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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2017 21:42:58 GMT
I'm a sucker for oddball and weird routes. Love finding them and experiencing them. H13 is a favourite of mine but nothing surely can top route 191 for bizarreness'.
Here goes; starting at Edmonton Green Bus Station it travels along the Hertford Road for two stops before turning right onto the delightfully named Bounces Rd. Via Nightingale Rd, it comes back to Hertford Rd, four stops further along. It travels a short two stops along Hertford Rd for this second stint, then turns right again down South Street, passing Ponders End Station, Alma Rd, Nags Head Rd and back to Hertford Rd for a third time!
This time crossing it , two stops further up then it last left it, onto Southbury Rd to start a thirty minute section around Enfield.
Passing Enfield garage, over the Great Cambridge Rd to Enfield town centre, around the one way system to the war memorial, down Chaseside, Lancaster Rd, and now heading back towards the direction we've come from, along Carterhatch Lane back to the Great Cambridge Rd which we now cross back, about half a mile further North then our previous crossing.
Continuing along Carterhatch Lane until the junction with ..oh no! not again! It's Hertford Rd again! about three stops after we crossed it 25 minutes ago.
Along Hertford for our fourth encounter for three stops then turning right off the Hertford for the third and last time.
The weird thing about the Hertford Rd is that it looks pretty much the same along the whole of it adding to the feeling then after an hour on this route we feel we've not got very far.
Now down Bell Lane right down Brimsdown Avenue, and now travelling parallel to Hertford Rd in the opposite direction. The final stop at the bottom of the road at Brimsdown Station. The bus travels a hundred yards along Green Street to its stand.
Now the Coup de Grace; walk two minutes along Green St, on the left is Alma Rd, ring any bells?, a five minute walk down Alma Rd , round the bend, and there's a stop, served by 191, and beyond is Ponders End Station, we were here fifty minutes previously before our third encounter with the Hertford Rd.
So fifty minutes before we reached Brimsdown we were within 7-8 minutes walking time of the terminal.
If anyone wants to experience this almost laughable route, stay away during peak times, best time about noon. Journey time 65-70 minutes, 90 minutes during peak times.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2017 22:01:08 GMT
I'm a sucker for oddball and weird routes. Love finding them and experiencing them. H13 is a favourite of mine but nothing surely can top route 191 for bizarreness'. Here goes; starting at Edmonton Green Bus Station it travels along the Hertford Road for two stops before turning right onto the delightfully named Bounces Rd. Via Nightingale Rd, it comes back to Hertford Rd, four stops further along. It travels a short two stops along Hertford Rd for this second stint, then turns right again down South Street, passing Ponders End Station, Alma Rd, Nags Head Rd and back to Hertford Rd for a third time! This time crossing it , two stops further up then it last left it, onto Southbury Rd to start a thirty minute section around Enfield. Passing Enfield garage, over the Great Cambridge Rd to Enfield town centre, around the one way system to the war memorial, down Chaseside, Lancaster Rd, and now heading back towards the direction we've come from, along Carterhatch Lane back to the Great Cambridge Rd which we now cross back, about half a mile further North then our previous crossing. Continuing along Carterhatch Lane until the junction with ..oh no! not again! It's Hertford Rd again! about three stops after we crossed it 25 minutes ago. Along Hertford for our fourth encounter for three stops then turning right off the Hertford for the third and last time. The weird thing about the Hertford Rd is that it looks pretty much the same along the whole of it adding to the feeling then after an hour on this route we feel we've not got very far. Now down Bell Lane right down Brimsdown Avenue, and now travelling parallel to Hertford Rd in the opposite direction. The final stop at the bottom of the road at Brimsdown Station. The bus travels a hundred yards along Green Street to its stand. Now the Coup de Grace; walk two minutes along Green St, on the left is Alma Rd, ring any bells?, a five minute walk down Alma Rd , round the bend, and there's a stop, served by 191, and beyond is Ponders End Station, we were here fifty minutes previously before our third encounter with the Hertford Rd. So fifty minutes before we reached Brimsdown we were within 7-8 minutes walking time of the terminal. If anyone wants to experience this almost laughable route, stay away during peak times, best time about noon. Journey time 65-70 minutes, 90 minutes during peak times. I'll admit I just looked up the route on the TfL website - wow, that is a loopy one. I thought the 386 was loopy enough! As for oddball routes, off the top of my head, I'd go with route 492. It's such a long, quiet route taking a roundabout way to Bluewater  |
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Post by snowman on Mar 31, 2017 6:10:50 GMT
Try looking up the K5
Different routes in different directions in places, parts in Kingston where buses going opposite directions run same way down a road, A low rail bridge in one direction only, level crossing, sections of fixed stops, part hail and ride,.... probably meets your oddball criteria
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Post by planesandtrains on Mar 31, 2017 7:25:06 GMT
The E9, which is one of the few (or even only) DD routes to go through a hail and ride section. Well I thought it did at least...
