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Post by mkay315 on Dec 31, 2021 14:44:22 GMT
To my Kingston folk on here. Do you reckon I should do the 111 and 285 challenge next year to see which one would get me to Heathrow quicker? Maybe. But I could tell you that straight off: 285 ALL THE WAY! The 285 to Heathrow is probably about as long as the 111 just to Hounslow! 111/281 challenge might be a little closer, but don't do it on a rugby day. Another one could be the 419/493 challenge between Queen Mary's and the bus station. Seems like an obvious one but the 493 hits many a traffic hotspot in Sheen. All others in that area (like 65/371 or 419/33 or 190/110 or H37/110) are quite clear cut, in each case the former is much faster. Duly noted. Can you think of any potential hotspots to look out for?
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Post by vjaska on Dec 31, 2021 15:02:28 GMT
To my Kingston folk on here. Do you reckon I should do the 111 and 285 challenge next year to see which one would get me to Heathrow quicker? The 285 is infinitely quicker than the 111 having done it more times than I can remember
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Post by mkay315 on Dec 31, 2021 15:20:52 GMT
To my Kingston folk on here. Do you reckon I should do the 111 and 285 challenge next year to see which one would get me to Heathrow quicker? The 285 is infinitely quicker than the 111 having done it more times than I can remember I'm noting this all down 😂😂. 2022 I'll put that to the test. Also is there any potential hotspots I need to look out for? I've been on both routes in the past but I haven't done the end to end before.
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Post by twobellstogo on Dec 31, 2021 16:13:23 GMT
To my Kingston folk on here. Do you reckon I should do the 111 and 285 challenge next year to see which one would get me to Heathrow quicker? The 285 is infinitely quicker than the 111 having done it more times than I can remember Even if you encounter traffic on the 285, it is still highly likely that the 285 will be quicker than the 111. The 111 is a very convoluted bus route - as a passenger, you wouldn’t in the usual way of things take it from end to end.
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Post by YX10FFN on Dec 31, 2021 17:09:18 GMT
Little local journey today to tick a few things off before the New Year
65 (YT59RXY) Kew-Kingston: Have to say, the ex-Sovereign ones are by far in the worst condition out of the FW SPs. Driver was flooring the poor life out of this one in Petersham 216 (YX18KVH) Kingston-Sunbury: First time on the 216 and it has a lot more twists and turns than I expected. 235 (LK66FSX) Sunbury-Brentford: Last time on a Metroline 235. Absolutely rammed from Feltham to Hounslow and was curtailed to County Court, AH not short of drama till the end! 65 (LG71DYV) Brentford-Kew: My snooping around whats left of Griffin Park worked out perfectly for time as I was greeted with a BCE on the 65 for the first time. The front and back blinds weren't working which was a bad omen but have to say, a marvelous ride. Really smooth and this driver was keen to test the accelerator over Kew Bridge. As long as the blinds work it's a yes from me.
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Post by YX10FFN on Dec 31, 2021 17:27:44 GMT
The 285 is infinitely quicker than the 111 having done it more times than I can remember I'm noting this all down 😂😂. 2022 I'll put that to the test. Also is there any potential hotspots I need to look out for? I've been on both routes in the past but I haven't done the end to end before. Only real hotspot you should worry about with the 285 is Feltham, it's generally pretty slow around there (particularly when the bridge was being rebuilt). Otherwise to my knowledge the 285 is pretty clear. Especially riding around the Eastern Perimeter Road, you get great views of airport operations and planes taking off and landing. For the 111 Hampton Court Road is a persistent issue, can get backed up both directions all the way to Hampton. Hanworth Road can be slow at times aswell. Other than that it mostly runs around residential areas. The A4 could play up too as it uses that to approach Heathrow.
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Post by mkay315 on Dec 31, 2021 17:51:22 GMT
I'm noting this all down 😂😂. 2022 I'll put that to the test. Also is there any potential hotspots I need to look out for? I've been on both routes in the past but I haven't done the end to end before. Only real hotspot you should worry about with the 285 is Feltham, it's generally pretty slow around there (particularly when the bridge was being rebuilt). Otherwise to my knowledge the 285 is pretty clear. Especially riding around the Eastern Perimeter Road, you get great views of airport operations and planes taking off and landing. For the 111 Hampton Court Road is a persistent issue, can get backed up both directions all the way to Hampton. Hanworth Road can be slow at times aswell. Other than that it mostly runs around residential areas. The A4 could play up too as it uses that to approach Heathrow. Thank you for this
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Post by twobellstogo on Dec 31, 2021 18:10:39 GMT
A totally useless, and no doubt really boring post for you all, but through 2021, these were the bus routes I used most...
1st 229; 2nd 715; 3rd 89; 4th K3; 5th 466; 6th 422; 7th 132; 8th 281; 9th 269; 10th equal 96 and B12.
Wasn’t that exciting? Going to try this again in 2022 and will see if it’s any different.
