RLH48 at Chalfont St.Giles

Slough & Windsor Bus Running Day

Sunday May 14th 2006

Prepared by Ian Smith, 31st May 2006


Part Five: Burnham Beeches

I had arrive back at Slough Bus Station just before four o'clock. What should I do now?

RML2676 was ready to go out to Windsor, but I had been down that axis twice already today.

RML2676 on 441, Slough Bus Stn RML2676 on 441, Slough Bus Stn

RT3496 was setting off for a short 353 working to Gerrards Cross, but I had been there too.

RT3496 on 353, Slough Bus Stn RT3496 on 353, Slough

441: Slough to Farnham Common (RML2440)

Some excited young ladies tried to convince me that travelling on a open-top bus was the coolest thing to do, as First's RMC1510 rolled up to load. But I had other ideas. RML2440 was setting out on a 441 extra to Farnham Common. So I jumped aboard, and off we went.

RMC1510, Slough Bus Stn RML2440 on 441, Slough Bus Stn

We headed out west along the A4 to Salt Hill, to the old boundary of the LT Area, and turned north. Any further west than this and LT had to pay Thames Valley for the privilege (as they did for journeys to the Trading Estate). We headed up the Beaconsfield Road. RM216 hurried past in the opposite direction. We passed through Farnham Royal and scooted on towards Farnham Common. There we turned left, and ran along to the start of Burnham Beeches. We ventured a little way onto the common, and found a bus terminus with RF366 waiting on a 442.

A355 RML2440 at Burnham Beeches

I alighted there, and opted to return to Slough on the RF. The RML did not hang around. It shunted round and roared off towards Farnham Common and the main road back to Slough.

RML2440, RF366 at Burnham Beeches RML2440 at Burnham Beeches

442: Burnham Beeches to Slough (RF366)

I joined RF366 for the journey back to Slough. Much to my surprise we turned the other way from the RML, and delved deeper into Burnham Beeches, following a narrow twisting road through the woods. It was quite delightful. We circled round and back to Farnham Royal, then crossed the main road to negotiate a tortuous route through the estates, emerging onto the road from Gerards Cross not far north of Slough.

RF366 at Burnham Beeches RF366 at Slough

RT3496 was busy again as we approached the bus station, this time on the 457D to Pinewood, and RML2428 came in from the 335. It was time for me to head home. I set off down the street to the station, as RML2676 came round to load for a one-way 441 trip to High Wycombe. It would have been nice to head for Berkhamsted on the 353X (RLH48), but I feared that if I did I wouldn't get back to Rye tonight!

RF366 at Burnham Beeches RF366 at Slough RF366 at Slough

Thanks to the Amersham & District team, especially Peter Cartwright, who organised the event, and to all the owners, drivers, conductors and controllers who made the day so enjoyable.

Buses that I saw (not all were in service):

RT624*, RT2177*, RT3228, RT3254, RT3491, RT3496, RTL139*
RF48, RF213, RF226, RF269, RF281, RF366*, RF406*, RF457*, RF486*
RLH48, GS34
RM1*, RM216*, RMC1476, RMC1510*, RM1650*, RM1859*, RM1989*, RM2116*, RCL2260
RML2394*, RML2412*, RML2419, RML2428, RML2440, RML2666*, RML2676*
White Bus C668WRT, S158JUA,
STK125T
Thames Valley Bristol K*

All photos by Ian Smith. Click on most of them for a larger picture.

Back to Ian's Bus-stop Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5