'The RF rota at AR comprised the 236 Monday to Saturday and 210 Sundays.  I think there were about 14 duties daily.  On Sundays, some duties were worked by the 171/259 rota, as AR didn’t run the 171^A route on Sundays (Bruce Grove to Abbey Wood was too long to be worked from Tottenham [the 171A was introduced in 1966, but previously AR had no allocation on the 171 on Sundays – Ed]).  The rota was called "The old man’s rota" or "The Scooters"  for obvious reasons.  I was the youngest driver on the Scooters in 1965 . I came off the 171 rota as I loved driving RFs and the route was great to work on.  My clippie was Kath Cray (a character if ever there was one, one of the old school).

The garage journeys were (early and late) in service AR to Crossway, Dalston then left to line of route (never right turn); Leyton’s T1 went across as AR1 turned left. We used pick up workers for Lesney’s (Matchbox) of Hackney Wick, mainly at Stamford Hill.  The last bus from Leyton would turn right at Crossway.  During other times we would run out of service to Finsbury Park (Blackstock Road) via Seven Sisters & Manor House, returning to Tottenham by the same route. 

On Sundays, the 210 was extended to Leyton High Road in place of the 236 and was operated by MH, T & AR.  It had a 2 to 5 minute service between Golders Green and Finsbury Park and a 15 to 20 through service. This was mainly operated by T buses, with MH doing a couple of early and late journeys (which were not popular with the crews!).  AR also did mainly earlies and lates, with a couple of journeys during the day. It was a very busy service (especially on Bank Holidays, when a Sunday service ran).'

Asked about terminal arrangements, Pat adds:

'At Leyton Hainault Road, the alighting point and time clock were by the railway bridge in Hainault Road.  Buses then ran light to the stand - left into Norlington Road, right Belgrave Road, right King Edward Road, right to Hainault Road.  The stand and pick-up point was on the left by a cafe (I think it called was called "Johns" or similar).  T crews used it as an impromptu canteen, and it even had shelves for T conductors to store their Gibson boxes when on spreadovers (very naughty!).  The cafe owner knew everybody's name and snack/drink preference.  As he also knew who was doing what duty, AR crews' teas were waiting for them.  When it was closed, you could use a chip shop in the High Road for tea.  Toilets in Midland Road station if one was desperate or otherwise at Hackney Wick and Dalston garage on route. 

One point from Pat's account that I find interesting is the use of the term 'Scooter' for the RF.  This word was originally applied to the single-deck LTs, which ran at AR from mid-1931 to June 1949.  They were succeded by TDs, which ran until RFs were introduced in 1958.  I had previously come across this usage at Bromley and Croydon, where RFs directly replaced LTs, but it was obviously more widespread.  I wonder if the TDs also carried the name at Tottenham or elsewhere, presumably they did.  Does anyone know more?  Please e-mail.