We set across Grosvenor Gardens behind RML2567, and headed up Grosvenor Place. A flash of gold on our right was not Buckingham Palace but RM6, still in gold Royal Jubilee livery, heading for Victoria Station. We rotated round Hyde Park Corner into Piccadilly, and headed east. A roofbox RT? HLW reg? Ah - RT1173, aka RT190. I hadn't seen this for very many years, so it was a delight to see it cruising along Piccadilly, overtaking RM909 which once again was heading for Victoria. Just behind was Blue Triangle's RML900 - the rebuilt early escapee from London to Strathclyde, now restored to London livery and earning its keep.
We continued along Piccadilly. By now the bus was full, and four-bells became common as we progressed, even though we were still immediately behind 72-seater RML2567. Stagecoach-liveried RML2665 came along, making a special appearance on Arriva's route 38, with native RML2526 right behind. Another Stagecoach special appeared at Cambridge Circus: rearguard of the class, still with AEC engine and tungsten lighting, RML2760 looked good in its traditional London Transport livery.
RML2760 purred past as the lights changed, again with a native RML close attendance. Plenty of people were taking notice of the buses, with many by-standers taking pictures with their mobile phones. Another of Arriva's Marshall refits - RM2050 - was waiting on the corner of New Oxford Street.
It seemed like the bus companies were turning out all their specials for the rush hour. As we made our way through Bloomsbury Ensignbus' RT4421 came zipping along the other way, and at the corner of Rosebery Avenue we met Blue Triangle's RT3871 waiting at the lights.
In Islington we met RML2408 - another ex-Tottenham RML - on a short working to Tottenham Court Road Stn. We headed out along the Essex Road behind RML2492, which was heading to Clapton garage in Hackney (we had given RML2567 the go-by somewhere). We hit traffic in Dalston, and crept along. But what was this coming the other way? Something I never expected to see in London service: RMF1254! Blacked by the unions when it was built, the front-entranced Routemaster never did do a day's work on an ordinary London Transport route - until today! Lent by Imperial Buses, and with posters restored representing its period working for BEA, it looked magnificent as it swept past.
We ground on slowly through the peak-hour traffic as the light rapidly faded into night. RM5, looking resplendent in its restored traditional livery, headed past us back into town. We came up behind RM298. We eased our way throught the Hackney complex, passing the garage where the standard 38s were terminating, and headed on to Clapton Pond. I gather (from Matt Wharmby's excellent report) that with the other specials we terminated a little further on than the normal stand.
The break at Clapton Pond gave us an opportunity to get off and look round the bus. Then we boarded again, and headed back into town, although it was by now far too dark for moving bus photography. (I know, judging by the quality of my pics, it was too dark when I set out, but still..)
We stayed with the friendly RT all the way into town, but jumped ship at Centre Point to find a restaurant. We watched RT3062, with its open platform and conductor, move away into London, heading again for Victoria, so much a part of the London scene.
Our thanks to all those who made the day so memorable, especially to TfL for allowing the extras, and to Roger Wright and Blue Triangle for transporting us.
Ian's Bus Stop Part One Part Two Part Three