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Post by vjaska on Mar 31, 2017 7:39:59 GMT
The E9, which is one of the few (or even only) DD routes to go through a hail and ride section. Well I thought it did at least... The 230 has also got a hail and ride section. |
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Post by 6HP502C on Mar 31, 2017 7:41:30 GMT
More doglegs on the U4 than Crufts - there are so many shortcuts and it's very prone to unplanned diversions. Routes that cross the river twice tend to be a big dogleg, like the 521 and RV1. Not so much the ones further downstream.
The H28 fluctuates about the A4 like a sinusoidal wave.
The following routes (and maybe others) serve the same bus stop twice in one trip;
265 - Roehampton Danebury Avenue towards Tolworth
K5 - Kingston, Cromwell Road towards Morden
R5 and R10 in Orpington High Street
There are notes on the bus stops to this effect.
The H9, H10, H18 and H19 never have to change their destination blinds.
The 96, 607, 608, 931, X26 and X68 have limited stop sections.
The S3 has at least 6 Hail & Ride sections, including one on a section of road shared with routes serving fixed bus stops.
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Post by vjaska on Mar 31, 2017 7:50:56 GMT
The 80, 157, G1 & P5 all have something in common - they take the least direct route. In the case of the P5, it's about a 15 minute bus ride between the two terminus if you take the most direct route
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Post by M1104 on Mar 31, 2017 8:09:09 GMT
The G1 certainly qualifies as it is one 'memory tease' of a route to route learn, particularly the section between Clapham Junction and Streatham: St Leonard's Church. From CLJN it briefly goes with the parallel 319 before disappearing in the back streets (for Bolingbroke Hospital) to then re-encounter the Streatham-bound* 319 from the opposite direction... then goes all the way up to Clapham South Station to then come back on a parallel course to re-engage the 319 routing back in the same direction at Wandsworth Common prior to disappearing into the back streets of Tooting. It then rejoins the 319 for the fourth time towards the end of Tooting Bec Common into St Leonard's Church.
When I did the route under Limebourne and punters at Clapham Junction wanted Tooting Broadway or Streatham I would advise them on other routes that are more direct. This way they had a choice on whether to take those other routes or enjoy travelling down 1/3 of all the residential roads in SW17.
I will never forget one instant when a punter decided to opt with the G1. Upon reaching Streatham he said, " Blimey you weren't kidding mate. I've grown a ruddy beard since I got on." (I changed the words around a bit as the punter actually swore...but in a friendly & humorous way)
* - often at this point the same bus that would have left Clapham Junction
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Post by ThinLizzy on Mar 31, 2017 9:06:32 GMT
The G1 certainly qualifies as it is one 'memory tease' of a route to route learn between Clapham Junction and Streatham: St Leonard's Church. From CLJN it briefly goes with the parallel 319 before disappearing in the back streets (for Bolingbroke Hospital) to then re-encounter the Streatham-bound* 319 from the opposite direction... then goes all the way up to Clapham South Station to then come back on a parallel course to re-engage the 319 routing back in the same direction at Wandsworth Common prior to disappearing into the back streets of Tooting. It then rejoins the 319 for the fourth time towards the end of Tooting Bec Common into St Leonard's Church. When I did the route under Limebourne and punters at Clapham Junction wanted Tooting Broadway or Streatham I would advise them on other routes that are more direct. This way they had a choice on whether to take those other routes or enjoy travelling down 1/3 of all the residential roads in SW17. I will never forget one instant when a punter decided to opt with the G1. Upon reaching Streatham he said, " Blimey you weren't kidding mate. I've grown a ruddy beard since I got on." (I changed the words around a bit as the punter actually swore...but in a friendly & humorous way) * - often at this point the same bus that would have left Clapham Junction I can remember route learning Limebourne drivers on the route when it half of it came over from Arriva London-based I seem to remember the Old Nurses Home being a favorite point for some of the drivers. It's been quite a few years since I've been down that way but the G1 will forever be etched in my mind. I also had the job of sticking the letter "G" on the three track number displays of the Limebourne DTs |
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Post by M1104 on Mar 31, 2017 9:34:22 GMT
I can remember route learning Limebourne drivers on the route when it half of it came over from Arriva London-based I seem to remember the Old Nurses Home being a favorite point for some of the drivers. It's been quite a few years since I've been down that way but the G1 will forever be etched in my mind. I also had the job of sticking the letter "G" on the three track number displays of the Limebourne DTs Those nurses were certainly hot and could check my blood pressure anytime  It's only a pity the majority of them travelled such a short distance, mainly between St George's Hospital and the dormitories in St George's Grove or to Tooting Broadway. Although I always opinionate that the G1 should have two door buses I was happy then for the one door examples so as to view the angels better as they came off.  I never got any numbers off them, as many other drivers boasted, but one or two did often say more than just "hello!" and "thank you!" Getting back on topic I remember on a few occasions where the odd driver would travel on my bus to route learn as they were doing a duty on it the next day or in the near future. One driver came with me for two rounders because he didn't really know the South London area that well. On the second rounder he asked if he could drive as he reckons he would learn it better, I certainly didn't object to that. The only 'remote' mistake he made was coming out of st. George's Hospital and almost going the wrong way when turning off Fountain Road onto Garratt Lane.... which is very easy to do because you drive the same way around St George's Hospital regardless of whether you are Streatham or Battersea bound and as it can take up to a good five minutes around the complex one can briefly lose their bearings. Like you the G1 will also be forever etched in my mind and I am confident that I still remember the routing, assuming that it hasn't changed in the last 15 plus years. I believe the nurses home complex and streetings have been completely rebuilt since, baring the first bit of entrance which surprisingly seems to still have the same contrete street lights... further proof that that small section hasn't changed. |
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Post by 6HP502C on Mar 31, 2017 9:58:01 GMT
I think the G1 has been simplified in parts over the years, but it's not hard to lose the will to live on it. I made the mistake of getting on one at Streatham Ice Rink, needed to be at Clapham Junction within an hour...90 minutes of winding, twisting and turning. Never again.
