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23/11/19 Harrow Weald to Heathrow Airport

Harrow Weald to Heathrow Airport
Route 140 Celebration
23/11/19

With the upcoming withdrawal of the direct 140 service between Harrow Weald and Heathrow, the London Bus Museum arranged for heritage vehicles to run over the route between Harrow Weald garage and Heathrow Airport. It was the final 80th Anniversary of the RT type event for the year, but other types relevant to the route also participated.

For us, it was important that RT4275 attended for two reasons. Firstly, we had lived near the route for nearly 30 years and, secondly, because the body on RT4275 was mounted on a Harrow Weald-based vehicle (RT2911) between 1960 and 1964. Despite lack of opportunity to fully road test the bus after major repairs, it behaved impeccably in the damp and dull conditions on the day.

We used the two of the oldest blind rolls in our collection in the rear of the bus – a 1959 roll for the intermediate points and a 1963 one for the destinations. Thankfully, despite their fragility they did not disintegrate!

We were scheduled to work two runs to Heathrow before a short to Hayes (where we garaged overnight) but traffic conditions dictated otherwise. Owing to road works and a massive diversion in Hayes, we departed on our second run around 45 minutes late – intending to make up time by turning short at Hayes. Well, that was the plan but with Metroline’s Volvo VW1213 (LK61 BNJ) also on the 140 broken-down in an awkward place on the Hayes diversion we actually ended up getting back to Harrow Weald an hour late!

RT4275 attempted to slip in at the start of the day “in disguise” but was quickly rumbled. Across the road is curiously-coloured RT3316, acting as publicity/promotional vehicle for the day.
Photo: M C Lane
RT786 pulls in at Harrow Weald.
Photo: M C Lane
The crew of RT2177 discuss strategy at the start of the day.
Photo: M C Lane
RT4275 has arrived at Heathrow Airport with a three-bell load, with Metroline VWH2198 behind.
Photo: N Eadon-Clarke
RT4275 after arrival at Heathrow, with RT786 having arrived behind
Photo: M C Lane
On the layover stand at Heathrow while some of the crew nip off for a “P” break.
Photo: M C Lane
The two owners in conflab at Heathrow. A suggested caption was:
’if I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a hundred times, I am the driver!!!’
‘In which case you’d better adjust your vest!’
. . . but actually we were discussing a hazard to watch for along the route.
Photo: M C Lane
Our morning-shift conductor has a rare moment of peace at Harrow.
Photo: M C Lane
RT2177 and London United VHR45203 contrast old and new in Station Road, Harrow.
Photo: M C Lane
RT4779 heads up a deserted Station Road in Harrow on a special “via Cherry Lane Cemetery” working.
Photo: M C Lane
“There’s room for another 100 yet” in RM1397 at Harrow bus station.
Photo: M C Lane
RT714 pauses at Harrow Bus station, en route to Harrow Weald. This was one of the batch of RTs recently re-imported from Canada.
Photo: M C Lane

Metrobuses worked the route from 1983 through to 1999, and two of the type were present. M1014 is snapped through a bus window at South Harrow.
Photo: M C Lane

RT4275 in Mandeville Road, Northolt, on its second run, turning short at Hayes.
Photo: K Valla
Old-style tungsten lamp bulbs light up our RT atmospherically.
Photo: M C Lane
With the High Street closed, RT4275 terminated in Blyth Road, Hayes on a short working. Our late-shift conductor gives guidance to passengers.
Photo: M C Lane
Now running one hour late, RT4275 pauses at Harrow bus station before heading onward to Harrow Weald.
Photo: M C Lane
Late evening inside Harrow Weald garage. The upper blind dates from 1959 and the destination roll from 1963.
Photo: M C Lane

Vehicles that participated were:
RT714, 786, 1798, 2177, 3251, 4275, 4777, 4779
RM545, 835, 1397, 1527
RCL2239 (I’m not sure what relevance this type has to the 140, but never mind)
M1014, 1069

RT3316 was also in attendance, acting as a mobile information vehicle