114 The London Bus
RF-class underfloor-engined AEC
Regal IV single-deckers.
We cross the River Thames
on the broad Kingston Bridge,
then get almost our first taste
of countryside as we pass
allotments and parkland at
Hampton Wick on our way
to Teddington. Although
Teddington Lock and Weir are
well-known landmarks on the
Thames, the town centre itself is
some way from the river.
Boarding an X26 here at the
beginning of the evening rush
hour, we now have to endure
a slow grind across complexjunctions with Hounslow Road,
Staines Road and the Great
West Road. Unfortunately for
us, the entire upper deck seems
to be occupied by vociferous
schoolboys on their way home.
Standing downstairs adjacent
to the luggage pen for half an
hour, we have plenty of time to
reflect on the limited seating,
to listen to the relatively noisy
diesel engine, and to wish the air
conditioning was turned on.
Finally we arrive at Hatton
Cross, on the fringe of
Heathrow Airport. Most
passengers leave the bus here;just a few intrepid travellers
stay on board as we embark
on a circuitous route round
the airport’s perimeter road.
It takes some minutes to make
our way to the north side of the
airport in order to reach the
main terminals via the access
tunnel under the runway.
The compact but orderly bus
station adjacent to the passenger
terminals is thronging with
passengers as our bus pulls
away and prepares to lay over in
preparation for the long return
trip to Croydon. ● PRLondon by Bus
RIGHT: WVL343
passing new
students’
residences
opposite Kingston
railway station.
MIDDLE: River
Thames and
railway bridge
viewed from the
road bridge in
Kingston.
BOTTOM: The
Perimeter Road at
Heathrow.