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Post by ThinLizzy on Mar 31, 2017 10:12:38 GMT
I can remember route learning Limebourne drivers on the route when it half of it came over from Arriva London-based I seem to remember the Old Nurses Home being a favorite point for some of the drivers. It's been quite a few years since I've been down that way but the G1 will forever be etched in my mind. I also had the job of sticking the letter "G" on the three track number displays of the Limebourne DTs Those nurses were certainly hot and could check my blood pressure anytime It's only a pity the majority of them travelled such a short distance, mainly between St George's Hospital and the dormitories in St George's Grove or to Tooting Broadway. Although I always opinionate that the G1 should have two door buses I was happy then for the one door examples so as to view the angels better as they came off. I never got any numbers off them, as many other drivers boasted, but one or two did often say more than just "hello!" and "thank you!" Getting back on topic I remember on a few occasions where the odd driver would travel on my bus to route learn as they were doing a duty on it the next day or in the near future. One driver came with me for two rounders because he didn't really know the South London area that well. On the second rounder he asked if he could drive as he reckons he would learn it better, I certainly didn't object to that. The only 'remote' mistake he made was coming out of st. George's Hospital and almost going the wrong way when turning off Fountain Road unto Garratt Lane.... which is very easy to do because you drive the same way around St George's Hospital regardless of whether you are Streatham or Battersea bound and as it can take up to a good five minutes around the complex one can briefly lose their bearings. Like you the G1 will also be forever etched in my mind and I am confident that I still remember the routing, assuming that it hasn't changed in the last 15 plus years. I believe the nurses home complex and streetings have been completely rebuilt since, baring the first bit of entrance which surprisingly seems to still have the same contrete street lights... further proof that that small section hasn't changed. I took one Limebourne driver out one afternoon on his first trip down to Streatham, missed a right turn and managed to miss out half the route before either of us realised. I also remember one of the bollards at St Georges Hospital having a lot of scuffed red paint on it from skirt panels- needless to say the red scuffs were soon replaced by Limebourne green scuffs |
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Post by Dillon95 on Mar 31, 2017 10:20:24 GMT
The 166 is a weird route, some of the journeys go from Croydon to Banstead, and some go on to Epsom. Not only that but a huge chunk of the route is in Surrey!
The 492 is another odd one, Sidcup Station to Bluewater via Sidcup Town Centre, Foots Cray, North Cray Road, Bexley Village, Bexleyheath Town Centre, the back way to Crayford, Crayford Town Centre, Crayford Station, never ending twists and turns along backstreets from Crayford to Dartford, Dartford Station and Town Centre, Stone and Greenhithe!
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Post by M1104 on Mar 31, 2017 11:02:47 GMT
I took one Limebourne driver out one afternoon on his first trip down to Streatham, missed a right turn and managed to miss out half the route before either of us realised. I also remember one of the bollards at St Georges Hospital having a lot of scuffed red paint on it from skirt panels- needless to say the red scuffs were soon replaced by Limebourne green scuffs There was one occasion where I was running so late that my follower caught up with me at Garratt Lane. He flagged me down saying he'll take any passengers that want St George's Hospital so that I could continue along Garratt Lane to Tooting Broadway and Streatham. Some of the Passengers on my bus were actually happy as they will get to Tooting Broadway quicker, plus I remember there was a 270 in front that some punters likely wanted. |
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Post by redexpress on Mar 31, 2017 11:24:56 GMT
The E9, which is one of the few (or even only) DD routes to go through a hail and ride section. Well I thought it did at least... I thought the E9 had gained fixed stops before the DD conversion. The C3 used to have a short hail & ride section on Lots Road, but gained a fixed stop a couple of years ago. I think some drivers weren't aware of the hail & ride bit, as I've seen buses fail to stop on a couple of occasions. |
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It's only a pity the majority of them travelled such a short distance, mainly between St George's Hospital and the dormitories in St George's Grove or to Tooting Broadway. Although I always opinionate that the G1 should have two door buses I was happy then for the one door examples so as to view the angels better as they came off. 
I never got any numbers off them, as many other drivers boasted, but one or two did often say more than just "hello!" and "thank you!"
