Route 140

^{Page last updated 16 December 2019}

Route 140 was almost the first route to operate daily to London Airport (as it then was), Central Enclosure. Extended there on 4 May 1955, it was pipped at the post one month earlier by the 81B, which had previously been a summer Sunday only route. The route will no longer serve Heathrow Airport after 6 December 2019, replaced by the X140.

To celebrate the route, London Bus Museum organised a free heritage bus service over the route on 23 November 2019. We thank all those who made it such a great day, not least the owners and crews who provided the buses!

This page captures a few images of a damp but busy day. The event page, with a history of the route and details of the event, is here.

The usual fare on the 140 is represented by the hybrid VWH-class Volvo-Wright Gemini 3s occupying the far door. An older Gemini sits next to the RT as an RM arrives. All these worked the 140 over the years.

Photo © John Parkin

Heathrow Bus Station. RT4275 arrives just in front of Metroline's VWH2198.

Photo © Nigel Eadon-Clarke

Two Metrobuses operated the route, M1014 and M1069. M1069 turns into College Road, Harrow.

Photo © Peter Larkham

The lowest number RT in operation was RT714, re-imported from Abegweit Tours in Nova Scotia by Roger Wright. It is seen arriving at Heathrow on a late journey.

Photo © John Parkin

Not part of the heritage operation, but Harrow Weald's last remaining Volvo B7/Plaxton President VP614 in normal service, complete with original blinds. It continues in service as the last VP with Metroline.

Photo © Peter Larkham

RT4779 sets off ffrom Harrow Weald Garage for a Cherry Lane journey as RM1397 pulls in from Heathrow.

In early afternoon, a concentration in the HD yard - RT3251, M1069, RT4777, RT714, RT786.

Another Heathrow shot, a very nice portrait of RT786 from Lincolnshire.

It's that bus again, in Harrow, Station Road.

Route 140 celebration

23 November 2019