious bridge. (The road has been lowered under it since the RLH era). It was on the way into Sutton, when I checked my film counter and found it on "E" that the horrid truth dawned about my lost pictures. Bad moment.

RTW75 pulled in to Sutton Garage, where once again the yellow vest proved useful. I thanked George and Paul, took some pictures of RTW75 and RT3435, and headed for home.

RTW75 in Sutton Garage. RTW75 in Sutton Garage. RT3435 in Sutton Garage.

Private: Sutton Garage to Cheam High Street (RT3148)

But outside the garage I found RT3148, about to depart for Epsom as a garage run. John Huxford offered to drop me off near Cheam Station, so I joined the crews aboard for the short run to Cheam High Street.

RT3148 at Sutton Garage. RT3148 in Cheam High Street. RT3148 in Cheam High Street.


Photos by Ian Smith (or Peter Larkham as shown). Click on any of them for a larger picture.

Many thanks to Peter Osborn and Steve Whitelegg for organising a fascinating day, and to all the owners and crews who turned out such an interesting collection of vehicles. Especial thanks too to Peter Larkham for allowing me to use his pictures to fill some of the gaps caused by my lack of attention, and to all the crews who made me so welcome during the day.


Ian's Bus-stop One Two Three Four Five Six Seven