Shiny new RF467 waits at Finsbury ParkRed RF routes

Crew routes commencing 1952

 
1952 saw the introduction of the first Central Area RFs.  Deliveries were rapid - nearly 100 buses in four months - and they swept away the most of the LT Scooters and made inroads into the 5Q5 class.  Seven routes were converted (with a few weekend exceptions) in the short time between the RF's first operation on 11 September and the end of the year:
 
RF467 is seen at Finsbury Park Wells Terrace when brand new in 1953.  The 210 was the first RF route, starting in September 1952, but RF467 was one of the second batch of buses delivered to Muswell Hill garage for the 212 a few months later.
Photo © JH Aston, Peter Gomm collection
 
1952 routes, in order of full or partial conversion:
 

210     

 

11 Sep 52

 

14 new buses allocated,

immediately replaced by 15 more 

Finsbury Park - Golders Green 

 
208A   9 Oct 52     14 new buses Maryland - Clapton Pond

208 

12 Oct 52 (weekends) 

n/a (14 in 1953)

Bromley by Bow - Clapton Pond
227  5 Nov 52     28  Chislehurst - Crystal Palace 
200  1 Dec 52  7 Wimbledon - Coombe Lane 
237  3 Dec 52       9  Hounslow - Chertsey 
213  12 Dec 52  29  Kingston - Belmont  
202   17 Dec 52            6 New Cross - Canal Bridge   
 
By the end of 1952 122 RFs had been delivered to garages at the rate of more than one a day.