Happy New Year bus forum! 🎉
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Post by VWH1413 on Dec 31, 2021 18:32:59 GMT
Last journey for the year and was in mood to spend part of day in High Barnet 460 (VWH1418) My Area > North Finchley: New battery on this one really packs an punch, and sounded similar to VWH1413 on an great day. Usual fun games at Golders Green, due to route 13's usual antics (curtailed to Church End) + usual bus behind, however was very fast and trashy around East End Road and into Victoria Park. 263 (TE1311) NF > High Barnet/Church Street: Fast at beginning and very nice at High Barnet Station (nice Topodyn?). Had some regulation twice though around Whetstone, but overall got where I wanted in good time. 383 (603b) High Barnet/Church Street > Tally Ho Corner: First time on the 383, and lots of nice straight residential roads with an fast driver, Christmas lights in the areas also added to atmosphere. 460 (VWH1418) NF Bus Station > My Area: Not as fast as my last VWH1418 ride (had an different driver), but still an good performer. Was also stuck behind an 13 (happening an awful lot?) bus that left 3 mins earlier until Finchley Central, as couldn't overtake. 245 (VWH2112) My Area > My Area(cont): Was just an few stops (last trip for food), but an very smooth and fast bus as one of few LK15s with an working battery at (PV). Looking forward to refurb next year, although VWH2102/VWH2104 REALLY needs doing first. Great to have VWH1418 as my last LK62 Gemini 2 bus for the year and VWH2112 as last ride bus for 2021, esp as solid as other LK15 Gemini 3s at (AC)
Here's to an happy 2022. This trip may not sound like specific bus hunting for end of year, but means an lot to me esp as always get to High Barnet before end of year as tradition and fond of the North London routes and good way to end 2021.
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Post by towertransit70 on Dec 31, 2021 19:21:01 GMT
Yesterday decides to explore outside using intalink explorer
298 from Arnos Grove to Potters Bar (Scania - Not bad but driver could have been faster considering he was 3 mins late) 84 to St Albans. What an absolute disaster. Barely got to around 40 and did no thrash. He was early and that's the problem with too much running time. It was a standard TE but driver was crawling 321 to Luton. Not bad on the B7RLE but again plenty of regulating and speeds got up to only 47. Highlight of the day was X61 from Luton to Aylesbury. Fast and nippy driver. Thrashed it all the way through. Was the only on-board. Nice driver and very fast through the dark night even tho is was only 5. He did max the bus and it was an amazing ride. Nice and nippy WX08LNN. Couldn't have asked for a better ride. It looks like these independent operators really want drivers to thrash their vehicles all the way😇 Was waiting for the 500 to Watford. Waited 1h for it. Then it broke down cos the driver didn't turn the bus off, and the bus wouldn't start on. So I took the Chiltern Railways to Harrow on Hill, Metropolitan to Rayners Lanr (First train broke down) and Piccadilly to Ealing Common 207 to Acton Vale. Very slow like normal I was disappointed at the 84 and 321 and defo 500. In reality, passengers pay extortionate prices for a slow service. I don't know why they like to do this but it's becoming the norm. And that's it!!!
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Post by VWH1413 on Dec 31, 2021 21:07:22 GMT
Yesterday decides to explore outside using intalink explorer 84 to St Albans. What an absolute disaster. Barely got to around 40 and did no thrash. He was early and that's the problem with too much running time. It was a standard TE but driver was crawling Sorry to hear this, as YouTube shows route with fantastic speed potential. Was actually thinking of grabbing this route actually, for the same reason and to also build my confidence travelling out of London again (news years resolution). Was it too early in day and also holiday? I also notice Metroline's website states they have an driver shortage esp for 84, although I wouldn't know how much this impact timetable.
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Post by abellion on Dec 31, 2021 21:50:58 GMT
84 to St Albans. What an absolute disaster. Barely got to around 40 and did no thrash. He was early and that's the problem with too much running time. It was a standard TE but driver was crawling 321 to Luton. Not bad on the B7RLE but again plenty of regulating and speeds got up to only 47. Shame that so many journeys get ruined by bad timing. Once I used a 436, bus flew from Battersea to around Kennington picking up nothing then at one point leading to Camberwell the driver was literally crawling the bus forward a small bit and refusing to overtake a 36 ahead that was stopping (it was quite full and the 436 was empty, like every other 36/436 pair seems to be nowadays) Another bad journey was with the 57. Sadly got a WSD over the amazing Es (I was tempted to wait another few minutes) and the driver seemed to make it his goal to go as slow as possible, yet we somehow had to regulate at Raynes Park and South Wimbledon, and even more bafflingly remained head of a 131 that left Kingston with us
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Post by towertransit70 on Jan 1, 2022 1:07:29 GMT
Yesterday decides to explore outside using intalink explorer 84 to St Albans. What an absolute disaster. Barely got to around 40 and did no thrash. He was early and that's the problem with too much running time. It was a standard TE but driver was crawling Sorry to hear this, as YouTube shows route with fantastic speed potential. Was actually thinking of grabbing this route actually, for the same reason and to also build my confidence travelling out of London again (news years resolution). Was it too early in day and also holiday? I also notice Metroline's website states they have an driver shortage esp for 84, although I wouldn't know how much this impact timetable. The 84 is full of nsl speeds and the driver barely got 40. It was midday. The only luck i guess is avoid with big companies and go with small independents since they usually have tighter runs and very fast drivers any time of the day
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Post by mkay315 on Jan 1, 2022 2:06:25 GMT
And now 2022 begins. It's time to get to work *rubs hands together*
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Post by dlroper on Jan 1, 2022 8:20:37 GMT
Yesterday's bus journey AB 2542 on the 63 from Therapia Road back to Southwark Station after walking / photo'ing the 63 out from Peckham Rye ........... not an electric 63 in sight. Nothing unusual seen but did manage VHP1 on the 37, WHV1 on the 436 and EH171 on the 171 and enjoyed picking off the GAL & AB SD's on the P12 & P13 respectively. There is also something very pleasing to the eye about the 484 batch of GAL SEe's a combination of height & length makes them "solid" looking.
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