To Commemorate closure 30 vears ago in 1993. The Buses are Free to Ride on however however all proceeds from buying the Programme goes to BBC Children in Need Charity.
Finchley first opened as a Tram depot for the Metropolitan Electric Tramways in 1898 becoming London Transport in 1933.
It operated the famous and advanced Feltham trams until the depot was converted to Trolleybus operation in 1936-38 operating the famous 609 route from Moorgate to Barnet which uniquely had in changeover period to buses new RMs with 609 blinds for a short period in 1961.
In 1961 buses replaced trolley buses with the 609 becoming the 104. An experimental batch of lengthened 30ft routemasters RML were operated on the 104 and today we have three of that batch operating on route 13 RML 887 and RML898 and on 263 RML903. SMS DMS titans and metrobuses operated with RMLs back from 1978.
Finchley closed in 1993 and the site redeveloped fairly quickly .
Today we will be operating on parts of routes as detailed in map. A variety of buses will be operated from classic RT buses from 50s and routemasters from 60s to a Metrobus from the 1980s plus our most modern buses 1 Dennis trident bus from early 2000s which were the first generation low floor double deckers for London, a Gemini VLW85 and an E400 representing the first euro low emissions engines.
13, originally running from London Bridge to the Bell Hendon it was operated by Hendon and muswell hill garages but in 1978 Finchley took over the route when extended from Golders Green to North Finchley using RMLs as part of bus plan 78 introduced due to chronic staff shortages In 1993 it was put out to tender and operated by BTS using refurbished RMLs.
TODAYS BUS ALLOCATIONS
All Subject to Availability on the Day and with a Huge Thanks to their Owners and the Volunteer crews.
13- RM2023 RML887 RML898 RML2579 RML2660
125- RT1798 RTL453 VLW85
134- RT4275 RM5 RM2208
221- RT1790 RM298 RM2217 RM1962
263- RML903 Trident LX05LLO E400 LJ070PG
Subject to Availability M1014 will operate extra trips on routes 13 221 263
Links:
www.londonbuses.co.uk/
busmap.org
Timetable:
shorturl.at/glB56
Feeder Service Timetable:
shorturl.at/twILX
KZread
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Filmed on: 19/11/2023
Filmed using:
- Canon EOS 250D
- iPhone Xs