March 2009 marks the 30th anniversary of the end of operation
of RF buses by London Transport. This 700-strong class of
single-deckers formed the mainstay of the single-deck fleet during
the 1950s and 1960s, working in both the Central red bus area and
as green buses and coaches for the Country Area and Green
Line. For more about RFs, start
here.
Buses and coaches ran free services available to the public,
together with road runs over some of the
old routes, while Sandown
coach park was the venue for a static display of buses together
with stalls selling bus-related items. Our aim was to
provide an event to be enjoyed equally by bus owners, local
residents and enthusiasts alike.
The photograph by
John Parkin shows RF507 heading through Esher in
July 1978 bound for Kingston.
Eight months later, the
bus would become
famous as the
last of the class in LT service.
