Marshall refurbished RM1312 looks quite smart - shame about the re-registration

RML2492 waits to undertake a garage journey back to Clapton garage.
At one point the bay was empty, then 5 minutes later 6 buses were lined up!

Friday 28th October was a sad day, as route 38 said farewell to its 50 Routemasters and waited for the artics to take over. Goodbye seats!

What struck me on the day, apart from the sadness of the occasion, was the sheer number of photographers out there. Most were enthusiasts, but a lot of ordinary Londoners (and tourists as well) were taking photos for posterity. I have never seen so many people taking bus photos who were not enthusiasts, and a lot of them knew why the day was a special one. The RT's also turned a lot of many heads - people in offices and pubs were gawping at them as they went past. I heard that it had been on the news a lot that day as well.

My thanks go to all those who organised the specials - RLH61, RT's 191, 3871, 4421, RML2665 & 2760 to name a few. Your efforts made this a day to remember.

One example of route branding was for Sadler's Well as the nearside shot of this RML clearly shows.

In Grosvenor Place I caught RML2408 heading northbound. This was the first stop for the specials.

Two for the price of one! I caught RML2665 from Shaftsbury Avenue which was heading for Leyton. After Clapton the traffic was pretty heavy, and it made me appreciate how much of the 38 was lopped when it was cut back from Leyton to Clapton.
At Leyton garage I was pleased to see RML2665 parked next to RML2760 for a great photo opportunity.

RML2526 shows the rear Arriva stripe across the back, either side of the number plate.

As the 38 was due to convert to artic operation in October, I took the time on Monday 18th July 2005 to get a few pictures of the evening run out at Victoria.
Scroll down the page to view more. Click on the thumbnails to see the image.

Back to Clapton for a couple of hours.
RML2325 showing off the offside route branding is at the pond.

RM2122, a Marshall refurbished bus is doing a short to Piccadilly. I think for a while that afternoon a number of buses were turning at Hackney, and then at Piccadilly, or Tottenham Court Road Station due to severe traffic.

Beneath the overhanging trees is RML2750, possibly the highest numbered RML at Clapton garage.

My final shot of the day was RML2688 in Victoria bus station. I rode back from Hackney on RM1941 but it was parked too close behind 2688 to photograph properly.
And thus ended my last ride on a Routemaster bus on the 38 route. Truly the end of a very long era.