Hemel Hempstead Running Day 2018 - Part 2

Continuation from Part 1

ROUTE 301 (BERKHAMSTED - HEMEL HEMSPSTEAD) - RT3491, LYR910

Finally, the break was over and the bus turned up from Aylesbury for the run in to Hemel.

Finally, a bus!

When it was pulling in, a passenger for the Red Rose 501 service (which starts from Aylesbury and travels through to Watford) asked where it was going and if they could use their concessionary pass on it, so I gave them the information - they seemed surprised when I told them it's free! This highlights the lack of local publicity of these events; they're always 'chock-a-block' with enthusiasts, but there are rarely any local people there and they usually have no clue what's going on! The run into Hemel Hempstead was rather pleasant, if the bus was a little busy.

The Green Duo!

When we arrived at Hemel Hempstead, RT3254 was already there and both the buses parked next to each other - perfect for photos!

ROUTE 337 (HEMEL HEMPSTEAD - DUNSTABLE) - RF406, MXX294

I'd discovered on my timetable that I could do the 'Dunstable triangle', swap buses at Dunstable (some buses ran Hemel - Dunstable - Berkhamsted and others ran Hemel - Dunstable - Hemel and met at Dunstable with a Berkhamsted - Dunstable - Berkhamsted bus if that makes sense. Mine was the latter of the two), and not repeat the 301 back from Berkhamsted - a 312 back to Hemel was due out as the 352 arrived.

Red shouldn't be here!

So I hopped on RF406, which was on the 337 and would allow me to do the first part of the 'Dunstable Triangle'. The ride was fantastic. We had a photo stop in the village of Studham which, although there were some nice floral arrangements, was fairly unremarkable. Before we reached there, we met RF600 heading back into town, also working a 337 but minus its front panel - this bus is clearly very prone to overheating! It was quite a while until we reached the spectacular Dunstable Downs, which has views over a very pleasant area.

What a view!

It was then quite a shock when the bus arrived into Dunstable from the beautiful views like that...

ROUTE 352 (DUNSTABLE - BERKHAMSTED) - RF308, NLE527

It was time for a colour change.

Red to Green!

Oh, and I changed routes too. I had been recommended the 337 and it lived up to my expectations, but the 352 met and exceeded them! The driver was so fast and we were bounding through the country lanes with fantastic scenery on a brilliant bus. 10/10 - would ride again! We whizzed through Ashridge and Whipsnade before arriving at Berkhamsted incredibly early. It was a fabulous run, but it was now time to do something undoubtedly less spectacular.

ROUTE 312 (BERKHAMSTED - HEMEL HEMPSTEAD) - RM2116, CUV116C

 I ended up sitting on RM2116 waiting to leave for almost 10 minutes! When we finally did set off, I discovered that I was one of the very few people on the bus who had 2 seats to themselves - did I smell or something?

Waiting... Waiting... Waiting to head back... and still waiting...

It was a comparatively boring run, but still quite nice. We ran out from the Station and turned left into the High Street, where we took the main road (along with the 301) into Hemel Hempstead, only deviating slightly towards the end to serve Two Waters. Along the way, we met an Arriva E400 MMC displaying the new logo on its LEDs and also BN45 running to Watford Junction on a 318 via Sarratt; I did get photos of both, but the person in front of me had a highly reflective red and white striped top on! Then it was time to go along the road and swing back into the bus station.

ROUTE 302 (HEMEL HEMPSTEAD - WATFORD JUNCTION) - MB90, SMM90F

MB90 caught my eye as it was pulling up to the bus stop. I took a quick look at the departures in the programme to confirm that this particular 302 to Watford Junction would connect with a different service at the terminus and, sure enough, it would!

Quick bus, quick route!

The 302 was one of around 4 buses during the day that would take the direct route to Watford and, sure enough, we got up to some quite substantial speed en-route. The journey was over in a flash and I'd clearly chosen the right seat; all the windows were open so I got a lovely draught! As ever, the bus performed flawlessly. We'd left Hemel much later than the 318 and 347 that we were timed to meet at Watford, yet they weren't there yet...

ROUTE 318 (WATFORD JUNCTION - HEMEL HEMPSTEAD via Sarratt) - BN45, GPD313N

The 347 takes an almost direct route to the East of the main road, while the 318 wiggles around country lanes to the West. Which one would I take? Well, it's obvious - I love twisty routes, even if the journey time is almost an hour!

A Watford Bristol!

RT604 had already arrived on the 347 from Hemel Hempstead and many passengers transferred to the MB on the direct 302 back. We set off between the other 2 buses with around 15 passengers including the driver and conductor - the BN can seat almost 30. This gives an idea of the sort of loadings achieved at this running day which, although excellent, was spoiled slightly by the intense heat. I was reliably informed that this was one of the rare times that the whole 318 had been recreated, as other running days saw it terminating at Sarratt (not continuing to Watford). The villages were lovely and quaint and the BN rumbled through without hesitation. We had to stop on a few occasions to allow vehicles to pass on the narrow country lanes, but other than that nothing hindered our progress and we made it to Hemel Hempstead Station for the run to the Bus Station, where we arrived almost on time!

BREAK

A quick glance over the timetable revealed no journeys leaving and returning in time for my return feeder, so it was time for a quick trip to the pub for a (non-alcoholic) drink! Along the way, an MMC and a Dart passed me in the High Street and I got back to the Bus Station just in time to see all the feeders returning; RF600 wouldn't leave until after most of the others.

RT604 returning on the indirect 725 to Croydon via South West London

A lineup to be proud of! RF406, T792, BN45 and GS13 stand at Hemel Bus Station. The BN is about to work the 307 feeder to Luton.

GS13 stands behind RT3254 having completed its final 317A run of the day. The RT is about to return to Harlow as a 724.

RETURN FEEDER - RF600, NLE600

Then, RF600 started its engine and pulled up to the stand.

The quick(er) way to Croydon!

The journey back to Central London took quite a while due to the traffic. I chose to alight at Victoria instead of Marble Arch due to the heat and my reluctance to travel on the Central Line. It was then a rather simple trip back home

Thanks to Amersham & District for organising such a brilliant event - a great time was had by all.

Happy Travelling!